NASCAR at Kentucky 2015: Race Schedule, Live Stream Info and Drivers to Watch

Saturday's Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway figures to change the complexion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with relative ease.

It's not hard to see why. The track in Kentucky isn't an easy one to master. A whopping 1.5 miles in length means plenty of three-wide scenarios and dangerous moves to improve position.

New aero packages and rules will make matters all the more intriguing once things get underway.

It's just not a normal race for the drivers, which makes sense. Sonoma's road course two weeks ago wasn't easy, and wild wrecks and turns marred Daytona last week.

Saturday figures to keep the budding trend alive.

Viewing Details

Where: Kentucky Speedway

When: Saturday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET

Watch: NBCSN

Live Stream: NBC Live Extra

NASCAR at Kentucky Entry List

Car No.	Driver
1	Jamie McMurray
2	Brad Keselowski
3	Austin Dillon
4	Kevin Harvick
5	Kasey Kahne
6	Trevor Bayne
7	Alex Bowman
9	Sam Hornish Jr
10	Danica Patrick
11	Denny Hamlin
13	Casey Mears
14	Tony Stewart
15	Clint Bowyer
16	Greg Biffle
17	Ricky Stenhouse Jr
18	Kyle Busch
19	Carl Edwards
20	Matt Kenseth
21	Ryan Blaney
22	Joey Logano
23	J.J. Yeley
24	Jeff Gordon
26	Jeb Burton
27	Paul Menard
30	Travis Kvapil
31	Ryan Newman
32	Will Kimmel III
33	Alex Kennedy
34	Brett Moffitt
35	Cole Whitt
38	David Gilliland
40	Landon Cassill
41	Kurt Busch
42	Kyle Larson
43	Aric Almirola
46	Michael Annett
47	AJ Allmendinger
48	Jimmie Johnson
51	Justin Allgaier
55	David Ragan
62	Reed Sorenson
78	Martin Truex Jr
83	Matt DiBenedetto
88	Dale Earnhardt Jr
95	Michael McDowell
98	Josh Wise

Sprint Cup Chase Standings

RK	DRIVER	POINTS
1	Jimmie Johnson	589
2	Kevin Harvick	656
3	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	593
4	Kurt Busch	508
5	Joey Logano	581
6	Martin Truex Jr.	569
7	Brad Keselowski	520
8	Matt Kenseth	501
9	Denny Hamlin	480
10	Carl Edwards	408

Drivers to Watch

Jimmie Johnson

Terry Renna/Associated Press

Jimmie Johnson may be at the top of the leaderboard if one sorts it by wins, but it's starting to not feel like it considering he hasn't won since the end of May at Dover.

Complicating matters is the fact that Johnson has never won at Kentucky. He's done well on similar tracks, but an inability to get over the proverbial hump is something worth noting.

Then again, while some drivers may struggle with the NASCAR changes this weekend, Johnson may be one who's ready to flourish.

At least, one high-profile analyst thinks so, per Mark Znidar of the Columbus Dispatch: "Fox racing analyst Darrell Waltrip said the changes would 'loosen' the cars, meaning the rear ends would not have as much stability and grip in the corners. He predicted that drivers such as Kevin Harvick, brothers Kyle and Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson would thrive at Kentucky."

If Johnson can adapt and take advantage, the rest of the leaderboard will have a tough time closing the gap. 

Kevin Harvick

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Another driver yet to get over the hump?

Series leader Kevin Harvick.

Harvick looks unstoppable, so long as folks forget the 29th-place finish at the odd, rainy event at Michigan last month. He's the points leader by quite a lot, and per Jerry Bonkowski of NBCSports.com, he'll secure a spot in the Chase just by making a start this weekend.

It doesn't take a betting genius to know Harvick will do much more than just start, though.

Since the debacle at Michigan, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver has finished fourth in each of his last two outings.

In other words, it sounds like Harvick is getting back to his usual self, meaning he's a contender to lead the most laps, if not win outright.

Jeff Gordon

Terry Renna/Associated Press

Oh, a guy by the name of Jeff Gordon has yet to win a Sprint Cup event at Kentucky Speedway too.

There's no such thing as too much Gordon in what is his farewell tour.

He put on a show at Daytona last week, finishing sixth and breaking a streak of five consecutive non-top-10 finishes. It was the latest on his tour, although even he admits he won't miss the style much.

USA Today's Jeff Olson captured Gordon's thoughts on the matter:

"

It is literally like a video game out there these days, except for it's real life. It's crazy. It's really crazy. I love Daytona. This place has been amazing for me. I can't believe this is my final race here, but after going through that experience I'm glad I only have one more restrictor-plate race left.

"

It will be interesting, then, to see how Gordon handles Saturday's new-look race on the 1.5-mile track. He's a veteran, of course, but even he could experience a hiccup as things continue to change around the sport.

A member of the top 10 in the points standings, Gordon is not far off from securing his spot in the Chase. Win No. 1 at Saturday's venue would be a sweet way to put an exclamation point on his farewell tour.

Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.