NASCAR: Pure Michigan 400 Start Time, TV, What To Watch For

Aug 16, 2013; Brooklyn, MI, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon during practice for the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

It’s that time of year again in the Irish Hills of Michigan as the Pure Michigan 400 rolls into Michigan International Speedway for some action-packed, three wide racing on Sunday, August 17.

As excitement builds approaching one of the fastest races of the year, it is unfortunate to announce that all indicators are that whether may turn out to be a factor. While skies are clear at this point in Michigan, the forecast for Saturday and Sunday do not look as promising.

Here are a few other Pure Michigan 400 storylines to check out as the race approaches:

The Fan Tweetup for the Pure Michigan 400

If you’re like many other race fans out there, you enjoy following and even interacting with NASCAR drivers on Twitter. The Pure Michigan 400 fan tweetup is scheduled for 9 a.m./ET, the location however is still not posted. Follow @mispeedway and @misroger on Twitter to get that scoop, the gatherings are free to anyone who wants to attend but you have to watch for the announcement. Surprises for fans at the June 15 Tweetup included T-shirt and hat giveaways, along with pre-race ceremony passes.

Tony Stewart, Will He Race?

Look for Tony Stewart’s status for the Pure Michigan 400 to be a major storyline all weekend.

Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

As almost all of you probably know, Stewart was involved in an accident Saturday, Aug. 9, at an upstate New York dirt track that left 20-year-old driver Kevin Ward Jr. dead. Stewart pulled out of the Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen on Sunday, Aug. 10.

The investigation is still ongoing, and I expect the announcement on Stewart’s status to me a last-minute decision.

Honorary starter and Grand Marshals

Lowell Broesamle of Munith was recently voted to be the honorary starter for the Pure Michigan 400 during an online voting contest conducted by MIS.

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Beyond the Flag

Broesamle, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, is a longtime NASCAR fan. He was nominated by his daughter-in-law, Jennifer Broesamle, who wrote people “would never know (he has non-curable cancer) by his positive outlook.”

Lowell Broesamle is scheduled to be on hand to wave the green flag to start the race.

Olympic gold medalists Charlie White and Meryl Davis, both of the Detroit area, will serve as the grand marshals of Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400.

The ice-dancing duo won gold at the 2014 Games in Sochi. They also were silver medalists in 2010 in Vancouver.

Race Day Info

Gates open at 8 a.m. Sunday morning for the Pure Michigan 400 with the race scheduled to start at 1 p.m./ET.

The race will be broadcast live on ESPN and a live stream of the racing action can be found at livesports24h.com/nascar/.

Stay tuned to Detroit Jock City for continued race coverage including this weeks addition of Motor City Table Talk: Pure Michigan 400 edition.