The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season enters a pivotal stretch with the return of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Sunday’s 160-lap race marks the second time the Next Gen car will compete on the famed 2.5-mile oval. As Cup drivers prepare for one of the sport’s crown jewel events, all eyes turn to more than just speed and strategy—this year’s purse tops $11 million, with a staggering winner’s share that could alter a team’s entire season trajectory.
Key Highlights
2025 Brickyard 400 prize pool set at $11,055,250, the highest of the season.
Race winner expected to earn between $884,420 and $1,105,525.
39 Cup drivers are entered, including Jesse Love, Katherine Legge, and Josh Bilicki.
All three NASCAR national series competing in Indianapolis region this weekend.
NASCAR’s charter system continues to conceal exact finishing payouts per driver.
Historic Purse Adds Weight to Indy Return
The Brickyard 400 has always carried prestige, but the 2025 edition brings unmatched financial stakes. NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass confirmed the Cup Series purse is set at $11,055,250, including all payouts, contingency bonuses, and charter-related earnings. That makes it the richest race of the season to date.
Per Pockrass, the winner is projected to receive between 8% and 10% of the purse—translating to a check between $884,420 and $1,105,525. This range makes the Brickyard not just a historic venue, but also one of the most lucrative targets on the Cup calendar. The reward structure deepens the importance of execution on pit road and consistency across stages, as even minor mistakes could cost a team nearly a million-dollar payday.
While NASCAR no longer discloses exact per-position payouts due to the charter system, it is known that the remainder of the purse is distributed based on a mix of finishing position, owner status, and other metrics. For many mid-pack teams, even a top-15 result could offer a meaningful boost in earnings.
Purses for Indy weekend (Cup/Xfinity at IMS; Trucks at IRP), includes all payouts, all positions, contingency awards, etc., and charter payouts for Cup.
Cup: $11,055,250
Xfinity: $1,651,939
Truck: $782,900
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 23, 2025
Next Gen Car Returns to Indy Oval
The 2025 Brickyard 400 marks the second year of the Next Gen car on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. After an experimental stretch on the road course configuration, NASCAR returned to the 2.5-mile rectangle in 2024. The return was praised for restoring tradition and elevating racing intensity on one of motorsports’ most storied stages.
With drivers now better adjusted to the Next Gen’s demands on flat, high-speed ovals, teams are expected to bring more refined packages into Sunday’s event. The added familiarity may translate into closer battles and more strategic variance.
Cup Series activity begins with practice on Friday, July 25, at 12:05 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying on Saturday at 2:35 p.m. ET. The Brickyard 400 will be televised live on TNT at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, with coverage also available on IMS Radio.
Full Weekend of Racing Across All Series
The Brickyard 400 headlines a busy weekend in the Indianapolis area. NASCAR’s national schedule brings all three series to town, with each facing unique challenges across different layouts.
In the Xfinity Series, the Pennzoil 250 will take place on Saturday, July 26, at 4:30 p.m. ET, airing on The CW. Thirty-eight drivers are on the entry list, guaranteeing no eliminations. Among the entries, Kyle Larson returns in the No. 17 for Hendrick Motorsports, and Katherine Legge will run double duty in the No. 32 for Jordan Anderson Racing. The field also features Logan Bearden (No. 07), Joey Gase (No. 53), Mason Massey (No. 45), and Dawson Cram (No. 74).
One notable absence is the No. 5 car from Our Motorsports, which has officially shut down following the Dover event.
The Truck Series runs Friday night at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in the TSport 200, with green flag set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. The field includes 35 entries with no one sent home unless the list expands. New faces and returning veterans are scattered throughout the lineup, including Ross Chastain in the No. 44 for Niece Motorsports, Brenden Queen in Spire’s No. 07, Corey Day in the No. 7, and Greg Van Alst making his debut with his self-owned No. 35.
Norm Benning will roll out in his familiar No. 6, while Jordan Anderson returns to Truck competition in the No. 20, marking his first series start since 2022.
Notable Cup Series Entries and Changes
The Cup Series entry list stands at 39 teams, meaning all drivers will make the field barring any last-minute withdrawals. Several part-time and wildcard entries add intrigue to the grid. Jesse Love will pilot the No. 62 Chevrolet for Beard Motorsports, and Josh Bilicki takes the wheel of the No. 66 for Garage 66. Katherine Legge, who is pulling double duty this weekend, returns to the No. 78 for Live Fast Motorsports.
While the front-runners will chase points and playoff positioning, these smaller outfits have a different kind of opportunity—using Indy’s high visibility and massive purse to gain exposure and financial traction.
For many of these teams, a top-25 finish at a high-payout venue like Indianapolis could prove as impactful as a win elsewhere. With no drivers sent home during qualifying, each team gets the chance to execute on race day with meaningful incentives on the line.
News in Brief: NASCAR 2025 Brickyard 400 Purse
The 2025 Brickyard 400 will offer the biggest prize pool of the NASCAR Cup Series season, totaling $11,055,250. The winner of Sunday’s 160-lap race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is expected to take home between $884,420 and $1,105,525. All 39 Cup teams are locked into the field. Practice and qualifying begin Friday and Saturday, with the main event airing Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on TNT and IMS Radio. The Truck and Xfinity Series also race in the area this weekend.
ALSO READ: How to Watch the 2025 Brickyard 400: Start Times, and TV Channels
