Given the statistics, you might think Joey Logano ran away with Monday’s rain-delayed Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
Yes, Logano led 163 of 203 laps at the two-mile track in the Irish Hills. He had the fastest car in qualifying on Saturday and the fastest car in the 15th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event of the season.
But after a late caution for Erik Jones’ spin into the infield grass below Turn 2, Logano needed overtime to seal the win. He needed a superb restart on Lap 202 to gain an edge. And he needed a determined drive over the last two laps, aided by spotter T.J. Majors, to hold off charging Kurt Busch by .147 at the finish.
Logano wasn’t about to reveal how he got such a good launch on the decisive restart.
“I can’t tell you everything I learned,” quipped the driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, who won for the second time this season, the third time at Michigan—all from the pole—and the 23rd time in his career. “You race this whole race, you keep building that notebook up.
“What a great execution day from our race car, obviously very fast. Our pit crew was amazing. T.J. Majors spotted his butt off up there. The race fans sticking around till Monday–you guys are the best. We love coming up to Michigan. Nothing like bringing a Ford to Victory Lane in their home turf, Roger Penske cars as well. This is a big win for us.”
Thanks to Logano’s victory, Ford Motor Company retained the Michigan Heritage Trophy that goes to the manufacturer of the winning car. Ford drivers have won the last three races at the 2.0-mile track.
Last week there was a thee-way tie for the lead, The Numbers Dude, The Highly Opinionated One, and The Cookie Mom. This week we have whittled one of those out and now have a two-way tie for the lead with Dan The Numbers Dude and Karen The Highly Opinionated Southern Belle.
THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF THE GO FAST
This week Linda R. The Lemonade Lefty used up her Joey Logano pick at just the right time! Not only did she pick the winner this week, but Sliced Bread administered an old fashioned blue collar butt whoopin’ in The Irish Hills of Michigan, the victory was signed, sealed and delivered!! The Lemonade Lefty racked up a very much needed 50 points this week.
Logano produced a victory signed, sealed and delivered!
THE MOVERS AND THE SHAKERS
Snoopy Dawn picked a fine time to choose the driver formally knowns as “The Outlaw”. Ol Kurt Busch rewarded Snoopy with huge boost in the standings and 48 big points!
Meanwhile, Karen The Highly Opinionated Southern Belle and Dan The Numbers Cruncher were riding shotgun with Freaky Fast Kevin Harvick. When the checkered flag fell at MIS The Closer delivered 39 points for each of these two players.
The mismatched trio of Kathy The Church Forecloser, Carole, aka Rudy, and Wild Bill The Pretzel Man were really hoping that Ol Rowdy could drive his way around Sliced Bread on that last restart to secure a victory for them. However, that was not in the cards, but he still produced 37 points for this threesome.
Rounding out the top five scorers for the week is Amber The Extremely Lucky Cheddar Head. Ol Cheddar Head apparently was wanting to practice her conversational Espanol as she was riding in the copilot’s seat with Daniel Suarez. Whether her Espanol improved or not at Michigan she still gathered up 33 points for the race! rumor has it that she may have learned a couple of new phases today. (1. Donde esta la playa? 2. Donde esta el bano?) LOL!
The single biggest mover this week is our resident midget racer, David The Mudslinging Throttle Jockey plummeting ten (10) spots to finally rest in 16th position this week. What a remarkable collapse we witnessed this week!
Conversely, Snoopy Dawn shot up like the launch of Apollo 11 from Cape Kennedy fifty years ago. Snoopy moved up seven (7) places to now sit in 6th place.
Carlton The Doorman, however, did not fair as well as his better half. The Doorman stumbled and fell five (5) places to now reside in 10th spot.
Linda R. The Lemonade Lefty and Wild Bill The Pretzel Man climbed up three (3) places on the leaderboard after Michigan to now occupy the 4th and 13th positions, respectively.
Rounding out the top five movers this week is a trio consisting of Linda B. The Cookie Mom, Leon Your Most Humble Sheriff, and Jeremy The Coach. The Cookie Mom and The Coach each slithered down two (2) positions to sit in 5th and 12th, respectively. However, Your Most Humble Sheriff excelled this week stepping up two places to own the 9th position this week.
STRAIGHT FROM THE CRAPPER
This week the winner of The Crappiest Pick of The Week goes to our resident dirt track racer, David The Mudslinging Throttle Jockey with his microscopic score of 2 points!
Even though The Mudslinger could only muster 2 points, it was not a sufficiently “crappy” day to evict Amber The Extremely Lucky Cheddar Head out of the comforts of “The Outhouse” this week!
Next week is Father’s Day and the Cup series has the weekend off. For those of you who are fortunate enough to still have your fathers, make it a special day for them!
TIL NEXT TIME, PULL THOSE BELTS TIGHT AND LET’S GO RACIN’!