Cale Yarborough won the first NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway on June 15, 1969 — next Monday will mark the 40th anniversary of that win. Driving the Wood Brothers’ famed No. 21 car, it marked the first of 11 victories for that racing organization at MIS — most by any race team. This Sunday will mark the 80th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan. Other than 1973, which had just one race, there have been two races each season since 1969. The first Michigan race was 500 miles in length; the second was scheduled for 600 miles. Except for the last race in 1970 and both races in 1971 (when the races were 402 miles in length), all of the other races at MIS have been 400-milers.
David Pearson leads all drivers with nine victories at Michigan. Yarborough is next with eight wins. Among drivers still active, Bill Elliott tops the list with seven wins at MIS. Mark Martin is next with four. Speaking of Elliott, he has a chance this weekend to move past Ricky Rudd for most laps completed at Michigan. Rudd’s track record is 10,609 and Elliott has run 10,413 laps there. Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet) has won twice at this two-mile oval located in the Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan. “I love Michigan and would have to say it’s my favorite track,“ says the four-time series champion. “You would think my favorite track would be one that I’ve won a lot more at, but I love Michigan. It’s big and wide and fast; it has multiple grooves and you can run from the white line to the wall. You can change your angles in and off the corners. You can do so much there that to me, it’s just an all-around great track.”.jpg)
Race fans attending the event this weekend at Michigan will have some entertainment opportunities at their disposal. Detroit’s own Kid Rock will serve as Grand Marshal for the LifeLock 400 on Sunday. The multi-platinum recording artist will headline pre-race activities, including being recognized during driver introductions, give the famous command for drivers to start their engines and ride in the Grand Marshal car leading the field during the ceremonial parade laps. In addition, Kid Rock will join Robby Gordon (No. 7 Red Stag/Kid Rock Toyota Camry) in the speedway’s fan hospitality club, Acceleration, on Sunday morning.Kid Rock has a connection with several NASCAR drivers, including Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet). In 2004, Kid Rock sponsored Stewart’s car in the first NASCAR Nationwide Series race for Kevin Harvick Inc. at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. NASCAR fans will be treated to live entertainment in the New Holland Fan Plaza throughout race weekend. The headliner act on Saturday is “Majestic,” a tribute band to the ever-popular late 70s, early 80s sensation, Journey. Majestic will perform at 6:20 p.m. Opening for Majestic at 4:30 p.m. will be MIS crowd favorite cover band, “The River.”
