NASCAR on TV this week

Four Burning Questions in Michigan: High Speeds, Stakes & Attrition

Do you like speed? Do you like it when race car drivers pilot their beastly machines on the very limit of traction?

If you answered yes to the above questions, this weekend’s Quicken Loans 400 from Michigan International Speedway will likely be of interest to you. Record speeds have been the big story of the weekend, with Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick blistering the track record in qualifying with a lap of 204.557 mph.

The speeds are faster than ever, but will the racing be just as hot and heavy? That’s the question on most people’s minds as we head into what could very well be one of the more unpredictable races of the year.

1. Will the high speeds lead to excitement or boredom?

Necessary opinion: Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400 should be a restrictor plate race. It obviously is not a plate race at this time, but it absolutely should be for a variety of reasons. With the way the track is configured, the current tire compound is not well-suited for the track, because it is too hard to put on competitive racing and there is risk for blistering as a result. The risk is not as great as it was in 2012, when the track was first repaved, but the risk is there nonetheless. Then of course you have the safety debate of what would happen if a car going 215 mph somehow ended up in the stands.

On top of all of that, the high speeds exacerbate the aero-push situation to an extreme degree under the current aero configuration, which only makes passing more difficult. With all of these factors at play, I’m really not sure why NASCAR chose not to slow the cars down, either with a tapered spacer or with a restrictor plate. The racing would undoubtedly have been much better, drafting would be in play to a greater effect and the race would be safer. Oh, well.

Jimmie Johnson does a burnout after winning at Dover. (Don Grassmann/CIA STOCK PHOTO)
Jimmie Johnson does a burnout after winning at Dover. (Don Grassmann/CIA STOCK PHOTO)

Speeds are going to be a major discussion point tomorrow, and one would be wise to pay attention to how those high speeds affect the on-track product. Spoiler alert: they won’t have a positive effect.

2.Will the Hendrick-powered cars make a mockery of the field?

A quick survey of the garage area knowledge base will tell you one thing: Hendrick Motorsports-powered cars have a distinct horsepower advantage at the moment. We saw it last weekend at Pocono, as the Hendrick and Stewart-Haas cars (who all sport Hendrick engines) were dominant, and Michigan is a similarly horsepower-intensive racetrack.

In last year’s running of the event, the Hendrick cars of Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. were all in a class of their own, but each fell by the wayside due to poor luck and mechanical issues. Despite this, their sheer advantage was impossible to ignore, and practice times from this weekend are telling a similar story heading into Sunday: Hendrick Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing cars will be difficult to beat, especially those of Johnson (Hendrick) and Harvick (SHR).

Of course, those advantages in horsepower could also be a curse. Many times in the past at Michigan, we have seen cars with horsepower advantages experience mechanical problems due to the stress caused by cars that push the envelope too much on a track that is hard on parts. The same thing could happen this year, and it will be a big story to watch.

3.Will Kyle and Kasey collide again?

I never imagined that I would be writing a question about a driver seeking revenge against another driver in a column, but alas.

I’m sure we all remember that Kyle Busch-Kasey Kahne feud that started sizzling last year. The feud largely involved five or six instances of Busch or another Joe Gibbs Racing driver running Kahne over while he did nothing about it. The feud reignited last week at Pocono in a very similar manner: Busch completely used up Kahne towards the end of the race, taking out both cars, which ultimately resulted in a whole lot of nothing in the way of reaction from Kahne other than something akin to an “I’m sick of this” kind of remark.

Nothing’s going to change; there will be no retribution and no fireworks out of either of these two drivers this week. Very few (if any) would be willing to issue payback at a track as fast and dangerous as Michigan, and considering the fact that Kahne is probably the least fiery driver in the garage, I am quite confident that he will not be retaliating, no matter what the talking heads want you to think.

4.Who’s gonna grab the the win?

As stated earlier, the Hendrick-powered cars will almost certainly be the class of the field. Their horsepower advantage is massive and they have all been fast throughout the weekend. The only real question is this: which one is the favorite?

The smart money is on Kevin Harvick. Harvick won all three rounds of qualifying, and he’s been one of the most consistently fast drivers in practice as well. Of course, Harvick has also had major reliability problems in 2014, and this is a track that has been known to be difficult on teams reliability-wise. My guess is that is the only thing that would stop the No. 4 team today, as it has truly just been that strong.

The Hendrick Motorsports cars will be strong as well, with Jimmie Johnson looking to be the fastest of the group, followed closely by Jeff Gordon.

If a Hendrick-powered car doesn’t win today, it would be a colossal upset.

Matt Stallknecht’s Pre-Race Predictions for the 2014 Quicken Loans 400:

  1.  4-Kevin Harvick
  2. 48-Jimmie Johnson
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 22-Joey Logano
  5.  2-Brad Keselowski
  6. 14-Tony Stewart
  7. 88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
  8. 41-Kurt Busch
  9.  5-Kasey Kahne
  10. 16-Greg Biffle
Sign up for the Frontstretch Newsletter

A daily email update (Monday through Friday) providing racing news, commentary, features, and information from Frontstretch.com
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.


