Nationwide on track for first time
BROOKLYN, Mich. (June 15, 2012) – A day after numerous teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series topped the 200 MPH mark, the speeds continued to be the theme. And the speeds only got faster after the teams fine-tuned their cars.
Greg Biffle set the pace and it was one fast lap. He finished the day with a mark of 204.708 MPH. The next fastest driver was Marcos Ambrose who had a lap of 203.551 MPH.
In the final practice session on Friday, 43 of the 45 drivers surpassed the qualifying record of 194.232 MPH. Ryan Newman set the previous mark in 2005 and owns a pair of victories in the Irish Hills.
Kevin Harvick (202.954) and Carl Edwards (202.943) each posted speeds of over 202 MPH. In the final practice session, 14 cars had a speed that eclipsed 200 MPH.
The official NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 1:10 p.m. The Quicken Loans 400 will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Nationwide drivers got their opportunity to test the repaved surface at MIS for the first time. And it did not take them long to confirm they like the speeds.
Danica Patrick was the first driver to surpass 190 MPH on the day. She was the second fastest in the first practice with a speed of 190.506. But Austin Dillon registered the fastest speed in the first two sessions and appeared on his way to leading the day.
In the final practice session, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano had a fast lap of 189.773 MPH to lead the field.
Biffle set the Nationwide qualifying mark of 186.548 MPH in 2007. A total of 19 Nationwide drivers in the first practice session and 18 each in the next two sessions topped the record.
The Nationwide will qualifying on Saturday at 11:05 a.m. The green flag will drop on the 21st Annual Alliance Truck Parts 250 on Saturday at 3:45 p.m.
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.
All tickets are on sale at http://www.MISpeedway.com or by phone at 800-354-1010.
Keep up with Michigan International Speedway via Twitter @MISpeedway or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MISpeedway. You can also follow track president Roger Curtis on Twitter at @MISRoger. Join our Mobile Fan Club by texting MISCLUB on a Sprint Handheld or other mobile device to 69050. Standard text message rates may apply.
Michigan International Speedway 2012 Schedule
Saturday, June 16 NASCAR Nationwide Series Alliance Truck Parts 250 and Gatorade Pole Day
Sunday, June 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400
Friday, Aug. 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice
Saturday, Aug. 18 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200 and Gatorade Pole Day
Sunday, Aug. 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400
Tuesday, Sept. 11 Spirit of America Blood Drive
2012 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
May 19 – Great Lakes Wine Festival Presented by Jackson County CVB
June 15 – ARCA Series RainEater Wiper Blades 200
June 16 – NASCAR Nationwide Series Alliance Truck Parts 250
June 17 – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400
August 17 – NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice Day
August 18 – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200
August 19 – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400
