TV Schedule July 29-31

Jamie McMurrray and the No. 1 team kissed the bricks last year at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Getty for NASCAR

NASCAR makes its annual stop at the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the mecca of auto racing. The storied track hosts the Indianapolis 500, but come July, it's NASCAR's turn.

The Brickyard 400 Sprint Cup race is one of the most prestigious events in NASCAR and drivers dream of "kissing the bricks." Nearby, the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series will battle it out, perhaps for the final year, at Lucas Oil Raceway's short track.

Indianapolis is a 2.5-mile oval with 9-degree banking in the turns and none in the straights. Stockcars get strung out easily at the Brickyard, making passing difficult. Pit strategy and track position will continue to be important as we've seen this season. The 2008 tire debacle still weighs on the minds of many fans, as attendance continues to wane. Still, the prestige remains and winning the race ranks high on many drivers' wish lists.

While Indianapolis Motor Speedway has the fame, most motorsports events in Indianapolis are held at Luca Oil Raceway. The .686-mile short track is a favorite among fans and drivers, as the close quarters allow for exciting on-track battles and show of tempers. With the decision to move next year's Nationwide race to Indy next year, Lucas Oil Raceway's place in the sport remains in doubt.

The Truck Series and Nationwide Series take over LOR on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The Sprint Cup drivers will race in the 18th running of the Brickyard 400 on Sunday.

Here are last year's winners in each series:

SPRINT CUP - INDIANAPOLIS
Jamie McMurray
*Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart combined to win the 5 races from 2005-2009

NATIONWIDE - LUCAS OIL RACEWAY
Kyle Busch

TRUCK SERIES - LUCAS OIL RACEWAY
Ron Hornaday

The following is a handy guide to track events and TV coverage for Indy and LOR (events without a channel listed will not be televised. All times are in EST):

Friday, July 29:
1 p.m. NSCS Practice, SPEED
2:30 p.m. NASCAR Live, SPEED
3 p.m. NSCS Practice, SPEED
4:30 p.m. NCWTS Qualifying, SPEED
5:30 p.m. SPEED Center NASCAR Edition, SPEED
6 p.m. Trackside at Indianapolis, SPEED. Guests: AJ Allmendinger and Pastor Joe Nelms.
7 p.m. NCWTS SetUp, SPEED
7:30 p.m. NCWTS: AAA Insurance 200, SPEED
10:30 p.m. Trackside at Indianapolis, SPEED.
11:30 p.m. NASCAR Performance, SPEED

Saturday, July 30:
10 a.m. NNS Practice
12 a.m. NCWTS SetUp, SPEED
12:30 a.m. NCWTS: AAA Insurance 200, SPEED
9:30 a.m. NASCAR Now presented by 5-Hour Energy, ESPN2
10 a.m. NSCS Final Practice, ESPN2
11:30 a.m. NNS Practice, ESPN2
1 p.m. NASCAR Now presented by 5-Hour Energy, ESPN2
2 p.m. NSCS Qualifying, ESPN2
3 p.m. Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge: New Jersey Motorsports Park, SPEED
4:30 p.m. NNS Qualifying, ESPN2
7 p.m. NNS Countdown, ESPN
7:30 p.m. NNS: 30th Annual Kroger 200 benefitting Riley Hospital for Children, ESPN

Sunday, July 31:
4 a.m. NNS: 30th Annual Kroger 200 benefitting Riley Hospital for Children, ESPN Deportes
4:30 a.m. NNS: 30th Annual Kroger 200 benefitting Riley Hospital for Children, ESPN2
9 a.m. NASCAR Now presented by 5-Hour Energy, ESPN2
10 a.m. NASCAR RaceDay, SPEED
12 noon NSCS Countdown, ESPN
1 p.m. NSCS: Brickyard 400, ESPN (reruns at 3:30 a.m. Monday on ESPN2)
8 p.m. NASCAR Victory Lane, SPEED (reruns at 12 a.m. and 9 a.m. Monday)
TV Schedule July 29-31 TV Schedule July 29-31 Reviewed by Rebecca Kivak on Friday, July 29, 2011 Rating: 5