NASCAR at Michigan 2014: Race Schedule, Live Stream Info and Drivers to Watch

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Michigan International Speedway for the second time this season to contest the Pure Michigan 400. Six-time champion Jimmie Johnson won the Quicken Loans 400 at the track back in June.

Only four races remain before the Chase begins. That puts a lot of pressure on drivers without a win so far in 2014 as the number of at-large bids through points continues to shrink. Teams will need to start becoming far more aggressive in search of a victory over the next month.

At the very least, it should lead to some unique strategies and plenty of close-quartered racing. So let's check out all of the important information for Sunday's race, followed by the starting grid and a look at some drivers to keep tabs on this week.

Race Information

Where: Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan

When: Sunday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Radio: Motor Racing Network

Starting Grid

Pos.	No.	Driver	Car	Speed
1	24	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	206.558
2	22	Joey Logano	Ford	206.381
3	99	Carl Edwards	Ford	206.115
4	55	Brian Vickers	Toyota	205.685
5	2	Brad Keselowski	Ford	205.644
6	4	Kevin Harvick	Chevrolet	205.438
7	27	Paul Menard	Chevrolet	204.580
8	3	Austin Dillon	Chevrolet	204.464
9	1	Jamie McMurray	Chevrolet	204.354
10	17	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Ford	204.174
11	16	Greg Biffle	Ford	203.822
12	31	Ryan Newman	Chevrolet	203.470
13	42	Kyle Larson	Chevrolet	204.082
14	10	Danica Patrick	Chevrolet	204.012
15	5	Kasey Kahne	Chevrolet	203.943
16	41	Kurt Busch	Chevrolet	203.856
17	51	Justin Allgaier	Chevrolet	203.528
18	20	Matt Kenseth	Toyota	203.384
19	15	Clint Bowyer	Toyota	203.223
20	9	Marcos Ambrose	Ford	203.097
21	11	Denny Hamlin	Toyota	203.029
22	47	AJ Allmendinger	Chevrolet	202.743
23	43	Aric Almirola	Ford	202.674
24	18	Kyle Busch	Toyota	201.969
25	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Chevrolet	202.885
26	13	Casey Mears	Chevrolet	202.458
27	14	Jeff Burton	Chevrolet	202.412
28	21	Trevor Bayne	Ford	202.327
29	38	David Gilliland	Ford	201.822
30	48	Jimmie Johnson	Chevrolet	201.720
31	83	Ryan Truex	Toyota	201.263
32	23	Alex Bowman	Toyota	200.496
33	98	Josh Wise	Chevrolet	199.756
34	34	David Ragan	Ford	199.534
35	7	Michael Annett	Chevrolet	199.225
36	26	Cole Whitt	Toyota	199.132
37	37	Dave Blaney	Chevrolet	197.851
38	32	Travis Kvapil	Ford	197.726
39	78	Martin Truex Jr.	Chevrolet	197.466
40	36	Reed Sorenson	Chevrolet	197.066
41	33	Alex Kennedy	Chevrolet	195.828
42	66	Joe Nemechek	Toyota	195.170
43	40	Landon Cassill	Chevrolet	194.049

Drivers To Watch

Jeff Gordon

Robert Reiners/Getty Images

Joey Logano and Carl Edwards would have probably been surprised if you told them they would both top 206 mph and not get the pole. That's exactly what happened, as Gordon edged them both. By comparison, only one driver was faster than 204 mph during the first Michigan qualifying in June.

The effort was good enough to set the new track record and puts the No. 24 team in perfect shape as it seeks a third win of the season. Mike Brudenell of the Detroit Free Press passed along comments from the fan favorite after the run, and he thought the car was virtually perfect.

"Obviously a great car," Gordon said. "The car was phenomenal. What an awesome job by the team. I don't know how to make it much better than that."

He's enjoyed limited success at Michigan over the years with just two wins in 43 starts. He did lead 36 laps and finish sixth in the first race this year, though. Combined with his outstanding qualifying run, the Hendrick driver is seemingly finding a comfort zone at the venue.

Now they just have to find a way to make sure the car is as effective on race day. As long as the 24 car is able to maintain that grip throughout the afternoon, Gordon will be the driver to beat. It's not a guarantee that's going to happen, though.

Jimmie Johnson

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Johnson had a poor qualifying run that will see him start 30th. Still, his win at the track a couple of months ago, which was his first in 25 tries, ensures he'll remain on the radar. He should be able to make steady progress through the field and into contention.

That's the hope for the 48 team, anyway. It's been a rough stretch for the dominant driver as of late, with his last top-10 finish coming at Kentucky six races ago. Jordan McAbee of IFantasyRace thinks the results are part of looking toward the bigger picture:

While that would certainly make sense, Johnson doesn't want the wave of bad finishes to continue right into the Chase. He wants to start building up some positive momentum so he can make a serious push for yet another title.

Expect him to start that effort with a strong showing at Michigan. He might not have the car necessary to complete the Michigan sweep, but a top-10 finish is definitely within reach despite the poor starting spot. He just needs to avoid any crashes near the back early on.

Greg Biffle

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Biffle is one of the veteran drivers feeling the heat with the Chase right around the corner. The win by AJ Allmendinger last week at Watkins Glen bumped the No. 16 car out of the top 16, leaving him outside the cut line with a month to go.

Michigan probably represents his best chance to get in the Chase with a win. His four victories at the track are his most at any stop on the schedule. He talked about that success and trying to rediscover top speed with Jared Turner of Fox Sports.

"It's been a good track for us," Biffle said. "We've been really competitive there with four wins, but in the spring we weren't very fast there, and that is some concern going back there, although we did test there (recently) and found a lot of speed."

He's one of those drivers who's reached a point where he must take some chances. Whether it's using a riskier pit strategy with hope of everything falling perfectly or making a move earlier in the race than he normally would, the time for waiting is gone.

Biffle is slated to start 11th, so there's obviously some work to do. But when you consider his past success at Michigan and the need for a win, it wouldn't be a shock to see him in the mix during the final laps. It's desperation time for "The Biff."