Pure Michigan 400/ Montreal - Napa Auto Parts 200

[HDT05]

Pure Michian 400

NASCAR Sprint Cup Race #23 of 36 for the 2012 season
Race Analysis
Track Length: 2.0-mile - Superspeedway/D-shaped oval
Race Length: 400 Miles/200 laps
Pit Road Speed: 45mph
June 2012 Pole Sitter: #9-Marcos Ambrose, 203.241mph, finished 9th
June 2012 Race Winner: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr, 139.144, started 17th


TV Team:
In the Booth: Allen Bestwick, Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree
Pit Reporters: Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Dr. Jerry Punch, Vince Welch
NASCAR Countdown: Nicole Briscoe, Brad Daugherty, Rusty Wallace, Ray Evernham


2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings:
[after Watkins Glen, race 22 of 36]
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 777
2) #16-Greg Biffle [1 win], 776, -1
3) #17-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 775, -2
4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 760, -17
5) #2-Brad Keselowski [3 wins], 733, -44
6) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 728, -49
7) #15-Clint Bowyer [1 wins], 719, -58
8) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 716, -61
9) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 710, -67
10) #11-Denny Hamlin [2 wins], 693, -84
Current wild card Chase drivers:
WC1) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins, 11th in points]
WC2) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win, 13th in points]
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf).(8-12-2012)



2012 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Wild-Card Race:
[after Watkins Glen, race 22 of 36]
A look at the race for the two wild-card positions for the Chase based on wins and being inside the top 20 in points.
Driver [wins] standings, behind 10th
first two would make the chase as wild cards:
#5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins] 11th -40 points out of 10th
#39-Ryan Newman [1 win] 13th -49
eight other drivers currently in the running for the wild cards:
#18-Kyle Busch [1 win] 14th -55
#24-Jeff Gordon [1 win] 15th -59
#9-Marcos Ambrose [1 win] 17th -93
#20-Joey Logano [1 win] 18th -106
these drivers have no wins but are in the top-20
#99-Carl Edwards 12th -43
#27-Paul Menard 16th -64
#31-Jeff Burton 19th -152
#1-Jamie McMurray 20th -152
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
The Chase: The top-10 drivers will make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Positions 11 and 12 in the 12-driver Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup are Wild Cards, and will go to drivers outside the top 10 with the most wins, as long as they are ranked in the top 20 in points. If multiple drivers outside the top 10 tie for wins, the tie-breaker will go to the race winner with the highest points position.
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf).(8-12-2012)

jayski.com/stats/2012/pdfs/22wgi2012points.pdf

NAPA Auto Parts 200

NASCAR Nationwide Series Race #23 of 33 for the 2012 season
Race Analysis
Track Length: 2.71 mile Road Course
Race Length: 200.54 Miles/74 laps
Pit Road Speed: 35mph
2011 Race Winner: Marcos Ambrose

TV Team:

Announcers: Marty Reid, Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree
Pit Reporters: Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Dr. Jerry Punch, Vince Welch



www.jayski.com/nationwide/2012/pdfs/nns-21watkinsglen2012driver.pdf

Source: www.jayski.com/

[HDT05]

Villeneuve fastest in first practice: #22-Jacques Villeneuve was fastest during opening practice at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a speed of 96.309mph.#12-Sam Hornish, Jr. was second, followed by: #54-Owen Kelly, #5-Ron Fellows, #30-Alex Tagliani, #60-Billy Johnson, #7-Danica Patrick, #18-Michael McDowell, #31-Justin Allgaier, and #27-Andrew Ranger. See complete results on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(8-17-2012)

Villeneuve fastest in happy hour: #22-Jacques Villeneuve was also quickest during the final practice session for the NAPA Auto Parts 200 300 with a top speed of 96.927mph. He was followed by: #30-Alex Tagliani, #60-Billy Johnson, #7-Danica Patrick, #18-Michael McDowell, #5-Ron Fellows, #12-Sam Hornish, Jr., #99-Patrick Carpentier, #33-Brendan Gaughan, and #88-Cole Whitt. See complete results on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(8-17-2012)

