The NASCAR Cup Series rolls into the Michigan International Speedway this weekend, and Ford looks to continue its reign at the track, with nine consecutive wins since 2017.
With the chaos of Richmond in the rearview, NASCAR prepares for its return to Michigan. The 2-mile Speedway has played host to the Cup Series since 1969. One manufacturer can call this place its home, and that is Ford. Ford has over 50 wins in the Cup Series at this race track (combining 12 wins from Mercury). It holds a nine-race win streak since Clint Bowyer won in 2018 in a rain-shortened event.
The most recent Blue Oval winner at Michigan International Speedway was Chris Buescher, who outran Martin Truex Jr last year to get his 2nd win of 2023, and second in a row. This year, Buescher is winless. Could he return to the track Ford dominates and lock into the playoffs? Or could defending champion Ryan Blaney get win #3 in his title-defending season?
Ford’s secret to success:
Two Words. Home race. The Ford Motor Company’s world headquarters is an hour away from the speedway. This is a huge race for the company, and drivers understand that pressure and rise to the occasion. Executives and employees will attend the race, and they want to see a Mustang go to victory lane in Michigan. Ryan Blaney spoke to Ford Performance about what the race means to Ford Drivers;
“It’s huge. We take a lot of pride in that Heritage trophy and obviously with Ford being right there it’s really important. Edsel definitely makes sure that we know that it is important that we keep that there in Detroit at their home base. I was fortunate enough to win there a few years ago and have Edsel there and kind of see that excitement in him. It would be important to keep the streak going, so hopefully we can at least make a run at it and keep that trophy where it belongs.”
Could Chevy or Toyota end the streak at Michigan International Speedway?
While Ford’s dominance seems inevitable at Michigan, so does the dominance of Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin in 2024. Larson is the last non-Ford driver to win at Michigan, winning both races in 2017. Larson comes into this race as the points leader, five points ahead of Tyler Reddick. The points battle up at the top of the standings is closer than ever. With such few races heading towards the end of the regular season, look for everyone to turn it up to secure that Regular Season Championship.
With three races remaining in the regular season, it's a four-way battle at the top of the standings. pic.twitter.com/H1xp2g0dac
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 13, 2024
But Ford isn’t in that battle for the regular season title. Chevy drivers Larson and Chase Elliott are battling Toyota drivers Hamlin and Reddick. Ford wasn’t even in the top ten at Richmond after the caution and checkered flew. The highest-finishing Ford driver was Josh Berry in 14th.
While Ford hasn’t been as dominant in years past, I think their passion to win this race for the company will be shown on Sunday. But can Ford’s passion outmatch Larson’s or Hamlin’s talent? We will find out when the cars hit the racetrack.
Watch the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway this weekend. Practice begins Saturday, August 17th at 12:35 pm ET. The Firekeeper’s Casino 400 begins at 2:30 pm ET, Coverage for both is located on USA and the NBC Sports App.
