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Can No. 88 be magic for Dale Jr?

By
SM Staff
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Magic could be in the air for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. There are several anomalies that are lining up for Earnhardt.

Anomaly #1 -Michigan International Speedway has been a very good track for Earnhardt. Last season he broke a 76 race winless streak at this race. He is in the midst of another losing streak, as he hasn’t won since that day.

Anomaly #2 – Also in Jr’s corner this weekend is the fact that his team runs well here. Many teams say that if you run well at Pocono, you run well at Michigan. Last week Earnhardt ran strong and finished a very respectable third. This track seems to fit Jr’s driving style very well.

Anomaly #3 – It’s Father’s Day. We all know the strong connection Earnhardt Jr has with his Father, the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr. If he wins today, it will make 3 times he has won on Father’s Day. Freaky right? (For those who may not know, #3 was made famous by his Father)

Anomaly #4 – This is the 88th race to be held at Michigan International Speedway. If that is not a sign from somewhere, I don’t know what is.

Put all these factors together, and I am definitely adding Dale Jr to my fantasy team. I suggest that you do as well!

Kimmel’s 8th top-10 this season comes at MIS

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SM Archive
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Justin Boston Matches ARCA Career High at Michigan with Best Speedway Outing

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SM Archive
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HUNTER-REAY REPEATS AS MILWAUKEE INDYFEST WINNER

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SM Archive
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Matty’s Picks 2013 – Vol. 11 Quicken Loans 400 – Michigan International Speedway – June 16, 2013

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Kala Perkins

I’m back after my yearly boycott of one of the two Pocono races, and I come back amidst a shake up in both the number 1 seed for The Chase, and a hot streak out of the Stewart-Hass stable has mixed up the standings for the two Wild Card spots at the end of the season. Matt Kenseth held the advantage for the top seed in The Chase with three early victories but now he’s got a companion in fellow champion Jimmie Johnson, who recorded his third win of the year last Sunday at Pocono Raceway. Remember, each win in the regular season is worth three bonus points when the Chase begins in mid-September, so winning races now can really help our your cause in September.

Kenseth, a two-time Michigan winner, arguably has been the season’s fastest commodity leading 11 of 14 races. The 2003 champ’s pace has sometimes proved too fast for his JGR Toyota, which has suffered two engine-related DNFs – something to watch for this weekend, as Michigan tends to be rough on engines.

Johnson peaked early, winning the Daytona 500. Nothing’s happened over the next 13 races to suggest that’s anything but a good thing for the Hendrick Motorsports team. In fact, his best vote of confidence comes from crew chief Chad Knaus following Sunday’s dominant victory at Pocono:

“Jimmie and I are in a really good spot. Jimmie is switched on right now,” said Knaus in the post race press-conference. “He’s as good or better than I’ve ever seen him.”

An important stat for Jimmie’s start to this 2013 season is in four of his five championship seasons, he won two or more races through the first Pocono event – he’s won 3 so far this season. Considering he has finished among the top five in 7 of this season’s 14 races and led a combined 271 laps in his past two starts, I think this team is really clicking, and when this team is clicking, WATCH OUT.

Taking a look at the other end of The Chase field, you’ve got red-hot Tony Stewart. Stewart’s latest feat is disproving a mysterious theory that the current points system works against recovery from an early season filled with misfortune. It took Tony just 3 races to erase that misconception.
Tony left Darlington on Mother’s Day weekend ranked 21st in the standings, but he enters Father’s Day weekend in 13th, but more importantly just 17 points out of the 10th spot in points. In just 3 races, Stewart has closed the gap on 10th by 45 points with 3 solid finishes, including the win at Dover.

As far as Michigan goes, the track itself is a 2-mile D-shaped oval situated in the “Irish Hills” of Michigan. It was previously known as the “sister track” to Texas World Speedway, not to be confused with Texas Motor Speedway of course, which was actually used as a blueprint for the construction of California Speedway. Michigan is recognized as one of motorsports’ premier facilities because of its wide surface and fast speeds. Because there are no restrictor plates at Michigan, it’s considered the fastest track in NASCAR as corner entry speeds are anywhere from 215 to 220 MPH. There’s a lot of room to race at Michigan, creating a lot of passing and great opportunities for 3 & 4 wide restarts.

Michigan Picks

Winner Pick
On Wednesday, I picked Carl Edwards while previewing Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400 with Greg of the Prime Sports Network. It’s a pick I am happy with considering 16 drivers have won from the pole at Michigan, making it the winningest starting spot in the field. Edwards took the pole on Friday with a qualifying speed topping 202 MPH.

On top of taking the pole on Friday, Edwards boasts the series-best average finish of 8.2 over the course of his career, the second-best average running position, over 2,500 laps run in the top 15, and a Driver Rating of 105.2 which is good enough for 3rd best on the list of active drivers.
Even in the horrific 2012 season for Carl Edwards, he managed to finish 11th in the June race after starting 42nd, and 6th after he started outside the front row. Considering his success here over the years, I still like Carl as a pick this week.

Dark Horse Pick
I didn’t have a longshot on Wednesday during the preview show with Greg, and unfortunately don’t have one for this Saturday Pick’s column this week. To me, there is so much talent starting at the front of the field this week, the top-10 finishing spots are going to be claimed by the top guys. I don’t see too much room for any drivers to “shock the world” this week in Michigan.

A melancholy Godspeed this week to Jason Leffler, who passed following a Sprint Car crash in Bridgeport, NJ earlier this week. I was a fan of Leffler throughout his career, and am saddened by the loss of one of the true racers of the NASCAR community.

That’s all for this week, so until we head to wine country…You Stay Classy NASCAR Nation!

Threat of Rain a Recipe for Exciting Nationwide Finish at Michigan

By
SM Staff
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As rain loomed over Michigan International Speedway, every driver scrambled for position, and every crew chief formulated a strategy in an effort to beat Mother Nature.  Several teams elected not to pit in an effort to gain track position hoping to be at the front of the pack in case a red flag fell on the field.   A timely caution gave No. 7 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet driver, Regan Smith the track position he needed to grab his first victory at Michigan International Speedway.

Winning the 22nd Annual Alliance Truck Parts 250 is Smith’s second victory this season after winning the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway, and is his third victory in 116 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.  JR Racing driver, Smith, has finished in the top-10 in eleven consecutive races.  He now leads Sam Hornish Jr. by 58 points in the Nationwide Series points standings.

No. 32 Cessna Chevrolet driver, Kyle Larson, posted his first top-10 finish and matched his career-best finish at Michigan International Speedway by finishing in second behind Smith.  This marks his eighth top-10 finish in 2013.

Driver of the No. 33 Menards/Rheem Chevrolet, Paul Menard, posted his seventh top-10 finish in eight races at Michigan International Speedway by finishing third in Saturday’s race.  Primarily competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Saturday’s race marked Menard’s first NASCAR Nationwide Series start this season.

Another Sprint Cup Series regular,  Kyle Busch, finished the race in fourth position.  When crew chief of the Monster Energy Toyota Camry, Adam Stevens, was asked if it was a difficult race to call knowing that rain was in the area, he responded, “The radar showed the rain here pretty much all day.  It wasn’t hitting the ground.  I’m glad we got to run the full distance—it took a while to make some progress, but we did and we got the car better.  We just weren’t going to make it any better on pit road.  I really felt like if we could have had a good restart on the last restart that we were in the catbird seat, but the last two restarts just didn’t go our way.  I felt like we had the balances good and we were going to get it, but we were just missing something with overall speed—kind of missing it in qualifying and missed it today in the race too.  All in all, we finished and we don’t have a scratch on it so we’ll take it.”  This marks Busch’s eleventh top-10 finish in fourteen NASCAR Nationwide Series starts this season.

The rain around the Michigan International Speedway did not cooperate with the No. 77 Bandit Chippers Toyota of Parker Kligerman.  Kligerman’s crew chief, Eric Phillips, molded his team’s race strategy on the high possibility of rain causing the race to be red flagged.  Kligerman did not pit when he had the opportunity gambling on the fact that the rain would come before they ran out of fuel.  It was a gamble that did not pay off.   The No. 77 team finished in 25th when they were forced to pit under green.  When asked if he was praying for rain while leading, Kligerman commented, “Yeah, we played it perfectly for that situation and I’m not down on Eric (Phillips, crew chief) or anyone about that.  I was fully for it, but it sucks when you run top-five all day.  This Bandit Chippers Camry right in front of a Bandit Chippers home crowd and a car that could win on speed alone and –we drove away from the field there—and it just didn’t go our way.  There was debris everywhere the last 20 laps.  Of course, no one threw a caution, so we ran out of fuel and finished wherever we finished.  Disappointing day result-wise, but a lot of positives in terms of the speed we had in our Camry and we’ll get them next time.”

At a track where fuel strategy races are common, today’s chess match with Mother Nature put an interesting twist on things that left some teams frustrated  as Regan Smith declared check mate at the end of the day.

Tri-Star Motorsports names Myers as crew chief

By
SM Staff
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Tri-Star Motorsports has named Todd Myers as the crew chief for the #14 Hefty Toyota driven by Eric McClure, beginning at the Alliance Truck Parts 250 at Michigan International Speedway.  Myers has been with the team since 2011. Recently, he has handled the crew chief duties for the #10 Toyota driven by former series champion, Jeff Green.

The team has struggled to find consistency this season and that led to team owner, Mark Smith, deciding to make the change. Smith also serves as engine builder for the team as he also owns Pro Motor Engines (PME).