Tagliani on pole at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve: #30-Alex Tagliani won the Coors Light Pole for the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a speed of 96.726 mph. #12-Sam Hrnish, Jr. will start second. The rest of the top ten: #22-Jacques Villeneuve, #7-Danica Patrick, #54-Owen Kelly, #18-Michael McDowell, #88-Cole Whitt, #5-Ron Fellows, #60-Billy Johnson, and #11-Brain Scott. Did Not Qualify: #52-Ryan Ellis. The starting lineup is posted on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve starting lineup page (pdf).(8-17-2012)



Friday practice: for the Pure Michigan 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway is over after 90 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest, notes:
#48-Johnson 197.450
#5-Kahne 196.861
#55-Martin 196.786
#29-Harvick 196.705
#55-Martin 196.448
slowest: #32-Bell 187.018 & #36-Blaney 179.739
notes: There was an early caution after #51-Busch dropped fluid on the track from a broken oil line. #43-Almirola spun off turn 4 but did not hit anything. #83-Cassill also had what appeared to be an oil leak, bringing out another caution.
This practice will determine the order for qualifying, which is scheduled for 4:10pm/et Friday and will be aired on SPEED.
See speeds and laps run on the Michigan practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(8-17-2012)



Martin wins pole at Pocono: #55-Mark Martin won the pole for the Pure Michigan 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway with a speed of 199.706mph for his 4th pole of 2012, his first Michigan pole and 55th career pole. He is now tied with Bill Elliott for 7th for career poles.
#99-Edwards will start 2nd followed by #48-Johnson, #17-Kenseth, #5-Kahne, #21-Bayne, #56-Truex, Jr., #9-Ambrose, #83-Cassill, and #27-Menard.
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #21-Bayne, #91-Sorenson, #30-Stremme, #19-Leffler, #26-Wise, #87-Nemechek, #23-Riggs, #98-Skinner.
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (2): #33-Leicht, #37-Yeley.
See qualifying order, qualifying results, pole progression & starting lineup on the Michigan Qualifying page (pdf).(8-17-2012)

Qualifying Fast Facts - Michigan:
Mark Martin won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 43rd Annual Pure Michigan 400 with a lap of 36.053 seconds, 199.706 mph.
This is his 55th pole in 845 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. With the pole, he moves into a tie for seventh with Bill Elliott on the all-time series poles list.
This is his fourth pole and ninth top-10 start in 2012.
This is his first pole in 54 races at Michigan International Speedway. Martin started first in June of 1990 when qualifying was canceled due to inclement weather.
Carl Edwards (second) posted his eighth top-10 start of 2012 and his second in 17 races at Michigan International Speedway.
Jimmie Johnson (third) posted his 15th top-10 start at Michigan International Speedway. It is his 16th in 23 races this season.



www.jayski.com/stats/2012/pdfs/23mis2012qualresults.pdf

[Bundy]

Good job Owen Kelly putting Kyle Busch's Toyota 5th on the grid while JV shows that given equipment he knows and is use to he can do a fine performance with it by scoring 3rd while good to see Danica Patrick up there - when isn't it good to see Danica though ;D

[HDT05]

Aug 18, 2012 18:28:03 GMT 10 Bundy said:

Good job Owen Kelly putting Kyle Busch's Toyota 5th on the grid while JV shows that given equipment he knows and is use to he can do a fine performance with it by scoring 3rd while good to see Danica Patrick up there - when isn't it good to see Danica though ;D

Agree with everything you said there!!

Does NASCAR do a nude run if the keep crashing like in NRL etc? ....well looks like Danica will be doing it soon - haha!!

