Jeff Gordon Wins it at Michigan
Aug 17, 2014; Brooklyn, MI, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon celebrates in victory lane after winning the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Gordon notched his 3rd win of the season and 91st of his Sprint Cup career beating Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano at Michigan International Speedway in the Pure Michigan 400. This is Gordon’s third win at MIS and his first on the recently paved surface.
What won the race?
After a flurry of late cautions, Jeff Gordon powered past Joey Logano on the final restart.
How it unfolded
After starting second Joey Logano took the opening lap lead from pole sitter Jeff Gordon. It was a battle all between the two all day long.
The big wreck of the day came after the lap 20 competition yellow. Danica Patrick spun in front of the field collecting 8 cars including 2003 champion Matt Kenseth and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne.
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Beyond the Flag
Wrecks mired the first half of the race as five cautions flew early.
Two long stretches of green flag racing dominated the middle section of the race while Logano and Gordon swapped the lead multiple times during green flag pit stops.
During the final round of green flag pit stops, Brad Keselowski hit the wall while leading. The field was largely unaffected and 22 and 24 ended up out front.
Kurt Busch hit the wall on the second to last restart while challenging Logano for the lead. This caution moved the 24 up to the front row for the final restart.
From the unfavorable inside line, Gordon took the lead from Logano on the final restart with under 20 laps to go and powered to the checkered flag.
Successes
Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Menard showed speed all day and finished fourth. He needs a win to get in the chase. This has to help their momentum.
Clint Bowyer finished sixth making a huge push to secure a chase grid spot.
Jimmie Johnson’s string of bad luck continued as his shifter broke off on an early restart. However, he rebounded to finish 9th, earning his first top ten since June.
Disappointments
Kyle Busch brought out the first caution after hitting the wall hard and cutting down a right front tire on lap 4. He finished 40 laps down in 39th.
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Kyle Larson had a miserable day colliding with Dale Earnhardt Jr on pit road on lap 21 and crashed after blowing a right front tire. He fell outside of the chase grid standings.
Carl Edwards finished 23rd after a promising weekend showing speed in practice and qualifying 3rd. He got caught speeding on pit road under green and the speed was not there either.
Next week NASCAR heads to Bristol Motor Speedway. Stay tuned to DJC for comprehensive coverage!