NASCAR National Series News and Notes – Michigan International Speedway - Speedway Digest - Home for NASCAR News (2024)

NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: FireKeepers Casino 400

The Place: Michigan International Speedway

Track Length: 2 Mile Asphalt Oval

The Date: Sunday, August 18

The Time: 2:30 p.m. ET

The Purse: $7,902,750

TV: USA, 2 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 400 miles (200 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 45),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 120), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 200)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Next Race: Cabo Wabo 250

The Place: Michigan International Speedway

Track Length: 2 Mile Asphalt Oval

The Date: Saturday, August 17

The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

The Purse: $1,367,917

TV: USA, 3 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 250 miles (125 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 30),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 60), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 125)

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Next Race: LiUNA! 175

The Place: Milwaukee Mile Speedway

Track Length: 1.015 Mile Asphalt Oval

The Date: Sunday, August 25

The Time: 3 p.m. ET

The Purse: $672,572

TV: FS1, 3 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 177.625 miles (175 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 55),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 110), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 175)

NASCAR Cup Series

Three to go in the race to the Regular Season Championship

Following another thrilling Richmond Raceway NASCAR Cup Series event, the points battle for the Regular Season Championship has tightened with four drivers within 21 points of the standings lead with just three races to go in the regular season.

Hendrick Motorsport’s Kyle Larson is currently atop the Cup driver standings, up five points on 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick in second, and six points ahead of his HMS teammate Chase Elliott in third. Reddick has moved into second following Richmond and posting his sixth straight top-10 finish and ninth in his last 10 races. Lurking in the tire tracks of the three front runners is Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, just 21 points back from Larson and within striking distance.

All four will look to maximize their points this weekend at Michigan International Speedway to better their chances at taking home the prestigious NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Championship trophy, and the 15 bonus Playoff points that come with it following the regular season finale at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 1.

Hendrick Motorsports’ teammates, Larson and Elliott, are each looking to become just the third driver since the inception of the Regular Season Championship in 2017 to win multiple regular season titles; joining Kyle Busch (2018, 2019) and Martin Truex Jr. (2017, 2023).

23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin are looking to add their names to the list and become the sixth different driver to win a Regular Season Championship in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Regular Season Championship Clinch Scenarios:

Kyle Larson (or whoever’s first in points) needs to be up by the corresponding number after the race to clinch:

Michigan – 120 or 121 points, depending on tie-break

Daytona – 60 or 61 points, depending on tie-break

Darlington – 0 or 1 point, depending on tie-break

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff outlook shaken up following win penalty

Following the penalty issued by NASCAR on Wednesday, August 14, Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon’s Richmond Raceway win no longer grants him a spot in the Playoffs and he loses 50 points in the driver standings. As a result, the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff outlook is shaken up and now with just three races left in the regular season and four postseason spots still available, we know at least one driver will get in on points, making every point earned all season long that much more valuable.

Thus far this year, 12 drivers have earned a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs by virtue of their wins – Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez and Austin Cindric.

The four drivers currently holding the final four Playoff spots on points are Joe Gibbs Racing’s driver and 2017 series champion Martin Truex Jr. in 13th, (+78 points above the postseason cut line), his JGR teammate Ty Gibbs in 14th (+18 points), Bubba Wallace in 15th (+3 points) and Chris Buescher (+0 – is tied with Ross Chastain but currently owns the tiebreaker) in the 16th and final Playoff position.

Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain is tied in points with Buscher in 16^th but is still the first driver outside the Playoffs cut line in 17th due to the tiebreaker. Next in the Playoff outlook is Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe in 18th, 99 points behind Buescher.

Clinch Scenarios for Michigan International Speedway

Just three races left in a wild 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season and only four spots are still up for grabs in the 16-driver Playoff field as the highest form of stock car racing rolls into Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday, August 18 at 2:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Below is the breakdown of the Playoff clinch scenarios for this weekend at Michigan.

Already Clinched

The following 12 drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric.

Can Clinch Via Points

The following driver could clinch by being 111 points above the 3rd winless driver in the standings, if Ty Gibbs wins.

• Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help

If there is a new winner from Bubba Wallace or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 111 points above the 2nd winless driver in the standings.

• Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

• Martin Truex Jr., Ty Gibbs, Bubba Wallace, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Busch, Todd Gilliland, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Josh Berry, Noah Gragson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Preece, Justin Haley, Corey LaJoie, Daniel Hemric, Austin Dillon, John Hunter Nemechek, Zane Smith, Harrison Burton

Michigan’s Irish Hills prepares for a red hot NASCAR Cup Series

With fired-up competitors and loads of drama permeating the NASCAR Cup Series following Richmond, the most action-packed racing series in the world heads to Michigan International Speedway for this Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 (August 18 at 2:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). With only three races left in the regular season, the pressure has reached a boiling point, and the competitors know time is running out if they want to make the Playoffs.

Challenging the drivers and teams this week will be the massive Michigan International Speedway, which sits on more than 1,400 acres in the “Irish Hills” of southeastern Michigan. Ground-breaking for the facility took place on September 28, 1967 and the two-mile asphalt paved track with 18 degrees of banking in the turns was created – the only track with those dimensions on the schedule.

The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway was held on June 15, 1969, and the event was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough in the Wood Brothers’ No. 21 Mercury at an average speed of 139.254 mph.

The NASCAR Cup Series events at Michigan International Speedway have been run at multiple different lengths. The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan was 500 miles in length; the second was scheduled for 600 – but was shortened due to weather and only ran 330 miles. Michigan was re-measured to 2.04 miles for the last race in 1970 and both races in 1971 – with the race distance being 402 miles. All other races have been scheduled for 400 miles, except for the two 2020 races during the pandemic that were 312 miles each and run on consecutive days.

Michigan International Speedway has hosted a total of 106 NASCAR Cup Series races producing 52 different pole winners and 40 different race winners. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell is the most recent pole winner and RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher is the defending race winner.

All the NASCAR Cup Series on-track activity at Michigan International Speedway will get underway with practice on Saturday, August 17 at 12:30 p.m. ET followed by Busch Light Pole Qualifying. Both events will be on USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Top 10 is where you want to start at Michigan

Qualifying is important each weekend in the NASCAR Cup Series, but even more so some weekends, like this weekend at Michigan International Speedway where 74.5% of the wins all-time at the two-mile track have come from starting positions inside the top-10. Only seven wins have come from a starting position outside the top-20.

A total of 24 different starting positions on the grid have resulted in victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway. The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (22) than any other starting position at Michigan International Speedway: 21 from the pole and one from the first starting position due to qualifying being cancelled – 1985 (Bill Elliott). The most recent win from the pole at Michigan was June 2019 (Joey Logano).

A total of 52 different drivers have qualified on the pole at Michigan International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson with 10 poles (1969, 1974 sweep, 1975, 1976, 1977 sweep, 1978 sweep and 1979). Joey Logano leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Michigan with four (2013, 2016 sweep, 2019).

This weekend, six of the 52 NASCAR Cup Series Michigan pole winners are active this weekend.

Of the six active Cup Michigan pole winners, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace is the only one to post his first career pole at the 2-mile track (2022). Wallace is one of eight drivers to post their first Cup Series pole at Michigan International Speedway, along with Marcos Ambrose (2012), JJ Yeley (2007), Jeff Burton (1996), Bobby Hamilton (1996), Rusty Wallace (1987), Ron Bouchard (1981) and Pete Hamilton (1970).

Michigan Men: Those that have hoisted a Cup trophy in Victory Lane at Michigan

When it comes to wins at Michigan, nobody has spent more time in Victory Lane than NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson, who leads the NASCAR Cup Series in victories at the 2-mile track with nine (1969, 1972 sweep, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 sweep, 1978).

This weekend, Joey Logano (2013, 2016, 2019) and Kyle Larson (2016, 2017 sweep) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Michigan with three wins each.

Of the six former Cup Michigan winners, RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher and Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch are the only two still looking for their first wins of season and currently do not have a spot in the 2024 Playoffs.

RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher returns to Michigan to defend last season’s win

Needing a win to secure his spot in the Playoffs this season, RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher returns to Michigan International Speedway with hopes of making his way back to Victory Lane this weekend and scoring back-to-back victories at the two-mile facility. If Buescher accomplishes the feat, he will become the 11th different driver to win consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan International Speedway.

Drivers with consecutive Cup Series wins at Michigan International Speedway:

• Bobby Allison (1971 sweep),
• David Pearson (1972 sweep – 1973), (1974-1975),
• Cale Yarborough (1983 sweep),
• Bill Elliott (1985 sweep – 1986 sweep),
• Bobby Labonte (1995 sweep),
• Mark Martin (1997-1998),
• Ryan Newman (2003-2004),
• Greg Biffle (2004-2005), (2012-2013)
• Kyle Larson won three-straight at Michigan (2016-2017).
• Kevin Harvick (2019, 2020-1, 2020-2) – only driver to win in consecutive days at a single track.