[Bundy]

Aug 18, 2012 18:35:32 GMT 10 HDT05 said:

Aug 18, 2012 18:28:03 GMT 10 Bundy said:

Good job Owen Kelly putting Kyle Busch's Toyota 5th on the grid while JV shows that given equipment he knows and is use to he can do a fine performance with it by scoring 3rd while good to see Danica Patrick up there - when isn't it good to see Danica though ;D

Agree with everything you said there!!

Does NASCAR do a nude run if the keep crashing like in NRL etc? ....well looks like Danica will be doing it soon - haha!!

I'm hoping she does ;D

Also hope Kyle Busch misses his flights so Owen Kelly can race

[HDT05]

Aug 18, 2012 18:39:25 GMT 10 Bundy said:

Aug 18, 2012 18:35:32 GMT 10 HDT05 said:

Agree with everything you said there!!

Does NASCAR do a nude run if the keep crashing like in NRL etc? ....well looks like Danica will be doing it soon - haha!!

I'm hoping she does ;D

Also hope Kyle Busch misses his flights so Owen Kelly can race

Same, Owen has done a good job so far, Kyle should be more worried about making the wildcard chase spot then going to drive a NNS car that he'll only get Owner points for - just let Owen have a drive!

On NSCS Dale Jr has the same chassis he win here with in June, let's hope he can go well again, But the #48 looks pretty good

[HDT05]

notes: #48-Johnson's team is changing the engine. He will have to go to the rear for the race.

Still think he can win the race, but it will be alot tougher now!!


First Saturday practice: for the Pure Michigan 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway is over after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest, notes:
Biffle 200.362
#5-Kahne 198.588
#99-Edwards 198.555
#55-Martin 198.178
#88-Earnhardt, Jr. 198.134
slowest: #91-Sorenson 185.701 & #19-Leffler 182.992.
notes: #48-Johnson's team had to change the engine. He will have to go to the rear for the race.
See speeds and laps run on the Michigan practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(8-18-2012)

[HDT05]

Happy Hour practice: for the Pure Michigan 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway is over after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest, notes:
#16-Biffle 198.879
#48-Johnson 198.222
#20-Logano 197.960
#17-Kenseth 197.916
#55-Martin 197.488
slowest: #36-Blaney 189.949 & #87-Nemechek 189.733.
notes: David Reutimann is practicing the #18 for Kyle Busch who has left the track to head to Montreal for the Nationwide race. Dave Blaney practiced teh #10 for Reutimann. #88-Earnhardt, Jr. spunn off turn two late in the practice and hit the wall. He will have to go to a backup car. #51-Busch spun late but did not hit anything.
See speeds and laps run on the Michigan practice 3 speeds page (pdf).(8-18-2012)



Not the news I wanted to hear with JR's race winning car getting wrecked.

[Bundy]

Aug 19, 2012 2:19:23 GMT 10 HDT05 said:

David Reutimann is practicing the #18 for Kyle Busch who has left the track to head to Montreal for the Nationwide race

That's not what I wanted to hear either

[HDT05]

Aug 19, 2012 12:56:47 GMT 10 Bundy said:

Aug 19, 2012 2:19:23 GMT 10 HDT05 said:

David Reutimann is practicing the #18 for Kyle Busch who has left the track to head to Montreal for the Nationwide race

That's not what I wanted to hear either

He finished in 10th...it was an ok race. Not that good for my driver.



I don't know why Kyle Busch bothered with the NNS car when he's still trying to make the chase and he missed a practice session aswell, plus his record of doing double duty like this weekend when the NNS race is not at the same track as the Cup race like Montreal, he's average finish in the Cup is 19th and he's not finished better then 14th I think. So he might struggle.

[Bundy]

Aug 19, 2012 13:13:12 GMT 10 HDT05 said:

Aug 19, 2012 12:56:47 GMT 10 Bundy said:

That's not what I wanted to hear either

He finished in 10th...it was an ok race. Not that good for my driver.



