But Who’s Counting? (Leesl Is.) 🧮

Andy: North Wilkesboro may be legendary, but it was pure misery for Windy City Racin’. That unique track layout—with an uphill backstretch and downhill frontstretch because the original builders ran out of cash—pretty much set the tone for my entire day. It was all downhill from the green flag, and I took a brutal 133-point beating. 📉 Looking at my results, it seems my guys were daydreaming about that moonshine still trophy instead of actually driving for it.

Leesl: While you were busy soaking up the history and nostalgia, Lone Star Racin’ was out there handling business. Stacking six drivers in the top 12—led by Joey Logano’s win—and four in the top five was our strongest showing of the season. We’re not checking the rearview to see where the competition is; we’re looking straight ahead to Indy with a comfortable 627-point lead. But who’s counting? 😉

Who Will Kiss the Bricks? 💋🧱

Andy: Moving on to another icon… The Brickyard. Opened in 1909 and paved with 3.2 million bricks, it’s best known for the Indy 500, and NASCAR didn’t even race here until 1994. Going from a 0.625-mile short track to a massive 2.5-mile rectangle is a total reset, and I’m hoping the change of scenery finally brings Windy City Racin’ the big win we’ve been chasing all year.

Leesl: How many times have you told us a new venue was going to turn your team’s fortunes around? Twenty-one races in, and you’re still stuck in low gear. With only five races left until the playoffs, you might want to try Lone Star’s strategy: run up front and win races. Having seven of my drivers currently in playoff spots says we’re doing something right.

Andy: Point taken, but the job now is winning at Indy. I’ve got drivers who know how to clear this track—Larson and Keselowski have both won here, while Bell, Blaney, and Elliott are competitive every time out. Qualifying wasn’t pretty, but it’s a long race on a big track. I’m picking Kyle Larson to bounce back from three rough weeks and score his first win of the year.

Leesl: Indy is a strategic chess match. ♟️Passing zones are sparse and pit road is endless, which plays right into Lone Star’s hands given how well we’ve managed strategy tracks this season. Wallace, Reddick, Hamlin, and Logano all run well here, and Bubba took the checkered flag last year. Qualifying didn’t favor us either, but no sweat—I’m riding with my leader, Denny Hamlin, to bag his first Brickyard win and his fifth victory of the season.

The Gasoline Alley Grid ⛽

Team	Total Points	Status
Lone Star Racin’	4719	High-Octane Rocket Fuel! Purring like a perfectly tuned engine, burning clean, and leaving a trail of exhaust for the competition.
Windy City Racin’	4092	Stuck in Low Gear. A grinding transmission, a loose oil plug, and desperately needing a push-start from the safety crew.

Our Official Rosters

• Leesl’s Lone Star Racin’ – These boots are meant for racing!
  • Hamlin, Logano (🏆 winner), Reddick, Byron, Briscoe, Wallace, SVG, Chastain.
• Andy’s Windy City Racin’ – From second city to first place!
  • Elliott, Larson, Blaney, Bell, Bowman, Buescher, Keselowski, Zilisch.

Drafting or Leading?

Before taking the green flag at Indy, teams have to decide whether to play it safe or gamble on fuel strategy. If you were sitting on top of the pit box at the Brickyard, would you play it conservative or risk it all on a late-race pit stop—and who do you predict kisses the bricks this Sunday?

Drop your strategy choice and race pick in the comments below! 🏁👇