Held on the hallowed, brick-laden ground of Indianapolis Motor Speedway each July, the Brickyard 400 has long been one of NASCAR’s most-watched races. It’s an event with cherished traditions, such as the post-race kissing of the bricks, and a healthy dose of intrigue – with Indiana native Tony Stewart seeking his third Brickyard win in his Indianapolis Motor Speedway finale.
And while there have been no fatalities during the Brickyard’s 20-year history – compared to 15 during the Indy 500 race – risk is an ever-present companion when you’re traveling at speeds in excess of 180 mph. This is exemplified by the fact that the average driver spends roughly $150,000 on life insurance each year. It seems the event’s $9.4 million purse is enough to warrant the danger for these dare-devils of the track.
For more on what makes the Brickyard 400 and the drivers that compete in it tick, check out the stats and fun facts we’ve compiled in the infographic below. We also consulted a panel of leading racing industry and sports business experts about their picks to win this year’s race as well as their take on a number of issues now facing the business of NASCAR.
Ask the Experts: Brickyard Picks & The Business Of NASCAR
We reached out to the following experts for insights into the business of NASCAR, in general, as well as the dynamics of this year’s Brickyard 400, in particular. You can check out their bios and responses to the following questions below.
- Which NASCAR race has the best chances of cracking the 50 most-watched sporting events in a given year? Do you think it will happen?
- How do NASCAR’s long term prospects for financial viability compare to other major sports?
- What are the biggest issues facing the business of NASCAR in general and the Brickyard 400 in particular?
- Do you think the daily fantasy sports model will take off for NASCAR as it has for the big-four sports, and even other more niche sports like golf?
- Who is your pick to win the 2016 Brickyard 400 race?
Ask the Experts
- Andy Baker
Director of Motorsports Studies and Lecturer of Geography at Indiana University School of Liberal Arts
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- John D. Miller
Associate Professor of American Literature and Cultural Studies at Longwood University
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- Randell Peters
Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Engineering and Technology Management at Indiana State University
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- Danny J. White
Director of Motorsports and K-12 Partnerships at Purdue University
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- Eddie T. C. Lam
Associate Professor & Coordinator of the Graduate Sport Management Program in the Department of Health & Human Performance at Cleveland State University
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