I don't know why Kyle Busch bothered with the NNS car when he's still trying to make the chase and he missed a practice session aswell, plus his record of doing double duty like this weekend when the NNS race is not at the same track as the Cup race like Montreal, he's average finish in the Cup is 19th and he's not finished better then 14th I think. So he might struggle.

He's depriving an aussie of showing what he's got on what is really an international stage for him.

And once more probably depriving him, if we look at Kyle's results at Montreal in Cup races of past, of putting in a better performance than Kyle for the team and sponsors when as you say, he would probably be better served staying and focusing on his Cup duties when he still has a chance to make the Chase.

[HDT05]

He's exuse is, because it's a new team (KBM) he's trying to "build" the brand himself when he can, but he's got more concerns with working on his Cup car to try to make the chase, Owen Kelly must hate having to just set the car up, he did it last year for Ambrose who won.

[Bundy]

Aug 19, 2012 13:27:58 GMT 10 HDT05 said:

Owen Kelly must hate having to just set the car up, he did it last year for Ambrose who won.

He seems like he has found a special niche for himself over there...but you certainly don't get any of the accolades though for doing it...

[HDT05]

Great to see Nelson Piquet Jr win in the NCWTS.

My driver Ty Dillon was ok. but another great win by a Turner Motorsports truck.

Piquet wins at Michigan: Nelson Piquet Jr, driving the #30 AutoTrac Chevrolet for Turner Motorsports, crossed the finish line well head of the rest of the field to win the VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway. After recovering from a spin on lap 56, Piquet and the #30 team gambled on fuel mileage opting not to pit in the waning laps, to pick up the first series win for Piquet. #23-Jason White was second. Rounding out the top ten were; #98-Dakoda Armstrong, #7-Parker Kligerman, #31-James Buescher, #3-Ty Dillon, #22-Joey Coulter, #29-Brad Keselowski, #18-Kurt Busch, #32-Miguel Paludo. There were 11 lead changes among 7 drivers, with 5 caution flags for 17 laps. Complete race results are posted on the Michigan Race Results (pdf).(Unofficial)(8-18-2012)
Race Awards:
Featherlite Most Improved Driver: Johnny Sauter, #13 16 Places
Keystone Light Pole Award: Joey Coulter, #22 184.101 mph
Mahle Clevite Engine Builder of the Race: Hendrick Engines, #30
Mobil 1 Oil Driver of the Race: Nelson Piquet Jr, #30
Sunoco Rookie of the Race: Dakoda Armstrong, #98
(NASCAR Statistics)(8-18-2012)



Driver Point Standings following Race #12 at Michigan International Speedway:
1) #17-Timothy Peters, 449 [8 bonus points]
2) #3-Ty Dillon, 449 [6 bonus points]
3) #31-James Buescher, 443 -6
4) #6-Justin Lofton, 432 -17
5) #7-Parker Kligerman, 424 -25
6) #88-Matt Crafton, 413 -36
7) #22-Joey Coulter, 406 -43
8) #30-Nelson Piquet Jr., 392 -57
9) #9-Ron Hornaday Jr., 386 -63
10) #23-Jason White, 371 -78
Complete driver point standings are posted on the Michigan Driver Standings page (pdf).(Unofficial)(8-18-2012)

[HDT05]

Fucken hell! Why did the engine have to go on Jimmie Johnson's car 5 laps from winning the ****ing race? FFS the Hendrick engine shop wanna pull their fingers out of their arse because we go to 1.5 mile tracks with Atlanta coming up and there's mainly 1.5 mile tracks in the chase which is high on the RPM and will really hurt us if we don't fix the problem. 4 engines let go, including the #48 car after they already replaced it earlier in the weekend, Johnson was really and understandably gutted!

Good job from #5 and #88 great job from those guys, shame for Tony Stewart, Gordon, Johnson all stupid engine failures.