NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES 6/10/15

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

Truex Triumphs At Pocono, Carries Momentum To Michigan

Martin Truex Jr. finally closed the deal.

The No. 78 Furniture Row Racing driver led the most laps for the fourth consecutive race in last weekend’s Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 at Pocono Raceway and fended off defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick for his first win of the season.

Truex’s victory was his first in 69 races (Sonoma, 06/23/13).  Currently, he ranks second in the NSCS points standings, 39 points behind Harvick.

The New Jersey native’s 13 top-10 finishes tie Harvick’s total for the series lead. In NSCS history, only Lee Petty (1954, 1959), Richard Petty (1969), Truex and Harvick have collected 13 top 10s through the first 14 races.

To reiterate: In one year, two drivers have accomplished something that has only been accomplished by two NASCAR Hall of Famers and hasn’t happened in 46 years.

Truex will attempt to carry his momentum into Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway (1 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1). He has three top fives at the two-mile track: two second-place showings in 2007 and a third-place finish in 2013.

Gordon Ready To Fill Blank Space In Win Column At Michigan

Jeff Gordon showed the crowd incredible things last August at Michigan, leading 68 laps from the pole after setting the track qualifying record (206.558 mph), and pulling away from Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano for the win.

Gordon will try to visit Victory Lane again Sunday, for the second straight race in the Great Lakes State, filling his blank space in the win column and clinching a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

The No. 24 Chevrolet driver’s three Michigan wins rank second among active drivers and his eight runner-ups stand as the most in history.

Gordon is coming off a 14th-place showing at Pocono. His third-place finish at Bristol was his best of the season. He currently occupies the 13th spot on the Chase Grid, 57 points above the cutoff line.

Harvick’s Historical Top-Two Streak

Kevin Harvick might not be happy about having just two wins, but he does have eight runner-ups that give him 10 top-two finishes on the year.

The 10 top-two finishes tie him with NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison (1972) for the most through 14 races in a season. The only other drivers with as many as nine top twos through 14 races are NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty (1971) and Cale Yarborough (1974 and 1977).

Harvick’s strong finishes have allowed him to build a 39-point lead over Martin Truex Jr. in the season points standings.

Biffle’s A Baller In The Great Lakes State

The kids would say Greg Biffle is a “baller” at Michigan International Speedway.

Biffle has made MIS his personal amusement park over the years, tallying a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series-leading four wins there. The No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford driver also ranks first among active drivers at Michigan in driver rating (107.1) and is second in average running position (8.9), fastest laps run (311) and green flag speed (179.050 mph).

Currently 18th on the Chase Grid, 31 points below the cutoff, Biffle could use a win in Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400.

Overall, RFR has more wins at Michigan than any other team. It has won there with Biffle (four), Mark Martin (four), Carl Edwards (two), Matt Kenseth (two) and Kurt Busch (one).

Michigan Man: Keselowski Still Searching For First Win In Home State

Brad Keselowski has won plenty of races in his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career.

Seventeen to be exact.

One place he hasn’t won is his home track – Michigan International Speedway. He will try to visit Victory Lane for the first time in front of the home crowd in Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400. In 11 starts at Michigan, Keselwoski owns three top fives (27.3%) and four top 10s with an average finish of 14.8. The numbers seem mediocre, but take away his first four starts at MIS and Keselowski’s average finish improves to 7.6.

Six Spots Remain In Chase With 12 Regular Season Races Left

With his win at Pocono last week, Martin Truex Jr. became the 10th driver to virtually lock himself into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Now, six spots in the Chase remain with only 12 races left in the regular season.

If the season ended today, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards would all make the Chase with their wins. Based on points Jamie McMurray (+73), Kasey Kahne (+63), Jeff Gordon (+57), Paul Menard (+31), Aric Almirola (+25) and Ryan Newman (+20) would all get in as well.

On the outside looking into the Chase are Clint Bowyer (-20), Greg Biffle (-31), Kyle Larson (-41) and Danica Patrick (-46).

A potential Chase driver also needs to be in the top 30 in points after race No. 26.

Lose Yourself: Logano Due For Epic Performance

Down the highway from Eight Mile Road, Joey Logano will attempt to lose himself in the moment and pick up his second win of the season in Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

He led the most laps in last season’s August race at MIS, finishing third and will try to continue his four-race top-10 streak at Michigan, which includes a win from the pole (8/18/13).

