INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 22: INDIANAPOLIS, IN- MAY 22: The yard of bricks is covered in water after thunder storms delayed the second day of qualifying for the the 95th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 22, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
While the Truck Series heads to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series head to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Whether you are at the track or home, what does the forecast look like for this weekend in Indianapolis, IN?
This weekend, the Xfinity and Cup Series return to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway for one of NASCAR’s most famed weekends. Though Indianapolis Motor Speedway first held races in 1909, NASCAR did not race at the track until 1994.
The Cup Series has raced at the Brickyard since 1994, but the Xfinity Series did not race at IMS until 2012, opting to race at IRP prior to that. From 2021 to 2023, the Cup Series raced on the track’s 2.439-mile road course, with the Xfinity Series first racing on the course in 2020.
IMS has a decent history with weather. Notably, from 2017 to 2020, weather played a major role in the weekend’s events.
Friday, July 25: Xfinity and Cup Series Practice – 12:05 PM
Before the Race (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 81°F at 11:00 AM
Precipitation: 40% Chance From 10 AM to 12 PM
Wind: SW to WSW at 3 to 6 mph
During the On-Track Action (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 85°F at 2:00 PM
Precipitation: 40% Chance From 12 PM to 2 PM
Wind: WSW at 6 to 7 mph
After the On-Track Action (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 87°F at 3:00 PM
Precipitation: 59% Chance From 2 PM to 5 PM
Wind: WSW at 6 to 7 mph
Saturday, July 26: Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 on the CW [TV] & IMS Radio Network [Radio] – 7:30 PM
Before the Race (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 88°F at 4:00 PM
Precipitation: 49% Chance From 12 PM to 4 PM
Wind: SW at 5 to 6 mph
During the Race (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 88°F at 5:00 PM
Precipitation: 71% Chance From 4 PM to 8 PM
Wind: SW at 6 to 7 mph
After the Race (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 85°F at 8:00 PM
Precipitation: 37% Chance From 8 PM to 11 PM
Wind: SW at 5 to 3 mph
Sunday, July 27: Cup Series Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG on TNT [TV], MAX [Streaming], & IMS Radio Network [Radio] – 7:00 PM
Before the Race (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 89°F at 3:00 PM
Precipitation: 61% Chance From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Wind: 6 to 6 mph
During the Race (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 90°F at 5:00 PM
Precipitation: 61% Chance From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Wind: 6 to 6 mph
After the Race (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 89°F at 6:00 PM
Precipitation: 17% Chance From 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Wind: 5 to 3 mph
Recent Weather Events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
2018 – Cancellations and Delays
In 2018, rain at the Brickyard not only delayed the race to Monday but also canceled all on-track activities prior to the race. This delay affected the Cup Series garage as well as the Xfinity Series garage.
On Monday, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier won the Xfinity Series race, dominating, leading 41 laps en route to his first and only win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In the Cup Series race, Brad Keselowski walked away with a win in a race dominated by nobody, as five drivers led laps into the double digits, with Keselowski only leading five. This win was also notably Roger Penske’s first in NASCAR at the track he now owns.
Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.
