204.708 Miles Per Hour at Michigan Speedway

cloverleaf · Jun 15, 2012

Greg Biffle set a new practice-lap record, going almost 205 miles per hour. Biffle estimated he hit a top speed during Friday's practice of about 220 and that drivers would be able to hit near the 190 mark throughout Sunday's 400 mile race. A record 21 drivers exceeded 200 mile per hour to make the newly repaved two-mile track the fastest practice surface in sport.

The previous lap record at Michigan was 194.232, set by Ryan Newman in 2005. Speeds of up to 220 mph in a stock car is pretty hairy. One bad move and someone could get hurt badly or worse. Neither Daytona nor Talladega provide those kind of speeds.

:scared:

cloverleaf · Jun 16, 2012

NASCAR is changing left side tires for the race Sunday, and will hold an extra practice session tonight for the drivers. Teams were informed of the change Friday night, after a second day of high practice speeds. Goodyear says the higher speeds caused increased left side tire temperatures, leading the company to change its tire recommendation.

Safety first .............

cloverleaf · Jun 16, 2012

Marcus Ambrose won the pole with a posted speed of 203.241 mph. Forty drivers broke the previous record of 194.232 set in 2005 by Ryan Newman. The last pole winner to break 200 mph was Bill Elliott, 25 years ago at Talladega.

Top 10 Qualifiers
1. Ambrose
2. Harvick
3. Biffle
4. Kayne
5. Newman
6. Kenseth
7. Bayne
8. Stewart
9. Logano
10. Johnson