The 31-year-old driver from Prosper, Texas is currently ranked 16th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff outlook, tied in points with Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain in 17th the first spot outside the postseason cutoff. Buescher holds the tiebreaker of higher finish with two runners-up (Phoenix and Kansas). In 23 NASCAR Cup Series starts this season, Buescher has put up two stage wins, five top-five and nine top-10 finishes. Buescher is looking to make the Cup Playoffs for the third time in his career (2016, 2023).

Keselowski & Jones chasing home track success this weekend at Michigan

RFK Racing’s owner/driver Brad Keselowski from Rochester Hills and Legacy Motor Club’s driver Erik Jones from Byron are returning to the great state of Michigan this weekend to compete at their home track – Michigan International Speedway. And both drivers are looking for their first NASCAR Cup Series win at the 2-mile track.

A total of 102 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Michigan, and 10 of the 102 (9.8%) have won at least one race in a NASCAR national series.

Michigan drivers have combined to win 164 NASCAR national series races, led by RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski, who has won a combined 76 NASCAR national series races – nearly half of the state’s total.

Next to Martin Truex Jr.’s 33 winless starts at Michigan, Brad Keselowski has made the second-most starts among active drivers at Michigan without a trip to Victory Lane at 26. But in his 26 previous starts, he has put up eight top fives and 14 top 10s; including three runner-up finishes (2012, 2018, 2020).

Legacy Motor Club’s Erik Jones has the third-most combined NASCAR national series wins by a driver from Michigan with 19 victories, behind only Keselowski with 75 and Jack Sprague (Spring Lake) with 29.

The 28-year-old, from Byron, Jones, has made 11 Cup Series starts at Michigan International Speedway posting one top five (third in 2017) and three top 10s. He finished eighth in 2022 and 10th in 2023.

Ford Motor Company goes for 10th straight win at Michigan

This weekend at Michigan International Speedway, Ford will be looking to visit Victory Lane for the 10th consecutive time in the NASCAR Cup Series at the engine manufacturers’ home track.

Ford enters this weekend having won the last nine consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan International Speedway (2018-2023) and this weekend will look to keep the streak alive – the longest consecutive streak of wins by a manufacturer at the two-mile facility.

Eight different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan; led by Ford with 44 victories; followed by Chevrolet with 26, Mercury (12), Dodge (nine), Toyota (five), Buick (four) Pontiac (four) and Oldsmobile (two).

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

Looking Ahead: Drivers not locked into the Playoffs that have won at the next three tracks – Time is running out for the drivers who have not earned a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs this season. Just three races remain in the regular season and with 12 drivers already earning spots by virtue of their wins, only four spots still available.

Several drivers that are looking for their first win of the season have won previously at the four tracks coming up on the schedule (Michigan, Daytona and Darlington). Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch is only driver still looking for a win this season that has previously won at all three of the tracks coming up.

Below is a chart of all the active winners at the next three tracks, the drivers bolded in each list are the drivers looking for their first win of 2024:

Milestone Watch: Michigan International Speedway – Below are the possible milestones that can be achieved this weekend at Richmond Raceway or in coming weeks in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Starts

• Harrison Burton is expected to make his 100th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

• Brad Keselowski is expected to make his 550th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Poles

• Kyle Busch currently has 34 NASCAR Cup Series poles, if he were to win another pole, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett for 21st on the all-time pole winners list with 35 poles each.

• Joey Logano currently has 31 NASCAR Cup Series poles (tied with Kevin Harvick), if he were to win another pole, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famers Fireball Roberts and Fred Lorenzen for 24th on the all-time pole winners list with 32 poles each.

• Martin Truex Jr. currently has 23 NASCAR Cup Series poles (tied with Ken Schrader and Jack Smith), if he were to win another pole, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki for 33rd on the all-time pole winners list with 24 poles each.

Wins

• Denny Hamlin currently has 54 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace for 11th on the all-time wins list with 55 victories each.

• Brad Keselowski currently has 36 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie Bobby Isaac for 23rd on the all-time wins list with 37 victories each.

• Joey Logano currently has 33 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr. for 25th on the all-time wins list with 34 victories each.

Crew Member Spotlight: Michigan International Speedway – This weekend at Michigan International Speedway we wanted to highlight several of the team’s crew members that are from the surrounding areas of the track in Michigan.

Sunoco Rookie Update: Hocevar takes rookie standings lead from Berry – For the first time in seven races Spire Motorsport’s Carson Hocevar has retaken the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings by a mere two points over Stewart-Haas Racing’s Josh Berry in second following the Richmond Raceway race last weekend. Berry had held the rookie standings lead since Iowa back in June.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series revs up the engines for Michigan International Speedway

After three weeks off, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will be back in action at Michigan International Speedway for the Cabo Wabo 250 on August 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network, the NBC Sports App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio – the 21st race of the 33-race season.

Michigan International Speedway has hosted the NASCAR Xfinity Series 21-times since the inaugural race back in 1992, producing 23 different winners and 24 different pole winners.

Only three of the Xfinity Series Michigan races have been won from the pole or first starting position – 1998 (Jeff Burton), 2008 (Carl Edwards) and 2010 (Brad Keselowski).

Eight different drivers are tied for most Xfinity Series wins at the 2-mile track with two victories each – Todd Bodine (1992, 2000), Kyle Busch (2004, 2015), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1999, 2006), Denny Hamlin (2007, 2017), Carl Edwards (2008, 2011), Brad Keselowski (2009, 2010), Mark Martin (1993, 1995) and Ryan Newman (2001, 2005).

Other drivers have set records in the series at Michigan International Speedway as well:

• Most poles: Kyle Busch, Paul Menard, and Austin Dillon – two each
• Most top fives: Kyle Busch – nine
• Most top 10s: Paul Menard – 12
• Most lead lap finishes: Paul Menard – 13
• Most laps led: Mark Martin – 309

Hot, Hot, Hot: Michigan different winners streak could continue

Michigan International Speedway is currently riding a wave of different winners in the NASCAR Xfinity Series that has reached 13 different drivers in Victory Lane and dates back to 2010. This weekend, the Cabo Wabo 250 has the chance to produce another new winner bringing the total to 14 to keep the streak alive.

The streak of different winners began in 2010 with Brad Keselowski, then Carl Edwards (2011), Joey Logano (2012), Regan Smith (2013), Paul Menard (2014), Kyle Busch (2015), Daniel Suárez (2016), Denny Hamlin (2017), Austin Dillon (2018), Tyler Reddick (2019), AJ Allmendinger (2021), Ty Gibbs (2022), and John Hunter Nemechek (2023). The series did not compete at Michigan in 2020 due to the pandemic.

There is a chance the streak could come to an end. Two previous NASCAR Xfinity Series Michigan International Speedway winners are entered this weekend – AJ Allmendinger (2021) and John Hunter Nemechek (2023).

Drivers To Watch: Irish Hills edition

With the different winners streak alive and well, there are some drivers who will be pushing to add their name to the list – JR Motorsports’ Brandon Jones and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Riley Herbst.

Jones has had an impressive stint at Michigan’s two-mile track, posting three top fives and six top 10s in his seven starts. Just two spots outside the Playoff cutline, he will be sure to give it all he has to post his first Victory since the 2022 season and join his JRM teammates Justin Allgaier and Sam Mayer in the postseason.

Herbst, who kissed the bricks and locked himself into the Playoffs in the series’ last race before the Olympic break, heads to the Irish Hills with four starts under his belt, posting three top 10s.

Xfinity Series Playoff picture following Indy

The NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff picture got a tad bit tighter as Riley Herbst got to kiss the bricks at the last race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Eight drivers have now locked themselves into the Playoff grid by virtue of wins, including Shane van Gisbergen, Chandler Smith, Austin Hill, Sam Mayer, Cole Custer, Justin Allgaier, Jesse Love and Riley Herbst.

As of now, AJ Allmendinger (+102), Sheldon Creed (+69), Parker Kligerman (+46), and Ryan Sieg (+3) occupy the final four spots to clinch a Playoff berth.

JR Motorsports teammates Sammy Smith (-3) and Brandon Jones (-69) hold the first two spots outside the cutoff, followed by Anthony Alfredo (-114).

Here’s how the Playoff standings look heading into Michigan:

NASCAR Xfinity Series, Etc.

New crew chief for Shane van Gisbergen – Bruce Schlicker, who has been Kaulig Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen’s crew chief this season, will not be returning to the No. 97 team as the series comes back to action after the three-week break. Taking over as crew chief will be Kevin Walter.

Walter has been serving as the crew chief for Josh Williams and the No. 11 team. As Walter transitions to the No. 97 team, Eddie Pardue will take over as crew chief for the No. 11 team.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs are set for Milwaukee Mile

After ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski emerged victorious at Richmond Raceway last weekend, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs are set to get underway next weekend at the heralded Milwaukee Mile Speedway for the LiUNA! 175 on Sunday, August 25 at 4 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM Radio.

The 2024 season will mark the ninth running of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs (2016-2024). Since the inception of the Playoff format in 2016, seven different drivers have hoisted the championship trophy – Johnny Sauter (2016), Christopher Bell (2017), Brett Moffitt (2018), Matt Crafton (2019), Sheldon Creed (2020), Ben Rhodes (2021, 2023), and Zane Smith (2022).

The structure of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs will remain the same as years past: a seven-race, three round elimination format. The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will cap off their season in conjunction with the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway for the Championship 4 Finale.

Characteristics of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff format include:

• The number of championship drivers in contention for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship will decrease after every three Playoff races, from 10 to start in the Playoffs; eight after race No. 3; and four after race No. 6.
• The first three races of the Playoffs (17-19) will be known as the Round of 10; races 20-22 will be known as the Round of 8; and race No. 23 will be the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship (Championship 4 Round).
• A win by a championship-eligible driver in any Playoff race automatically clinches the winning driver a spot in the next round.
• Four drivers will enter the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship with a chance at the title, with the highest finisher among those four capturing the championship.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff Structure:

• Round of 10:Races 17-19 will be at the Milwaukee Mile Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, and Kansas Speedway. If a driver in the Playoffs wins a race in this round, the driver automatically advances to the Round of 8. The remaining available positions (1-8) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points. Each advancing Playoff contender will then have their points reset to 3,000, plus any Playoff points awarded to that point are added.
• Round of 8:Races 20-22 will be at Talladega Superspeedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway. Likewise, if a driver in the top eight in points wins a race in this round, the driver automatically advances to the Championship 4 Round. The remaining available positions (1-4) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points. Each advancing Playoff contender will then have their points reset to 4,000.
• Each eliminated driver will return to the Playoff-start base of 2,000 (plus any awarded Playoff points), with their accumulated points starting with race No. 17 added. This will allow all drivers not in contention for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series title to continue to race for the best possible season-long standing, with final positions fifth-through-10th still up for grabs.

Say CHEESE! America’s Legendary Oval to host CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff opener

For the second time in 14 years, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is returning to the Milwaukee Mile Speedway for the LiUNA! 175 (Sunday, August 25 at 4 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM Radio).

Located on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Fair Park, this historic track houses a 1.015-mile paved oval. In addition, there is a 0.8-mile asphalt-paved road circuit located in the infield. The infield was home to the NFL’s Green Bay Packers from 1934 to 1953. Known as the oldest operating speedway in the world, the Milwaukee Mile has hosted at least one auto race every year since 1903, except during World War II.

The remarkable mile-oval has hosted 16 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events. The series made its grand return last season for the first time since 2009, where four-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. bested a field that included Todd Bodine, Matt Crafton, and Johnny Sauter. Now, the Milwaukee Mile will play host to the opening event in the postseason’s Round of 10.

In 1995, the inaugural CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at the Milwaukee Mile was won by pole sitter Mike Skinner, piloting the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. The following year there were 17 lead changes, which became a series record.

2008 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion and three-time Most Popular Driver, Johnny Benson Jr. holds the most wins in Brew City after three consecutive victories in 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Not only will the contenders have to get reacquainted with the heralded mile-oval, but they will also once again be experiencing a foreign concept: racing on a Sunday. Practice for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at the Milwaukee Mile kicks off at 4 p.m. EST on Saturday, August 24.

Scouting the 2024 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff roster

The field for the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs is packed with both postseason veterans and several newcomers. Six different teams are represented along with all three of NASCAR’s OEMs (Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota).

Below is a quick look at the contenders in this year’s Playoff grid as the drivers have a week off to prepare for the first race of the Round of 10 at the famed Milwaukee Mile Speedway.

Heading into the Playoffs as the No. 1 seed with 2,048 points is Corey Heim. The driver of the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota’s second year with his team has once gone without a significant hitch leading the field with a career-high five wins (COTA, Kansas, North Wilkesboro, Gateway, Pocono) to lock him into the Playoffs. The Marietta, Georgia native has recorded five top-five finishes, 10 top-10 finishes, and has led 469 laps. This is Heim’s second Playoff appearance.

The 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Regular Season Champion Christian Eckes enters the Playoffs as the No. 2 seed with 2,038 points. The 23-year-old reached the Playoffs with three wins (Bristol, Martinsville, Nashville) on the season. The driver of No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet leads the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series field with 10 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes. This is Ecke’s fourth Playoff appearance.

