The Cup Series is in the Irish Hill of Brooklyn, Michigan and the super speedway speeds of the two mile track.
A Ford has won the past eight races at Michigan, can the trend continue???
The big news out of Michigan before practice on Saturday is the suspension of Noah Gragson after the Legacy Motor Sports driver posted a racially charged post on social media. JR Motorsports driver Josh Berry will be driving the number 42 car this weekend. Berry will be running both races this weekend where he starts the Xfinity Series race from the pole.
The 37 car field has been divided into two groups with each group getting a 20 minute practice session prior to making a qualifying run. The top five drivers from each group will move on to a second round of qualifying to complete the lineup and set the pole.
During Group A practice, Willim Byron has reached speeds of 201mph. Drivers are hitting the corners at speeds of over 180mph. Drivers are making sub 38 second laps around the two mile track.
An electrical issue has prevented Austin Cindric from making a full practice run. His car was in the garage for the first 14 minutes of practice.
William Byron wins practice for Group A.
In Group B, all six of the Toyotas are in this group with Martin Truex Jr is leading the field with average speeds of over 192mph.
Corey LaJoie gets loose and spins out during practice but mainly keeps it off the wall. Erik Jones also gets loose in turn three.
The first driver on the track in Group A to make a qualifying run is Josh Bilicki who posted a time of 39.667 seconds.
William Byron, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch will move on to the second round of qualifying.
From Group B, Austin Hill is the first driver on the track to make a qualifying run and posts a time of 37.906 seconds.
Ross Chastain post a time of 37.267 seconds – the fastest qualifying run in five years.
And Ty Gibbs tops Chastain’s speed with a time of 37.225. The skies have gotten a bit overcast as Group B qualifies. Group B speeds are considerably faster than the drivers in Group A.
Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, Martin Truex Jr, and Chris Buescher will all move on from Group B to the second round of qualifying.
The first driver of the top 10 on the track to make a run for the pole is Ryan Blaney with a time of 37.544 seconds.
With a time of 37.232 seconds Christopher Bell wins the pole with Ross Chstain starting alongside on the front row.
The starting lineup for the Firekeepers Casino 400: Christopher Bell Ross Chastain Ty Gibbs Chris Buescher Martin Truex Jr Joey Logano William Byron Kyle Busch Ryan Blaney Chase Elliott Bubba Wallace Brad Keselowski Denny Hamlin Daniel Suarez Austin Dillon Tyler Reddick Kyle Larson Aric Almirola Alex Bowman Austin Cindric Chase Briscoe Kevin Harvick Michael McDowell AJ Allmendinger Erik Jones Justin Haley Ricky Stenhouse Jr Ryan Preece Harrison Burton Austin Hill Corey LaJoie Todd Gilliland Cole Custer Ty Dillon Josh Berry JJ Yeley Josh Bilicki
In an attempt to beat the coming bad weather, NASCAR has moved up the start of the race by 20 minutes.
Stages one is 45 laps, stage two is 75 laps, and stage three is 80 laps for a total of 200 miles around the two mile track. NASCAR has called for a competition caution around lap 20.
Just as the drivers are strapped into their cars and are ready to hear the command, a rain cell pops up and delays the start of the race.
The engines have started and the drivers are on the track running pace laps when it began sprinkling and has brought the drivers down pit road; keeping the drivers in their cars.
The rain gets a little harder, drivers are out of the cars, and the track drivers are going to work.
The rains have stopped and the radar is clear behind it. Track drying continues as they prepare to get the race going.
At 3:49pm EDT NASCAR has called the drivers to their cars – over an hour past the original start time.
At 4:05pm EDT, the engines fire one more time as they get ready to go.
Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag start of the race from the outside lane at 4:13pm to cheering fans. Ty Gibbs gives Ross Chastain a big push and the “Melon Man” takes the lead.
Drivers are getting three wide in a battle for positon early.
