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Statistical Advance: Analyzing the FireKeepers Casino 400

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan going into the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday, August 18 at 2:30 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

At Michigan International Speedway – Stats & Tidbits:

TRACK & RACE DATA
Track Size: 2-miles
Banking/Turns: 18 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length:  3,600 feet
Backstretch Length:  2,242 feet

Season Race #: 24 of 36 (08-18-24)
Race Purse: $7,902,750
Race Length: 200 laps / 400 miles
Stage 1 Length: 45 laps
Stage 2 Length: 75 laps (Ends on Lap 120)
Final Stage Length: 80 laps (Ends on Lap 200)

QUALIFYING & RACE RECORDS

Track Qualifying Record:
Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 206.558 mph, 34.857 secs., August 17, 2014

Track Race Record:
Dale Jarrett, Robert Yates Racing Ford, 173.997 mph, (2:17:56), June 13, 1999\\

2023 Michigan Pole Winner:
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 193.382 mph, 37.232 secs., August 5, 2023

2023 Michigan Race Winner:
Chris Buescher, RFK Racing Ford, 131.159 mph, (03:02:59), August 6, 2023

HISTORY

  • Michigan International Speedway sits on more than 1,400 acres in the “Irish Hills” of southeastern Michigan. Ground-breaking on the facility took place on September 28, 1967.
  • The track was known as Michigan Speedway during the time Roger Penske was the primary owner.
  • The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway was held June 15, 1969. The inaugural race was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough in the Wood Brothers Racing’s’ No. 21 Mercury at a speed of 139.254 mph.
  • The first NASCAR Cup Series race was 500 miles in length; the second was scheduled for 600 miles but was shortened due to weather. The track was re-measured to 2.04 miles for the last race in 1970 and both races in 1971 – with the race distance being 402 miles. All other races have been scheduled for 400 miles; except for the 2020 races that were 312 miles each.
  • The 2-mile speedway underwent a repave in 2012.
  • Michigan International Speedway has hosted a total of 106 NASCAR Cup Series races. Other than 1973, which had just one race, there have been two races each season from 1969 – 2020.
  • The 2024 season is just the fifth season (1973, 2021, 2022, 2023) to host just one NASCAR Cup Series event at Michigan International Speedway since the track joined the schedule in 1969.

STARTS

  • A total of 420 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway; 315 have competed in more than one.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Michigan International Speedway with 61 starts
  • Top five (all-time) in Cup Michigan starts: Bill Elliott (61), Ricky Rudd (60), Dave Marcis (56), Mark Martin (56), Terry Labonte (55).
  • Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in Michigan International Speedway starts with 35.
  • Top five (active) in Cup Michigan starts: Kyle Busch (35), Denny Hamlin (33), Martin Truex Jr. (33), Joey Logano (27) and Brad Keselowski (26).
  • A total of 41 different drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series start at Michigan International Speedway.
  Driver Date   Driver Date
1 Austin Hill 8/7/2022 22 Robin McCall 6/20/1982
2 Spencer Boyd 8/11/2019 23 Bob Schacht 8/16/1981
3 Garrett Smithley 6/10/2018 24 Rick Knoop 8/16/1981
4 Landon Cassill 6/13/2010 25 Stuart Huffman 8/17/1980
5 Brad Coleman 8/17/2008 26 Al Rudd 8/19/1979
6 Carl Edwards 8/22/2004 27 John Anderson 8/19/1979
7 Jason Small 6/16/2002 28 David Sosebee 6/17/1979
8 Shawna Robinson 6/10/2001 29 Sandy Satullo 6/17/1979
9 Andy Houston 8/20/2000 30 Roland Wlodyka 6/19/1977
10 Kerry Earnhardt 8/20/2000 31 John Haver 8/22/1976
11 Frank Kimmel 8/16/1998 32 Terry Bivins 8/24/1975
12 Jerry Nadeau 6/15/1997 33 Salt Walther 6/15/1975
13 Tim Steele 6/19/1994 34 Clyde Dagit 8/25/1974
14 Jeff McClure 8/16/1992 35 Gary Myers 8/25/1974
15 Ted Musgrave 8/19/1990 36 John Banks 8/25/1974
16 Bill Venturini 6/25/1989 37 Johnny Benson Sr 6/24/1973
17 Ken Bouchard 6/28/1987 38 Bill Massuch 8/17/1969
18 Mike Laws 6/15/1986 39 Mel Gillette 8/17/1969
19 Edward Cooper 6/16/1985 40 Ron Grana 8/17/1969
20 Jim Hull 6/16/1985 41 Wayne Gillette 6/15/1969
21 Dennis DeVea 6/20/1982  
  • The best finish by a driver making his first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Michigan International Speedway was a fifth-place finish by John Anderson, from Massillon, Ohio on Aug. 19, 1979; he started 20th and finished fifth driving for Russ Draime (Chevrolet).
  • Bobby Isaac leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Michigan International Speedway with a 3.125 in eight starts.
  • Ty Gibbs leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in average starting position at Michigan International Speedway with a 7.0 in two starts.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Michigan (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Start Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Start Races
1 Bobby Isaac 3.125 8 1 Ty Gibbs 7.000 2
2 LeeRoy Yarbrough 4.800 5 2 Joey Logano 9.815 27
3 Davey Allison 5.385 13 3 Chase Elliott 10.308 13
4 Ty Gibbs 7.000 2 4 Ryan Blaney 10.333 15
5 David Pearson 7.655 29 5 Tyler Reddick 10.400 5
6 Sam Sommers 8.000 2 6 Denny Hamlin 11.697 33
7 Bobby Allison 8.486 37 7 Kyle Busch 12.314 35
8 Pete Hamilton 8.600 5 8 Austin Cindric 13.000 2
9 Alan Kulwicki 8.714 14 9 Erik Jones 13.182 11
10 Joe Millikan 9.250 4 10 Martin Truex Jr 13.242 33

