Bragging rights are an important aspect of racing near the home of the American auto industry, where Ford drivers have had the upper hand for the last four years.
After Kyle Larson swept the 2017 season in a Chevrolet, Fords have won the last seven races at Michigan International Speedway, with Kevin Harvick contributing four victories during that span.
But with NASCAR’s switch to the Next Gen race car this season, 2019 race winner Joey Logano isn’t certain that Ford’s domination can continue this weekend.
“We’ll see,” Logano said. “It seems like short tracks have been a little bit more of our wheelhouse these days with the Next Gen car… I know the reasons, but hopefully this race track falls into our wheelhouse from an engine perspective. It seems like a lot of times that’s why we’ve seen so much success here is the Roush Yates power, especially on the top end, has been pretty good…
“This is one of those race tracks where it just takes everything. You’ve got to have power. You’ve got to have the right amount of downforce and right amount of drag out of it. You’ve got to hit that balance just right. You’ve got to call the race just right. Michigan is still Michigan. I don’t see that being very different than what it’s been in the past.”
Logano had the fastest Ford in Saturday’s time trials, qualifying fourth for Sunday’s Firekeepers Casino 400. The top three, and six of the top 10 starters are all Toyotas.
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