Why NASCAR MIS race could be ‘chaos’ or ‘best race ever,’ per Michigan’s Brad Keselowski

Fans pack the grandstands during the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway could be a “wild card” race, according to Rochester Hills driver Brad Keselowski – which could be just what Michigan’s two drivers need.

Keselowski and Byron native Erik Jones haven’t qualified for the playoffs yet, and need a win in the next four races to qualify.

The new Next Gen car leaves teams with lots of questions heading into the 2-mile D-shaped oval in the Irish Hills.

“I don’t know what to expect,” Keselowski said. “It could be complete and utter chaos. It could be the best race ever. It could be somewhere in between. I don’t know. I think that’s, in some ways, part of the fun of Next Gen – the complete uncertainty every week of what’s going to happen.”

There have been more caution flags for crashes at many tracks this year, as drivers report the cars are tougher to drive than previous years.

Keselowski qualified 33rd for Sunday’s MIS race, Jones qualified 10th.

The new car is designed to look more like the Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s and Toyota Camrys that are for sale in the showrooms.

RELATED: Ford, Chevy, Toyota unveil NASCAR’s next generation cars, designed to look like showroom vehicles

Besides changing the design to look more like normal cars, other tweaks include switching to larger, 18-inch forged aluminum wheels with one lug nut instead of five, switching to an independent rear suspension and going to a five-speed sequential transmission instead of the traditional four-speed H-pattern transmission.

NASCAR is also bringing 670 horsepower engines to MIS this year. From 2019 to 2021, the cars were limited to 550 horsepower at the track after hitting 750 horsepower in the years before that.

Bubba Wallace qualified on the pole for Sunday’s race, notching the fastest qualifying lap of 2022 at 190.703. It’s the fastest qualifying lap at MIS since 2018.

(Can’t see the chart? Click here.)

“I think the racing’s going to be really good,” Jones said. “This car has exceled on the bigger tracks, and I think it’s going to put on a really good show.”

As far as winning, Jones said his best shot at a victory before the playoffs is either at Daytona or MIS. Keselowski predicts MIS will “be a tough race” for his team.

Jones recently signed a contract extension to stay with Petty GMS Motorsports. Keselowski is a part owner at Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing this year and is driving the No. 6 Ford, after spending more than a decade driving Team Penske’s No. 2 Ford.

Keselowski is trying to elevate his new team to contender status, but has struggled so far this year. He’s 29th in points – but says the team is on the upswing in recent weeks.

“I’m in this for the long haul. I’m 38 years old, and statistically, I’m still a few years from my prime,” Keselowski said. “I think it’ll bear fruit with a little bit of patience. I appreciate the fans who are sticking with me as we’re turning a new leaf.”

‘Being home is always good’

No Michigan-born driver has ever won a Cup Series race at MIS. Jones hopes a little home cooking will help him change that Sunday.

“I’ll still be staying at the childhood home again, which is cool, I enjoy that. I’ll spend some time with my mom,” Jones said. “Being home is always good.”

Whenever Jones is back in Michigan, one of his first stops is always Big John’s Steak and Onion. The chain has a few locations near his home in the Flint/Owosso area.

A group of Jones’ friends and family are coming out to the race, with plans to tailgate before the race and then watch the racing from the grandstands. Jones hopes to catch up with them during the pre-race tailgate.

Keselowski is hoping for a good turnout at his home track. MIS sold out the infield campsites for the first time since 2012 – although part of that is due to the track going from two race weekends pre-pandemic to one race weekend now, as NASCAR diversifies its schedule.

Fans need to keep showing up if they want to keep MIS on the schedule for years to come, Keselowski said.

“I would say every race track right now on the circuit is fighting for their lives to keep their spot on the schedule. And as much as I love Michigan, it’s in that same spot,” Keselowski said. “I don’t think NASCAR will ever abandon the market. But I do look at Roger Penske’s (IndyCar) event (on Belle Isle) that he’s put on for the past few years, and it’s been very successful.”

But MIS is “probably in some good graces right now” with NASCAR, Keselowski said, because of great crowds and a great atmosphere in recent years.

“The fans vote, ultimately, with their tickets and whether they buy them or don’t buy them,” Keselowski said. “That’s the clearest measuring stick we can hold a track accountable towards, and we need to do that.”

MORE FROM MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Kurt Busch will miss Michigan NASCAR race due to head injury

Winless in 29 years of racing, Michigan driver still having fun – and setting milestones

NASCAR at MIS: Race televised on new channel for 2022

Crediting 10 to 12 hours of sleep, 19-year-old Ty Gibbs wins Saturday at MIS

Bubba Wallace qualifies 1st at Michigan, notches NASCAR’s fastest lap of 2022

‘My liver can’t handle two races’: Scenes from a sold-out MIS infield

Last year, a University of Michigan loyalist drove the No. 2 car. This year, it’s a Buckeye.

NASCAR in Michigan: 12 burning questions as the series hits the Irish Hills

Comfortable on the mower and in the board room, new MIS president ready for NASCAR weekend

MIS sells out infield campsites for NASCAR for first time since 2012

After 2 long years, reopened border allows Canadian race fans to return to MIS

For an updated list of stories from MIS this NASCAR race weekend, click here.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

X

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

If you opt out, we won’t sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.