POLES

  • A total of 52 different drivers have qualified on the pole at Michigan International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Donnie Allison won the inaugural pole at Michigan International Speedway in 1969 with a speed of 160.135 mph driving for car owner Banjo Mathews (Ford).
  • This weekend, six of the 52 NASCAR Cup Series Michigan International Speedway pole winners are active.
Active Michigan Pole Winners Poles Seasons
Joey Logano 4 2019, 2016 sweep, 2013
Brad Keselowski 2 2019, 2017
Christopher Bell 1 2023
Bubba Wallace 1 2022
Denny Hamlin 1 2018
Kyle Larson 1 2017
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Michigan International Speedway with 10 poles (1969, 1974 sweep, 1975, 1976, 1977 sweep, 1978 sweep and 1979).
  • Joey Logano (2013, 2016 sweep, 2019) leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Michigan International Speedway with four.
  • Seven drivers have won consecutive poles at Michigan International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series:
    • David Pearson (1974 sweep) and (1976-1978)
    • Ron Bouchard (1981-1982)
    • Terry Labonte (1983 sweep)
    • Bill Elliott (1984 sweep) and (1988 sweep)
    • Bobby Labonte (2003 sweep)
    • Brian Vickers (2008-2009 sweep)
    • Joey Logano (2016 sweep).
  • David Pearson holds the NASCAR Cup Series record for the most consecutive poles at Michigan with five straight; from the Fall race of 1976 through 1978.
  • Youngest Cup Series Michigan pole winner: Joey Logano (August 16, 2013 – 23 years, 2 months, 23 days).
  • Oldest Cup Series Michigan pole winner: Mark Martin (August 19, 2012 – 53 years, 7 months, 10 days).
  • Eight drivers have posted their first career pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway.
First-Time Cup Pole Winners at Michigan Date
Bubba Wallace Sunday, August 22, 2022
Marcos Ambrose Sunday, June 17, 2012
JJ Yeley Sunday, June 17, 2007
Jeff Burton Sunday, August 18, 1996
Bobby Hamilton Sunday, June 23, 1996
Rusty Wallace Sunday, June 28, 1987
Ron Bouchard Sunday, August 16, 1981
Pete Hamilton Sunday, June 7, 1970
  • A total of 39 different organizations have won the pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway, eight of the 39 are active this weekend.
Active Organizations Poles Seasons
Hendrick Motorsports 11 2015, 2014, 2007, 2004, 2001, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1989 sweep, 1986
Team Penske 9 2019 sweep, 2017, 2016 sweep, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2005
Wood Brothers Racing 9 1979, 1978, sweep, 1977 sweep, 1976, 1975, 1974 sweep
Joe Gibbs Racing 8 2023, 2018, 2015, 2007, 2003 sweep, 2000, 1995
RFK Racing 3 2013, 2011, 1996
Stewart-Haas Racing 2 2018, 2014
23XI Racing 1 2022
Richard Childress Racing 1 2006
  • Hendrick Motorsports has won 11 poles in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway among five different drivers: Tim Richmond (1986), Ken Schrader (1989, 1993), Geoff Bodine (1989), Jeff Gordon (1995, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2014) and Kasey Kahne (2015).
  • Nine different manufacturers have won a pole at Michigan International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Ford leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Michigan International Speedway with 31 poles; followed by Chevrolet (27), Mercury (10), Dodge (nine), Pontiac (eight), Toyota (eight), Buick (three), Plymouth (two) and Oldsmobile (one).
  • The longest streak of NASCAR Cup Series pole wins at Michigan International Speedway by a manufacturer was six straight by Mercury from 8/22/1976 – 6/17/1979.

