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Sprint Cup
CUP: SPEED Talent Q&A For Michigan
SPEED On-Air crew looks ahead to Michigan International Speedway..
Michigan International Speedway will host The NASCAR Sprint cup Series Pure Michigan 400 this weekend. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
SPEED ON-AIR CREW LOOKS AHEAD TO MICHIGAN
With last week’s exciting but controversial finish at Watkins Glen International in the rearview mirror, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Michigan International Speedway this weekend with four races remaining to make the cut for the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup. Below, SPEED on-air personalities break down the weekend’s race:
Q: Who is your pick to win at Michigan this weekend?
“As Sprint Cup teams head back to the Irish Hills, I think it will once again be Dale Jr. who leaves there smiling. The No. 88 team didn't just win at Michigan in June; they dominated. Steve Letarte is taking the same car back on Sunday, so it’s hard to bet against them.” --Adam Alexander, host of SPEED Center
“I think this is a make-it-or-break-it weekend for a lot of teams. Toyota has won four of the last six Cup races at Michigan. With that in mind, I think this is the weekend Joe Gibbs Racing finally bounces back and stops the bleeding. Look for Kyle Busch to win at Michigan.” --Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief
“Dale Jr. had a hell of a car at Pocono and I see him as the favorite this weekend. They’re in really good shape right now. The No. 48, as usual, is strong, and those two Hendrick teams are feeding each other info.” --Jimmy Spencer, SPEED analyst
“The entire Roush Fenway organization is strong at Michigan, but they haven’t won in Jack Roush and Ford’s backyard in four years. Although Roush Fenway’s last Cup win dates back to April at Texas with Greg Biffle, look for that drought to end this weekend with Matt Kenseth, who has two wins,12 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes there, not to mention something to prove as he bids farewell to his team in a few months. I say the stars align and the No. 17 wins on Sunday.” --Danielle Trotta, co-host of NASCAR Race Hub
Q: Jimmie Johnson is back atop the Sprint Cup Series point standings. How much does that weigh mentally on the competition?
“I have thought for some time that Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team are sending quite a message to the rest of the Sprint Cup garage. Three wins, in the hunt every week and dominant at times. There's still a long way to go until we crown a champion at Homestead, but old ‘Five- Time’ is speaking loud and clear.” --Adam Alexander, host of SPEED Center
“I’m sure it takes a little wind out of everyone’s sails, but in any given year, they all know that in order to win the championship, they must beat the No. 48 team. This year is no different. Clearly the No. 48 team is one of the favorites, if not the favorite, to go all the way.” --Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief
“Teams study who fell or gained in the standings each week, but when the No. 48 assumes the lead at any point in the year, everyone notices, and when it’s this late in the season, they all get nervous. Jimmie Johnson and company already command respect for accomplishing what no other team in the history of the sport has. But let’s not forget they started the season negative in points after Daytona following a wreck on lap one and then a points penalty for an illegal C-post. However, they didn’t let that faze them, instead clawing their way back to the top. Everyone else better watch out.” --Danielle Trotta, co-host of NASCAR Race Hub
Q: Of the next four races, we’ve got a two-mile speedway, a half-mile bullring, an intermediate 1.5-mile speedway and a ¾-mile flat track. How representative of the Chase and the season do you see these next four races?
“The schedule’s versatility is perfect. Fresh off the road course in New York, it's on to NASCAR's fastest track – Michigan – and then to the always-unpredictable short tracks of Bristol and Richmond with Atlanta sandwiched in between. What’s the message to those seeking a last-minute spot in the Chase? ‘Roll up your sleeves – it’s time to go to work.’”--Adam Alexander, host of
SPEED Center
“NASCAR did an incredible job of scheduling the last four races of the regular season because they are so different and so uniquely challenging. This lineup fosters a thrilling Race to the Chase for teams battling for a playoff spot, and in a way, is reminiscent of the four events comprising the Women’s Gymnastics All-Around competition in the Olympics, in which the USA took gold. Bars, vault, beam and floor are all so different, and the gymnasts couldn’t falter in any event and still expect to take the gold medal. By the same token, Cup Series teams on the bubble must nail each of the next four races to make the Chase. These next four weeks are a true test and I can’t wait to see how teams respond not only to the challenge, but also to the intense pressure.”--Danielle Trotta, co-host of NASCAR Race Hub
Q: What else will you be following this weekend at Michigan?
