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Dillon’s fast lap earns right to roll off last in Coors Light Pole Qualifying

As the fastest of three cars to crack 190 mph in the one and only NASCAR Nationwide Series practice at Michigan International Speedway on Friday, Austin Dillon will roll off last in Coors Light Pole Qualifying on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. ET on ESPN2. Dillon turned a lap at 190.789 mph, nearly half a mile an hour faster than his track record.

Track Qualifying Record:    Austin Dillon     06/16/12    37.8201    190.375

#    Car    Driver    Team
1    15    * Carl Long    RWR Ford                
2    74    * Juan Carlos Blum #    Oleofino’s Chevrolet                
3    00    * Ken Butler III    JW Demolition Toyota      
4    52    * Joey Gase    Donate Life Chevrolet          
5    23    Scott Riggs(i)    Rick Ware Racing Ford       
6    14    Eric McClure    Hefty/Reynolds Toyota        
7    24    Blake Koch    VIP Poker Toyota                
8    46    * JJ Yeley(i)    Curtis Key Plumbing Chevrolet                
9    4    Landon Cassill    Flex Seal Chevrolet            
10    01    Mike Wallace    Brooklyn Products International Chevrolet       
11    42    * Josh Wise    Curtis Key Plumbing Chevrolet                
12    40    Reed Sorenson    E-Swisher.com Chevrolet                
13    51    Jeremy Clements    Diamond Pistons Chevrolet                
14    10    * Jeff Green    TriStar Motorsports Toyota   
15    87    Joe Nemechek    AM/FM Energy Wood & Pellet Stoves Toyota        
16    44    Cole Whitt    Takagi Tankless Water Heaters Toyota            
17    79    Jeffrey Earnhardt #    Uponor Ford            
18    19    Mike Bliss    TriStar Motorsports Toyota      
19    92    * Dexter Stacey #    Maddie’s Place Ford  
20    11    Elliott Sadler    OneMain Financial Toyota  
21    20    Brian Vickers    Dollar General Toyota       
22    16    * Chris Buescher    Ford EcoBoost Ford      
23    22    Joey Logano(i)    Discount Tire Ford          
24    70    Johanna Long    Foretravel Chevrolet         
25    43    Michael Annett    Pilot Travel Centers Ford   
26    30    Nelson Piquet Jr. #    Worx Chevrolet         
27    12    Sam Hornish Jr.    Alliance Truck Parts Ford                
28    6    Trevor Bayne    Roush CleanTech Ford        
29    7    Regan Smith    TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet      
30    54    Kyle Busch(i)    Monster Energy Toyota      
31    60    Travis Pastrana    Roush Fenway Racing Ford                
32    99    Alex Bowman #    St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Toyota        
33    32    Kyle Larson #    Cessna Chevrolet            
34    5    Brad Sweet    Great Clips Chevrolet            
35    77    Parker Kligerman    Bandit Chippers Toyota                
36    2    Brian Scott    Shore Lodge Chevrolet           
37    33    Paul Menard(i)    Menards/Rheem Chevrolet                
38    31    Justin Allgaier    Brandt Chevrolet              
39    3    Austin Dillon    AdvoCare Chevrolet                
* Required to qualify on time, (i) Ineligible for driver points in this series

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Gordon first, Mears last in qualifying runs for the Quicken Loans 400

#

Car

Driver

Team

1

24

Jeff Gordon

Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet

2

16

Greg Biffle

3M/Give Kids a Smile Ford

3

15

Clint Bowyer

5-hour Energy Toyota

4

20

Matt Kenseth

Home Depot Husky Toyota

5

18

Kyle Busch

M&M’s Toyota

6

99

Carl Edwards

Fastenal Ford

7

30

David Stremme

Widow Wax Toyota

8

2

Brad Keselowski

Miller Lite Ford

9

10

Danica Patrick #

GoDaddy Chevrolet

10

51

Bobby Labonte

Phoenix Construction Services Chevrolet

11

56

Martin Truex Jr.