Logano is coming off a strong fourth-place finish last week at Pocono Raceway where he fought his way up from the back twice after a rear-end gear change and a pit road speeding penalty.

Logano has not received the same amount of attention as Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. since his win at Daytona, but he continues to rack up strong finishes and is right on their heels at fourth in the points standings, one point behind Johnson for third. Through the first 14 races, Logano has seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

Kyle Busch Returns To The No. 54 After 11 Races Out Of The Seat

NASCAR XFINITY Series’ winningest driver, Kyle Busch, will return to Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 54 team this weekend and compete in the Great Clips 250 Benefiting Paralyzed Veterans of America (FOX Sports 1 at 1:30 p.m. ET) after missing 11 races due to injuries suffered to both of his legs in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

“I'm really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the 54 Monster Energy Toyota this weekend,” said Kyle Busch. “I can’t say enough about how much Monster Energy, JGR, Toyota and all my guys have helped me and pulled for me to get back into the XFINITY car. This is a continuation of my recovery since Daytona, and we hope to continue to add to my schedule going forward through the rest of the year.” 

Busch raises the level of competition when he competes in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. He holds the series record in wins (70), poles (43) and top-fives (175).

Expect Busch to find his groove fairly quickly at Michigan, in seven starts he has one win (2004), six top fives and an average finish of 4.6. Busch won the Coors Light pole for this event last season.

Will Chris Buescher’s Good Fortune Continue

Dover International Speedway’s race two weeks ago was quite beneficial for Chris Buescher. Not only did he win the third race of his career and pad his NASCAR XFINITY Series points lead to 15 points over second-place Ty Dillon, but he also qualified for the second round of the Dash 4 Cash program at Indianapolis on July 25. With all this great success so early this season, can he keep it up?

All signs point to yes, especially this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

Buescher’s team, Roush Fenway Racing, leads the series in wins at Michigan with five victories (Carl Edwards 2011, 2008; Jeff Burton 1998; and Mark Martin 1995, 1993). The team also holds the all-time lead in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at Michigan, with 13.

Also Buescher has made two starts at the two-mile speedway posting two top 10s and an average finish of 8.5 – his seventh best track in average finish on the active NXS schedule.

Buescher’s pre-race Loop Data suggests he’ll maintain his recent success this weekend at Michigan. He has a driver rating of 95.6 (15th-best) and an average running position of 8.220 (eighth-best).

Defending Winner Paul Menard Leads Sprint Cup Contingent Peppering Entry List

Richard Childress Racing’s Paul Menard returns to the NASCAR XFINITY Series this weekend at Michigan International Speedway to defend his 2014 victory at the two-mile track. Eight NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers are scheduled to compete this weekend. Menard is joined by Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, Aric Almirola and Kevin Harvick.

Last season’s Michigan race was mostly dominated by Joey Logano (led 43 laps) and Kyle Larson (led 46 laps), but it was Paul Menard who took the lead with five laps to go and drove to victory. Menard has made nine series starts at Michigan posting one win, four top fives and eight top 10s. His average finish at Michigan is 7.7. This weekend will be Menard’s second series start this season in the No. 33 Chevrolet.

Denny Hamlin will be in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota with crew chief Michael Wheeler this weekend at Michigan. Hamlin has made six series starts this season for JGR, posting one pole (Richmond), one win (Richmond) three top fives, four top 10s and an average finish of 10.5. Hamlin has made four series starts at Michigan posting one win (2007), one top five and three top 10s.

Hamlin’s JGR teammate Kyle Busch returns to the series after time off due to injury. Busch has made seven starts at Michigan posting one win (2004), six top fives and an average finish of 4.6. His pre-race Loop Data has him ranked seventh in driver rating (109.6) at Michigan.

The hottest wheel in the garage will be steered by Joey Logano this weekend at Michigan. Roger Penske has tapped Logano to command the car owner points leading No. 22 Ford with crew chief Greg Erwin. Logano has been nearly unbeatable this season, in his five starts he has posted two poles, three wins (Phoenix, Bristol and Talladega), five top fives and an average finish of 1.4. Logano has made six starts at Michigan posting one win (2012), four top 10s and an average finish of 7.8.    