WINS

  • A total of 40 different drivers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway, and 23 of the 40 drivers have won multiple times at the 2-mile track.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway driving for Wood Brothers Racing in a Mercury on June 15, 1969.
  • This weekend, six of the 40 NASCAR Cup Series race winners at Michigan International Speedway are active.
Active Michigan Race Winners Wins Seasons
Joey Logano 3 2019, 2016, 2013
Kyle Larson 3 2017 sweep, 2016
Denny Hamlin 2 2011, 2010
Chris Buescher 1 2023
Ryan Blaney 1 2021
Kyle Busch 1 2011
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Michigan International Speedway with nine victories (1969, 1972 sweep, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 sweep, 1978).
  • Joey Logano (2013, 2016, 2019) and Kyle Larson (2016, 2017 sweep) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Michigan with three wins each.
  • Youngest Cup Series Michigan winner: Joey Logano (August 18, 2013 – 23 years, 2 months, 25 days).
  • Oldest Cup Series Michigan winner: Harry Gant (August 16, 1992 – 52 years, 7 months, 6 days).
  • 10 drivers have posted consecutive wins at Michigan International Speedway:
    • Bobby Allison (1971 sweep),
    • David Pearson (1972 sweep – 1973), (1974-1975),
    • Cale Yarborough (1983 sweep),
    • Bill Elliott (1985 sweep – 1986 sweep),
    • Bobby Labonte (1995 sweep),
    • Mark Martin (1997-1998),
    • Ryan Newman (2003-2004),
    • Greg Biffle (2004-2005), (2012-2013)
    • Kyle Larson won three-straight at Michigan (2016-2017).
    • Kevin Harvick (2019, 2020-1, 2020-2) – only driver to win in consecutive days at a single track.
  • Bill Elliott holds the record for the most consecutive wins in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan with four straight (1985 sweep and 1986 sweep).
  • Only two drivers in series history have recorded their first NASCAR Cup Series career win at Michigan International Speedway:
    • NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett (August 18, 1991)
    • Kyle Larson (August 28, 2016).
  • Martin Truex Jr. (33), and Michigan native Brad Keselowski (26) lead all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in starts without a win at Michigan International Speedway.
  • A total of 24 different starting positions on the grid have resulted in victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway.
  • The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (22) than any other starting position at Michigan International Speedway: 21 from the pole and one from the first starting position due to qualifying being cancelled – 1985 (Bill Elliott).
  • A total of 22 of the 106 (20.75%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan International Speedway have been won from the pole or first starting position; the most recent win from the pole at Michigan was June 2019 (Joey Logano).
  • Starting inside the top-10 has produced a winning percentage of 74.53% in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway – with 79 of the 106 races won from a top-10 starting spot.
  • Only seven of the 106 NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan International Speedway have been won from starting position outside the top-20 – producing a winning percentage of 6.6%.
  • The deepest in the field that a NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at Michigan International Speedway is 32nd, by NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin in the spring of 2009.
  • The deepest in the field that an active NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at Michigan International Speedway is 17th, by Kyle Busch in the August of 2011.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Michigan International Speedway

