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Michigan International Speedway
2.0 mile oval
Race: Sunday, August 17, 2003 in Brooklyn, MI
2002 Pole Sitter: Dale Earnhardt Jr., 189.668mph, finished 10th.
2002 Race Winner: Dale Jarrett, 140.556mph, started 8th
Pit Window: Every 48-52 laps, based on fuel mileage.
Pit Speed: 45 mph
- Matt Kenseth won at Michigan in 2002, the June race in 02. He dodged a bullet at Watkins Glen last week, nearly landing into the sand trap, worried about the fuel situation, being landed deep into the field several times. All in all he finished 8th but then again, not bad. He still holds a toweing 258 point lead over 2nd place Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the pole for this race in 2002, he also took the pole in 2000 and set a record here. He finished 3rd at Watkins Glen, couldve been higher if not for the pit strategy of several other cars when a full course yellow came out. Dale Jr. has never won a race here at Michigan in Winston Cup, but he did lead 37 laps last year and led with just a few laps to go until being shuffled back to 10th. He hopes to continue to gain points on Kenseth.
- Kevin Harvick, qualified for the outside pole here at Michigan. He's been on a hot streak ever since his win at the Brickyard, he finished 4th at Watkins Glen just a week ago. Harvick led 42 laps at Michigan last year in 2002 and finished third there, he could be a threat to win this race.
- Kurt Busch has seen plenty of success here at Michigan. He led a few laps in last year's August race until having an engine failure, however he won this year's California race (basically shaped like Michigan) and this year's June Michigan race. He could also be a threat to win here.
- Robby Gordon has been doing very well the past two weeks with the top 5 at Indianapolis and the win at Watkins Glen. He qualified 5th for this race in 2002, he might continue that top 5 streak.
- Jeff Gordon lost even more ground to points leader Matt Kenseth at Watkins Glen, he was unable to avoid on coming traffic as he tried to coast to finish and was spun around, in turn he finished 33rd and is now -396 points from the points lead. This has been the largest gap between him and points leader Matt Kenseth the entire season, he hopes to try and narrow the gap this week at Michigan.
- Jimmie Johnson finished 7th here at Michigan in last year's August race. He hopes to continue an effort of top 5s and top 10s that could land him back into the race for the championship.
- Dale Jarrett won last years event here at Michigan. He finished 8th at Watkins Glen, and won a caution free race here in 1999 (the fastest race in NASCAR at Michigan). Jarrett could see his second checkered flag of the season.
Now we go to the predictions, my picks for the top 10 at Michigan.
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Kurt Busch
4. Dale Jarrett
5. Jimmie Johnson
6. Matt Kenseth
7. Robby Gordon
8. Jeff Gordon
9. Bobby Labonte
10. Sterling Marlin
Michigan International Speedway
2.0 mile oval
Race: Sunday, August 17, 2003 in Brooklyn, MI
2002 Pole Sitter: Dale Earnhardt Jr., 189.668mph, finished 10th.
2002 Race Winner: Dale Jarrett, 140.556mph, started 8th
Pit Window: Every 48-52 laps, based on fuel mileage.
Pit Speed: 45 mph
- Matt Kenseth won at Michigan in 2002, the June race in 02. He dodged a bullet at Watkins Glen last week, nearly landing into the sand trap, worried about the fuel situation, being landed deep into the field several times. All in all he finished 8th but then again, not bad. He still holds a toweing 258 point lead over 2nd place Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the pole for this race in 2002, he also took the pole in 2000 and set a record here. He finished 3rd at Watkins Glen, couldve been higher if not for the pit strategy of several other cars when a full course yellow came out. Dale Jr. has never won a race here at Michigan in Winston Cup, but he did lead 37 laps last year and led with just a few laps to go until being shuffled back to 10th. He hopes to continue to gain points on Kenseth.
- Kevin Harvick, qualified for the outside pole here at Michigan. He's been on a hot streak ever since his win at the Brickyard, he finished 4th at Watkins Glen just a week ago. Harvick led 42 laps at Michigan last year in 2002 and finished third there, he could be a threat to win this race.
- Kurt Busch has seen plenty of success here at Michigan. He led a few laps in last year's August race until having an engine failure, however he won this year's California race (basically shaped like Michigan) and this year's June Michigan race. He could also be a threat to win here.
- Robby Gordon has been doing very well the past two weeks with the top 5 at Indianapolis and the win at Watkins Glen. He qualified 5th for this race in 2002, he might continue that top 5 streak.
- Jeff Gordon lost even more ground to points leader Matt Kenseth at Watkins Glen, he was unable to avoid on coming traffic as he tried to coast to finish and was spun around, in turn he finished 33rd and is now -396 points from the points lead. This has been the largest gap between him and points leader Matt Kenseth the entire season, he hopes to try and narrow the gap this week at Michigan.
- Jimmie Johnson finished 7th here at Michigan in last year's August race. He hopes to continue an effort of top 5s and top 10s that could land him back into the race for the championship.
- Dale Jarrett won last years event here at Michigan. He finished 8th at Watkins Glen, and won a caution free race here in 1999 (the fastest race in NASCAR at Michigan). Jarrett could see his second checkered flag of the season.
Now we go to the predictions, my picks for the top 10 at Michigan.
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Kurt Busch
4. Dale Jarrett
5. Jimmie Johnson
6. Matt Kenseth
7. Robby Gordon
8. Jeff Gordon
9. Bobby Labonte
10. Sterling Marlin