One repave down, two to go. Pocono Raceway’s facelift produced one of the year’s most intriguing races. Kansas Speedway’s new surface won ‘t be tested in competition until October. This Sunday, Michigan International Speedway takes center stage with its new coat of asphalt. Earlier Goodyear Tire tests produced lap speeds that were fast – over 200 mph – and if duplicated, would make the Detroit-area track the fastest among current lap records. ‘It’s a very fast track but a very comfortable-feeling pace,’ said two-time Michigan winner Jeff Gordon, who participated in the April test. ‘The track drives so similar to the way it did before and I believe it’s going to have multiple grooves.’ Ryan Newman set the current MIS record of 194.232 mph on June 18, 2005. The driver of Stewart-Haas Racing’s #39 U.S. Army Chevy has been stuck on 49 career poles since last September, when he was the fast qualifier for the second time in 2011 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway [and won the race]. Only eight NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have recorded 50 or more career poles.(NASCAR)(6-14-2012)
