Race report
NASCAR Cup Michigan
NASCAR notebook, Michigan: Larson OK with calculated risk
Dale Jr. heading overseas to find roots.
Edited: Jun 15, 2015, 3:01 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
BROOKLYN, Mich. – Given his position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings, Kyle Larson understands that his No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing team may have to go for broke to win a race and qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR sprint Cup.
That’s exactly what happened on Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, when Larson’s crew chief, Chris Heroy, kept the car on the track in hopes it would be leading when an impending thunderstorm arrived.
With a push from eventual race winner Kurt Busch, Larson indeed took the lead moments after a restart on Lap 130 of the Quicken Loans 400, but Larson had to pit for fuel on Lap 133, handing the top spot to Busch.
Less than two minutes later, the anticipated deluge arrived. NASCAR threw a caution on Lap 136, red-flagged the race on Lap 138 and shortly thereafter declared Busch the winner.
Larson finished 17th in a car that likely would have run 10th without the gamble, but the driver had no issues with taking the calculated risk.
“We could see weather coming there off of (Turn) 4 and just praying that it would get here in time for me to stay out and be in the lead when the rain did hit,” Larson said.
“Hey, I applaud my guys for trying. We are pretty deep in points (18th after Sunday’s race) so we have to take risks like that to make the Chase. I’m happy with the call—just wish the rain would have come three laps sooner.”
Earnhardt heads overseas
Several years ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made a promise to himself. When he turned 40—which happened last October 10—he would go to Germany to find out as much as he could about his ancestors.
That’s how Earnhardt will spend the “off” week before heading to Sonoma Raceway for the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on June 28.
“I’ve got some specific towns that we're going to go visit that we understand that my ancestors are from,” Earnhardt said after Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway. “I've been searching my genealogy for about five years now, and I made a promise to myself then that I would go to Germany and understand more about my ancestors when I turn 40, so here I am.
“I'm real nervous about flying over there. I haven't flown commercial since 9/11, so it's been a long time. My friends tell me I'm in for a treat, and just hopefully it's just a good trip. I'm taking my sister (Kelley) and LW (Miller), her husband-Larry Wayne-and (girlfriend) Amy (Reimann) is going with me, of course. And the lead IT guy at JR Motorsports, Martin Frederick, he's from Germany, so he's going to go with us, as well, and really kind of help us understand how not to insult anybody.
“Should be a lot of fun, and I'm really looking forward to it. We should come back with some great stories. Hopefully I'll get pictures, and we'll certainly share.”
Another milestone for Truex
With his third-place finish on Sunday at Michigan, last week’s Pocono winner, Martin Truex Jr., scored his 14th top 10 in 15 races this season. No driver has started the first 15 races with 14 top 10s since Richard Petty accomplished the feat in 1969.
"Really proud to have my name mentioned next to Richard Petty," Truex said. "The King is pretty special, and I am so thankful for my team and what they've done this year. Hopefully we'll keep this thing rolling.”
Truex is second in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings, 15 points behind leader and reigning champion Kevin Harvick, who finished 29th on Sunday after a flat right front tire forced him to pit road for an unscheduled stop late in the race.
NASCAR Wire Service, Reid Spencer
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article 'Gutsy' pit call gives Danica Patrick 16th
Next article Earnhardt heads home to Deutschland
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Martin Truex Jr
Betting odds for the 2025 NASCAR Cup playoff race at Las Vegas
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Las Vegas II
Betting odds for the 2025 NASCAR Cup playoff race at Las Vegas
Bell beats Hamlin for Bristol Cup pole in all-JGR front row
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Bristol II
Bell beats Hamlin for Bristol Cup pole in all-JGR front row
Truex hopes Toyota benefits from NASCAR technical changes for 2023
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Truex hopes Toyota benefits from NASCAR technical changes for 2023
Latest news
LIVE: NASCAR Cup season finale at Homestead lap-by-lap updates
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
24 min
LIVE: NASCAR Cup season finale at Homestead lap-by-lap updates
Kyle Larson wins 2026 NASCAR Cup championship with Stage 1 clinch at Homestead
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
29 min
Kyle Larson wins 2026 NASCAR Cup championship with Stage 1 clinch at Homestead
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
56 min
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc summoned to stewards after F1 Brazilian GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 h
Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc summoned to stewards after F1 Brazilian GP
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe