You Always Remember Your First Time - Larson Wins At Michigan
The Pure Michigan 400 came down to the last 10 laps and came between two rookies that had to get to victory lane to keep their chase hopefuls alive – Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott.
But it was Larson who held off Elliott for his first ever win on his 29th start in the Sprint Cup Series, snapping a 99 race winless streak for Chip Ganassi Racing. Dale Jarret, driving for the Wood Brothers, also got his very first win at Michigan on his 29th start in August 1991.
Hopeful rookie Chris Buscher came over the radio stating that he was “down one”, referring to losing a cylinder and having to pit for repairs. Buscher was 4 laps down and could not get back up to speed in time, ending back in the garage with a 35th place finish.
Also struggling was Alex Bowman, driving for the sidelined Dale Earnhardt Jr in the 88 car. On lap 37 he radioed in to his crew chief that he might have an engine issue. He dropped from 8th to 16th in just one lap, and got tapped by the 4 of Kevin Harvick on lap 55. He ends up in the garage before the halfway point of the race.
Troubles on pit road for several teams including the 78 of Martin Truex. He got an earlier than planned signal from his Jackman who did not see that the right rear tire was not on yet, and the Jackman dropped the car too early causing damage to the left rear quarter-panel. Truex has had issues on pit road in the last 19 of 24 races.
Jimmie Johnson’s gas man had trouble engaging the second fuel can and made it a slower stop than usual for the 48 car, who was in the lead when he entered the pits. He dropped back to 15th after the pit road snafu, but rallied back to an 8th place finish.
Clint Bowyer reported a loose wheel on lap 118 and just a few laps later headed to the garage with his 2nd DNF of the year in hand. That drops him down to 40th for the day and 27th in the points, just above the cut line.
On the final restart, both Elliott and Larson had older tires that the guys behind him and the 21 of Dave Blaney got into the back of the 24 car almost wrecking him, dropping the Hendrick rookie back to 3rd.
LOCKED AND LOADED - 3 TO GO
Drivers who have clinched a spot in the Chase are: Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin (all with multiple wins), along with one-win drivers Kurt Busch, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Tony Stewart and Martin Truex Jr. Chris Buescher is currently in the Chase Grid, but has not clinched a spot. After Sunday's 400-miler, just two regular-season races (Darlington, Richmond) remain before the 16-driver postseason field is settled.
ON THE BUBBLE
With 24 of 26 regular-season races complete, just three at-large spots (at present) for non-winners remain available. Here's how that picture looks post-Michigan.
Chase Bubble Watch
Standing | Driver | Points Difference From Top 30 |
14th | Chase Elliott | +27 |
15th | Austin Dillon | +21 |
16th | Jamie McMurray | +15 |
-------------------- | CUT OFF LINE | ---------------------------------------------------- |
17th | Ryan Newman | -15 |
18th | Khane | -52 |
19th | Bayne | -58 |
20th | Blaney | -71 |
21st | Allmendinger | -72 |
22nd | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | -88 |
23rd | Greg Biffle | -144 |
24th | Dale Earnhardt Jr | -155 (may qualify for medical waiver to make chase) |
25th | Paul Menard | -162 |
26th | Danica Patrick | -166 |
27th | Aric Almirola | -194 |
28th | Clint Bowyer | -208 (picked up 2nd DNF of season) |
29th | Casey Mears | -222 |
30th | Landon Cassill | -259 |
Tony Stewart wound up 21st in his final Michigan race, two laps off the leader's pace. It was enough to formally clinch a postseason spot, pairing his Sonoma victory in June with a steady hold on 26th in the driver standings. Stewart missed the first eight races of his final championship campaign with a back injury.
