Brickyard 400 Preview: Not the Usual Suspects

The NASCAR Sprint Cup series invades the hallowed grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the annual Brickyard 400.

The Brickyard 400 holds special meaning to those drivers that have driven the track as an open wheel driver, especially former winners such as Juan Pablo Montoya and Sam Hornish Jr.

Juan Pablo Montoya

Juan Pablo Montoya started on the front row of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Brickyard 400 and had the race well in hand until he was caught speeding, ending his bid.

Montoya and Chip Ganassi have focused on this race for weeks since Montoya is all but out of the NASCAR Race to the Chase.

Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson and crew kissed the bricks last year after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Brickyard 400, and he is the 7-2 favorite to win this year according to the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook.

Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon always runs well at the Brickyard 400, and he will be going for history when he straps in on Sunday July 25th.

Gordon could become the first driver to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Brickyard 400 five times.

Kasey Kahne

Kasey Kahne is an another open wheel driver that hasn't been able to race the Indianapolis 500. Kahne has run well at Indianapolis and will be in the top five contending for a win late in the race.

If Kahne is running the new FR-9 engine, and it holds together, he has a shot at winning the Brickyard 400.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The long shot pick to win the Brickyard 400 is Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Jr. is driving a Hendrick Motorsports prepared car, and with the animosity that has been brewing of a late over the differences between his cars and Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon's cars, this may be an interesting measuring stick.