NAPA Auto Parts Toyota

12

44

Scott Riggs

No Label Ford

13

55

Mark Martin

Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota

14

43

Aric Almirola

Eckrich Ford

15

98

Michael McDowell

Phil Parsons Racing Ford

16

42

Juan Pablo Montoya

Target Chevrolet

17

35

Josh Wise(i)

MDS Transport Ford

18

14

Tony Stewart

Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet

19

7

Dave Blaney

SANY Chevrolet

20

87

Joe Nemechek(i)

Belle Tire Toyota

21

88

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

National Guard/Man of Steel Chevrolet

22

21

Trevor Bayne(i)

Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford

23

22

Joey Logano

Shell Pennzoil Ford

24

9

Marcos Ambrose

Stanley Ford

25

48

Jimmie Johnson

Lowe’s Chevrolet

26

5

Kasey Kahne

Farmers Insurance Chevrolet

27

34

David Ragan

Taco Bell Ford

28

19

Mike Bliss(i)

Plinker Tactical Toyota

29

1

Jamie McMurray

McDonald’s Chevrolet

30

33

Austin Dillon(i)

American Ethanol Chevrolet

31

36

JJ Yeley

Chevrolet

32

93

Travis Kvapil

Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota

33

47

AJ Allmendinger

Charter Toyota

34

17

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #

Zest Ford

35

29

Kevin Harvick

Budweiser Chevrolet

36

83

David Reutimann

Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota

37

11

Denny Hamlin

FedEx Express Toyota

38

38

David Gilliland

Long John Silver’s Ford

39

27

Paul Menard

Menards/CertainTeed Chevrolet

40

39

Ryan Newman

Quicken Loans Chevrolet

41

78

Kurt Busch

Furniture Row/Sealy Chevrolet

42

31

Jeff Burton

Caterpillar Chevrolet

43

32

Ken Schrader

Federated Auto Parts Ford

44

13

Casey Mears

GEICO Ford

 

* Required to qualify on time, (i) Ineligible for driver points in this series

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Three drivers top 190 mph in practice session

Related: All practice speeds | Full coverage from Michigan | Weekend schedule

Austin Dillon led the first and final NASCAR Nationwide Series practice at Michigan International Speedway with a lap time of 37.738 seconds, or 190.789 mph.

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It capped a great day of practice runs for Dillon, who is also driving the No. 33 Chevrolet for the Circle Sport team owned by Joe Falk in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. In the Sprint Cup Series practice just prior to the Nationwide Series practice, Dillon posted the 10th-fastest time.

All told, Dillon was one of three drivers to top the 190-mph mark during Nationwide practice.

The other two were second-place Justin Allgaier (190.688) and third-place Paul Menard (190.134).

The top 10 of Friday’s session had multiple drivers who have not yet competed in a Nationwide Series race at the 2-mile facility.

Among them: Parker Kligerman (fifth, 189.818), Kyle Larson (seventh, 189.8710 mph), Alex Bowman (eighth, 189.001 mph) and Travis Pastrana (188.887 mph).

Brian Scott (189.858 mph) was fourth Friday to complete the top five.

Also in the top 10: Brad Sweet (sixth, 189.514 mph) and Kyle Busch (10th, 188.635).

Series points leader Regan Smith was 11th with a speed of 188.585 mph.

The nearly two-hour practice session was Friday’s only action on the track for the Nationwide Series in advance of Saturday’s Alliance Truck Parts 250 (2 p.m. ET, ABC).

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Ford driver posts fastest time at manufacturer’s home track

Related: Qualifying results | Full coverage from Michigan | Weekend schedule

BROOKLYN, Mich. — No driver was able to break Marcos Ambrose’s track qualifying record of 203.241 mph, but Carl Edwards came close in qualifying for the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Friday.

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Edwards averaged a best speed of 202.452 mph as he ran his second lap in 35.564 seconds to earn his first career Coors Light pole at one of his best tracks. The Roush Fenway Racing driver managed to stave off a challenge from Kurt Busch, who hit the track fourth from last. Busch qualified at 201.879 mph (35.665).

