FORD PERFORMANCE NASCAR: CHICAGOLAND NOTES
The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup kicks off this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway and three Ford drivers are part of the field. Chris Buescher, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano are part of the 16-driver Chase, which ends in November at Ford Championship Weekend.
FIRST WIN
Ford’s lone NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at Chicagoland Speedway came in 2014 when Brad Keselowski kicked off the new Chase format by leading the final 16 laps. The win was his second straight after winning the previous week at Richmond, and also clinched an automatic berth into the Contender Round. 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 win for the fifth time in 2014.
CHASE OPENER HIGHLIGHTS
Keselowski’s Chicago win in 2014 marked the third time Ford has won the Chase opener. Kurt Busch captured 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.
ALL-TIME FORD CHASE WINS
Ford has 31 all-time Chase victories with two of this year’s participants – Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski – combining for eight. Logano, who has five career Chase wins, became the first driver in NASCAR history to sweep an entire round when he took all three Contender Round events last season at Charlotte, Kansas and Talladega. Likewise, 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
Joey Logano – 5
Matt Kenseth – 4
Brad Keselowski – 3
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.
