NASCAR Cup Series

Like most in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, David Ragan doesn’t know what to expect with a new aerodynamic package in Sunday’s 400-mile race at Michigan International Speedway.

A late race wreck at Watkins Glen last weekend cost Dakoda Armstrong a solid finish and widened the gap in the point standings. However the finish doesn't tell the whole story.

Transportation Impact, a current season-long associate partner of Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) and the No. 9 Ford driven by Sam Hornish Jr., will step up to be the primary partner of Hornish Jr. and the No. 9 team this weekend at the Michigan International Speedway for Sunday's 400-mile event. And, the company is also stepping up for a special charity, "Room for GRACE," a short term housing ministry located in Harnett County, N.C.

As the regular season comes to a close with just four races left before the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the pressure is on to make the 16-team Chase field. Aric Almirola is currently 16th in the Championship Points Standings and just outside a Chase transfer spot.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series travels to the Irish Hills surrounding Michigan International Speedway this weekend and Clint Bowyer certainly hopes it’s a lucky place for him.

Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion, is heading to his home track this weekend as Michigan International Speedway hosts the annual Pure Michigan 400 on Sunday afternoon. Keselowski, a native of Rochester Hills, MI, spoke about returning home and the high drag package that will be making its second appearance this season as part of a NASCAR Teleconference Tuesday morning.

Heading into Sunday's Pure Michigan 400, Wise will be looking to make his 122nd career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) start, and his eighth at the fast high-banked 2.0-mile oval. Subsequently, this weekend's event in "The Great Lakes State" will mark Wise's second race in 2015 for Go Green Racing.

Ford Motor Co. has won half of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events run at Michigan International Speedway (46-of-92), which includes 34 wins by Ford and 12 under the Mercury banner. In addition, it was the site of Ford’s 1000th NASCAR triumph in 2013. As the series prepares to run the same high drag package used at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last month, here are some notes about Ford’s MIS history.

Richard Childress Racing at Michigan International Speedway ... In 151 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Michigan International Speedway, RCR teams have earned three wins, two with Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990) and the most recent with Kevin Harvick (August 2010).

With no need for the Goodyear wet weather radials brought to the track just in case, here is what was surprising and not surprising in the 30th annual CHEEZ-It 355 at the Watkins Glen International road course.