Monthly Archives: June 2017

Ryan Blaney: A Young Driver who Respects Old-School

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Ryan Blaney, driver of the #21 Omnicraft Auto Parts Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 16, 2017 in Brooklyn, Michigan. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

In relation to the magnitude of the moment, Ryan Blaney’s victory celebration last Sunday at Pocono Raceway was positively subdued.

Blaney had just won his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race, passing 2015 series champion Kyle Busch with nine laps left and held off 2014 champion Kevin Harvick over the final eight circuits. Continue reading →

Joey Logano: Rain Won’t Nix Track Rubbering Efforts

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Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 16, 2017 in Brooklyn, Michigan. Photo – Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Before race weekend at Michigan International Speedway, the tire dragon did yeoman work for roughly eight days, dragging tires around the two-mile oval in an attempt to widen the racing groove.

A hard rain shower hit the track on Friday morning, but according to driver Joey Logano, that won’t negate the efforts to “rubber-in” the racing surface. Continue reading →

Kyle Larson Edges Martin Truex Jr. for Michigan Pole

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Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Cars 3/Target Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the pole award for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 16, 2017 in Brooklyn, Michigan Photo – Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Martin Truex Jr. thought he had the pole for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400—until Kyle Larson made the last run in the final round of Friday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series knockout qualifying at Michigan International Speedway.

Driving the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, Larson, who won the first Cup race of his career last August at MIS, covered the two-mile distance in 35.616 seconds (202.156 mph), edging Truex (202.117 mph) for the top starting spot by a scant 0.007 seconds. Continue reading →

NASCAR XFINITY Series, Irish Hills 250 at Michigan Preview

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NASCAR XFINITY Series teams will race the Irish Hills 250 at Michigan International Speedway, this Saturday, June 17th at 1:30 pm ET. Daniel Suarez is the defending winner. Coverage begins at 1 pm ET on FOX Sports 1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Drivers will race 250 miles over 125 laps with Stage 1 ending on lap 30, Stage 2 on lap 60, and the last Stage ending on the last lap 125. Continue reading →

Keselowski Ready to Triumph in Home State

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Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, looks on from the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 16, 2017 in Brooklyn, Michigan. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

A Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion and a 23-time winner, Brad Keselowski boasts quite the racing resume.

One achievement the Rochester Hills, Michigan, native longs to add to his list of accomplishments is a victory in his home state.

He’ll get the chance in Sunday’s FireKeeper’s Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Continue reading →