Australian Marcos Ambrose set the track record last Saturday while shooting for pole position in the Michigan 400, with a lap at 35.426 seconds and an average speed of 203.241 mph (327.075 km/h). Race day rain delayed the start by two hours – Ambrose started on pole and led the pack for 8 laps with the lead constantly changing and as the race unfolded, Ambrose took it right up with the leaders fighting for position before holding on to finish in ninth place.
Dale Earnhardt Jnr., whose father was killed during the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, claimed victory in the 644-kilometre race at the Michigan International Speedway. Earnhardt Jnr. led for 96 laps finishing 5.4 seconds ahead of defending series champion Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth third.
This weekend’s NASCAR race will be run on a road circuit in Sonoma California favouring Marcos Ambrose’ driving experience more so, than the traditional banked-track raceways.