Kasey Kahne (201.213, 35.783), who topped the leaderboard in the opening practice earlier Friday, was third. Paul Menard (200.803. 35.856), who is also running in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, and Aric Almirola (200.764, 35.863) rounded out the top five.

The top 10 includes Joey Logano (sixth), Austin Dillon, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Defending race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 12th, while points leader Jimmie Johnson, looking for his first Michigan victory, was 17th, one spot behind defending Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski.

Tony Stewart, who has been on a roll of late, was 14th after having to switch to a back-up car during practice after brushing the wall.

Ryan Newman was unable to build off his top-five finish at Pocono, qualifying 35th.

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Four drivers break 36 seconds, top 200 mph

Related: All practice speeds | Full coverage from Michigan | Weekend schedule

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Kasey Kahne was one of four drivers to run a lap under 36 seconds, topping the speed charts in the opening NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at Michigan International Speedway on Friday.

Kahne, who has one win, two poles and seven top-five finishes at the track, ran his 21st of 23 laps in 35.889 seconds, averaging a best speed of 200.619 mph. Two-time Michigan winner Kurt Busch followed suit in second, averaging 200.239 mph on his 15th of 20 laps. Aric Almirola (200.028 mph, 35.995 seconds) and Kevin Harvick (200.011, 35.998) were third and fourth, respectively.

Defending race-winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t far behind, pulling into the garage fifth on the leaderboard after running 15 laps, the 13th of which he completed in 36.014 seconds (199.922 mph).

Points leader Jimmie Johnson, still looking for his first Michigan victory, was eighth, while Michigan standout Carl Edwards was 10th.

Also in the top 10 were Mark Martin (sixth), Martin Truex Jr. (seventh) and Austin Dillon (10th).

Reigning Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski, racing in his home state, was 23rd on the leaderboard. David Ragan turned the most laps, running the two-mile circuit 28 times.

Tony Stewart finished 35th and had to switch to a back-up car after brushing the wall.

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Next win will be 1,000 for manufacturer at NASCAR national series level

Related: Nationwide Series qualifying order | Full coverage from Michigan | Weekend schedule

BROOKLYN, Mich. — When it comes to big moments, Trevor Bayne seems to find himself in the right place at the right time.

In 2011, he became the youngest winner of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ biggest event, capturing the Daytona 500 a day after celebrating his 20th birthday.

It was the 600th victory in the series for Ford Motor Co. and ended a lengthy drought for the legendary Wood Brothers Racing organization.

A week ago in Iowa, Bayne was making milestone news again. His NASCAR Nationwide Series victory in the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford was No. 200 in the series for the automaker.

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Bayne has three career victories across both the Cup and Nationwide series. Ford has a combined 999 wins in Cup, Nationwide and the Camping World Truck Series.

There are no guarantees, but Ford officials already have a banner celebrating win No. 1,000 waiting to be unveiled, just in case.

“They told me when we were getting off the plane this weekend we were going for the 1,000th win and for some reason we love getting those milestone victories,” Bayne said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. “I feel kind of bad because those guys worked hard to get 599 (in Cup) and I came in and got the 600th, and then I did get to contribute to another one of the 199 (in Nationwide) before last weekend, but it’s so cool to be a part of Ford.”

Bayne qualified 25th Friday for Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400 Sprint Cup Series race. Qualifying for Saturday’s Alliance Truck Parts 250 is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. ET.

Riding a streak of three straight top-10 Nationwide Series finishes, Bayne has climbed from 12th to ninth in points in the past three races.

His team, which won back-to-back titles with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., is beginning to come around, he said.

“We just needed to stick to the basics, not try too hard and just realize that other teams have gotten better this season,” Bayne said. “What Ricky had might not work for me and don’t be so scared to change the cars. I was like, ‘Man, this car won here last year, I’ve got to leave it alone.’ I was kind of scared to change things. I’d give feedback, but I wanted to stay with the basics.”

The Iowa win “really helped” open him up to making changes, he said. After Stenhouse won three consecutive races there, the team struggled when Goodyear changed the tire combination.

