George Moore said “A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.” The drivers and teams in the Chevrolet camp certainly are living this quote in recent weeks. Team Chevy has been on the cusp of traveling to Victory Lane over the last few weeks at different venues across the United States, only to have their efforts dashed by pit strategy, fuel mileage, or unforeseen on-track incidents.
As the series travels back to the home state of Chevrolet World Headquarters stationed in Detroit, Michigan, the Bowtie Brand and its associates hope this journey also becomes the return path to Victory Lane.
Over the last three races at the 2.0-mile, D-Shaped oval, nestled in the rolling hills of Brooklyn, Michigan, Team Chevy has been dominant. For the last three consecutive races, Chevrolet has captured the Michigan Heritage Trophy, a special award given to the winning manufacturer at each race held at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). Top names in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch, have taken the Bowtie Brand to Winner’s Circle in front of the hometown crowd.
With Chevrolet in a lull as the series travels through the dog days of summer, a trip back to MIS is just what the doctor ordered for Chevrolet to earn the 12 victory for the brand this season. This weekend is also an opportunity for Chevrolet drivers to solidify their places in this year’s Chase for the championship, in hopes of bringing home another Sprint Cup title for the brand.
Entering the 200-lap/400-mile race at MIS there are only four races remaining until the Chase cutoff race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway in September. This weekend NASCAR has thrown another wrench into the toolbox, as teams will once again have a new aerodynamics package. It is the same package teams competed with at Indianapolis Motor Speedway; however, many drivers say the package will be significantly different on the 2.0-mile super-fast oval in Michigan than on the flat 2.5-mile track in Indy.
“The aero package I think NASCAR is trying to gear towards would be better suited for Michigan with the high drag and high drafting probability at a track that is wider and can produce side-by-side type racing,” said defending MIS race winner Kurt Busch. “Michigan should be a way better show than what we saw at Indy. We will see how it plays out. I’m excited about it because I think that package will marry the Michigan racetrack well.”
It really is anybody’s race to win, but Team Chevy always puts extra emphasis on this weekend’s race trying to help every Bowtie Branded team find any small advantage possible to have the edge to get to Victory Lane.
As fans wait to take their seats to watch 200 laps of 200 plus mph racing at MIS, Team Chevy has lots happening within the Team Chevy display. The Team Chevy stage will be bustle of activity starting when the display opens on Friday at 11 a.m.
Throughout the weekend fans are encouraged to visit the Team Chevy display to check out the great lineup of Chevrolet cars, trucks and SUVs on exhibit in the midway. Fans can ask questions of their favorite drivers while at the Team Chevy stage. Spencer Gallagher, John Hunter Nemechek, Ray Black, Jr., Justin Allgaier, Michael Annett, Jamie McMurray, Kyle Larson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and the No. 42 Chevrolet SS over-the-wall pit crew will all be on stage visiting with fans throughout the weekend.
The 200-lap/400-mile Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday August 16. Live coverage will be available on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), MRN, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com.