NASCAR at Michigan 2015: Race Schedule, Live Stream Info and Drivers to Watch
After a brief detour to a flag-filled road course, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series leader Kevin Harvick and the crew return to Michigan International Speedway to tackle the Pure Michigan 400.
It's back to normal programming for everyone, but it doesn't make the spectacle at MIS any less interesting one week removed from Joey Logano's triumph at The Glen.
Harvick, like many others, would like another win with the Chase approaching. Jeff Gordon, who won this event last year, still seeks the first win of his farewell tour. Kyle Busch, injury exemption in hand, looks to continue to cruise above his own personal cutoff line.
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Things are coming to a head as the season hits full speed. Few better places exist to host the drama than MIS.
Viewing Details
Where: Michigan International Speedway
When: Sunday, August 16, at 2:30 p.m. ET
Watch: NBCSN
Live Stream: NBC Live Extra
Tickets: ScoreBig.com
Sprint Cup Standings
| 1 | Kevin Harvick | 823 |
| 2 | Joey Logano | 781 |
| 3 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 750 |
| 4 | Jimmie Johnson | 747 |
| 5 | Brad Keselowski | 719 |
| 6 | Martin Truex Jr. | 714 |
| 7 | Matt Kenseth | 703 |
| 8 | Kurt Busch | 659 |
| 9 | Jamie McMurray | 635 |
| 10 | Denny Hamlin | 631 |
Drivers to Watch
Matt Kenseth
Matt Kenseth is one of many names in the hunt for another win.
While the Joe Gibbs Racing driver features two—one in Bristol and two events ago in Pocono—he's in an odd position with so many two-win cars on the leaderboard before the points reset.
Kenseth took an aggressive approach to tackling the issue this week, winning the pole for the trip to MIS with some blinding speeds in qualifying. He spoke about the thrilling run, which included his having to best teammate Denny Hamlin, per FoxSports.com's Tom Jensen:
"Denny put up such a fast lap, I got into (Turn) 3 and I was bound and determined I was going to make it wide open. And I had the first half of the corner. It was the second half that was starting to get exciting and I got sliding up the track and bogged down a little bit, so I wasn't sure I was going to have it (the pole).
"
It's yet another triumph for Kenseth, who over the course of his last five races features the win at Pocono and five top-10 placements.
When the Series last took to Michigan in mid-June, Kenseth wound up in fourth place with three laps led. Should he improve while riding his recent momentum, there might be a major shuffle on the leaderboard.
Brad Keselowski
Entering MIS, Brad Keselowski looks like one of the Series' top drivers.
He owns five consecutive top-10 placements and finished sixth the last time he hit MIS, yet he still doesn't have a win on his record at a track he grew up near and features just three top-five finishes in 12 appearances.
The local star needs to break through, too, considering he has just one win on the season. Yet Keselowski has been quick to point out just how tough the heat will make this stop to MIS. USA Today's Jeff Gluck captured his thoughts on the matter:
"That’s going to be the toughest race of the year probably — physically — with this rules package.
I would not be surprised to see a lot of car failures this weekend. And inside the car, I would not be surprised to see a lot of hot, worn-out drivers after the race. We all know we’re in for a handful of a race.
"
No doubt it's going to be a tough task for every driver Sunday, but at least Keselowski knows what to expect and can adapt before things get underway.
When they do, Keselowski will need to be at his best to stand a chance in a deep field. He's running out of chances to grab another win.
Kyle Busch
Unstoppable.
It's the only way to describe Busch right now. He broke his leg at Daytona, obtained a medical exemption and then turned it on with a checkered flag at Sonoma at the end of June. Then he won three straight, starting in Kentucky and ending at The Brickyard.
A 21st spot at Pocono looks bad, but he gunned for the win and misread his fuel situation, hence the drop, otherwise it might have been four straight. Heck, it might have been five straight, but Busch eased off the gas last week at The Glen to secure second place—better to get the sure thing in points and get to 30th in the standings than post another rough finish because he lost a gamble.
Busch emphasized this point after the race, per Gluck's colleague, Brant James:
"For us to be in the top 30 right now, that obviously allows us to change our mindset maybe a little bit here going forward. We maybe could have played this race a little bit differently if we were like (Harvick) who had absolutely nothing to lose, and lo and behold, they run out and come home third. We run out and come home 21st last week (at Pocono). (It was) just an overall good day for us.
"
Busch was interesting before due to his unique situation and subsequent unstoppable form.
With the gloves off and the Chase in sight, Busch might just be getting started.
Of course, this is bad news for other drivers, but great for fans.
Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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