After earning high marks Sunday in its
first race since being resurfaced, Pocono Raceway gives way
to yet another newly paved race trackthis week. Michigan International Speedway is the site
of Sunday's Quicken Loans 400, and
former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon said he expects another competitive
first outing.
"I am not a big fan of repaves,”
said Gordon after taking part in a Goodyear tire test at MIS in April. “So the
fact that I am talking positive about it -- and still enjoying the racetrack as
much as I always have -- is a sign that I think they did a great job. Whatever
it is about this track, it has always had a great feel to it.
"Instead of having to go in and
'recreate' (the feel) like some tracks have had to do, they were able to pave
over the top of what they had -- and fix whatever they could -- to keep it
lasting as long as possible."
In 38 starts at the Irish Hills
track, Gordon has two wins (1998 and 2001), five poles, 18 Top-5 and 24 Top-10s.
But the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion will need to find the groove(s)
quickly on the newly paved track if he is to battle for victory.
"It's a very fast track, but a
very comfortable-feeling pace," said Gordon. "The cars drove well and
they stuck to the race track. The track drives so similar to the way it did
before and I believe it's going to have multiple grooves. We just need it to
widen out a little bit, and that is only going to come with laps."
Gordon also said any previous similarities
between Auto Club Speedway and its sister track at MIS are now in appearance only.
"They are both two-mile tracks,
but there are not a lot of similarities now between the two," said Gordon.
"I don't think because you ran well at California, (it) translates to
running well (at Michigan). But I am really looking forward to the race this
weekend because we tested here and it went well, and because we've had strong
performances recently.
"Now we just need a strong
finish."
Photo Credit: NationalGuard.mil
Hopefully, he'll be involved in the good racing at the front of the field.
ReplyDeleteTony in OH
A comment about the TNT coverage on Sunday; it simply stunk. There was NO excuse for the miserable job they did. Unfortunately I did not have access to MRN so I had to suffer with the coverage provided. I don't care what excuses are made for them, they should have done better out of the gate. The friends I was with and my co-workers who watched generally agreed. With only SIX races to telecast, you'd think they'd try harder. And the commentary in the booth, simply put, amateurish. Give those 6 races back to Fox or ESPN next contract. At least those guys can afford a blimp.
ReplyDeleteThoroughly disgruntled for missing my MRN Sunday
Doug from NJ