With the last race of the spring two days away, drivers will be looking to hit a hot streak at Michigan International Speedway.
Ryan Blaney picked up his first Monster Energy Cup Series win last Sunday at Pocono — the first win for the famed Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford since Trevor Bayne pulled off an upset in the 2011 Daytona 500.
Blaney’s victory moved him one spot up in the standings to 12th, currently 224 points behind points leader Martin Truex Jr.
Kyle Larson won the last event just outside the Motor City after claiming the lead from Chase Elliott with 10 laps to go.
Despite Larson’s win last year, he currently holds a 14.2 average finishing position in six starts, with only three top 10 finishes, including the win.
Out of current drivers with 10 or more starts, Matt Kenseth and Brad Keselowski have had the most success at Michigan. Kenseth has an average finish of 10.4 with 20 top 10 finishes, 14 top 5 finishes and three wins. His top 5 and top 10 rankings are leaders among current drivers, and his win total is tied for first with Kurt Busch.
In 15 starts, Keselowski has an average finish of 12.3 in 15 starts. Although he does not have a victory, he has five top 5 and eight top 10 finishes.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is in his last race on Father’s Day weekend, so it is his last chance to win a race on Father’s Day for the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. Junior has an average finish of 15.8 at Michigan and two victories — 2008 and 2012. Those wins were his first two wins driving for Rick Hendrick and they both ended winless streaks of more than 36 races.
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- Matt Kenseth has finished on the lead lap in 32 of his 35 races at Michigan.
- Chase Elliott finished second in both races at Michigan during his rookie campaign in 2016.
- Only one of Ryan Newman’s 51 career poles to date have been earned at Michigan. (The 2005 Father’s Day race)
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