“So I knew we’d have to work on the package,” Bayne said. “We went there with the mindset, ‘let’s rip this thing apart, change everything on it and get it dialed in.’ We got it fixed for me, (got) what I needed and it paid off.”

JR Motorsports driver Regan Smith leads the points standings, with Sam Hornish Jr. (Penske Racing) second and trailing by 23 points.

Justin Allgaier (Turner Scott Motorsports), Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing) and Elliott Sadler (Joe Gibbs Racing) round out the top five in the standings.

Bayne trails Smith by 80 points. He says he’s confident his team, led by crew chief Mike Kelly, can make up the deficit. The group, he said, has remained focused.

“After coming off of two championships it would be easy to get down if you had a couple bad races,” Bayne said, “but they stayed motivated and didn’t let that snowball. A lot of that is because of Mike Kelley’s leadership and the guys on the team want to win races.

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Will pilot the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet in the Quicken Loans 400

Related: Qualifying results | Full coverage from Michigan | Weekend schedule

BROOKLYN, Mich. — The phone call interrupted the interview, but when your team owner is on the other end of the line, it’s a good idea to stop what you’re doing.
 
The conversation was brief, but light as Bobby Labonte, having posted the 12th fastest time in the opening NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice session at Michigan International Speedway, chatted with Phoenix Racing owner James Finch. A debrief via cell phone.
 
The 2000 NASCAR Cup champion and 1991 Nationwide champ, Labonte will be making his 705th Cup start in Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400 at MIS. He will be driving the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet.

"If (JTG Daugherty) can be better a year from now without me … or two days from now, well … That’s all I know."

— Bobby Labonte

Since 2011, Labonte, 49, has piloted the No. 47 entry for JTG Daugherty Racing. Team officials, however, said this past week that Labonte was being pulled for a handful of races in favor of AJ Allmendinger.
 
The move was reportedly made to give the single-car team additional feedback from a separate source. The organization debuted in 2009 with Marcos Ambrose behind the wheel. His 18th-place points finish that first season remains the high-water mark for the group.
 
Finch, upon hearing the news of Labonte’s situation, contacted Labonte and offered him a ride for the Michigan race. It’s not the first time the two have worked together — Labonte drove 14 races for the team in 2010.

Labonte, who has 21 career Cup wins, is scheduled to return to the seat of the No. 47 for the June 23 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway.
 
“I’ve got a Clorox … lunch in Oakland next Thursday,” Labonte said. “What do you read into that? I’m going to Sonoma. I guess that means I’m going, right?"
 
Clorox is one of the primary sponsors for the JTG Daugherty team. Allmendinger’s limited schedule with the team includes those for which sponsorship is still being sought.
 
“That’s what I was told,” Labonte said. “Just do this for five races. That’s fine.”
 
One of the events, Watkins Glen, falls on the same weekend as the annual Sturgis (S.D.) motorcycle rally, a fact not missed by Labonte.
 
“Not saying I’m going,” he said. “It’s not what I want to do because I have a passion for what I do, or I wouldn’t have been here today.
 
“If (JTG Daugherty) can be better a year from now without me … or two days from now, well …
 
“That’s all I know. That’s what I was told. When you’re told that … that’s what you believe.”
 
Labonte won the 2000 Cup title while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. His ’91 Nationwide title came with his family-owned team.
 
He has won some of the sport’s most noteworthy events, including the Southern 500 at Darlington, S.C., and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. He has three career wins at MIS.
 
“Here’s the funny thing,” Labonte said. “Monday was a bad day. I’m going up Interstate 85, going home and there’s a sign on the highway. It says Trinity, North Carolina, City of Vision. And the sign below it says ‘Home of Bobby Labonte, 2000 Cup champion.’
 
“Well it rained all day. I’m driving home and somebody had mowed that sign down. I took a picture of it. I said, ‘you just think you’re having a bad day until somebody knocks down your sign. Then you know you’re having a bad day.’
 
“I had to laugh about it. That’s all you can do.”