Lap two, the top five are Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, Martin Truex Jr, and Ty Gibbs.
Lap four, Martin Truex Jr passes Chris Buescher for third.
Lap five, Ross Chastain leads the race with Martin Truex Jr in second; Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.
Lap seven, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano battle for seventh. Elliott takes the spot with William Byron right behind him.
Lap eight, Martin Truex Jr begins to challenge leader Ross Chastain.
Lap 10, Ross Chastain has a third of a second lead on Martin Truex Jr; Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five. Truex has run the fastest lap so far with an average of 191mph.
Lap 13, Martin Truex Jr passes Ross Chastain for the lead.
Lap 14, the first caution flag of the race comes out when Kyle Busch spins out and hits the wall while passing Ryan Blaney. Kyle Busch takes his car to the garage and is out of the race.
NASCAR has determined that this is also the competition caution.
Some of the drivers come down pit road with Christopher Bell winning the race off of pit road after taking only tow tires. Eleven drivers stayed out on the track; while most of those who pitted took only two tires.
After staying out on the track, Martin Truex Jr brings the field down for the green restart on lap 20 with Ty Gibbs alongside. Truex gets out in front for the lead with Ty Gibbs in second; Chris Buescher, Bubba Wallace, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
Ryan Blaney passes Chase Elliott for fifth.
Lap 22, Tyler Reddick and Daniel Suarez passes Chase Elliott.
Ross Chastain restarted the race in eleventh and is now in the top 10.
Lap 23, Martin Truex Jr has pulled out to a lead of over half a second on Ty Gibbs; Chris Buescher, Bubba Wallace, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Lap 25, Martin Truex Jr holds a lead of over half a second on Ty Gibbs; Chris Buescher, Bubba Wallace, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
There is plenty of sunlight remaining to get the race completed in full; but the drivers are racing as if it were only a few laps remaining in the race.
Lap 29, Martin Truex Jr has pulled out to a lead of just under a second on Ty Gibbs; Chris Buescher, Bubba Wallace, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Lap 31, Kyle Larson gets loose but saves the car; he drops several spots to 15th. Larson reports a very loose condition in his car.
Out of the care center, Kyle Busch said that he hates he put himself in a bad position. When asked if the cars were running on the edge, Busch noted that they were entering the corners at 180mph.
Lap 34Martin Truex Jr has a lead of over a second on Ty Gibbs; Chris Buescher, Bubba Wallace, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Lap 35, the caution flag comes out after Chase Elliott spins out and hits the wall with a flat tire. He was one of the drivers who stayed out on the first caution. Elliott takes his car to the garage.
Michael McDowell is on pit road for repairs on the splitter after hitting someone on the track.
With nine laps remaining in stage one, many of the drivers come down pit road for service. William Byron wins the race off of pit road after taking only two tires.
Martin Truex Jr brings the field down for the green flag restart with just six laps remaining in stage one. Drivers are spread out four wide across the track. Truex leads the race with Bubba Wallace in second; Ty Gibbs, Brad Keselowski, and Daniel Suarez round out the top five.
Four laps to go in stage one, Martin Truex Jr has a lead of over half a second on Bubba Wallace.
With a lead of over a second, Martin Truex Jr wins stage one.
The top 10 at the end of stage one: Martin Truex Jr Bubba Wallace Ty Gibbs Brad Keselowski Kyle Larson Daniel Suarez Alex Bowman Denny Hamlin Erik Jones Corey LaJoie
William Byron gets loose and gets into the wall; missing the top 10. Byron is one pit road for repairs and the hood is up. Byron reports that he doesn’t know what happened; only that he got into the wall. He is on the “crash clock”.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Chris Buescher winning the race off of pit road after taking fuel only.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr was caught speeding on pit road and had an uncontrolled tire; he will restart the race from the back of the field.
Out of the care center, Chase Elliott said that the blown tire was unexpected and doesn’t know what happened.