Kyle Larson led nearly half this event last season but ultimately finished eighth. This season Larson’s talent continues to flow in the NASCAR XFINITY Series; in four starts he has posted three top 10s and an average finish of 14.5. Larson has made two series career starts at Michigan posting one top five and two top 10s.

Alex Bowman will be in the Tony Townley owned No. 25 Chevrolet this weekend at Michigan. Bowman hasn’t competed in the NXS this season. He has made one series start at Michigan in 2013 where he started fifth but finished 14th.

Aric Almirola will be making his sixth start of the season for car owner Fred Biagi in the No. 98 Ford. In five starts this season, Almirola has posted two top 10s. But Almirola will look to improve on his past series performances at Michigan where he has an average finish of 21.0. 

JR Motorsports will welcome 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champ Kevin Harvick back to the No. 88 Chevrolet this weekend at Michigan. Harvick has made nine starts at Michigan posting one win (2003), four top fives, seven top 10s and an average finish of 9.0. 

Sunoco Rookie Update: Chastain Is Chasing Wallace and Suarez

Two weeks ago Ross Chastain finished 16th at Dover International, Speedway grabbing the highest finishing rookie honors for the second time this season – first was at Daytona (season opener).

Chastain is currently third in the Sunoco Rookie standings 40 points behind standings leader Darrell Wallace Jr. and 30 points back from second-place Daniel Suarez.

Chastain’s 2015 season has been filled with peaks and valleys. In 12 starts this season he has posted one top-10 (Daytona), and five top-20 finishes. His average finish in 2015 is 22.0.

Chastain has made one series start (2014) at Michigan International Speedway; starting 17th and finishing 12th.

Number Five Please Stand Up

Not since Michigan native Brad Keselowski won back-to-back races in 2009-2010 has Michigan International Speedway seen a repeat NASCAR XFINITY Series winner. Could we see a fifth different winner this weekend?

Quite possibly. Only six of the 40 drivers (15%) entered this weekend are previous winners: Kyle Busch (2004), Denny Hamlin (2007), Kevin Harvick (2003), Joey Logano (2012), Paul Menard (2013) and Regan Smith (2014).

Of the drivers looking for their first win this season, Chase Elliott is the best candidate to get the job done this weekend. In his lone start at Michigan (last season) he started second and finished sixth. His pre-race Loop Data for Michigan has him ranked the highest among championship contenders in average running position (6.168) and driver rating (117.7). 

Elliott is currently third in series standings 37 points behind standings leader Ty Dillon. In 12 starts this season Elliott has posted a series leading 10 top-10 finishes.

Armstrong Looks To Continue Standings Climb

Dakoda Armstrong is ready to return to racing this weekend at Michigan International Speedway to build on his steady improvement in the NASCAR XFINITY series point standings. The Richard Petty Motorsports driver has moved the No. 43 Ford team from 16th to 13th in just the last two races –  Charlotte (+1) and Dover (+2).

Armstrong heads to Michigan in hopes to keep the momentum going and crack the top 12 in points.  He sits just 17 points back from 12th-place David Starr.

In 12 starts this season Armstrong has posted six top-20 finishes and an average finish of 21.2. He has made one series start at Michigan last season where he finished 19th.

NASCAR XFINITY Series Etc.:

Danica Patrick Highlights NASCAR XFINITY Series FOX Sports Booth at Michigan: Alongside FOX Sports hosts Adam Alexander and Michael Waltrip, a rotation of drivers including Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Clint Bowyer and Jeff Gordon have been stepping in and offering their captivating views. Up next, Danica Patrick will try her hand in the booth this weekend in Michigan. Patrick will be the fifth and final driver analyst to join the broadcast team this season. 

Milestones: Ryan Sieg will attempt to post his 50th NASCAR XFINITY Series career start this weekend at Michigan. …. Kevin Harvick (174) will attempt to tie Kyle Busch (175) for the all-time series’ lead top five finishes this weekend at Michigan. … Joey Logano will attempt to post his 75th NASCAR XFINITY Series career top-five finish this weekend. Logano is tied with Joe Nemechek (74) for 16th on the all-time NXS top-five finishes list. … Joey Logano can become the third driver in series history to lead 700 laps or more in the first 12 races of the season joining Kyle Busch and Sam Ard. Logano has not started all 12 races this season but could accomplish the feat in six starts. Logano currently has 575 laps led and would need to lead all 125 laps at Michigan.