Official Release

The inaugural NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway, on June 15, 1969, was appropriately named the “Motor State 500.” Held in the home state of the major U.S. automakers, the race has been from the beginning an event that participating automakers want to win, for many reasons, including local bragging rights.

“Let’s just call Michigan an adopted home track and state,” said Truex, who usually arrives early to Michigan for an annual fishing trip. “We have a blast each time we go to Michigan, catch a lot of fish -- and please don’t ask where because I am not giving away any secrets where the fish are biting.”

Superman Hall of Heroes inductee Jimmie Johnson is a racing icon. Throughout his career in motorsports, he has able to win at every level. At the highest level in NASCAR, Johnson has accumulated six championships and 77 wins, third and seventh respectably.

“Michigan was a little tough for me last year, but I’m ready to get back there and secure a much better result,” Black stated. “I’ve learned so much more since last August that I feel much more prepared for this race. I’m not going to be making the same mistakes I did last year and feel confident in myself and my team to grab a Top-20 finish.”

Dakoda will be making his third career NASCAR XFINITY Series start at Michigan International Speedway to go along with three prior starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and one in the ARCA Racing Series. Armstrong has a best XFINITY Series finish of 16th at the Brooklyn, Michigan track which occurred in this event last season.

Kasey Kahne has three poles at Michigan -- in 2006, 2010 and 2015. After starting the June 2006 race from the pole position, the Enumclaw, Washington, native led 19 laps and went on to take the checkered flag for his fifth career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win.

Brian Scott may be making his first Sprint Cup Series start this weekend at Michigan International Speedway, but the two-mile speedway is not a new track for Scott with several years of XFINITY Series racing experience there.

After a Top-20 finish in Pocono this past weekend, Aric Almirola jumped two positions in the Championship Point Standings to 24th place. Almirola is looking forward to going back to the Irish Hills of Michigan in the No. 43 Smithfield Ford to continue his climb through the standings after a string of disappointing finishes.

“Michigan is a track that Roush Fenway, Ford, and Jack (Roush) have had a lot of success. We always want to have a strong showing at Michigan since it is in the backyard of Ford and Roush Industries. I’m really looking forward to racing the new aero package.

“Michigan is always a special place to race for us since it is in (team owner) Jack (Roush) and Ford’s backyard. It really gives you some extra motivation to go out there and get the job done. I’m confident that (crew chief) Matt (Puccia) will give me a solid AdvoCare Ford that will let us get up front and make some noise come Sunday afternoon.”