The 2010 Brickyard 400 was the 17th running of the Brickyard 400, a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock‑car race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, United States. The event took place on August 28 2010 and served as the 21st race of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
Venue and race format
The race was contested on the 2.5‑mile (4.02 km) rectangular oval of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The competition distance was scheduled for 160 laps, totaling 400 mi (643.7 km). The event was broadcast live on ABC in the United States, with radio coverage provided by the Motor Racing Network (MRN).
Qualifying
Ryan Newman, driving the No. 12 Penske Racing Chevrolet, secured the pole position with the fastest qualifying lap. (Exact speed and lap time are not cited in available sources.)
Race outcome
Jimmie Johnson, piloting the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, won the race, marking his first victory at the Brickyard and the 61st win of his NASCAR Cup Series career. Jeff Gordon finished in second place, while Mark Martin took third. The win gave Johnson a notable boost in the points standings heading into the final stretch of the season.
Race summary
The event featured multiple lead changes among a range of competitors and a number of caution periods for on‑track incidents and debris. Pit‑stop strategy and fuel management played critical roles in the final stages, with Johnson assuming the lead after a decisive pit sequence late in the race. His crew chief, Chad Knaus, elected a two‑stop strategy that proved effective as the race progressed.
Significance
The 2010 Brickyard 400 was the first Brickyard victory for Johnson, adding to his list of major race wins that also includes multiple Daytona 500 and Brickyard SuperSpeedway events. The result contributed to Johnson’s contention for the 2010 Sprint Cup Series championship, which he ultimately secured later that season.
References
- NASCAR.com – race results and statistics (archived)
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway official race archives
- ABC Sports broadcast recap (August 28, 2010)