The time has run out on the “crash clock” for William Byron and his is out of the race.
Alex Bowman brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two with Erik Jones alongside.
Josh Berry brings out the caution flag on lap 52 when he spins out, gets into the wall, and then stops in the grass.
Alex Bowman brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 56 with Erik Jones on the inside. This time Bowman gets out in front to for the lead.
Drivers get three wide back in the field.
Christopher Bell comes up to challenge Alex Bowman for the lead.
The top five are Alex Bowman, Christopher Bell, Erik Jones, Denny Hamlin, and Tyler Reddick.
Mired back in the field after pit stops, Martin Truex Jr is working his way through the field; he is currently in 15th place.
Lap 61, Alex Bowman has a quarter of a second lead on Christopher Bell; Erik Jones, Denny Hamlin, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
William Byron noted that the driver made a mistake and has to do better.
Lap 62, Denny Hamlin passes Erik jones for third.
Out of the care center, Josh Berry said that he got loose but hated it that he couldn’t complete the race.
Lap 64, Christopher Bell passes Alex Bowman for the lead but brings out the caution flag when he spins out and gets into the wall. Bell was able to drive the car away and to pit road for repairs.
Drivers come down pit road for service. Several drivers took fuel only but Alex Bowman wins the race off of pit road after taking only two tires.
The only car not on the lead lap, JJ Yeley is the “lucky dog”.
Joey Logano had a very slow pit stop of over 24 seconds that has dropped him to 30th place.
The weather has come back into play with some very cloudy skies and rain on the radar.
Alex Bowman brings the field down for the green falg restart on lap 70 but it is Tyler Reddick who gets out in front for the lead.
Corey LaJoie and Ryan Blaney make contact but the track stays green.
Lap 71, the top five are Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, Martin Truex Jr, Kyle Larson, and Austin Cindric.
NASCAR officials are reporting a little rain in one and two.
The caution flag comes out on lap 74 for rain. The race must have completed stage two or halfway. Halfway is lap 100 and the end of stage two is lap 120.
NASCAR brings the drivers down pit road and displays the red flag at 5:28pm – lap 75.
AT 6:16pm EDT NASCAR has called the race and it will resume on Monday at noon.
After Mother Nature called an end to the race on Sunday, the drivers return to the track on Monday for yet another rain delayed race.
The running order at the time of the red flag: Tyler Reddick Alex Bowman Kyle Larson Martin Truex Jr Erik Jones Austin Cindric Brad Keselowski Austin Dillon Bubba Wallace Denny Hamlin Ty Gibbs Chris Buescher Daniel Suarez Harrison Burton AJ Allmendinger Ryan Blaney Ross Chastain Ryan Preece Corey LaJoie Joey Logano Chase Briscoe Ricky Stenhouse Jr Kevin Harvick Todd Gilliland Aric Almirola Ty Dillon Michael McDowell Justin Haley Austin Hill Cole Custer Josh Bilicki Christopher Bell JJ Yeley Josh Berry
William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Busch have crashed out of the race.
As USA comes on the air, track drying is winding down after some misty rain, but the race will continue with the cars being uncovered at 12:15 and an engine start at 12:30pm. Temperatures are also much cooler today then they were on Sunday.
At 12:34pm the cars are moving and pit road will open immediately and the laps are counting…
Christopher Bell is on pit road for crash repairs. Some other drivers come down pit road for fuel and fresh tires.
Martin Truex Jr brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 81 with Austin Cindric alongside…and the lights are on the pace car again for sprinkles.
The green flag flies a 12:47 on lap 82. The drivers spread out across the track three wide with Martin Truex Jr and Austin Cindric going side by side. Bubba Wallace comes on the inside and takes the lead.
The top five are Bubba Wallace, Martin Truex Jr, Erik Jones, Austin Cindric, and Brad Keselowski.
Lap 87, Bubba Wallace leads the race with Martin Truex Jr in second; Erik Jones, Austin Cindric, and Daniel Suarez round out the top five.