Starting Position Wins Winning % Starting Position Wins Winning %
1 22 20.75% 13 1 0.94%
2 9 8.49% 15 2 1.89%
3 13 12.26% 16 1 0.94%
4 13 12.26% 17 2 1.89%
5 6 5.66% 18 1 0.94%
6 1 0.94% 19 3 2.83%
7 6 5.66% 20 3 2.83%
8 4 3.77% 24 3 2.83%
9 2 1.89% 25 1 0.94%
10 3 2.83% 27 1 0.94%
11 3 2.83% 28 1 0.94%
12 4 3.77% 32 1 0.94%
Stats Winning % Wins
Winning from the First Starting Position: 20.75% 22
Winning from the Front Row: 29.25% 31
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position: 59.43% 63
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position: 74.53% 79
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20: 6.60% 7
  • A total of 22 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway.
  • This weekend, seven of the 22 NASCAR Cup Series Michigan International Speedway winning organizations are active.
Active Organizations Wins Seasons
RFK Racing 14 2023, 2013, 2012, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1998, 1997, 1993, 1990
Wood Brothers Racing 11 1991, 1978, 1976 sweep, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972 sweep, 1970, 1969
Team Penske 10 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1996, 1994
Joe Gibbs Racing 8 2015, 2011 sweep, 2010, 2000, 1999, 1995 sweep
Hendrick Motorsports 8 2014 sweep, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2001, 1998, 1993
Stewart-Haas Racing 7 2022, 2020 sweep, 2019, 2018 sweep, 2015
Richard Childress Racing 3 2010, 1990, 1987
  • RFK Racing leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Michigan International Speedway with 14 wins among six drivers: Mark Martin (four: 1990, 1993, 1997, 1998), Greg Biffle (four: 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013), Carl Edwards (two: 2007, 2008), Matt Kenseth (two: 2002, 2006), Kurt Busch (one: 2003) and Chris Buescher (one: 2023).
  • The Wood Brothers Racing organization has the second-most NASAR Cup Series wins at Michigan International Speedway with 11 victories among three drivers, including the inaugural race in 1969 – David Pearson (eight wins), Cale Yarborough (two) and Dale Jarrett (one).
  • Eight different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan; led by Ford with 43 victories; followed by Chevrolet with 26, Mercury (12), Dodge (nine), Toyota (five), Buick (four) Pontiac (four) and Oldsmobile (two).
  • The longest streak of wins by a manufacturer in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway is nine straight win by Ford from 6/10/2018 to 8/6/2023.

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

  • A total of 44 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished runner-up at Michigan International Speedway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Michigan International Speedway with eight second-place finishes.
  • Martin Truex Jr. leads all active drivers in runner-up finishes at Michigan International Speedway with four second-place finishes.
Rank All-Time Drivers Runner-Ups Rank Active Drivers Runner-Ups
1 Jeff Gordon 8 1 Martin Truex Jr 4
2 Darrell Waltrip 7 2 Brad Keselowski 3
3 Kevin Harvick 7 3 Chase Elliott 3
4 Richard Petty 5 4 Denny Hamlin 3
5 Bobby Allison 4 5 Bubba Wallace 1
Cale Yarborough 4   Kyle Busch 1
Dale Earnhardt 4   William Byron 1
David Pearson 4  
Martin Truex Jr 4  

Top-Five Finishes:

  • A total of 95 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have posted top-five finishes at Michigan.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Michigan with 21.
  • Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-five finishes at Michigan with 12.
Rank All-Time Drivers Top Fives Rank Active Drivers Top Fives
1 Cale Yarborough 21 1 Denny Hamlin 12
2 Jeff Gordon 19 2 Martin Truex Jr 11
3 Richard Petty 19 3 Kyle Busch 9
4 Mark Martin 18 4 Brad Keselowski 8
5 Bill Elliott 17 5 Joey Logano 8
Darrell Waltrip 17  
David Pearson 17  

Top-10 Finishes:

  • A total of 154 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished inside the top-10 at Michigan.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the series in top-10 finishes at Michigan with 31 top 10s.
  • Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top 10s at Michigan with 18 each.
Rank All-Time Drivers Top 10s Rank Active Drivers Top 10s
1 Mark Martin 31 1 Denny Hamlin 18
2 Bill Elliott 29 2 Joey Logano 18
3 Jeff Gordon 27 3 Martin Truex Jr 16
4 Cale Yarborough 26 4 Kyle Busch 15
5 Bobby Allison 25 5 Brad Keselowski 14
Dale Earnhardt 25  
Darrell Waltrip 25  
Richard Petty 25  