When asked about some of the changes he feels he can make Myers stated, “Just working on attitudes, making sure everything kind of stays light and fun and moving in a positive direction.”

Driver Eric McClure is very complimentary of his new crew chief saying, “I like him…” “It’s definitely a different dynamic in the team this week, and this is a tough week for him to start. I sat out this race last year when I was recovering and it’s been an uphill battle for me, but for him to come over, assess the program, see what changes we need to make, keep my confidence up. He can help me in all areas. It’s going to be a very positive thing I think.”

Another positive note for the team is that sponsor, Hefty, is signed to a long term deal. That gives the team the ability to focus long term goals. Goals that Myers said are not quantified by specific benchmarks. Myers pointed out, “If we can compete week in and week out, at a more positive level, and everybody is putting in 100%, and we come out wherever we come out, as long as we were positive, and at the end of the day somebody knows we were there.”

Tri-Star Motorsports is a small team trying to make in a sport where money is a crucial element of success. This is doesn’t have a Cup affiliation other than a car that they prepare and run on an occasional basis. In fact the team’s Sprint Cup car was driven by the Jason Leffler, who was tragically killed in a sprint car race in New Jersey less than a week ago.

They are doing what they can with what they have, but one thing was very obvious. This team definitely seems to have the upbeat attitude that Myers wants.  They are comfortable with who they are and what they are, and sometimes that is more valuable than almost anything.

Dillon Makes Nationwide Series History at Michigan

By
SM Staff
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Driver of the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet, Austin Dillon, captured the Coors Light Pole Award for the 22nd Annual Truck Parts 250 at Michigan International Speedway.  With a qualifying lap of 37.523 seconds, 191.882 mph, Dillon broke the track qualifying record of 190.375 mph, which he set at Michigan last year.  This is Dillon’s seventh pole in 57 NASCAR Nationwide Series races. Today’s pole award marks Dillon’s fourth consecutive pole, which sets a NASCAR Nationwide Series record.  Dillon’s previous three poles came at Charlotte, Dover, and Iowa with top ten finishes in both Dover and Iowa.

Dillon’s Richard Childress Racing teammate, Paul Menard, will be starting in 2nd position. The 22nd Annual Alliance Truck Parts 250 marks Menard’s first NASCAR Nationwide Series start of 2013.  This is the fourth top-10 start out of eight races at Michigan International Speedway.

RAB Racing driver, No. 99 Alex Bowman, was the fastest qualifying rookie for the 22nd Annual Alliance Truck Parts 250.  Bowman will be starting in fifth position driving his St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital Toyota.

Last week’s winner of Iowa’s Dupont Pioneer 250 and newlywed, Trevor Bayne, will be starting in fourth position in the Roush Clean Tech Ford.  Bayne has six top-10 finishes this season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and is currently 9th in points standings.

Nationwide Series points leader and driver of the Taxslayer.com Chevrolet, Regan Smith, didn’t fare as well in qualifying for the 22nd Annual Truck Parts 250.  He will be starting in 20th position with ten top-10 finishes this season and one win at Talladega Superspeedway.

Sprint Cup Series regular, Kyle Busch, who has dominated the Nationwide Series this season will be starting in 14th position in his Monster Energy Toyota.  No. 54 Busch has won three Nationwide Series pole awards, and has had nine top-10 finishes with six wins in 2013.  Busch has one win and four top-10 finishes at Michigan International Speedway.

The green flag will fall on the 22nd Annual Alliance Truck Parts 250 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan on Saturday at 2:15 pm EST.

2 for 2: Brandon Watson wins OSCAAR Super Late Model Feature at Barrie

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin

Brandon Watson would make it for two-for-two so far this season as he would win the OSCAAR Super Late Model feature at Barrie Speedway.

The night wouldn’t start off pretty for the super lates as contact between Glenn Watson and Kyle Passer would result in Glenn Watson’s fender being ripped off and causing a debris caution. Then on the restart coming out of two turn, Jesse Kennedy would make contact with Passer, setting off a chain reaction wreck that collected Glenn Watson, Rob Clarke and John Owen. Glenn Watson’s car would have to be toed off, but the crew went to work and had it ready for the second round of the heats.

Clarke would pick up the win in the first heat ahead of Brandon Watson, Owen, Passer, and Henry Hagen.

In the second heat, Rob Poole would spin Brandon Vanderwel in turn three. Andrew Gresel would take the victory ahead of Ian Bourque, Poole, Vanderwel, and Paul Milligan.

In the third heat, Brad Corcoran would spin Sean Cronan on lap three. Then on lap four, Charlie Gallant would spin in turn two, possibly due to contact from Corcoran. Derrike Tiemersma would take the win ahead of Kevin Cornelius, Tyler Hawn, Cronan, Corcoran and Gallant.