Lap 90, Bubba Wallace has a narrow lead on Martin Truex Jr with Erik Jones, Austin Cindric, and Daniel Suarez rounding out the top five.
Most of the drivers who did not come down pit road can make it to the end of the stage. But the leaders may be a bit short.
Lap 93, Bubba Wallace is in the lead with Martin Truex Jr on his bumper; Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez, and Austin Cindric round out the top five.
Lap 97, Martin Truex Jr begins to challenge Bubba Wallace for the lead.
Lap 99, Bubba Wallace leads the race with Martin Truex Jr on his bumper; Erik Jones, Danield Suarez, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 100, Martin Truex Jr passes Bubba Wallace for the lead and pulls away.
Josh Berry is out of the race.
Lap 103, Martin Truex Jr has a quarter of a second lead on Bubba Wallace.
The caution flag comes out on lap 104 for Ryan Preece with a flat tire. He keeps the car off of the wall.
Several drivers come down pit road for service including leader Martin Truex Jr.
Denny Hamlin’s car is stalled on pit road. He gets the car moving again and will have to restart the race from the back of the field.
Bubba Wallace brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 108 with Daniel Suarez alongside. After a push from Brad Keselowski, Wallace takes the lead but Daniel Suarez comes up to take the lead.
The top five are Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, and Joey Logano.
Austin Dillon gets loose on the restart but saves the car. He comes down pit road with a flag tire.
Ten to go in stage two, Daniel Suarez leads the race with Bubba Wallace in second.
Brad Keselowski passes Bubba Wallace for second.
After making a pit stop, Martin Truex Jr is back in the top 10.
The top five are Daniel Suarez, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson.
With seven laps remaining in stage two, Martin Truex Jr passes Kyle Larson for fifth.
Six laps remain in stage two, Daniel Suarez has a half second lead on Brad Keselowski; Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.
Austin Dillon is the only driver not on the lead lap in 33rd.
Martin Truex Jr has passed Alex Bowman for fourth with four laps remaining in stage two.
Martin Truex Jr passes Bubba Wallace for third.
Martin Truex Jr passes Brad Keselowski for second and is on leader Daniel Suarez’ bumper.
Right at the start/finish line Martin Truex Jr edges out Daniel Suarez to wins stage two for the stage sweep.
The top 10 at the end of stage two: Martin Truex Jr Daniel Suarez Brad Keselowski Bubba Wallace Alex Bowman Kyle Larson Joey Logano AJ Allmendinger Austin Cindric Chris Buescher
Drivers come down pit road for service including leader Martin Truex Jr. Taking only two tires, Truex wins the race off of pit road.
After staying out on the track, Chris Buescher leads the race and will bring the field to the green flag start of stage three with Tyler Reddick alongside. Buescher gets out in front for the lead with Ryan Blaney in second.
The caution flag comes out on lap 127 when Alex Bowman has a crash after some on track contact.
Alex Bowman is on the tow truck to get towed to pit road with four flat tires. He is on the “crash clock” and the crew has seven minutes to make repairs.
Chris Buescher brings the field down for the green flag restart with Tyler Reddick alongside on lap 134. With a push from behind, Chris Buescher gets out in front for the lead.
The top five are Chris Buescher, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, and Austin Cindric.
Chase Briscoe has some damage to his car with the tow out and a broken toe link.
Lap 137, Martin Truex Jr passes Austin Cindric for fifth.
Lap 138, Ryan Blaney and Kevin Harvick battle for third. Martin Truex Jr comes up and passes Kevin Harvick for fourth.
Lap 39, Martin Truex Jr battles with Ryan Blaney for third.
Lap 141, Martin Truex Jr passes Ryan Blaney for third.
Chris Buescher leaders the race with Tyler Reddick in second; Martin Truex Jr, Ryan Blaney, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.