Average Finishing Position:

  • Sam Sommers leads the series in average finishing position at Michigan with a 6.0 in two starts.
  • Chase Elliott leads all active drivers in the series in average finishing position at Michigan with a 8.0 in 12 starts.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Michigan (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Driver Avg Finish Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Finish Races
1 Sam Sommers 6.000 2 1 Chase Elliott 10.154 13
2 Carl Edwards 9.400 25 2 Ty Gibbs 10.500 2
3 Cale Yarborough 9.611 36 3 Kyle Larson 10.933 15
4 Larry Smith 9.667 3 4 Joey Logano 12.296 27
5 Chase Elliott 10.154 13 5 Denny Hamlin 12.303 33
6 LeeRoy Yarbrough 10.200 5 6 Brad Keselowski 12.308 26
7 Ed Hessert 10.500 2 7 Martin Truex Jr 13.121 33
8 Ty Gibbs 10.500 2 8 Ryan Blaney 14.133 15
9 Kevin Harvick 10.884 43 9 Erik Jones 15.182 11
10 Kyle Larson 10.933 15 10 Christopher Bell 16.400 5

LAP LEADERS

  • A total of 164 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Michigan with 1,308 laps led in 36 starts.
  • Joey Logano leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at Michigan with 590 laps led in 27 starts.
  • The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway is 163 laps led by Joey Logano on June 10, 2019 – he won the event starting from the pole position.
  • The most laps led in a Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway by a driver that did not win the event was 146 laps led by Jimmie Johnson who finished 22nd on June 14, 2009 – he started third.
  • The fewest laps led by a race winner in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan was one lap by Mark Martin in 2009.

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Michigan International Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Led Completed % Led Rank Active Driver Led Completed % Led
1 Cale Yarborough 36 1,308 6,553 1 Joey Logano 27 590 5,038
2 Jeff Gordon 46 1,059 8,581 2 Martin Truex Jr 33 322 6,294
3 Bill Elliott 61 1,004 11,212 3 Kyle Busch 35 279 5,830
4 Mark Martin 56 988 10,285 4 Brad Keselowski 26 273 4,932
5 David Pearson 29 864 4,638 5 Denny Hamlin 33 263 6,227
6 Rusty Wallace 44 855 8,101 6 Kyle Larson 15 222 2,770
7 Kevin Harvick 43 737 8,252 7 Chase Elliott 13 144 2,289
8 Jimmie Johnson 38 700 7,034 8 Ryan Blaney 15 59 2,729
9 Darrell Waltrip 48 689 8,884 9 Chris Buescher 13 53 2,442
10 Bobby Allison 37 664 6,711 10 Daniel Suárez 11 49 1,998

TRACK / EVENT STATS

  • Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway was the August 22, 2021 race won by Ryan Blaney over William Byron with a margin of victory of 0.077 second.

Top Five Closest Margins of Victory at Michigan in NASCAR Cup Series

Rank Margin of Victory Race Winner Runner-Up Date
1 0.077 Ryan Blaney William Byron Sunday, August 22, 2021
2 0.085 Jeff Gordon Ricky Rudd Sunday, June 10, 2001
3 0.093 Kevin Harvick Denny Hamlin Sunday, August 9, 2020
4 0.131 Matt Kenseth Dale Jarrett Sunday, June 16, 2002
5 0.147 Joey Logano Kurt Busch Monday, June 10, 2019

 

  • Seven of the 106 (6.6%) NASCAR Cup Series races have resulted with NASCAR Overtime at Michigan:
Date Scheduled Actual Overtime Laps Race Winner
Saturday, August 8, 2020 156 161 5 Kevin Harvick
Monday, June 10, 2019 200 203 3 Joey Logano
Sunday, August 13, 2017 200 202 2 Kyle Larson
Sunday, August 19, 2012 200 201 1 Greg Biffle
Sunday, August 21, 2011 200 203 3 Kyle Busch
Sunday, June 15, 2008 200 203 3 Dale Earnhardt Jr
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 200 203 3 Kurt Busch
  • Six of the 106 (5.66%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan have been shortened due to weather:
Date Scheduled Actual Fewer Laps Race Winner
Sunday, June 10, 2018 200 133 -67 Clint Bowyer
Sunday, June 14, 2015 200 138 -62 Kurt Busch
Sunday, June 18, 2006 200 129 -71 Kasey Kahne
Sunday, August 19, 2001 200 162 -38 Sterling Marlin
Sunday, June 11, 2000 200 194 -6 Tony Stewart
Sunday, August 17, 1969 300 165 -135 David Pearson
  • Qualifying has been cancelled in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway six times.

