By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
The NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course will yield a different perspective for veteran driver Brandon Brown.
Partnering with Harmon
For the first time since the 2019 season, Brown will not be driving his family owned Brandonbilt Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro SS. Instead, Austin Dillon will drive the No. 68 this weekend. To remain championship eligible, Brown moved into the Mike Harmon Racing No. 47 Chevrolet.
In the previous two runnings of the Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard, Brown has a best finish of 11th in 2020. Unlike the previous two seasons, much of the curbing that plagued drivers and damaged cars will not be placed along the racing surface.
“I’m not too familiar with Harmon’s car just because this will be the first time I’ve ever been in it,” admitted Brown. “I just have the expectation to run where the equipment can run, and you know try to maximize strategy. If people are pitting, shortcutting the Stage to get better track position, then we need to stay out so that we get stage points. We have to work hard to maximize the efforts for the weekend.”
“The good news is that we’re going to take the car to Brandonbilt Motorsports and have it pulled down,” continued Brown. “We’ll mount my seat in it, make me feel comfortable in the car.”
Showcase Versatility as a Driver
The opportunity with Mike Harmon’s team offers Brown a chance to showcase his versatility as a driver. In different equipment he has a different set of goals. Unlike other race weekends, the No. 47 is locked into the 38-car field this weekend by virtue of the Woodbridge, VA native’s past winner’s provisional from last year’s Talladega Superspeedway win.
The Mike Harmon Racing entry sits 41st in the owner’s points standings, 116-points behind the next full-time team. The No. 47 is 16-points behind 40th in owner points. Both Gray Gaulding and Ryan Vargas have aided Harmon’s efforts earlier this season.
“I’m optimistic, I think that Mike brings a good car and that they do the best that they can,” explained Brown. “I’m hoping to get them some owners points and get them back into the discussion of not having to miss races. I think it’s really, really important that we do everything we can to help Harmon’s team and his car to be as best as it can be and it’s just going to be up to me to try and run the smartest race possible and stay out of trouble.”
Playoff Picture
Entering Indianapolis, Brown is 14th in the championship points standings, 66-points behind the playoff cutline, held by fellow Chevy Racing driver Landon Cassill.
The Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard is scheduled to start at 3:30pm ET on Saturday, July 30, following the completion of the NTT INDYCAR Series race. The race will air on NBC, the IMS Radio Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Featured Photo Credit: Photo by NKP / NKP Photo.