NBCSN Analyst Kyle Petty on Brad Keselowski’s home track advantage: “A Michigan driver has never won at this race track. To win here would be huge for him.”
Jack Roush’s philosophy on flying and driving, in his Countdown to Green feature: “If I have survived the day, if I’ve had a good trip, then I have done something well.”
Brooklyn, Mich. – August 16, 2015 - NBCSN presents NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing from Michigan International Speedway this afternoon. Coverage began with NASCAR America Sunday presented by DraftKings, followed by the Countdown to Green, Served by Sonic pre-race show. Krista Voda hosted the pre-race action alongside NASCAR on NBCSN analyst Kyle Petty, and 2009 Sprint Cup winner at “MIS” Brian Vickers.
Kelli Stavast, Dave Burns, Mike Massaro and Marty Snider reported from pit road leading up to today’s green flag, while specialty reporter Rutledge Wood explored the track. Inside the NBCSN broadcast booth, race announcer Rick Allen, 21-time Sprint Cup winning driver Jeff Burton, and Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte offered their perspectives.
Countdown to Green featured a sit down interview between Burton and his old boss, CEO of Roush Fenway Racing, Jack Roush. Roush shared his philosophies on life and optimistic viewpoints on the future for Roush Fenway Racing. Burton also gave viewers a tour of NASCAR’s fastest track, from behind the wheel of NBC Sports’ Toyota Camry On Track Car. Wood caught up with Mobsteel custom car builders Adam and Pam Genei, as they previewed the premiere of their upcoming show. NBCSN’s new custom-car show, Mobsteel, makes its debuts today immediately following Sprint Cup Series Racing from Michigan.
The following are highlights from this afternoon’s NASCAR Sprint Cup pre-race coverage on NBCSN.
Jamie McMurray to Snider on his race for the Chase: “It is really no different. We are still racing every week to get the best finish we can.”
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver with the most wins of any active driver at “MIS,” Greg Biffle, to Dave Burns: “I think we have an opportunity to win here today…If we can get our track positions and things go well for us today, I think we could win one of these things.”
Vickers on the new high-drag aerodynamics package: “It is going to be different. Indy and Michigan are very different race tracks. This package here at Michigan is about Michigan verses Michigan. They are trying to make the Michigan race better, and that is what this is about for NASCAR.”
Kasey Kahne to Massaro on his tough season and chances of making the Chase: “Today will be interesting. We will see what happens. Bristol, Darlington and Richmond are all tracks that we can win at. We still have a shot for sure.”
Kyle Busch to Stavast on starting at the back of the pack: “As the race changes and progresses, hopefully our car is good all day, and we can make our way up through the field.”
Petty on Keselowski’s home track advantage: “This is Michigan, a Michigan driver has never won at this race track. To win here would be huge for him.”
Burton’s thoughts on the front straightaway from behind the wheel of the On Track Car: “In the front straightaway we are going to see people passing at the bottom of the track. It is rough; if you get down here you are going to see a lot of sparks flying, as your car bottoms out.”
Burton on the high-drag aerodynamics package at “MIS”: “We ran this high-drag package at Indy with mixed results, but Indy is a one groove racetrack. This race track has two grooves on the bottom and two grooves on the top. There is a place for drivers to go here rather than just following another car. That could make the package work well at Michigan.”
Jack Roush’s philosophy on flying and driving, in his Countdown to Green feature: “If I have survived the day, if I’ve had a good trip, then I have done something well.”
Roush’s thoughts on retirement: “I am 73-years-old and I am still working every day. People ask me why do you work. They haven’t figured out that they don’t need to pay me. I would come and do what I do for fun every day.”
Jeff Burton on Roush’s philosophy: “What really struck me was that he still has enthusiasm. He still has a great deal of passion for what he is doing. He emphatically said to me many times, they are going to fix Roush Racing. That Roush Racing is going to find their way back to the top.”
Biffle to Burton on the new aerodynamics during the pace lap: “We haven’t been grouped up yet going at the green, with 20 cars around us. We really don’t know what to expect…I have been around a few cars but not this many, so turn one is going to be exciting.”
Letarte on the mandated air ducts required in today’s race to cool the car down: “As crew chiefs, we are selfish. If we think we would have an advantage we would probably take that gamble, and leave them sealed up.”
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