The 2017 Winston Cup Series: Larson does it again

Kyle Larson celebrates after winning the Pure Michigan 400. Larson led only 2 of 200 laps to sweep MIS in 2017, the first season sweep at Michigan since Bobby Labonte in 1995.

     Kyle Larson has done it again. Just when he needed a win to rebound from a rough summer, he got it at Michigan. He did in style too, with a late restart pass that was nearly 4-wide with Martin Truex Jr., Erik Jones, and Matt Kenseth. Larson's win at the Pure Michigan 400 is his third of the season, and third straight at Michigan. He now joins David Pearson and Bill Elliott in distinction; they are the only drivers who have won three straight at the track (Elliott won four straight). It's hard to believe one year ago, Larson went to victory lane for the first time. He's really proved he can master these fast, wide-open tracks. Martin Truex Jr. settled for 2nd, Erik Jones finished a career-best 3rd at his home track, and Trevor Bayne came home with a nice 5th place finish. Brad Keselowski, who dominated much of the race, wound up in 17th.

Cars line up on pit road Friday for Pure Michigan 400 qualifying

     Being a Michigan native, I was looking forward to seeing some live NASCAR action again this year. I unfortunately had to work Sunday, so I thought practice and qualifying on Friday would be a good substitute. Watching qualifying live, my picks for the win Sunday were Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney. Blaney actually held the fastest times in the first two rounds of qualifying, but lost speed in the last round. From what I remember, I actually wrote off Kyle Larson because he only qualified 9th... Guess I was wrong!
     Aside from an rough crash involving Kasey Kahne and Daniel Suarez, this year's Pure Michigan 400 was a fairly clean race. The first two stages ran caution-free, and if not for two late cautions, Truex Jr. was looking at his 5th win of the year. Keselowski led 105 laps and dominated early, but once again finished outside the top-10.

     Here's a look at the "classic" standings after Michigan. Truex Jr. widened his lead on everyone except Larson. Suarez's crash cost him a spot in the top-10, replaced by his teammate Matt Kenseth. If you're wondering where Jimmie Johnson is, he's back in 15th, well out of Winston Cup title contention. Whether Johnson is sandbagging because he's qualified for the playoffs or just having a bad summer, he's hardly been consistent. Since his last win at Dover, he's picked up only two top-10's.
     Heading into Bristol this week, points-leader Truex Jr. is at a disadvantage. It's not his favorite track; he only has three top-10's there in 23 starts. A driver to watch will be Kyle Busch, he has 5 wins at the short track. Also, watch for Larson to be fast; he won the pole at Bristol back in the spring.
     As an extra treat, here's some more photos I took at Friday practice at MIS... click on the images for a closer look!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. heads out for practice Friday at MIS, next to a special tribute to him in the infield. It reads "Thanks Dale Jr."

Jeffrey Earnhardt prepares to head on-track for practice Friday at Michigan

Jeffrey Earnhardt during Friday practice at Michigan

Michael McDowell heads on-track for practice Friday at Michigan

Chase Briscoe, Matt Crafton, Christopher Bell and others during first Truck series practice Friday at Michigan. The truck drivers made things interesting, driving in packs and making passes, something no Cup drivers did during practice.

One of my favorite sites during Cup qualifying was Jeffrey Earnhardt helping push his team push the #33 car to the garage. Earnhardt is on the front nose of the Hulu Chevrolet.

Brad Keselowski on-track for qualifying at Michigan. Keselowski would go on to win the pole for the Pure Michigan 400.

A look from up high at Michigan International Speedway