o   Four times for weather cancelling qualifying:

Date Drivers That Started First
Sunday, June 16, 1985 Bill Elliott
Sunday, June 24, 1990 Mark Martin
Sunday, August 22, 2004 Jimmie Johnson
Sunday, June 15, 2008 Kyle Busch

o   And twice in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The starting lineups were determined by Metric Qualifying.

  • The most lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway was 65 lead changes in the August 16, 1981 race – the event was won by Richard Petty.
  • The fewest lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway was seven lead changes in the August 12, 1984 race – the event was won by Darrell Waltrip.
  • The final lead change in the last five NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan International Speedway:
    • In the 2020 Michigan-1 race Kevin Harvick passed Chase Elliott with 14 laps to go and went on to win the race.
    • In the 2020 Michigan-2 race Kevin Harvick passed Aric Almirola with 41 laps to go and went on to win the race.
    • In the 2021 Michigan race Ryan Blaney passed William Byron with 8 laps to go and went on to win the race.
    • In the 2022 Michigan race Kevin Harvick passed BJ McLeod with 38 laps to go and went on to win the race.
    • In 2023 Michigan race Chris Buescher passed Martin Truex Jr. with 12 laps to go and went on to win the race.

FEMALE COMPETITORS

  • Four female drivers have competed at Michigan International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series: Janet Guthrie, Robin McCall, Shawna Robinson and Danica Patrick.
  • Of the four female drivers to compete at Michigan, Guthrie has the best finish (10th).
Driver Starting Position Finishing Position Date
Danica Patrick 18 22 Sunday, August 13, 2017
Danica Patrick 23 37 Sunday, June 18, 2017
Danica Patrick 25 21 Sunday, June 12, 2016
Danica Patrick 23 25 Sunday, August 16, 2015
Danica Patrick 19 16 Sunday, June 14, 2015
Danica Patrick 14 18 Sunday, August 17, 2014
Danica Patrick 27 17 Sunday, June 15, 2014
Danica Patrick 28 23 Sunday, August 18, 2013
Danica Patrick 37 13 Sunday, June 16, 2013
Patrick Averages 23.8 21.3  
Shawna Robinson 32 34 Sunday, June 10, 2001
Robinson Averages 32 34  
Robin McCall 29 33 Sunday, August 22, 1982
Robin McCall 35 29 Sunday, June 20, 1982
McCall Averages 32 31  
Janet Guthrie 18 27 Sunday, August 20, 1978
Janet Guthrie 15 10 Monday, August 22, 1977
Janet Guthrie 12 26 Sunday, June 19, 1977
Guthrie Averages 15 21  

NASCAR IN MICHIGAN

  • There has been a total of 166 NASCAR national series races among four tracks in the state of Michigan.
NASCAR Tracks in Michigan City Cup Xfinity Truck Combined First Year
Michigan International Speedway Brooklyn 106 31 22 161 1969
Grand River Speedrome Grand Rapids 2 0 0 2 1951
Michigan State Fairgrounds Detroit 2 0 0 2 1951
Monroe Speedway Monroe 1 0 0 1 1952
Totals 111 31 22 166
  • The first NASCAR Cup Series race held in the state of Michigan was at Grand River Speedrome in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 1, 1951. The race was won by Marshall Teague from the pole in a Hudson.

MICHIGAN DRIVERS IN NASCAR

  • A total of 102 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Michigan.
  • A total of 10 of the 102 have won at least one race in NASCAR’s national series; they combined to win 164 NASCAR national series races.
NASCAR Winners From Michigan
Driver Cup Xfinity Truck Combined
Brad Keselowski 36 39 1 76
Paul Goldsmith 9 0 0 9
Erik Jones 3 9 7 19
Johnny Benson 1 3 14 18
Tim Fedewa 0 4 0 4
Butch Miller 0 2 1 3
Tracy Leslie 0 1 0 1
Jack Sprague 0 1 28 29
Carson Hocevar 0 0 4 4
Bob Keselowski 0 0 1 1
Totals 49 59 56 164

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