The entry list for the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indiana 250 on Saturday, July 28, features an interesting mix of drivers.
A handful of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regulars will race in the 100-lap event, including 2011 Brickyard 400 winner Paul Menard, 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Kasey Kahne.
Also included are two female drivers, 2005 Indianapolis 500 Chase Rookie of the Year Danica Patrick and Johanna Long (photo above)*.
Two Indianapolis 500 veterans are entered, Patrick and 2006 winner Sam Hornish Jr.
Other interesting entries include action sports superstar Travis Pastrana and Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of 1995 Brickyard 400 winner Dale Earnhardt.
The Indiana 250 starts at 4:50 p.m. Saturday.
*Funny side note. While I was out at IMS back in March to meet with Stéphan Grégoire, Johanna Long happened to be there as well while they put up the flags. I snapped a few photos since I was there already. The next thing I know, they think I am there to interview Johanna (understandable of course), but I had no clue who she was…that always makes for an awkward interview, right? So that didn’t occur, but I made sure I was informed as soon as I got back to my office. So who knows, maybe we’ll catch up with her now that I do know who she is.
