SB Nation Detroit - NASCAR At Michigan: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Breaks Cold Streak With Quicken Loans 400 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2012-06-17T18:06:21-04:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28537922012-06-17T18:06:21-04:002012-06-17T18:06:21-04:00NASCAR At Michigan: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wins Quicken Loans 400 Title
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<p>After significant drought since taking a checkered flag, fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. emerged victorious on the final lap to take the Quicken Loans 400 at the Michigan International Speedway on Sunday in thrilling fashion.</p>
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<p>He's done it! Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won his first <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523NASCAR">#NASCAR</a> Sprint Cup Series race since 2008, going to Victory Lane at Michigan.</p>
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeff_gluck/status/214477108754395137" data-datetime="2012-06-17T21:58:22+00:00">June 17, 2012</a>
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<p>Earnhardt Jr. literally cruised to victory after opening the day in the No. 17 position, and shattered a 143-race winless streak that had begun to take a toll over time. Leader for 95 of the 200 laps on Sunday, Earnhardt's trip to victory lane at MIS came on his 450th career NASCAR start.</p>
<p>Rounding out the top four were Chevrolet's Tony Stewart (2nd), followed by Ford's duo of Matt Kenseth (3rd) and Greg Biffle (4th). Teammates Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon finished in 5th and 6th respectively.</p>
<p><i>For more on NASCAR at Michigan, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar">SB Nation's NASCAR hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/17/3093443/nascar-at-michigan-dale-earnhardt-jr-winner-quicken-loans-400-misDave Ryan2012-06-17T15:10:30-04:002012-06-17T15:10:30-04:00NASCAR At Michigan: Quicken Loans 400 Begins After Rain Delay
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<p>Just as many had predicted, a series of brief storms interrupted the NASCAR Quicken Loans 400 at the Michigan International Speedway on Sunday before it could even begin.</p>
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<p>Engines have fired @<a href="https://twitter.com/MISpeedway">MISpeedway</a>. Today's <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523QL400">#QL400</a> will be 400 miles and 200 laps <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523NASCAR">#NASCAR</a></p>
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASCAR/status/214431132291309568" data-datetime="2012-06-17T18:55:40+00:00">June 17, 2012</a>
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<p>Originally scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. ET, the drizzly weather forced more than a two-hour delay as workers tirelessly worked to jet dry the track to keep conditions manageable. Marcos Ambrose will open the 200-lap, 400-mile race in the pole after posting the fastest qualifying lap in 25 years at 203.241 miles per hour.</p>
<p>Behind the pole-sitter Ambrose is Kevin Harvick in the No. 2 spot, Greg Biffle at No. 3, Kasey Kahne at No. 4 and Ryan Newman to round out the top five. With record speeds expected for the race, the slightly-adjusted tires introduced on Sunday are expected to help keep things as safe as possible on a track that has already seen blistering trial run speeds.</p>
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<p><i>For more on NASCAR at Michigan, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar">SB Nation's NASCAR hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/17/3093236/nascar-at-michigan-quicken-loans-400-begins-after-rain-delayDave Ryan2012-06-16T15:59:01-04:002012-06-16T15:59:01-04:00NASCAR At Michigan: New Tires To Be Introduced For Sunday
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<p><a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/15/3089781/nascar-at-michigan-international-speedway-new-track/in/2853792">With record speeds</a> dominating the early runs at the Michigan International Speedway this weekend in anticipation of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Event on Sunday, NASCAR and Goodyear have decided to introduce a new tire with the hopes of creating a safer environment for drivers. <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/15/3089781/nascar-at-michigan-international-speedway-new-track/in/2853792">With the newly paved track</a> allowing for drivers to reach faster speeds than they ever have before, the tires have been "blistering," which increases the chances of a blowout.</p>
<p>Goodyear has shipped out a new left-side tire for Sunday's race, which all drivers will be able to test out in an extended practice session on Saturday night. The new tire is more reliable and was used in 2006 and 2007 at Charlotte when that track was repaved.</p>
<p>Via <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2012/6/16/3091410/nascar-michigan-tires-2012/in/2849072">SBNation.com</a>:</p>
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<p>"Safety is always our No. 1 concern, and by bringing this tire here this weekend, we will accomplish that goal," Goodyear's Greg Stucker said.</p>
<p>Each team will have 10 sets of tires for the race, which is the same amount as originally planned. They will also have extra sets to use in tonight's practice session.</p>
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<p>For more information on the tire change, read <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2012/6/16/3091410/nascar-michigan-tires-2012/in/2849072">Jeff Gluck's comprehensive article</a> on the issue.</p>
