NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Report - Michigan
June 7, 2025
FireKeepers Casino 400
Brooklyn, Michigan – June 7, 2025
- Austin Cindric, driver, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang Dark Horse - 11th
- Ryan Blaney, driver, No. 12 Menards/Knauf Ford Mustang Dark Horse - 13th
- Joey Logano, driver, No. 22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford Mustang Dark Horse - 15th
MICHIGAN MOMENTUM: Michigan International Speedway has been a cornerstone of Team Penske's success, with the organization securing 10 NASCAR Cup Series victories at the two-mile oval — the most recent achieved by Ryan Blaney in 2021. Across all racing disciplines, Michigan stands as Team Penske's second-most victorious track, amassing 26 total wins, trailing only the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ford Motor Company also has a storied history at Michigan, having won more than half of the 107 Cup Series races held at the track since it opened in 1969. That success includes the manufacturer winning nine of the last 10 Cup Series races at the Brooklyn track.
IN-SEASON CHALLENGE: Following last week's race at Nashville Superspeedway, the top 32 drivers in the Cup Series points standings qualified for the In-Season Challenge. The seeding for this bracket-style tournament will be determined over the next three races – Michigan, Mexico City and Pocono – based on each driver's best finishing position. Ties will be broken by second-best and third-best finishes, and if necessary, by overall points standings after Pocono. The Challenge officially kicks off at Atlanta, where drivers will compete head-to-head in elimination rounds. The final two drivers will face off at Indianapolis, with the highest finisher in that race claiming the $1 million prize.
EYES ON THE POSTSEASON: Ryan Blaney’s victory last weekend at Nashville means all three Team Penske drivers have now visited victory lane in 2025, joining Austin Cindric (Talladega) and Joey Logano (Texas) in clinching playoff berths. It marks the sixth time since 2018 that all three Team Penske entries have recorded wins in the same season, and the third quickest the team has achieved that feat, doing so within the first 14 races.
PRIME TIME: Catch the FireKeepers Casino 400 from Michigan International Speedway live at 2 p.m. ET Sunday on Prime Video, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).