BROOKLYN, Mich. – Good things come to those who wait.
At least Chase Elliott hopes so.
Rain interrupted the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway for the second straight day on Sunday, pushing the race to Monday after 51 laps with Chase Elliott in the lead.
Qualifying for the event was also canceled due to weather conditions on Saturday, leaving the starting grid determined by NASCAR metrics. Sunday’s stoppage came shortly after the end of the first stage. Three Hendrick Motorsports drivers scored points in the stage, led by Elliott, who crossed the line second in the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. 9 NAPA Auto Parts. William Byron was just behind his No. 24 Chevrolet RAPTOR with Alex Bowman and the No. 48 Ally Racing finishes the first stage in ninth position.
A late stage spin by Denny Hamlin sent the teams in two different directions in terms of strategy. Most of the drivers faced six cars, including Byron, who remained on track to chase the stage points. When those cars stopped after the yellow flag came out, Elliott was able to take the lead just before the rain.
The start of the race was also postponed due to weather conditions. Originally scheduled for a green flag at 2:36 p.m., the green flag was not waved until 5 p.m.
Kyle Larson took the lead early in the race in his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet and led 34 laps in the first stage, but fell in the resumption, finishing 14th in the first stage. He was seventh at the time of the delay, third among Hendrick Motorsports drivers with Bowman fourth and Byron 27th after pitting during the stage break.
The race will resume at 11 a.m. and will be broadcast on the USA Network.
Larson, Elliott and Byron will start in the top 10 after NASCAR’s cancellation of qualifying.
Brooklyn, Michigan – Once again in 2024, Mother Nature won in a NASCAR Cup Series event.
This time, rain at Michigan International Speedway interrupted Cup practice and canceled Saturday’s qualifying.
Sunday’s race is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on USA Network.
The good news for Hendrick Motorsports? Three of its four drivers will finish in the top 10 on Sunday after the starting line is set according to NASCAR’s qualifying criteria.
Kyle Larson will start fourth in the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and looking for his fourth victory at the 2-mile D-shaped oval He has won three consecutive victories, visiting victory lane once in 2016 and winning two events in 2017. .
Just behind him on the outside line will be Chase Elliott, who starts sixth in the No. 1 Chevrolet. 1. . His 10.2 average at Michigan is the best among active drivers.
William Byron will also look to return to the Irish Hills and will have a new seat in the Chevrolet RAPTOR No. 1. four starts in Michigan, including a runner-up in 2021.
Rounding out the Hendrick Motorsports contingent will be Alex Bowman and the No. 48 Ally Racing team starting from the 22nd position. Bowman has three top-10 finishes at Michigan and is coming in ninth in 2022. Although practice was cut short, all four Hendrick Motorsports cars made track time and showed plenty of speed. Each driver turned in a fast lap that earned them a spot in the top 7 overall, with Larson (37.465 seconds) leading third. Byron was just 0.012 seconds back in fourth place in the speed standings, with Elliott (37.554) sixth and Bowman seventh (37.578).
