Early on this season we have watched the Ford based teams dominate on tracks larger than one mile. So much so that a few weeks back Chevrolet driver Tony Stewart compared the Chevy engine package as coming to a gun fight with a knife.
In 2011 they have won six of the 14 events including The Sprint All Star race and the Sprint Showdown event in May.
Last week was just the third time all season that a Ford didn’t finish in the top five. In fact, Matt Kenseth was the highest finishing Ford at Pocono in eighth.
The uncharacteristic day at Pocono started with a dropped valve for Carl Edwards and a untimely spin for Greg Biffle as the laps wore down.
This weekend Roush Fenway Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports heads to its manufacturers backyard of Michigan International Speedway.
Drivers Edwards, Kenseth and Biffle all have driver ratings over 100 at the two mile track. Between Wood Brothers Racing and RFR they have 11 wins combined; more than any other organization.
For Edwards, Biffle and Kenseth in 52 races at the Michigan track they have one DNF, 25 top fives and 35 top 10 finishes that go along with 6 wins between them.
Edwards on his team and organizations success at MIS,
"I feel like MIS takes every part of your team and taxes you. You have to have really good strategy, you have to have a great car and a big engine. The aero package has got to be spot on, and I feel like at Roush Fenway we’ve done a good job of having that whole package a lot of times. There’s extra incentive to win here. It’s right up the road from Ford for us, so we work really hard at this race and I think that’s why we run well here.
For RPM they are looking for their first win at MIS in a Ford. AJ Allmendinger hasn’t recorded a top five finish in seven starts at MIS.
His solid start to the season looks to continue after a disappointing 25th place finish at Pocono. For RPM they are searching for their first win of the season and with Ford power behind them Sunday could be the start.
After two years of struggling to catch the powerhouse Chevrolet’s in 2011 the Ford engine program has surpassed them.
Ford spent the last two years answering questions about its power struggles now they are sitting on top of the points’ standings with Edwards.
The turnaround has been incredible as they have a distinct advantage in the cooling system. Ford teams can run more tape on the front of their cars which allows them better down force especially on the intermediate tracks.
"I have seen the (chassis) dyno numbers and we are pleased with them," said Alba Colon, the GM Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup series program manager. "We have seen the numbers. We have discussed the numbers with our teams. I am pleased so far; we just have to keep working on it."
Being in the auto industries back yard is a big deal and to win there is an even bigger deal for every driver on the track on Sunday.
For the drivers at RFR and RPM they are hoping they can bring home Ford its 12th win on the two mile oval.
qoute:www.thatsracin.com
Written by:
