Logano wins at Michigan, Still at the Top of the Standings (6-10-19)

By: Becca Cottingham

Headline Photo From: onlinegambling.com

After a rain delayed race, we opened Michigan International Speedway under heavy clouds but no rain. We have a very green track that will bring out a competition caution. In the opening laps, we saw a bold move by Denny Hamlin and the way he turned into turn three. He had a huge run going into that first turn and was able to take over the first position. Then we followed it up with some three wide racing. Side drafting is going to play a huge factor in today’s race as well as drivers try to pass a Michigan. With the tampered spacers on the engines on the two mile track not one car can just pull away from the pack. We had a mishap with a gas and go with Jimmie Johnson during the competition caution. Kevin Harvick’s team appears to be trying a different pit strategy. Joey Logano was able to hold everyone else off to win stage one.

In the beginning of stage two, we have Bubba Wallace hit with a restart violation. While Joey Logano keeps showing the field he is going to be a driver to content with for the day. We saw a caution come out not long after the start of stage two. We saw almost three fourths of the field pit and get fuel only. This should get them to the end of the stage. The cars are starting to find grip in the top groove of the track. The issues is that with around sixteen to go there is several drivers who are being asked to save fuel. We had all but seven drivers stop at the first caution in stage two, and crew chiefs are telling them to use seventy five percent throttle. Even with a lap in the reserve there is a chance the first seven drivers can or will run out of gas. Joey Logano did give up the lead and stage points to get gas. Brad Keselowski also got hit with a safety violation and will have to serve a pass through penalty due to a tire. Austin Dillon will win stage two for his first stage win.

All drivers came down and Joey Logano took gas and two tires to come out up front. We restarted stage three with cars three wide. With a lot of great racing Kyle Larson was able to save his car after coming up in front of Logano. Not to far behind in turn two we watched Erik Jones and Clint Bowyer make contact that sent Bowyer into the wall hard. Then Austin Dillion catches the wall hard and did some major damage to the back right side of his car. Then we were able to watch Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick battle it out for several laps before Logano took back over the first position. Erik Jones goes spinning into the grass in turn two and brought out the caution to send us into overtime. Joey Logano was able to hold the group after the restart in overtime to win.

Next Race

Sunday, June 23 at Sonoma Speedway 3pm for The Toyota/Save Mart 350