FORD PERFORMANCE: NASCAR CHICAGOLAND NOTES
Chicagoland Speedway will host this week’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup opener on Sunday for the fifth straight season. Brad Keselowski is the defending champion and one of two Ford drivers competing for this year’s championship, along with Penske teammate Joey Logano. Here’s a look at some notes involved Ford at Chicagoland Speedway and in the Chase.
THE FIRST AND LAST TIME…Ford won a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway came last year when Brad Keselowski kicked off the new Chase format by leading the final 16 laps en route to his second straight victory. Keselowski, who also won the previous week at Richmond, clinched an automatic berth into the Contender Round after his Chicago triumph. Keselowski provided the drama the new Chase format figured to deliver as he squeezed between Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson to grab the lead and hold on for his fifth win of the season. The win was also the first NSCS win at the track for Ford, but Keselowski’s second after also winning in his championship season of 2012.
CHASING FORD…Keselowski’s win last season marked the third time Ford has won the Chase opener. Kurt Busch won the very first Chase race in 2004 when he took the checkered flag at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which served as a springboard for him winning the championship under Jack Roush. Greg Biffle actually won the first two Chase events in 2008 (Loudon and Dover) before eventually finishing third in the final standings.
Ford has 28 all-time Chase victories with this year’s participants – Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski – combining for five. Logano won both of his Chase events a year ago at New Hampshire and Kansas. Keselowski won twice as well at Chicagoland and Talladega as Ford matched its all-time best with four Chase wins in one season. Keselowski’s other Ford Chase win came in 2013 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Overall, Keselowski has five Chase triumphs with two of those coming when Team Penske was affiliated with Dodge.
FORD NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES CHASE RACE WINNERS
Carl Edwards – 8
Greg Biffle – 7
Matt Kenseth – 4
Brad Keselowski – 3
Joey Logano – 2
Jamie McMurray – 1
Kurt Busch – 1
Dale Jarrett – 1
Mark Martin – 1
NOTE: Keselowski has 5 career Chase wins with the others coming in 2012 at Chicago and Dover when Team Penske was affiliated with Dodge.
