Open Race Thread: NASCAR Nationwide Series Kroger 200 | Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis

A track’s last race is just as prestigious as the first.

For the NASCAR Nationwide Series, a win in tonight’s 30th Annual Kroger 200 means a chance to be the last winner at Lucas Oil Raceway Park until NASCAR returns (hopefully in 2013, alongside Indy 500 pole day activities).

Two Sprint Cup regulars in Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski are primed to take the race with Keselowski in good position after qualifying second. Edwards starts just behind him in third.

Unlike previous Nationwide races in Iowa and Nashville, the Cup guys will not run away this trophy as short track racing lends itself to several cautions and lap down traffic. Look for pole-sitter Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and points-leader Reed Sorenson to pounce if the Cup duo gets stuffed in traffic.

Stenhouse took the pole with a lap time of 22.808 seconds with Sorenson starting 16^th - the same starting spot as Truck Series winner Timothy Peters on Friday.

Second in points Elliott Sadler crashed his car before posting a qualifying time and will start from the back.

Just like last night’s final Truck race at Raceway Park, there’s a lot on the line.

And don’t forget. Nationwide Series Raceview debuts tonight at NASCAR.com. Check it out!

A starting lineup can be found on the other side. Let’s talk Nationwide Series short track racing...