In the fourth heat, Glenn Watson would have his car back together and take the win ahead of Brandon Watson, Passer, Clarke, Owen and Hagen.

In the fifth heat, the left rear would come off of Vanderwell’s car during the pace laps. Then on lap two, Gresel would spin Poole as they battled for the lead, collecting Bourque and Milligan. Gresel and Poole would be the only cars that would continue and it’d be Gresel taking the win ahead of Poole.

The final heat of the evening went to Cornelius ahead of Hawn, Tiemersma, Gallant, Corcoran and Cronan.

When it came feature time, it’d be Brandon Watson starting on pole, followed by Derrike Tiemersma, Tyler Hawn, Kevin Cornelius, Andrew Gresel, Gary Passer, Rob Poole, Glenn Watson, Ian Bourque, John Owen, Paul Milligan, Brad Corcoran, Charlie Gallant, Sean Cronan, Jesse Kennedy, No. 67, Rob Clarke and Henry Hagen.

Tiemersma would stay alongside Brandon Watson for the first two opening laps of the feature, before Watson would clear him on lap three ahead of Cornelius, Hawn and Gresel. The top five stayed the same all the way till lap 11 while Poole ran sixth, followed by Glenn Watson, Owen, Bourque and Corcoran.

The top 10 would stay that way all the way till the first and only caution at lap 24 for Clarke spinning off turn four.

On the restart, Gresel would get by Hawn for fourth behind Brandon Watson, Tiemersma and Cornelius. A couple laps later, Gresel would pass Cornelius for the third position.

On lap 30, it’d be Brandon Watson leading Tiemersma, Gresel, Glenn Watson, Cornelius, Hawn, Bourque, Owen, Poole, Gallant and Corcoran on the lead lap.

On lap 34, Owen would get by Bourque, with Poole battling with Bourque for position on lap 38.

Tiemersma would catch Brandon Watson and run right him, though was not able to find a way by. So as a result, defending series champion Brandon Watson picks up another victory.

Derrike Tiemersma got second, followed by Andrew Gresel, Glenn Watson and Kevin Cornelius.

Tyler Hawn finished sixth, followed by John Owen, Ian Bourque, Rob Poole and Charlie Gallant.

Brad Corcoran was 11th, followed by Gary Passer and Sean Cronan.

These results are of course unofficial so please do check OSCAAR’s official website at http://www.oscaar.ca for the official results.

Keeping it in the Family: Brent McLean wins OSCAAR Modified feature at Barrie Speedway

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin

Last year at Barrie Speedway and in the season opener at Sunset Speedway, it was Gary McLean picking up the victory. This weekend at Barrie Speedway, it was his nephew Brent McLean would picked up the victory.

Gary McLean started off the night in victory lane, though, as he won the first heat ahead of Matt Barton, Davey Terry, Branden Bullen and Mike Westwood.

In the second heat, there would be a series of incidents. The first incident would have Brian McLean and Brad Pearsall spin of turn four. Then on the restart, Dave Osbourne would spin, collecting Pearsall. On the second attempt at a restart, Osbourne would spin again with Bobby Tolton spinning behind him. Heading into the corner, Pearsall had tried to make it three-wide with Tolton and Brian McLean.

It’d be Brent McLean picking up the win ahead of Pearsall, Brian McLean, David McCullogh and Osbourne.

In the third heat, Terry would have a flat tire on lap one while Bullen would tag the inside wall and need to be toed off the track. Gary McLean would go for the daily double ahead of Barton, Bullen and Terry.

In the final heat, Brian McLean would have a spin midway through. Brent McLean would also for the daily double head of Pearsall, Osbourne and McCullogh.

When it came to feature time, it’d be Davey Terry on pole, followed by Brent McLean, Matt Barton, Brad Pearsall, Gary McLean, David McCullogh, Dave Osbourne, Mike Westwood and Bobby Tolton.

On lap one, Brent McLean would grab the lead ahead of Terry, Barton, Gary McLean and Pearsall.

Making his OSCAAR debut, Mike Westwood wouldn’t have a good night as he’d come down pit road on lap two.

The first and only caution would fly on lap six when Barton would get into Terry as they battled for second off of turn four. So with 24 laps to go, Brent McLean would lead ahead of Gary McLean, Pearsall, McCullogh, Osbourne, Brian McLean, Terry, Barton and Tolton.

On the restart, Brent McLean would pull ahead of the field. In the middle of the pack, both Terry and Barton would get by Osbourne, with Barton then passing Terry.

At the end of the 30 laps, it was Brent McLean picking up the win ahead of Gary McLean, Brad Pearsall, David McCullogh, Matt Barton, Davey Terry and Dave Osbourne.

The OSCAAR Modifieds will hit Delaware Speedway next Friday as they continue a stretch of four back-to-back events to complete the month of June.

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