It’s been a rough week for NASCAR following the death of Kevin Ward Jr., A.J. Allmendinger winning at Watkins Glen last Sunday, Tony Stewart choosing not to race at Michigan International Speedway as well as a NASCAR rule change for drivers who get in accidents on the track or near it.
Now, it’s time to just race at the Pure Michigan 400 and here’s your preview.
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Start time and location: Start time will be exactly 1:16 p.m. taking place at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, MI.
Distance: 200 laps around MIS’ two-mile loop (400 miles).
Weather: There’s a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms with scattered showers throughout the day according to the National Weather Service. The high is 77 degrees.
TV: ESPN beginning at 12 p.m. with a pre-race show.
Facts and stats: The August race at Michigan International Speedway is the second race of the year at MIS and has been held annually since 1969.
Joey Logano won the event last year and Jimmie Johnson won the Quicken Loans 400 in June at MIS.
Greg Biffle is the only current driver with two wins at the Pure Michigan 400 and four total at MIS. He starts in the 11 position Sunday.
Jeff Gordon has won the pole for the second straight week and only trails Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the top spot in the Sprint Cup standings by four points.
The starting lineup for the race:
- Jeff Gordon
- Joey Logano
- Carl Edwards
- Brian Vickers
- Brad Keselowski
- Kevin Harvick
- Paul Menard
- Austin Dillon
- Jamie McMurray
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Greg Biffle
- Ryan Newman
- Kyle Larson
- Danica Patrick
- Kasey Kahne
- Kurt Busch
- Justin Allgaier
- Matt Kenseth
- Clint Bowyer
- Marcos Ambrose
- Denny Hamlin
- AJ Allmendinger
- Aric Almirola
- Kyle Busch
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Casey Mears
- Jeff Burton
- Ryan Blaney
- David Gilliland
- Jimmie Johnson
- Ryan Truex (will be replaced by JJ Yeley)
- Alex Bowman
- Josh Wise
- David Ragan
- Michael Annett
- Cole Whitt
- Dave Blaney
- Travis Kvapil
- Matt Crafton
- Reed Sorenson
- Alex Kennedy
- Joe Nemechek
- Landon Cassill