Justin Allgaier looks to reclaim Indianapolis victory as NASCAR returns to the Brickyard

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- NASCAR returned to the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday as drivers prepared for a full weekend of racing at the Brickyard.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series field completed a 50-minute practice session ahead of Saturday’s 100-lap race.

Only one driver in the field has previously won at Indianapolis: defending series champion Justin Allgaier.

Allgaier, who has six victories this season, won at the track in 2018. He said he still remembers nearly every detail from that afternoon, including what it meant to win at a place he visited as a child.

“I remember everything from that day,” Allgaier said. “This place is special, right? I grew up coming here as a kid.”

Allgaier enters the weekend as one of the fastest and most successful drivers in the series, but he said he is not taking another Indianapolis victory for granted.

“Until that checkered flag falls and you’re the first one across that Yard of Bricks, I’m not going to count any chickens before they hatch,” Allgaier said.

Allgaier posted the second-fastest time during Friday’s practice session. NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain, who is also competing in the O’Reilly Series race, topped the practice leaderboard.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday and will air on CW25.

ABC57 will have highlights from the race Saturday night at 10 and 11.