The Brickyard 400 has long been one of the crown jewels of the NASCAR Cup Series, drawing elite teams and drivers to the hallowed grounds of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With the return to the oval layout and the race’s restored prestige, attention naturally shifts back to those who once ruled this historic venue.
Key Highlights
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Jeff Gordon leads all drivers with 528 laps led in the Brickyard 400.
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Kevin Harvick (389), Kyle Busch (329), and Jimmie Johnson (306) follow as the only other drivers over 300 laps led.
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Weather for Sunday’s 2025 Brickyard 400 looks favorable with just a 20% chance of rain.
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The 2025 Brickyard 400 runs Sunday, July 27 at 2:00 p.m. ET on TNT.
The Kings of Indy: Top 10 in Brickyard 400 Laps Led
Here’s a look at the all-time leaders in laps led at the Brickyard 400 since the event’s inception in 1994:
| Rank | Driver | Car No. | Laps Led |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff Gordon | 24 | 528 |
| 2 | Kevin Harvick | 4 | 389 |
| 3 | Kyle Busch | 8 | 329 |
| 4 | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | 306 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | 20 | 227 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | 42 | 203 |
| 7 | Dale Jarrett | 88 | 186 |
| 8 | Kasey Kahne | 5 | 170 |
| 9 | Bill Elliott | 9 | 157 |
| 10 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | 152 |
Each of these drivers etched their names into Brickyard lore not just by winning — though several did — but by controlling large chunks of the race and putting on commanding performances at one of the sport’s most revered venues.
Jeff Gordon’s Reign and Harvick’s Pursuit
Jeff Gordon’s 528 laps led over his Brickyard 400 career underscore his mastery of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He won the inaugural race in 1994 and went on to collect five Brickyard victories, a record that still stands.
Kevin Harvick, with 389 laps led, has been one of the most consistent forces at the Brickyard in the modern era. His wins in 2003 and 2019 bookend a career of steady excellence at Indy, and he’s often been in contention whether the race ran on the oval or road course.
Juan Pablo Montoya, Jimmie Johnson, and Painful What-Ifs
Juan Pablo Montoya’s 203 laps led — without a win — is one of the Brickyard’s most frustrating stats. In both 2009 and 2010, Montoya had the dominant car but faltered late, either due to pit strategy or mistakes under pressure.
Jimmie Johnson, with four Brickyard wins and 306 laps led, built much of his legacy on big-race performance. His ability to close out races at Indy cemented his place among NASCAR’s greats.
Looking Ahead: 2025 Brickyard 400 Preview
This weekend marks the second straight year the NASCAR Cup Series will run the Brickyard on its original oval configuration. Set for Sunday, July 27 at 2:00 p.m. ET (TNT), the race comes at a pivotal point in the 2025 season as the playoff picture tightens.
After a forecasted 55% chance of rain on Friday and Saturday, teams are relieved to see Sunday’s rain chance drop to just 20%. That could mean a full race uninterrupted by weather, allowing teams to fully execute strategies based on the limited track time they manage to squeeze in during the weekend.
If qualifying and practice are impacted by rain, those with strong notebook data from last year — when the oval returned — could hold an advantage.
News in Brief: Most Laps Led in the Brickyard 400 History
As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval for the 2025 Brickyard 400, all eyes are on both the race and its historical legacy. Jeff Gordon still leads all drivers with 528 laps led in the Brickyard 400, followed by Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. This weekend’s event carries major playoff implications, and fortunately, Sunday’s weather forecast looks favorable with just a 20% chance of rain. The race begins at 2:00 p.m. ET on TNT, marking the second year back on the traditional layout.
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