<p><i>For more on NASCAR at Michigan, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar">SB Nation's NASCAR hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/16/3091843/nascar-at-michigan-new-tires-to-be-introduced-for-sundayMatt Brigidi2012-06-16T15:11:40-04:002012-06-16T15:11:40-04:00NASCAR Lineup For Michigan Speedway: Marcos Ambrose Wins Pole Position
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<p>On Saturday afternoon, Marcos Ambrose used the fastest NASCAR qualifying lap in 25 years to win the pole position for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan, posting an average speed of 203.241 miles per hour. This is the first time in Ambrose's career that he has won the pole and it comes in a weekend where record speeds have been the norm.</p>
<p>The rest of the top 10 will be rounded out by Matt Kenseth, Trevor Bayne, Tony Stewart, Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson.</p>
<p>Here is the starting lineup for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan via <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2012/6/16/3091754/nascar-michigan-starting-lineup-grid-2012-qualifying/in/2849072">SBNation.com</a>:</p>
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<li>Marcos Ambrose</li>
<li>Kevin Harvick</li>
<li>Greg Biffle</li>
<li>Kasey Kahne</li>
<li>Ryan Newman</li>
<li>Matt Kenseth</li>
<li>Trevor Bayne</li>
<li>Tony Stewart</li>
<li>Joey Logano</li>
<li>Jimmie Johnson</li>
<li>Denny Hamlin</li>
<li>Regan Smith</li>
<li>Clint Bowyer</li>
<li>Mark Martin</li>
<li>Aric Almirola</li>
<li>Martin Truex Jr.</li>
<li>Dale Earnhardt Jr.</li>
<li>Paul Menard</li>
<li>Jamie McMurray</li>
<li>AJ Allmendinger</li>
<li>Juan Pablo Montoya</li>
<li>Austin Dillon</li>
<li>Scott Riggs</li>
<li>Casey Mears</li>
<li>Brad Keselowski</li>
<li>Kurt Busch</li>
<li>Michael McDowell</li>
<li>Jeff Gordon</li>
<li>Mike Bliss</li>
<li>Josh Wise</li>
<li>Bobby Labonte</li>
<li>Landon Cassill</li>
<li>Jeff Burton</li>
<li>Kyle Busch</li>
<li>David Gilliland</li>
<li>Dave Blaney</li>
<li>Joe Nemechek</li>
<li>David Ragan</li>
<li>Travis Kvapil</li>
<li>Ken Schrader</li>
<li>Tony Raines</li>
<li>Carl Edwards</li>
<li>JJ Yeley</li>
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<i>For more on NASCAR at Michigan, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar">SB Nation's NASCAR hub</a></i><i>.</i>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/16/3091793/nascar-schedule-2012-michigan-international-speedway-news-info-updates-lineupMatt Brigidi2012-06-16T14:11:30-04:002012-06-16T14:11:30-04:00NASCAR At Michigan Weather Forecast And Schedule: Chance Of Storms Threatens Race Day
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<p>On Sunday afternoon, the Quicken Loans 400 is scheduled to take place at Michigan International Speedway as part of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series. However, the event may be threatened due to a cold front, which is expected to bring scattered showers and storms.</p>
<p>Despite the threat of uncooperative weather, it appears as though the showers will clear out prior to the start of the race on Sunday. Saturday is expected to be a hot and sunny day for the Sprint Cup and Nationwide qualifying as well as the Nationwide race. The issue will come late Saturday night when the aforementioned cold front ushers in a narrow band of showers and storms, which is expected to hit Sunday morning and clear out by the afternoon just in time for race time.</p>
<p>Here are the projected weather forecasts for each of this weekend's events:</p>
<p><b>Conditions in Brooklyn, MI: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://weather.unisys.com/forecast.pl?Name=49230&Go.x=19&Go.y=10" title="Current Weather Conditions & NWS Forecast">Click here for Current Weather Conditions</a> - <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wunderground.com/radar/radblast.asp?zoommode=pan&prevzoom=zoom&num=6&frame=0&delay=15&scale=1.000&noclutter=0&ID=DTX&type=N0R&showstorms=0&lat=42.10346985&lon=-84.24510193&label=Brooklyn,%20MI&map.x=400&map.y=240&scale=1.000&centerx=400&centery=240&showlabels=1&rainsnow=0&lightning=0&lerror=20&num_stns_min=2&num_stns_max=9999&avg_off=9999&smooth=0" title="WunderMap Radar">Look at Doppler Radar</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://m.wund.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?brand=mobile&query=49230-9068" title="Mobile">Mobile Friendly Site</a> | <a href="http://m.wund.com/auto/mobile/MI/Brooklyn.html?feature=zoomradar">Mobile Radar</a></p>
<p><b>SATURDAY:<br></b><i>11:05 a.m. EDT</i><br>Nationwide Series qualifying - Mostly sunny skies - temp: <b>82</b><br><i>1:10 p.m. EDT</i><br>Sprint Cup Series qualifying - Mostly sunny skies - temp: <b>85</b> <i><br></i><i>3:45 p.m. EDT</i><br>Nationwide Series Race - Mostly sunny skies - temp: <b>89</b></p>
<p><b>SUNDAY:<br></b><i>12 p.m. EDT</i><br>Sprint Cup Series Pre-race - Mostly cloudy, chance of shower or storm - temp: <b>78</b><br><i>1 p.m. EDT</i><br>Sprint Cup Series Race - Mostly cloudy, chance of shower or storm - temp: <b>81</b><br><i>2 p.m. EDT</i><br>Sprint Cup Series Race - Mostly cloudy, chance of shower or storm - temp: <b>82</b><br><i>4 p.m. EDT</i><br>Sprint Cup Series Race - Mostly cloudy, chance of shower or storm - temp: <b>83</b></p>
<p><i>For more on NASCAR at Michigan, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar">SB Nation's NASCAR hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/16/3091673/nascar-at-michigan-weather-forecast-and-schedule-chance-of-stormsMatt Brigidi2012-06-15T15:59:16-04:002012-06-15T15:59:16-04:00NASCAR At Michigan: No Restrictor Plates Despite High Speeds
