Five-time IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon won the GMR Grand Prix on July 4.
“I’ve been excited since the NASCAR/IndyCar doubleheader was announced,” Dixon said. “It’s fantastic. I was a bit saddened only because I think that would be something great for the fans to see. I hope it’s something that will progress to more in the future.”
While Dixon won the IndyCar race by 20 seconds over Graham Rahal, Briscoe topped the Xfinity Series thriller that wrapped up the holiday racing card.
“I think there is nothing to change,” Briscoe said. “I know after today’s race that people might say to move the Brickyard to the road course, but there is a ton of tradition to run on the oval here. I think really this is the perfect scenario for this weekend to be brought back to what it used to be.
“To be at Indianapolis on Fourth of July weekend, watching IndyCar and NASCAR, it doesn’t get any more American than that,” added Briscoe, who is an Indiana native. “I think this is a perfect scenario to bring this race back to life. I think next year when there are fans here, with the show we put on today and what they will put on in the Cup race, we will be seeing a lot more fans coming and they will have an awesome fireworks show and everything else.
“It is the perfect family event and I am looking forward to coming here next year and seeing how many people we can fit in this place.”
Aric Almirola finished third in the Brickyard 400 and talked about the special significance of the tripleheader that culminated with the Cup Series racing on the famed IMS oval.
“Coming to Indy, it’s a crown jewel event, you want to run good here,” Almirola said. “It’s just such a historic race track.
“I wouldn’t trade racing here for anything in the world. I love the nostalgia of this race track. It’s just an incredible place. The amount of history that’s gone across that yard of bricks. To be privileged enough to race here on these hallowed grounds is just a special thing.
“I love coming here. They call it the World Capital of Racing. Roger Penske is going to put a lot of effort into continuing to make this place immaculate and incredible. It’s a great place to race.”
Harvick’s third Brickyard 400 win was his second consecutive at IMS.
“To have won it back to back, three times, is something that’s a little bit surreal,” Harvick said. “I just laugh about it, think back to all of those times that you told somebody you were going to go win the Indy 500, race Indy cars, whatever the case may be. Now, I’m in a stock car, 20 years into your career, still going strong.
“It’s a great place to come to. It’s a great place to race, something that I look forward to every year.”
Briscoe and Harvick both drive for Stewart Haas Racing. Although team co-owner Tony Stewart was not at the race because of the limitations placed on NASCAR teams during the COVID-19 pandemic, he has a unique perspective on the tripleheader.
Stewart started on the pole as a rookie in the 1996 Indianapolis 500, won the 1997 IndyCar championship, was a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and won the Brickyard 400 in 2005 and 2007.
He hopes the tripleheader at Indianapolis becomes a permanent part of the schedule.
“I think it’s awesome,” Stewart told SPEED SPORT. “I think for either IndyCar or NASCAR to be arrogant and think it’s not good to have both of them there is foolish. IndyCar fans are going to come the same day to watch IndyCar and they are going to get to see a NASCAR race and vice-versa. You will have NASCAR fans there that get the opportunity to see a cool IndyCar race.
“I think it’s awesome to have that crossover and it’s something that could be very positive for both sports.”