NASCAR Cup Series

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S RED VEST CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and discussed the progress of Dale Earnhardt Jr., having Jeff Gordon in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy SS this weekend as a substitute for him, the challenges of extremely high heat at Indianapolis this weekend, and more.

You will find no ‘purple stuff’ in the No. 17 team’s cooler at Roush Fenway Racing, as the team has announced a multi-year extension with SunnyD as a primary partner on the No. 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford with driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The iconic brand has served as the primary partner for Stenhouse in multiple races this season, including this weekend at the famed Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the No. 17 Sunny D Ford Fusion, visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield media center to not only talk about a multi-year extension Roush Fenway Racing just signed with Sunny D, but about this weekend’s race.

Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion, is 17th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings going into Sunday’s race. He visited the infield media center at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this morning to talk about his position in the standings and the competitiveness of his team.

JEFF GORDON, INTERIM DRIVER OF THE NO. 88 AXALTA CHEVROLET SS, AND RICK HENDRICK, OWNER OF HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS, met with members of the media at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to discuss Jeff climbing behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet SS for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. as he continues to heal from concussion like symptoms.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series head to Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend. Please check below for the complete schedule of events.

This week our staff takes a look at some of the hot topics in the world of NASCAR. We look back at New Hampshire, glance ahead to Indianapolis and rate the season to date. Our staff also tackles the question of penalties and when/if those penalties should affect the outcome of a race. We are joined by guest contributor, Katelyn Kinnett, co-founder of NASCARFemale.com.

The only story of note involves the No. 88 and who will be behind the wheel. That would be Jeff Gordon, who comes out of retirement to run Indianapolis and Watkins Glen while Dale Earnhardt Jr. recovers from the effects of his latest concussion. Shaky balance and some nausea are what he needs to overcome, but while that is happening Gordon will run his 798th and 799th career races.

“The Brickyard 400 is the one race I look forward to every year,” said McDowell. “I know the Daytona 500 is the biggest race in NASCAR, but for me, racing at Indianapolis gives me chills.”

Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, substitute driver of the No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet SS, will be available to members of the media on Friday, July 22, at 10:30 a.m. ET in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center.