In what is a rarity, NASCAR will eliminate one entrant during Saturday’s qualifying for the Brickyard 400. This season has seen as many races in which fewer cars showed than the maximum number of cars allowed in the field.

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Tony Stewart (Getty Images)

Indy is special. So another open, or non-chartered team, appears on the list of 41 cars hoping to compete on Sunday.

Earnhardt’s continuing recovery from concussion-like symptoms forced him out this week and next, if not longer. Junior didn’t drive at New Hampshire, so a three-week absence is expected.

Jeff Gordon returns from retirement to drive Earnhardt’s car.

Plus, this weekend marks the final Sprint Cup appearance of Tony Stewart, an Indiana racing icon who also drive in the Indianapolis 500. Hoosier heroes don’t come any bigger (unless they play basketball; right, Larry Bird?).

Practice begins Friday, and both the Cup and Xfinity series will race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This week’s entries.