The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series was rained out on Sunday and forcing a reschedule to Monday evening with drivers their talent to the Irish Hills of Michigan International Speedway. This two-mile course holds four large, sweeping corners that can cause irritating problems for race teams. Many fans predicted this year’s aero-package to thrive on the typically fast track.

Joey Logano was the pole sitter after having the fastest time in qualifying. He had to battle Denny Hamlin early for the lead, but he eventually settled down as the race leader. The competition caution waved on lap twenty with Logano still as the race leader. Logano won the race off pit road and continued to lead the race. Late in the stage, Aric Almirola made a gutsy pass on Logano for the race lead, but Logano passed him back by the end of the stage, winning the first stage of the FireKeepers Casino 400.

Logano continued to hold command of the race lead heading into stage two. On lap 70, Kyle Weatherman brought out the caution after leaving debris on the racetrack. Logano stayed out during the caution while most of the field went down pit road for fuel. Logano continued to hold the race lead after a solid restart. However, he would not have enough fuel to make it to the end of the stage. He and a few of the race leaders came down pit road late in stage two allowing Austin Dillon to take over as the race leader. Dillon had no other contenders and was able to secure the win in stage two.

After a three-wide restart into turns one and two, Kevin Harvick took over as race leader. Eight laps later, Clint Bowyer spun around and slammed into the outside wall. This brought out the fifth caution of the day. After a few cautions involving Dillon, Harvick, and Logano they continued to battle each other for the lead. With 52 laps remaining, Logano finally made the pass on Harvick to take over as race leader. With 27 laps remaining, the field began cycling down pit road for the race’s final pitstop. Logano cycled back to the lead with Martin Truex Jr. chasing closely behind. Erik Jones blew a tire and spun out with four laps remaining. That brought out the last caution, pushing the race into overtime. After a wild restart, Joey Logano was able to hang on to the lead. Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr. were not able to catch up as Logano wins the FireKeeper’s Casino 400.

The 2019 aero-package put on a decent show on Monday evening. The only issue was that it seemed to be extremely difficult to complete a pass from the second-place position. Multiple drivers struggled to ride the momentum around Logano to complete the pass as they would stall out once they were within half a second of the leader. This has been the main issue all season long. It has been difficult to pass the leader or any car for that matter without help from behind. Some drivers are still struggling to pass in the open track while a few others can pass to the front of the field. Regardless, it is a challenge that the best drivers can overcome and this field is full of them.

There will be no race next week due to Father’s Day weekend. In two weeks, the NASCAR Cup Series will race at Sonoma Raceway in California. This is the first of three road course races this season and they always offer an exciting switch-up in the action.