Pure Michigan 400: Michigan International Speedway
Nascar leaves Michigan International Speedway for the second and last time this season. Last time we were at MIS in 2013 Greg Biffle got his first and only win of 2013, this time it was Joey Logano's turn. Logano not only won the Pole on Friday but also had a great day overall Sunday which finished in Victory Lane.
JoLo's win will add him to the growing list of drivers trying to get into the Chase from a WC spot. JoLo, Newman, Truex Jr, and Greg Biffle are all on that line. To make things more interesting, as of right now Kasey Kahne has taken over the first WC spot with two wins. Its going to be a wild ride until the end of the race at Richmond when the Chase field will be set. Take a look at the
final results of the Pure Michigan 400 here. Also take a look back at the Michigan International Speedway Garages 2013 for my first hand look inside the garages this year. I will most likely also have a MIS Race Weekend in Photo's article up later this week.
Rising:
- Joey Logano- He was strong this weekend. I have been predicting all season he would get a win this year and most likely before the Chase, he finally made me look good. JoLo may not have got the chance to prove me right if it wasn't for Mark Martin running out of gas with just a few laps left.
- Kurt Busch- He was fast once again in 2013 but just short of the win. Kurt did spend a lot of time up front and will now spend a lot of time taking questions about where he will be in 2014. He finished 3rd.
- Brad Keselowski- Yes, he finished 12th, but he had a very strong day and instead of gambling to try and get the win -or a 30+ finish is it didn't work out- he came in and got fuel. It was the second wee he went with the safe move and it could end up getting him into the Chase -but it could also be his downfall- only time will tell.
Coasting:
- Clint Bowyer- After getting back on track at Watkins Glenn Bowyer followed up with a 5th at MIS. He is safe for the Chase but still needs to get some more wins during the Chase if he wants to win the Cup.
Falling:
- Dale Earnhardt Jr- Seriously though, if he has another finish like this he may start to worry about missing the Chase. If you look at the whole day Sunday he had a good day. He spent much of the day up front but a cut tire doomed his day again at MIS.
- Jimmie Johnson- This isn't falling out of the standings, or JJ needing to worry, but its just a fact that he had a rough, rough weekend. In practice he spun and had to go to a backup car and then he had engine trouble on Sunday and ended up packing up early. This season JJ has had some missteps that are not like that team so its something to look for in the Chase.
- Jamie McMurray- He didn't have it at all on Sunday at MIS and finished up 22nd. J Mac was on a little stretch where it looked like he might knock them off and possible find a win. After MIS and another driver getting a win his chances just dropped dramatically.
Pit Road Week 23 Power Rankings
- Jimmie Johnson (LW-1)- Well he had a long day. After starting from the back -spun into the wall in practice- he fought his way up near the top 10 and then had engine problems. He has work to do before the Chase but can anyone really take this spot until then?
- Kevin Harvick (LW-4)- Harvick had a strong day by staying up front most of the day but never leading and eventually finishing 2nd. He is in the Chase and just needs to get on a streak.
- Carl Edwards (LW-3)- Carl followed up his road course 6th with another top 10 (10th) at MIS. He has been pretty consistent in 2013 and should make the Chase.
- Kyle Busch (LW-2)- After a much needed win at the Glen Kyle struggled early and often at MIS. He eventually finished 31st and has his mind on Bristol.
- Clint Bowyer (LW-7)- Well he is officially back on a hot streak, but the question is when will a guy with 8 top 10's and 13 top 10's get a win?
- Kurt Busch (LW-NR)- Well from unranked to 6th in a week, Kurt has been hot again. He lead a bunch last Sunday and looked early to be a favorite. Now we head to Bristol where he has a good track record.
- Brad Keselowski (LW-9)- He finished 12th but he had a top 5 car all day. BK actually looked like he had a car that could maybe push for the win but choosing not to gamble and get a splash of fuel lead to a middle of the road finish.
- Joey Logano (LW-12)- JoLo won the Pole on Friday and then the race on Sunday. I had been waiting for the win all season and I still think he will make a Chase run, if not make it. He could be a top 5 finisher if he gets in.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-5)- The big fall is a bit unfair considering he had a good car that was only brought down by a cut tire, but parity seems to be setting in with every driver but JJ.
- Kasey Kahne (LW-10)- Well he finished 7th but didn't move up in the rankings, but that just about all the drivers around and not so much him. Kahne has been up and down this year so a good finish at Bristol will move him right back up the rankings.
- Matt Kenseth (LW-8)- Speaking of up and down, Kenseth has finishes of 22nd, 23rd, and 15th (MIS) in his last 3. Its one of those down parts of 2013.
- Ryan Newman (LW-11)- Rocket man hangs on for one more week with a 13th place finish but he needs some more top 5 runs to get into the Chase.
Dropping Out: Martin Truex Jr
Just Missed: Greg Biffle, Juan Pablo Montoya
More?
This next week we take a trip back to Bristol for a Saturday night race that is sure to get heated with every driver fighting for a chance at the Chase. Come back and check out the preview later this week!