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Hendrick, Gibbs say driver doesn’t have facts straight

Related: Qualifying results | Full coverage from Michigan | Weekend schedule

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski says there will be limitations to the amount of information shared between Penske Racing and Roush Fenway Racing, in part because the information can fall into the wrong hands.
 
Both groups field Fords, and a push is underway to have the two work more closely together in an effort to become more competitive. Ford drivers have won just two of this year’s 14 Cup races.
 
"What keeps it from going too far,” Keselowski told media Friday at Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., “is the fact that Hendrick (Motorsports) and (Joe) Gibbs (Racing) have this nasty little habit of going to other teams and outbidding other people and taking those employees and stealing our information.

"(Keselowski) … should be focused on his own program and competing at a high level."

— Rick Hendrick

When that happens, he said, it “puts walls up between the camps because you are giving up more than one piece of information — you are giving up two companies’ information.”
 
HMS fields Chevrolets for four Cup teams while JGR operates three Toyota-branded teams in the series.
 
Team owner Rick Hendrick responded to Keselowski’s comments Friday, with the group issuing a statement in which Hendrick said the defending champion’s reported comments “were misinformed.”
 
“The truth is that we hired one tire changer, who was a backup for Penske and whose contract was up,” Hendrick said. “We also brought over one mechanic from their Nationwide program and, when the Penske engine shop was closing, added a few of those people. What Brad left out was that his organization also hired one of our tire changers.”

Penske Racing shut down its NASCAR engine shop at the end of the 2012 season when it made the switch from Dodge to Ford. Its engines are now provided by Roush Yates Engines.
 
“All of this was above board and is part of doing business in a competitive environment,” Hendrick said. “I take no issue with any of it, and I expect Roger would say the same.”
 
Keselowski “misrepresents the facts and spends a lot of time making insinuations and accusations about other teams when he should be focused on his own program and competing at a high level,” he said. “I hope he figures that out and begins representing himself and the sport with more class.”

JGR owner Joe Gibbs responded to the Keselowski comments as well, calling them “misguided and irresponsible.
 
“Brad’s candor is well documented,” Gibbs said, “but he would do well to only speak to subjects on which he is properly informed. …
 
“We look forward to competing with Brad on the race track, but hope that he will use better judgment in the future before making such misinformed claims andaccusations.”  

Keselowski said Friday that in responding to the sharing of information between the two Ford camps, “I just commented on there will always be limitations to our relationships company to company, because of those transactions.”
 
Asked via Twitter about Hendrick’s comments, Keselowski responded: “Respect him a ton and would rather focus on #lefturn and @mispeedway,” referencing this week’s passing of former NASCAR competitor Jason Leffler and this weekend’s Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.

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‘We’re racers,’ says Edwards and they’ll continue to race whenever and wherever

DEARBORN, Mich. – When they aren’t competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, it isn’t unusual to find Cup drivers at local short tracks, racing anything from winged Sprint cars to full-bodied Late Model Sportsman entries.

The threat of injury perhaps much higher, the financial reward much lower. Yet still they race.

Jason Leffler’s death June 12 in a 410 Sprint car at Bridgeport Speedway in Swedesboro, N.J. won’t change that.

"We’re racers. It’s not something any of us want to think about because we love racing so much."

—Carl Edwards

“I just got a dirt Sprint car helmet painted up the other day,” Roush Fenway Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. said Thursday during a stop at Ford world headquarters prior to this weekend’s Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.

“People that love to race go race. Jason loved to race.

“You still have to enjoy life and enjoy the things you do. This is our job over here, and we love our jobs, but you still have to go do the things you enjoy.”

Stenhouse, a two-time Nationwide Series champion, is competing for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors for RFR. He said he “ran a Modified race in Pocono” while there for this past weekend’s Cup race.

Team co-owner Jack Roush “has been very supportive of us doing things” outside of the Cup program, Stenhouse said.

“He knows every time I go dirt racing. They are aware of it. … I think different owners look at it in different ways. They definitely have a lot invested in us; they’ve got a lot riding on it as well. But Jack’s been very supportive of it.”

Defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski said drivers assume risk every time they climb behind the wheel. Those risks increase, he said, when it’s done at a local track.

“They are surrounded by less resources safety-wise,” he said, “and they are surrounded by more hazardous conditions, whether it’s the track itself, the cars they are running and the rules, or even the competitors. And that can be a very dangerous combination. Unfortunately, we saw that.”

Then why take the risk at all? Why put yourself in a compromising position that could impact, or perhaps end, a career?

“We all know that racing is dangerous,” fellow RFR driver Carl Edwards said. “Anything you race.

“We’re racers. It’s not something any of us want to think about because we love racing so much.”

From 2005 through 2011, Edwards competed full-time in the Nationwide and Cup series. He stopped competing in Nationwide to focus on winning a Cup title, he said, not because of any concern over injury.

Tony Stewart often competes in World of Outlaws series events in addition to his efforts in the Cup series, where he is a three-time champion.

Stewart “races Sprint cars more than a lot of people that race Sprint cars full time” said Stenhouse Jr.

Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, David Reutimann as well as several others often can be seen racing at local venues when the schedule allows.

“I guess it’s changed somewhat over a period of time,” Richard Petty, whose Richard Petty Motorsports fields Cup teams for drivers Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola, said. “It was one of those deals before where, when it came to a big race like Daytona, where you worked all winter (to prepare), you didn’t want your driver running (other races) then.

“After that, you’d say ‘OK. These guys have got to have a life, they’ve got to do other things.’

“Driving a race car is just like shooting pool or bowling or golf, the more you do it, the better you’re going to be. Even if you’ve got different equipment, you’re still going keep that edge.

“From that standpoint, we didn’t have any issues with that sort of thing.”

Leffler, a former NASCAR regular whose only 2013 national series start came just three days earlier at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, was winless in 73 starts at the Cup level. He won twice in the Nationwide Series where he enjoyed a five-year run of top-10 points finishes.

He also earned one win in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series, a 2003 victory at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.

“I was a huge Jason Leffler fan when I was racing my local dirt track because he was breaking records and winning races and USAC championships in the late ‘90s,” Edwards said.

"Just an awesome guy, an awesome competitor, always a real solid guy that you could go talk to about anything and he’d shoot you straight."

His passing will give them pause, but it won’t stop racers from doing what they do best.

“Hopefully this opens people’s eyes to the fact that … life is a mist, it’s here and then it’s gone,” said 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne. “I just hope people will remember that — that you’re only here for a short time and what you do with that (time) is really important.”

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All the news from Michigan International Speedway

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series are on the track this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The Camping World Truck Series is on a break until resuming competition when all three series head to Kentucky Speedway for the last weekend of June.

• Sprint Cup Series: Quicken Loans 400 results | Standings

• Nationwide Series: Alliance Truck Parts 250 results | Standings

Hendrick has a rough go at Michigan

With Kasey Kahne, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson looking strong at the start of the race, Hendrick Motorsports had a disappointing showing in the Quicken Loans 400 — along with a blown tire, unavoidable wreck and blown engine. | Read the full story

Edwards, Biffle spar over teammate responsibilty

Carl Edwards started the Quicken Loans 400 from the pole on Sunday in a prime position to win. He held the front spot for a total of 16 laps, and lost his chance of winning with an unlucky pit strategy and a lack of help from his teammate Biffle, finishing in eighth. | Read the full story

Hamlin struggles to keep Chase hopes alive

Denny Hamlin was hoping for a strong finish at one of his best tracks to keep his team in contention for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Unfortunately, the No. 11 FedEx Toyota struggled despite constant adjustments, and a 30th-place finish for Hamlin was the result. | Read the full story

Biffle wins the Quicken Loans 400

Greg Biffle won the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway as Jimmie Johnson hit the wall with three laps to go. | Read the full recap

Michigan gives standings a shuffle

Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway could have been a saving grace for several drivers, but instead ended up dashing their hopes. Among them: Most of Hendrick Motorsports‘ roster. | Read the full story