With 2,023 points, Ty Majeski of ThorSport Racing enters as the No. 3 seed. The third-year driver has been in the Playoffs since his rookie season in 2022. Piloting the No. 98 ThorSport Racing Ford, Majeski has collected two back-to-back wins (LOIRP, Richmond). The Seymour, Wisconsin native has posted seven top fives, 10 top 10s, and 372 laps led. This season marks Majeski’s fourth consecutive Playoff appearance (2022-2024)

The driver of the No. 2 Rev Racing Chevrolet Nick Sanchez heads into the Playoffs as the No. 4 seed with 2,018 points. The 23-year-old raced his way into his second Playoffs after securing two wins this season (Daytona, Charlotte). The Miami, Florida native has posted seven top fives, 10 top 10s, and led 72 laps this season.

The No. 5 seed Rajah Caruth follows Sanchez into the Playoffs with 2,009 points. Piloting the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Caruth picked up his first career win (Las Vegas) to lock his spot into the Playoffs. The 22-year-old is having a career-best year with three top fives, eight top 10s, and 45 laps led. This is the Washington, D.C. native’s first Playoff appearance.

Post-season veteran Grant Enfinger enters the Playoffs as the No. 6 seed with 2,007 points. The driver of the No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet did not have a stellar start to the beginning of the year but has recently been running up in the front of the field. Meshing well with his new team, the 39-year-old has posted five top fives, eight top 10s, and has led 197 laps this season. This is the Fairhope, Alabama native’s sixth Playoff appearance – third-most all-time.

Entering the Playoffs as the No. 7 seed with 2,007 points is Tyler Ankrum. The driver of the No. 18 McAnally-Hilgemann Chevrolet raced his way into the Playoffs via points, clinching at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. In 16 starts this season, the 23-year-old has put up five top fives, eight top 10s, and has led 92 laps – the most of his CRAFTSMAN Truck Series career. This is Ankrum’s third Playoff appearance.

Taylor Gray follows Ankrum into the Playoffs as the No. 8 seed with 2,003 points. Piloting the No. 17 TRICON Garage Toyota, Gray has had a career-best season so far. The 19-year-old has posted five top fives, nine top 10s, and led 25 laps. Although he is the youngest of the postseason field and is making his first Playoff appearance, Gray is confident in his abilities.

2021 and 2023 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Champion Ben Rhodes enters the Playoffs as the No. 9 seed with 2,002 points. Rhodes is no stranger to the postseason as this is his seventh Playoff appearance – second-most all-time. The 27-year-old raced his way into the postseason via points. In 16 starts this season, the driver of the No. 99 ThorSport Racing Ford has two top fives, six top 10s, and 16 laps led. The Louisville, Kentucky native could become the third driver to win three championships and the second driver to win back-to-back, joining the exemplary company of his ThorSport teammate Matt Crafton (2013, 2014) if he accomplishes the feat.

Rounding out the 10 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff contenders is Daniel Dye, who has 2,001 points. An eighth-place finish in the regular-season finale at Richmond helped the driver of the No. 43 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet earn his way into the postseason field. The 20-year-old has recorded one top five, six top 10s, and had led 4 laps this season. This is Dye’s first Playoff appearance.

For additional information, Playoff bios, championship and postseason stats and Playoff elimination grids please visit the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs Media Hub at the following link on NASCARMedia.com.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Etc.

Lawless Alan to make NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Michigan International Speedway – Lawless Alan will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut piloting the No. 15 AM Racing Ford in Saturday’s Cabo Wabo 250 at Michigan International Speedway.

In addition to Michigan, the 24-year-old will add Atlanta Motor Speedway to his schedule.

In the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series this season, Alan earned a season-high 11th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April and heads to Michigan on the heels of a respectable 18th-place finish in this past Saturday night’s Clean Harbors 250 at Richmond after starting 25th.

“I’ve never been to Michigan, but I’ve been taking the last weeks to prepare myself for the race weekend, whether that be with iRacing, watching prior NASCAR Xfinity Series races, or just conversing with team members at AM Racing and Reaume Brothers Racing,” Alan said. “Undoubtedly, watching the ARCA race on Friday and asking questions will be essential for making my Xfinity Series debut successful. The goal is to make gains from practice to qualifying. When the green flag drops on Saturday afternoon, we need to keep making gains with our No. 15 Ford Mustang and be able to bring home a top-20 finish or better.”

NASCAR PR

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