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<p>Despite the record speeds registered at the newly repaved Michigan International Speedway during Thursday's Sprint Cup Series test, NASCAR will not be doing anything to try and slow down the cars.</p>
<p>Via SB Nation motorsports editor <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2012/6/14/3087497/nascar-michigan-2012-no-restrictor-plates/in/2849072">Jeff Gluck</a>:</p>
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<p>"We're not looking at [restrictor] plates here," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition. "... In general, the speeds will continue to go down [throughout the weekend]."</p>
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<p>NASCAR believes that the record speeds can be attributed to the repaved track and the cool weather conditions that were present on Thursday morning. In addition, officials believe speeds will decline due to more rubber on the racetrack as well as warmer temperatures forecasted for this weekend.</p>
<p>Gluck notes that even if officials wanted to slow down the cars there isn't much they could do.</p>
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<p>Turning a 2-mile downforce track into a restrictor-plate race could come with unforeseen consequences, since there's never been a race quite like that before.</p>
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<p><i>For more on NASCAR at Michigan, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar">SB Nation's NASCAR hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/15/3090002/nascar-at-michigan-no-restrictor-plates-despite-high-speedsMatt Brigidi2012-06-15T14:35:10-04:002012-06-15T14:35:10-04:00NASCAR At Michigan: New Track Producing Record Speeds
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<p>On Thursday morning, the speed record at Michigan International Speedway was broken 39 times prior to the driver's taking a break for lunch as the competitors prepared for the Quicken Loans 400 set to take place at the speedway on Sunday.</p>
<p>Breaking in the newly repaved two-mile track in the Irish Hills, Mark Martin was the fastest driver in the morning sessions, topping out at 201.089 miles per hour, while Tony Stewart reached the highest speed of the day at 201.896 miles per hour in the afternoon sessions.</p>
<p>Prior to Thursday, the record was set at 194.232 miles per hour when Ryan Newman registered the speed in 2005. By the end of Thursday, 43 drivers had surpassed Newman's record.</p>
<p>The increased speeds have raised questions about safety by some of the drivers. Via the <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120615/SPORTS16/206150369/New-MIS-track-is-scary-fast">Detroit Free Press</a>:</p>
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<p>"I think we are approaching some safety concerns at the speeds we are going," said Biffle, who is third in Sprint Cup points after leading the standings most of the season. "I don't know that we are there yet though.</p>
<p>"The thing you worry is if a piece breaks on the car, an engine breaks at an inopportune time coming off the corner or getting into a corner. ... We are certainly pushing the envelope and with the extra speed, the wall still isn't going to move when you get there."</p>
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<p><i>For more on NASCAR at Michigan, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar">SB Nation's NASCAR hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/15/3089781/nascar-at-michigan-international-speedway-new-trackMatt Brigidi2012-06-15T13:45:56-04:002012-06-15T13:45:56-04:00NASCAR At Michigan: Schedule Of Events For This Weekend
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<img alt="BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 15: A general view of the fronstretch prior to practice for the Alliance Truck Parts 250 at Michigan International Speedway on June 15, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Wx9T3x7Mp_BSpI-5TXPalBLo47c=/1x0:999x665/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/7437789/146385626.jpg" />
<figcaption>BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 15: A general view of the fronstretch prior to practice for the Alliance Truck Parts 250 at Michigan International Speedway on June 15, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images for NASCAR</figcaption>
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<p>NASCAR is at MIS this weekend. The main event for the weekend is the Quicken Loans 400, which is set for noon ET on Sunday.</p> <p>NASCAR is back at Michigan International Speedway this weekend for its annual Father's Day race. This year, the Quicken Loans 400 is the main event for the weekend, but it's far from the only thing going on this weekend at MIS.</p>
<p>On Friday, June 15, the first race of the weekend will be held. It is the ARCA Racing Series' RainEater Wiper Blades 200. It is set to begin at 5 p.m. ET, and you can watch it live on SPEED.</p>
<p>A day later, on Saturday, June 16, the Alliance Truck Parts 250 will take place at MIS. This is part of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and the race will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Qualifying will take place earlier in the day at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN2, and practice will be held at 2 p.m. ET on Friday (SPEED has the broadcast of practice).</p>
<p>Finally, the main event is the Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, June 17. Festivities for the Quicken Loans 400 will begin at noon ET on Sunday, and TNT will have the broadcast. Qualifying is set for 1 p.m. ET on Saturday on SPEED.</p>
<p><i>For more on NASCAR at Michigan, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nascar">SB Nation's NASCAR hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/15/3089674/nascar-schedule-2012-michigan-international-speedwaySean Yuille