Ford and Chevrolet have an extra incentive on their hands when they travel to the Michigan International Speedway. See, the two annual Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series stops to the Irish Hills has bragging right on the line.
The 2-mile track serves as the “home track” for both Ford and Chevy. That’s why they put so much emphasis on not only Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 (2 p.m. ET/FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) but the August race too.
The early bragging right this weekend though go to the Ford camp. In qualifying on Saturday, Ford took spots 1-2-3 with Joey Logano earning his second Busch Pole Award of the 2019 season in his No. 22 Ford.
Logano, circled the track in his Team Penske Ford at a speed of 187.139 mph which was good enough for his 22nd career pole, tying Dale Earnhardt, Carl Edwards, Ernie Irvan and Marvin Panch for 35th all-time.
Logano also has 22 career victories as well which also ranks 35th all-time on that list too. He’s hoping for his second win of the season on Sunday which would be his third career win at Michigan and 12th top 10 result in 13 tries at Michigan since joining Penske in 2013.
Aric Almirola qualified second in his No. 10 Ford. Almirola, earned a qualifying speed of 187.047 mph. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver was second quickest in final practice on Friday as well as second on the 10 lap average chart too.
Almirola’s SHR teammate of Kevin Harvick starts third in his No. 4 Ford. Harvick, has a speed of 186.906 mph. He was quickest in final practice and fourth on the 10 lap average chart in both sessions on Friday as well.
Denny Hamlin was the top non Ford as he will start fourth in his No. 11 Toyota. Hamlin, qualified with a lap of 186.887 mph.
Clint Bowyer (186.775 mph) rounded out the top five in his No. 14 Ford, giving SHR three of the top five starting spots. They also finished 1-2-3 in this race last year with Bowyer earning the victory.
Ford has five of the top six starting spots overall to go along with eight in the top 10. The top Chevy was Kurt Busch (186.577 mph) who rolls off seventh.
This race also will feature most teammates starting near each other. Penske starts 1-8-13. SHR starts 2-3-5-9. RCR starts 11-12. JGR starts 4-14-15-16. HMS starts 17-19-20-21. FRM starts 23-24-26.
FireKeepers Casino 400 Starting Lineup
Row 1: Joey Logano, Aric Almirola
Row 2: Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin
Row 3: Clint Bowyer, Paul Menard
Row 4: Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski
Row 5: Daniel Suarez, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Row 6: Daniel Hemric R, Austin Dillon
Row 7: Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones
Row 8: Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr.
Row 9: Chase Elliott, Ryan Newman
Row 10: Jimmie Johnson, Alex Bowman
Row 11: William Byron, Kyle Larson
Row 12: Michael McDowell, David Ragan
Row 13: Ty Dillon, Matt Tifft R
Row 14: Darrell Wallace Jr., Ryan Preece R
Row 15: Matt DiBenedetto, Landon Cassill
Row 16: Chris Buescher, Corey LaJoie
Row 17: Kyle Weatherman, Josh Bilicki
Row 18: Quin Houff, Garrett Smithley
