NASCAR Cup Series

While the rest of the NASCAR world is celebrating the sport’s most popular driver’s fourth win in 10 years, another stock car icon has passed away. It’s true that today’s youth doesn’t understand the history of the sport, but that’s not unusual. Many don’t understand the history and geography of our nation either.

“The only thing you really need to know about Junie Donlavey is that he was probably the most well-liked person ever in the sport of NASCAR. He was a good friend of the Wood Brothers … one of our very best friends in the sport. I can tell you I would call him on the phone, and even before I could get a word or two out, he knew who it was that was calling.

Michigan Stats... Harvick has 26 prior NSCS starts at MIS. He has earned one win (August 2010) along with five top-five finishes and 10 top 10s. He has an average start of 18.1 and an average finish of 13.8 at MIS.

“We always want to have a strong run at Michigan since it’s in the backyard of Ford and Roush Industries. We had a strong run at Pocono so hopefully we can carry that momentum into this weekend. Ecopower Re-Refined Oil will make their debut on our car this weekend so hopefully we can have a strong run for them this weekend.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits Michigan International Speedway this weekend with just 12 races remaining before the sport’s 16-team playoffs begin. Michael Waltrip Racing’s two fulltime drivers Brian Vickers and Clint Bowyer are both in the battle to secure one of those 16 spots.

Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion for Team Penske, heads home to the Irish Hills of Michigan this weekend for the first of two races at his home track, Michigan International Speedway. Keselowski was the subject of the weekly NASCAR teleconference.

“Last year was the best Father’s Day ever, 1,000th win for Ford and to have my daughter there for her first victory lane. I’m not sure how to top that, but hopefully something spectacular will happen. Michigan is one of my favorite tracks; it’s a big fast place and has lots of room to race. There is always a lot of strategy going on. Fuel mileage and pit stops are very important.”

“I really like racing at Michigan International Speedway. It is a Ford racetrack so it is a big weekend for us since it’s in their backyard. We’ve also run pretty well the last couple of races there so I’m confident that Chad (Norris) and the guys will give me a strong No.6 AdvoCare Ford this weekend to get another win here for Ford.

Denny Hamlin doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. He knows he isn’t “officially” locked into the Chase for the Sprint Cup. But with a victory already in hand this season, he knows under the new Chase format, the odds are good he’s in the elimination-style playoff field.

Former Ford owner Junie Donlavey, a Spirit of Ford Award Winner for his contributions to motorsports, passed away last night. Donlavey fielded Ford vehicles from 1961 until his retirement in 2004 and during that time gave many drivers and crewmen an opportunity to compete on NASCAR’s biggest stage.