“Michigan used to be a Ford track. Ford won 12 of the first 15 races there but only one of the last 10. They’ve only been to Victory Lane three times in 22 races this year. If they’re going to be serious title contenders, the Roush Fenway drivers really need to show something this weekend. If they don’t, that could be worrisome.” --Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief
With last week’s exciting but controversial finish at Watkins Glen International in the rearview mirror, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Michigan International Speedway this weekend with four races remaining to make the cut for the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup. Below, SPEED on-air personalities break down the weekend’s race:
Q: Who is your pick to win at Michigan this weekend?
“As Sprint Cup teams head back to the Irish Hills, I think it will once again be Dale Jr. who leaves there smiling. The No. 88 team didn't just win at Michigan in June; they dominated. Steve Letarte is taking the same car back on Sunday, so it’s hard to bet against them.” --Adam Alexander, host of SPEED Center
“I think this is a make-it-or-break-it weekend for a lot of teams. Toyota has won four of the last six Cup races at Michigan. With that in mind, I think this is the weekend Joe Gibbs Racing finally bounces back and stops the bleeding. Look for Kyle Busch to win at Michigan.” --Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief
“Dale Jr. had a hell of a car at Pocono and I see him as the favorite this weekend. They’re in really good shape right now. The No. 48, as usual, is strong, and those two Hendrick teams are feeding each other info.” --Jimmy Spencer, SPEED analyst
“The entire Roush Fenway organization is strong at Michigan, but they haven’t won in Jack Roush and Ford’s backyard in four years. Although Roush Fenway’s last Cup win dates back to April at Texas with Greg Biffle, look for that drought to end this weekend with Matt Kenseth, who has two wins,12 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes there, not to mention something to prove as he bids farewell to his team in a few months. I say the stars align and the No. 17 wins on Sunday.” --Danielle Trotta, co-host of NASCAR Race Hub
Q: Jimmie Johnson is back atop the Sprint Cup Series point standings. How much does that weigh mentally on the competition?
“I have thought for some time that Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team are sending quite a message to the rest of the Sprint Cup garage. Three wins, in the hunt every week and dominant at times. There's still a long way to go until we crown a champion at Homestead, but old ‘Five- Time’ is speaking loud and clear.” --Adam Alexander, host of SPEED Center
“I’m sure it takes a little wind out of everyone’s sails, but in any given year, they all know that in order to win the championship, they must beat the No. 48 team. This year is no different. Clearly the No. 48 team is one of the favorites, if not the favorite, to go all the way.” --Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief
“Teams study who fell or gained in the standings each week, but when the No. 48 assumes the lead at any point in the year, everyone notices, and when it’s this late in the season, they all get nervous. Jimmie Johnson and company already command respect for accomplishing what no other team in the history of the sport has. But let’s not forget they started the season negative in points after Daytona following a wreck on lap one and then a points penalty for an illegal C-post. However, they didn’t let that faze them, instead clawing their way back to the top. Everyone else better watch out.” --Danielle Trotta, co-host of NASCAR Race Hub
Q: Of the next four races, we’ve got a two-mile speedway, a half-mile bullring, an intermediate 1.5-mile speedway and a ¾-mile flat track. How representative of the Chase and the season do you see these next four races?
“The schedule’s versatility is perfect. Fresh off the road course in New York, it's on to NASCAR's fastest track – Michigan – and then to the always-unpredictable short tracks of Bristol and Richmond with Atlanta sandwiched in between. What’s the message to those seeking a last-minute spot in the Chase? ‘Roll up your sleeves – it’s time to go to work.’”--Adam Alexander, host of
SPEED Center
“NASCAR did an incredible job of scheduling the last four races of the regular season because they are so different and so uniquely challenging. This lineup fosters a thrilling Race to the Chase for teams battling for a playoff spot, and in a way, is reminiscent of the four events comprising the Women’s Gymnastics All-Around competition in the Olympics, in which the USA took gold. Bars, vault, beam and floor are all so different, and the gymnasts couldn’t falter in any event and still expect to take the gold medal. By the same token, Cup Series teams on the bubble must nail each of the next four races to make the Chase. These next four weeks are a true test and I can’t wait to see how teams respond not only to the challenge, but also to the intense pressure.”--Danielle Trotta, co-host of NASCAR Race Hub
Q: What else will you be following this weekend at Michigan?
“Michigan used to be a Ford track. Ford won 12 of the first 15 races there but only one of the last 10. They’ve only been to Victory Lane three times in 22 races this year. If they’re going to be serious title contenders, the Roush Fenway drivers really need to show something this weekend. If they don’t, that could be worrisome.” --Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief
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