The NASCAR drivers and teams will be racing in the FireKeepers Casino 400 hoping to get to do a victory burnout in front of the auto manufacturers in the shadow of the “Motor City.”
The race this weekend is at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, just outside Detroit. While the track is similar to others on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series circuit, it offers its own challenges. One of which is that the eyes of the people that make the car brands the teams race will be firmly planted on the race in their own backyard. A driver that wins a race at Michigan can feel like they represented their car manufacturer proudly in front of them.
Michigan International Speedway has plenty of size for high speeds, room to race side-by-side and plenty of places to pass. However, making a mistake while racing can ruin the driver’s day and potentially drivers around that car when the mistake is made. Here is a look at the track and race data the drivers and teams will be faced with this weekend.
Michigan International Speedway Data
Track Size: 2-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 18 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 18 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 3,600 feet
Backstretch Length: 2,242 feet
FireKeepers Casino 400 Data
Season Race #: 15 of 36 (06-09-19)
Race Length: 200 laps / 400 miles
Stage 1 and 2 Length: 60 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 80 laps
Next we look at which active drivers have performed well at Michigan International Speedway during their Cup Series careers.
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Michigan
Chase Elliott ………………………….. 104.5
Kevin Harvick ………………………….. 98.1
Kyle Larson …………………………….. 97.0
Joey Logano……………………………. 96.3
Brad Keselowski ……………………… 96.1
Jimmie Johnson. ……………………… 95.5
Ryan Blaney ……………………………. 92.6
Kurt Busch ………………………………. 91.0
Denny Hamlin …………………………. 90.3
Kyle Busch ……………………………… 89.2
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2018 races (28 total) among active drivers at Michigan International Speedway.
There are nine active drivers who have claimed victory during their Cup Series careers at Michigan.
Kurt Busch – 3 Wins
Kyle Larson – 3 Wins
Denny Hamlin – 2 Wins
Joey Logano – 2 Wins
Kevin Harvick – 2 Wins (including fall race last year at track)
Ryan Newman – 2 Wins
Clint Bowyer – 1 Win (this race last season)
Jimmie Johnson – 1 Win
Kyle Busch – 1 Win
We will all have to watch to find out which driver gives their manufacturer bragging rights in front of the other car makers this weekend. The FireKeepers Casino 400 takes place this Sunday, June 9th when NASCAR is at Michigan International Speedway.
By: Buck Stevens
