Why new aero package makes for no clear-cut favorites at Michigan
NASCAR's new ultra-low downforce package gets its first competitive test today in the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
The sanctioning body dramatically the sizes of both the rear spoiler and the front splitter, cutting between 400-500 pounds of downforce off the Sprint Cup cars.
The results have been interesting so far.
With a smaller spoiler and less drag, speeds at the end of the straightaways on the 2-mile track are ludicrously fast, exceeding 215 miles per hour on occasion. But the cars are much slower through the corners, which ought to produce more passing.
So far, through three rounds of practice and qualifying on Friday, no clear-cut favorites have emerged. Joey Logano will start from the pole in his Team Penske Ford, flanked by the Furniture Row Racing Toyota of Martin Truex Jr. Five of the next eight starters are Chevrolets.
Saturday morning's first practice saw four Chevys, three Fords and three Toyotas in the top 10, while in the final Happy Hour session, the top 10 was six Chevys, three Fords and a single Toyota.
This looks to be as evenly match a field as we've had in quite some time.
The weather is a race promoter's dream: Sunshine, blue skies temperatures in the mid-70s with zero percent chance of rain. It ought to be an awfully entertaining afternoon in the Irish Hills of Michigan.
Join us on @FS1 from @MISpeedway for #RaceDay @ 11:30am/ET followed by race @1pm/ET Don't miss interview w/ @keselowski by @JeffGordonWeb
— Larry McReynolds (@LarryMac28) June 12, 2016
It's going to be an interesting day as we all learn the new package.. From what I've seen so far it's def the way of our future! ??#NASCAR
— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) June 12, 2016
Good morning race fans it's finally time for the #FireKeepersCasino400! pic.twitter.com/x5cOLtWQaW
— MISpeedway (@MISpeedway) June 12, 2016
