Moments that changed the course of the 15th race of the 2014 season
NO. 48 FOUR-TIRE STOP WINS AT MICHIGAN
For the third time in 2014 and the first time in his career at Michigan International Speedway, Jimmie Johnson went to Victory Lane in the Irish Hills, taking the lead for good on Lap 191.
He had more than luck on his side. A four-tire stop, called by crew chief Chad Knaus, helped the No. 48 maintain an advantage and notch a win at another track. The team is winless at only four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tracks now: Chicagoland Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Watkins Glen International.
Johnson pitted on Lap 165 and took on four tires and enough fuel to finish the race, which was green the rest of the way. Anyone close to him pitted later and left Johnson comfortably ahead as Hendrick Motorsports captured its fifth straight Sprint Cup series race.
“We were really in a win-win situation,” said Johnson, who led 39 laps and jumped to second in the Sprint Cup points standings behind Gordon. “Those guys had to come to pit road to make it to the end.
“Once the strategy unfolded, we knew we were in the catbird’s seat.”
Crew chief Chad Knaus said the team had an extra ace in the hole.
“We knew there was going to be some opportunities to play some strategy today,” he said. “We were fortunate to have a fast racecar and hit the strategy correct.”
KAHNE, LARSON BOUNCE BACK FROM EARLY CAUTION
On the seventh lap, Kyle Larson spun out and collected Kasey Kahne and Martin Truex Jr., forcing them back in the field. Through strategy, strong cars and work in the pits, Kahne came back to finish fifth while Larson earned an eighth-place result.
“We fought our way back to the top 5 and pretty much stayed there for most of the race, and then with under 50 laps to go I sped on pit road,” Larson said. “I was really bummed about that because I knew we would have a shot to win.
“Then I fought really hard after that to finish eighth, and I think [crew chief Chris Heroy] made great pit calls all day long, and I screwed up. I hate it, but still somewhat happy to get a top 10, just disappointed I let my team down.”
VICKERS SPINS ON FIRST LAP FINISHES 42ND
Brian Vickers, looking for his first win of the 2014 season, came to an abrupt halt Sunday, less than a lap into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
The Michael Waltrip Racing driver, 13th in points entering Sunday and a Sprint Cup winner at the track in 2009, slid up the track and into the Turn 3 wall on the opening lap.
His No. 55 Toyota spun down off the banking and onto the apron where it was hit on the front end by the No. 32 of Travis Kvapil.
“Going into Turn 3 and I expected to follow the 48 (of Jimmie Johnson) in there,” Vickers said after being released from the infield care center. “Just got really loose; I chased it all the way up to the wall and it just came around.”