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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Report
Track:  Michigan International Speedway

Race:   Quicken Loans 400

Date:   June 12, 2015

No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion – Brad Keselowski

Start:  3rd

Finish: 6th

Status: Running

Laps Completed:  138/138

Laps Led: 6

Points Position (behind leader):  6th (-96)

Recap: Brad Keselowski and the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion overcame a loose car early, played into Mother Nature’s hand late and eventually came out of Michigan International Speedway with a sixth-place finish in the rain-plagued Quicken Loans 400 on Sunday afternoon.  Keselowski started third and held serve in the top-five early on.  However, a loose condition saw his Ford Fusion drop back several positions, settling into the back half of the top-10.  Rain showers in the Brooklyn, Michigan area wreaked havoc on the race all afternoon long, forcing three different red flag conditions before a long-stretch of green-flag racing resumed.  Playing pit strategy, crew chief Paul Wolfe kept Keselowski out during a round of green flag pit stops to lead several laps.  Wolfe continued to make adjustments to the Miller Lite Ford, eventually getting the handle of the car much better.  On lap 126, Keselowski made what would be his final stop of the day and came out behind teammate Joey Logano.  The two drivers raced inside the top-10 until rain once again hit the two-mile oval, this time forcing NASCAR to call the event complete after just 138 of the scheduled 200 laps. Keselowski’s sixth-place finish allowed him to maintain sixth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings, 96 points behind leader Kevin Harvick.

Quote:  “I am disappointed because the Miller Lite Ford Fusion was getting better with each run. We were starting to get it where we needed to be when that last big rain came through and I would have loved to see what we had for the final stretch. It is also disappointing for the fans, they are awesome to stick with us through this weather today. We will take the sixth place finish and head into the off week and we will refocus on getting that Michigan win when we come back in August.”

No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion – Joey Logano

Start:  11th

Finish: 5th

Status: Running

Laps Completed:  138/138

Laps Led:  7

Points Position (behind first): 3rd (-56)

Recap:  Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion took advantage of some crafty pit strategy by crew chief Todd Gordon and a heavy rainstorm to record his eighth top-five finish of the season on Sunday afternoon in the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway.  Logano qualified his Shell-Pennzoil Ford in the 11^th position, but slipped back early after getting really loose on consecutive restarts. Two red flag situations for rain kept Logano from making any progress forward even though the car was decent after several laps.  Gordon called Logano in for four tires during the lap 40 competition caution, putting him back in the pack after several teams took just two tires.  Logano raced around the 20^th position, but slowly began making up spots as other cars had to pit for fuel.  Logano led laps and was able to stretch his fuel until having to pit on lap 95 when his car began to sputter.   The different pit strategy allowed Logano to make up spots during several rounds of green stops, eventually getting a timely caution while running fifth.  Logano was able to hold onto fifth until the fourth red flag of the day was displayed for rain showers.  This time, the rain didn’t let up, forcing NASCAR to call the race after just 138 of the 200 laps.   The fifth-place finish allowed Logano to move up one spot in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings to third, 56 points behind Kevin Harvick.

Quote:  “It was a tough day but we got a good finish out of it. I felt like we were kind of stuck back in traffic a lot of the race and couldn’t get good restarts in the beginning of the day and kept losing spots. That was frustrating. The car was loose. We made some good adjustments and got off the majority strategy which played right where we wanted to when the caution came out by staying out and getting a longer run on fuel. The last restart we lost a couple spots unfortunately. I feel like overall it was a good day considering how everything went and starting 11th which wasn’t very good. We will go to the off-weekend now and get ready for the road course.”