TC Daily Pit Stop: Riley Herbst Bests Custer, Almirola in Epic Xfinity Duel at Indy; Tyler Reddick on Brickyard 400 Pole; Custer Announces 2025 Plans; Sunday's TV Schedule
TC Daily Pit Stop: Sunday, July 21, 2024
Riley Herbst Beats Custer, Almirola for Statement Victory at Indianapolis
Riley Herbst made a statement on Saturday as he scored the win in the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in an absolutely wild and epic late-race duel between him, his teammate Cole Custer, and Aric Almirola.
Between the three drivers, there were three lead changes in the final three laps of the race, but the final one was the only one that mattered as far as the trophy was concerned. Herbst got Almirola loose on the final lap to take the lead, and he scooted away for the win. Custer, who also had a run on the final lap, was able to get around Almirola as well for P2.
Many times over the final few laps, it looked like Herbst’s shot at the win was over, but he kept charging back.
“This is Indianapolis. This is the most famous racetrack in the world and it is an honor just to walk in this place, let alone win. We had speed all year and I felt like we could win but I just messed up on the restarts a little bit,” said Herbst. “It was a good fight. I thought I had Cole clear and then he slid bottom of three with the 20 and I thought it was going to be tough. I just continued to work.”
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PENNZOIL 250 Video Highlights
Video: Mayer, Allmendinger Make Contact; Triggers 12-Car Wreck on Lap 1 at Indianapolis
Video: MASSIVE Crash Erupts With 16 Laps to Go Involving Dye, Alfredo, Retzlaff, Williams
Tyler Reddick Continues Strong Weekend with Brickyard 400 Pole
While many have had Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson pegged as the favorite for Sunday’s Brickyard 400, Tyler Reddick has emerged as the most dangerous driver in the field. The driver of the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota Camry paced Friday’s practice session, and on Saturday he scored the pole for Sunday’s Brickyard 400.
The pole marks the eighth of Reddick’s NASCAR Cup Series career.
Denny Hamlin will start alongside from the second position. Hamlin is looking to avenge a bitterly close failed attempt at the win in the 2020 Brickyard 400.
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STARTING LINEUP
Defending Xfinity Champion Cole Custer Lands Haas Factory Team Cup Seat
Cole Custer officially announced his 2025 plans on Saturday morning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion will move back to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time as he’ll pilot the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the Haas Factory Team.
The Haas Factory Team will also have an alliance with RFK Racing in 2025. Gene Haas confirmed that his team has spoken to Hailie Deegan and Riley Herbst about the team’s two open NASCAR Xfinity Series rides for next year.
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OTHER HEADLINES
Kyle Steckly Wins 58th Annual Redbud 400 for First ASA STARS National Tour Victory
Andy Lally, Brent Crews Win SpeedTour All-Star Race at Lime Rock Park
NASCAR TV Schedule: Sunday, July 21, 2024
Happy Brickyard 400 race day, everyone! Sunday’s TV Schedule is a pretty easy one to remember.
2:00 PM ET: NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 (NBC / NBC Sports App)