Indy Brickyard 400: empty stands, zero lead passes, and calls for a NASCAR rethink

At Indy’s Brickyard 400, roughly 70,000 fans filled a 400,000-seat venue, but the optics were poor as there were zero green-flag passes for the lead and movement only on restarts. The event amplified dissatisfaction with NASCAR’s current car/package and race length, with drivers and commentators criticizing the format. Corey Heim won, becoming a two-time Cup Series winner, fueling ongoing debate about NASCAR’s direction and whether the package and schedule need a rethink.