Lap 143, Tyler Reddick battles with Chris Buescher for the lead.
Lap 147, Chris Buescher has a two tenths of a second lead on Tyler Reddick; Martin Truex Jr, Ryan Blaney, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.
Lap 150, Denny Hamlin passes Ryan Blaney for fourth.
The top five are Chris Buescher, Tyler Reddick, Martin Truex Jr, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Blaney.
Daniel Suarez has passed Ty Gibbs and Harrison Burton to move up to eleventh.
Lap 156, leader Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick has pulled out to a near six second lead on Martin Truex Jr.
With 44 laps remaining in the race, the drivers are in their pit windows to make it to the end of the race. Leaders Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick come down pit road to begin the cycle of green flag pit stops. Martin Truex Jr is the new leader.
Tyler Reddick has to make an unscheduled stop on pit road for a flat tire and the crew is having trouble getting the tire off.
Lap 161, Martin Truex Jr makes his green flag pit stop and gives the lead over to Ryan Blaney.
Ryan Blaney makes his pit stop and gives the lead over to Brad Keselowski.
With 36 laps to go, Brad Keselowski has the lead with Daniel Suarez in second; Ty Gibbs, Kyle Larson, and Erik Jones round out the top five.
Alex Bowman is out of the car and out of the race.
Just 30 laps remain in the race with Brad Keselowski leading the race but has yet to make his pit stop.
Lap 177, leader Brad Keselowski makes his green flag pit stop. Kyle Larson is the new leader.
In a battle that will determine the lead once the pit stops cycle through, Martin Truex Jr is on Chris Buescher’s bumper.
Ty Dillon leads the race with big brother Austin in second.
Twenty to go, Austin Dillon takes the lead with Chris Buescher in second; Martin Truex Jr, Denny Hamlin, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Austin Dillon makes his pit stop with 18 to go and gives the lead back to Chris Buescher. Martin Truex Jr is less than two tenths of a second behind.
There are 24 cars on the lead lap.
Fifteen to go, Chris Buescher has a third of a second lead on Martin Truex Jr; Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.
With 14 laps remaining in the race, Martin Truex Jr has moved up on Chris Buescher’s bumper.
Thirteen to go, Chris Buescher and Martin Truex Jr battle for the lead. Truex got loose and had to lift off the throttle. Chris Buescher holds the lead.
Ten to go, Chris Buescher has a lead of over a second on Martin Truex Jr; Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Larson round out the top five. Not letting the damage hold him up, Christopher Bell is running some of the fastest laps on the track in 14th.
With eight laps to go, drivers are battling all through the field.
Todd Gilliland makes an unscheduled trip down pit road for a flat tire.
Five to go, Chris Buescher holds a third of a second lead on Martin Truex Jr; Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
Martin Truex Jr is closing the gap on leader Chris Buescher.
Three to go, Chris Buescher holds on to the lead as he looks to go back to back in victory lane.
Chris Buescher takes the white flag.
Chris Buescher wins to take RFK back to back with the win. This makes nine races in a row for Ford at Michigan.
There has never been a Michigan born driver win at MIS but this year a Michigan born owner is the winner.
The unofficial results of the Firekeepers Casino 400: Chris Buescher Martin Truex Jr Denny Hamlin Brad Keselowski Kyle Larson Daneil Suarez Ross Chastain Kevin Harvick Ryan Blaney Erik Jones Ty Gibbs Austin Cindric Christopher Bell Joey Logano Corey LaJoie Aric Almirola Harrison Burton Bubba Wallace Austin Dillon Ty Dillon Ricky Stenhouse Jr Ryan Preece Justin Haley Michael McDowell Cole Custer AJ Allmendinger JJ Yeley Austin Hill Todd Gilliland Tyler Reddick Chase Briscoe Josh Bilicki Alex Bowman Josh Berry William Byron Chase Elliott Kyle Busch
Only three races remain in the regular season with two road courses and Daytona.
