The Brickyard 400 is back on the oval, and it’s not just about kissing the bricks—it’s about crowning the first In-Season Challenge champ and cashing in on one of the biggest prize pools of the year. This is Indy: a 2.5-mile horsepower gut check where track position matters, clean air wins races, and only the elite survive late restarts. We’ve got a loaded board, playoff pressure, and some spicy longshots. Let’s fire.

 

 

 

The Favorites

Denny Hamlin (+500 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Four wins in 2025. Top-five finishes in five of the last seven. Led 21 laps here last year before a late wreck, and was leading in 2020 when he dumped it with a few to go. He's been elite at Michigan and Pocono—both strong comps—and has the best average running position across the last five ovals. The trophy case is full, but Indy is still missing. Expect max effort.

Kyle Larson (+500 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

This is a redemption mission. Larson won this race last year, nearly pulled off the Indy double in May, and now returns to settle unfinished business. His car was a rocket at Dover (P25 to P4), and he’s finished top-five in two of his last three Brickyard oval starts. Hendrick’s got this place dialed, and Larson’s due for another flag.

Sharp Pivot: Ryan Blaney to Win (+850 at BetRivers Sportsbook)

Blaney is the sharp pivot off Hamlin and Larson. He’s finished top-four at Pocono, Michigan, and Indy over the past 12 months and was one move away from winning this race last year before overtime flipped it. Penske has a dominant history here, and Blaney’s clean driving, long-run speed, and recent form all scream contender. You’re getting value with real upside.

 

 

 

 

Mid-Tier Targets

Chase Briscoe (+1200 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

Briscoe is on one. Second at Michigan. Second at Dover. Win at Pocono. Four top-7s in the last six races and leading laps nearly every week. He’s red-hot in a JGR car and just won at a track almost identical in layout and profile. This isn’t a fluke run—it’s a heater. Ride it.

Christopher Bell (+1200 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Bell has flown under the radar, but he’s been rock-solid on these big ovals. He finished 4th here last year, owns eight top-5s this season, and continues to show elite long-run pace. He’s just one clean stop or late restart away from stealing another win.

Brad Keselowski (+2200 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Brad was this close to stealing last year’s Brickyard—he led 35 laps late but got burned on fuel. His resume here includes a win and three top-4s in his last five Indy ovals. RFK has been sneaky consistent on big tracks lately with four top-10s in his last five races overall. Smart money play with upside.

 

 

 

Longshots Worth a Look

Joey Logano (+3000 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

This isn’t just a vibes play—Joey’s got the Brickyard chops. Thirteen starts, seven top-10s, two runner-ups, and double-digit laps led in half of them. Penske cars have been strong here for years, and Logano’s quietly found speed again with three straight top-15s. He knows how to finish this one.

Bubba Wallace (+3500 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

Quietly? Indy might be Bubba’s best track. P3, P5, and P9 in his last three non-DNFs here—including 26 laps led last year. That’s in both RPM and 23XI equipment. He’s also been strong at Pocono and Michigan, the other two 2.5-mile horsepower tracks. If he qualifies clean, he’s live.

 

 

 

YOLO Dart of the Week

Austin Cindric to Win (+6000 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

This is sneaky. Cindric has quietly improved on big ovals and finished 7th in his lone Brickyard oval start. He’s also been running cleaner up front lately, and Team Penske has owned this track historically—Logano, Blaney, and Cindric all had speed here last year. If strategy flips the race late or it turns into a track position brawl, Cindric could be the surprise rocket who survives. He’s won on fuel mileage before. Don’t rule out a Penske curveball.

 

 

 

Props That Pop

Christopher Bell Top-5 Finish (+185 at BetRivers Sportsbook)

Bell has the second-best average finish on 2.5-mile ovals since 2022. He finished 4th here last year after starting 18th and has eight top-5s in 2025—only Hamlin and Larson have more. His style fits this place: smooth, steady, sneaky fast.

Brad Keselowski Top-10 Finish (-112 at BetRivers Sportsbook)

You want safe value? Here’s your guy. Keselowski has six top-10s in his last eight Indy starts and just ripped off top-10s at Dover, Michigan, and Pocono. The car is dialed in, and he knows how to bring it home.

Ty Gibbs Top-10 Finish (-105 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Gibbs is racing for a million bucks. He’s been consistent all year, and while the raw finishes haven’t always flashed, the speed is there. Don’t be shocked if he runs inside the top-10 most of the day.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Larson and Hamlin are the headliners, but Blaney is the sharp pivot with all the tools to steal it. Briscoe’s on fire, Bell is the silent assassin, and Bubba’s track history is flat-out underrated. Keselowski brings the value on the prop sheet, and Cindric is this week’s YOLO dart with real upside. The Brickyard brings chaos—stack your card smart, trust the data, and let’s go get paid.

 

Â