If you’re wondering who we might see cross the finish before the rest of the pack in NASCAR’s Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 from Michigan International Speedway, let’s take a look at a few short stats.
Brian Vickers won the last 3 poles here at the track and he won the last NASCAR race held at Michigan. Alas, he’s not entered this weekend due to his health issues. [http://brusimm.com/2010/05/27/brian-vickers-hell-be-missed-but-needed-to-step-down/]
Other recent winners include the following:
- 8/16/2009 Brian Vickers
- 6/14/2009 Mark Martin
- 8/17/2008 Carl Edwards
- 6/15/2008 Dale Earnhardt Jr
- 8/21/2007 Kurt Busch
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The best average start stats are led by Jimmie Johnson & Jeff Gordon.
Best Average Start
- Jimmie Johnson (6.2)
- Jeff Gordon (9.3)
- Brian Vickers (9.9)
- Kyle Busch (10.9)
- Kasey Kahne (12.1)
- Kurt Busch (13.0)
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And while Jimmie Johnson also holds the title of the most laps led at Michigan International Speedway, he has little competiion in this category.
Most Laps Led
- Jimmie Johnson (22.2%)
- Carl Edwards (12.6%)
- Matt Kenseth (9.0%)
- Kurt Busch (8.9%)
- Greg Biffle (7.2%)
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But what it really all boils down to is the best average finish at the track, and that would be Carl Edwards, who has the best finishing stat, at 5.7, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr..
Will this be Jr.’s weekend? It better be. His fan base is getting itchy. They’d love to see their emotionally based support pay out a time or two. Michigan could be it if Dale Earnhardt Jr. can keep from breaking his car and his pit-crew being on top of the situation for each pit-stop.
Best Average Finish
- Carl Edwards 5.7
- Dale Earnhardt Jr 10.2
- Matt Kenseth 10.9
- Greg Biffle 12.4
- Denny Hamlin (8 races) 13.3
Then again, we have the hungry Denny Hamlin in this list!
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It’s going to really boil down to a few things this weekend. Unloading with the car synced up to the track, practice performance, the emotional state of mind from where in the driver’s standings they are, and whether lady luck will be smiling down on the drivers.
I’m also wondering if Ford can get their first manufacturer win this year? We’ll see.