Biffle gives Ford win number 1,000

With the No. 16 car headed to Victory Lane, Ford made a milestone win: 1,000 trips to Victory Lane for the manufacturer in NASCAR national series. The win comes in the 110th year of the company. | Read the full story

Hamlin honors Leffler with paint scheme

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing pay tribute to the first FedEx driver, Jason Leffler. | Read the full story | Paint Scheme Preview | Jason Leffler coverage

NASCAR honors past and present fathers

NASCAR is a sport passed down from one generation to the next. Watch some famous fathers and sons talk about what the day and their dads mean to them. | Watch the video here

Kurt Busch poised

The resurgence of former Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch at Furniture Row Racing has made for one of the season’s best early success stories. But one thing’s missing — a win — though dramatic recent gains in performance suggest that breakthrough should be around the corner. | Read the full story

Regan rules at Michigan

Regan Smith stretched his advantage in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings, emerging late for his second victory of the season. He held off intense pressure from top rookie Kyle Larson to notch his third career win in the series. | Read the full story

Busch’s Saturday sweep

Two practice sessions for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series had a common denominator — Kurt Busch atop the practice chart. The No. 78 Chevrolet edged pole-starter Carl Edwards by topping 200 mph in the first practice of the day, then bookended the sessions by besting Kasey Kahne in final practice in race trim. | Practice 2 report | Final practice report

History for Dillon

Austin Dillon continued his mastery of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying, landing a record fourth straight Coors Light Pole Award with a speedy 191.882 mph lap at Michigan International Speedway. His pole streak led a 1-2-3 qualifying sweep by Richard Childress Racing with Paul Menard and Brian Scott completing the top three. | Read the full story | Nationwide pit stall assignments

Fund for Leffler’s son

A trust fund benefiting the son of Jason Leffler, who died in a racing accident Wednesday, has been established. Monies will go directly to the needs of 5-year-old Charlie Dean Leffler. Memorial services are scheduled Wednesday in Cornelius, N.C. | Read the full story | Jason Leffler coverage

Strong response

Rick Hendrick and Joe Gibbs both issued strongly worded statements on Friday, addressing Brad Keselowski’s comments about their respective teams. Both said the defending Sprint Cup champion should keep his focus on the track. | Read the full story

Special sequel

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s history at Michigan is good. In fact, he’s the defending race champion. What will Junior do for an encore? He’s targeting another win, and his competitors and teammates think he’s got a real shot to do it. | Read the full story

Sprint Cup: Qualifying

Carl Edwards sped to the Coors Light Pole award at Michigan International Speedway with a lap faster than 202 mph. Also in the top five are Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Paul Menard and Aric Almirola. | Read the full story

At 999

Trevor Bayne won the 200th NASCAR Nationwide Series race for Ford last week. Now he’s in position to win the manufacturer’s 1,000th race at the NASCAR national series level. Bayne always seems to be in the right place at the right time. | Read the full story

Bumps in the road

Tony Stewart was forced to his back-up car after brushing the wall during the opening NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice. He’s still recovering from the news of the death of his friend Jason Leffler, too. | Read the full story

Labonte welcomes new ride

Bobby Labonte is out of his customary No. 47 Toyota for this week’s race at Michigan, but he’s fine with being in Phoenix Racing’s No. 51. He reiterated Friday that, from his understanding, this is a part-time arrangement. | Read the full story

Sprint Cup: First practice

Kasey Kahne led the field in Friday’s first practice, and he was one of four drivers to top the 200-mph mark during a session of 90 minutes. Also in the top five: Kurt Busch, Aric Almirola, Kevin Harvick and last year’s winner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. See complete results here. | Read the full story

Viewer’s Guide

How are you watching the races at Michigan International Speedway? Find out how to get the latest information from wherever you are in this week’s Viewer’s Guide, which includes practice times, interview schedules and more. | Read the full story

Nationwide Series: Practice

Austin Dillon posted the fastest time during Friday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series final practice. The driver was one of three to top 190 mph. Rounding out out the top five were Justin Allgaier, Paul Menard, Brian Scott and Parker Kligerman. | Read the full story