Running On Fumes…

Race Summary: LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway

With a lot of controversy in NASCAR this week, it’s somewhat surprising that the action on the track was no less exciting. The Michigan race has traditionally been the Jack Roush show, Carl Edwards won last year with Jamie McMurray finishing eighth, but the man on top of the podium this afternoon was victorious for the first time with Rick Hendrick. Dale Earnhardt Jr. survived a fuel shortage and coasted to the white line in what became a six-mile shootout after Sam Hornish Jr. spun on Lap 198 to bring out the caution flag. The race was extended to 203 laps as a result. Earnhardt had waited 76 races to taste Sprint Cup victory and was jubilant with his team’s performance, especially crew chief Tony Eury Jr.’s decision to stay out instead of taking the splash of fuel most teams pitted for. The gamble was not characteristic of the normally fuel-conservative duo.

Kasey Kahne, a surprisingly dominant force this season in both the Sprint and Nationwide Series, finished second, followed by Matt Kenseth and Brian Vickers. Kenseth lead the race multiple times but lost costly seconds in a pit road incident late in the race. The pit official assigned to Kenseth’s space stepped in front of the number 17 Ford after two tires had been changed, thinking that the team was making a four-tire stop. Kenseth had to brake and wait for the official to move before he could re-enter the race.

Kyle Busch came into the LifeLock 400 leading the Sprint Cup Series points and finished thirteenth. He will maintain his spot on the points leader board, as will Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carl Edwards, the top four contenders.