Garrett Smithley Michigan preview

BROOKLYN, Mich. – Garrett Smithley hopes to rebound with a strong finish in Saturday’s Menards 250 at Michigan International Speedway after rain cost him a good run last week at Pocono Raceway.

“The rain really cost us last week,” Smithley said. “We had a really good car at Pocono, but then we had a round of pit stops and then the weather hit. We didn’t get to finish the race, and we could have had a much better finish.”

Smithley finished 27th in the rain-shortened race, marking his first visit to Pocono.

Saturday’s race at MIS will be Smithley’s second at the two-mile track. He ran a Camping World Truck Series event there.

Smithley will race at MIS with support from Michigan Operating Engineers 324. Operating Engineers 324 has played a central role in building, operating and maintaining Michigan’s industrial infrastructure. Its members began working on internal combustion engines, electric motors, hydraulic machinery, refrigeration systems and the operation of nuclear power plants. Today, more than 100 years from its founding, they are the highest trained, certified and experienced experts in the industry.

“Partnering with a diverse, well-run, professional organization like Michigan Operating Engineers 324 is very special,” Smithley said. “In NASCAR, values such as hard work are keys to success, and those values are important to Operating Engineers 324, too.”

Operating Engineers General Vice President Douglas Stockwell said, “We are happy to be partnering with Garrett Smithley and sponsoring him in this race. The sponsorship will give Operating Engineers 324 a great deal of exposure, and we’re excited for the opportunity to reach a broader audience.”

MIS practice is scheduled at MIS at 12:30 p.m. (ET) and 3 p.m. Friday. Qualifying is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, with the race to follow at 1:30.