23 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
try minecraft for free on ipad

try minecraft for free noobgamer

related resource site

how long does garlic last

stag.ceofox.com

Pretty portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually enjoyed account your weblog posts.
Any way I will be subscribing in your augment and even I fulfillment you get admission to consistently quickly.

klutchclub.zendesk.com

s video to component

www.ikarus.Com.Tr

robot vacuum cleaner reviews 2012

huytruong.besaba.com

日本の起源は中国とインドと大英帝国とドイツ帝国とアメリカ合衆国 → 日本は超エリート。
たぶん普通の会社ならはねられるが主婦相手の仕事だから要求がバンバンとおる
満州の矢追純一・究極朝鮮人モルモン飛鳥昭雄・ハローバイバイ関  ウリの歴史観が現実ニダ。 
平積みされたしょーもないマンガとかゲームアプリとかやって喜んでる30歳を明らかに過ぎている者を見かけると石平・黄文雄・呉善花の書籍を読んだりしようとは思わないのかと感じてしまう現実逃避バカ日本人。
ベンジャミン・ネタニヤフ、習近平、ウラジーミル・プーチン、アンゲラ・メルケル、バラク・オバマ、ベンジャミン・フルフォード、石平の地球物語でございます。

Read More

Sprinkle grass seed ahead and gently press the seed into the soil with
a finger. A large amount of people believe there is a lot of
labor involved with becoming greener and recycle to assist the
environment and a lot of people withdrawn away because of thinking
this.
Buddha Nose is made by Amy Galper, who is really a professional shiatsu practitioner located in New York.
Anamika Swami has wide knowledge of B2B Marketplace and Business industries.

https://tumiadvisorypanel.zendesk.com/entries/74475248-Laser-Weight-loss-Therapy

chromium polynicotinate or picolinate

Ticket.conimp.com.au

calories burned hiking per mile

http://pillsicalf.gamerdna.com/bio

apidexin reviews

report

The Whirlpool Corporation just made the worlds first energy-efficient top-load dryer that acts just like a front-load –
knowning that is the Cabrio Dryer. These cycles are designed to provide you with greater options and treatments for
how your clothing is washed.
Another nice feature offered through the De – Longhi DD45 may be the fan-only mode.

However, out of such four wash cycles, you will find the foundational features you need to get
your clothes clean.

Zendesk.Com

As odd because this may sound, you’ll find times once you’ll
come out a winner with minimum coins bet per line and begin to lose if you improve your bet.
The term in-the-money means you happen to be placing a wager on your chosen horse when of course,
if it lands on 1st, 2nd place or 3rd place.

Remember that max bet may be the secret on winning on any video
slot. You won’t wish to hold it for too much time because inside event that the cost is struck having a sudden drop you’ll lose money.

The many spread betting companies could have all of these listed to produce sure you
might have a wide selection to decide on from.
In sports betting, generally, there isn’t any single path to win significant.

here

This computer will be the deal to finish all deals for the
2010 Christmas season, especially as it ships having an Core i7 processor.
This unique Whirlpool Coin Operated Washing Machine are available online and through select retailers.

The following is really a review grounded as part of his experience with your machine so far.
A good composter dramatically reduces the waste that you simply
send to the landfill which enable it to help counteract black thumb within the garden department.

http://fixy.cool3c.com

best gaming laptop under 800

qulpi.com

You made some good points there. I checked on the internet
to learn more about the issue and found most individuals will go
along with your views on this web site.

stag.ceofox.com

free coupons applebees

whirlpool cabrio reviews

While this isn’t the largest washer within the industry, it’s going to provide you with ample space to clean larger tons of laundry.

These pipes are also corrosion free, robust and, they generally manage pressures.

Think about tearing a photograph and you discover the pieces then stick them up and you are
going to likely know who or what is on the shredded photograph.

This cycle has been specifically meant to eliminate bacteria that
triggers odors and actively works to hinder wrinkles from setting in the clothing.

http://www.Chess.com/

These cycles have been professionally developed to take
care of your laundry without causing damage to fabric
or colors. Electric pressure washers are utilized
for indoor, as properly as outdoor, cleaning, provided electricity is accessible.

By sheer accident, he made a decision to stick which has a brand name both of us knew, Maytag,
and considered himself very fortunate for ending up using the 4.
You will probably be able to rest assured that washing machine can last you decades, as it’s outfitted with
a stainless steel washing drum.

grouvia.com

free coupons online

https://aviso.zendesk.Com/Entries/28217155-online-store-product-customization-features

printable coupons mcdonalds

seo services

Why users still make use of to read news papers when in this technological globe everything is presented on net?

You can get a cash loan as soon as 1 hour. Fill out one easy form and search many lenders using 1 website. 500 fast cash. 500 payday loan. loan for 500. 500 loans. 500 cash loan. 500 dollar loan. 500 payday loan.

Howdy. I discovered your web site using bing. That is a really smartly published write-up. We will be likely to save the item along with revisit examine more of your techniques. Basically posting. I most certainly will undoubtedly give back.

Google

Always a major fan of linking to bloggers that I appreciate but don