2018 FireKeepers Casino 400


The 2018 FireKeepers Casino 400 was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on June 10, 2018 at Michigan International Speedway in Cambridge Township, Michigan. The 15th race of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, it was scheduled for 200 laps of the D-shaped oval, but was shortened to 133 laps due to rain.
Clint Bowyer took his second victory of the season and his tenth win overall.

Report

Background

The race was held at Michigan International Speedway, a moderate-banked D-shaped speedway located in Cambridge Township, Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas World Speedway, and was used as the basis of Auto Club Speedway. The track is owned by NASCAR. Michigan International Speedway is recognized as one of motorsports' premier facilities because of its wide racing surface and high banking.

First practice

Ryan Blaney was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 35.535 seconds and a speed of.

Qualifying

Kurt Busch scored the pole for the race with a time of 35.405 and a speed of.

Practice (post-qualifying)

Second practice

Kevin Harvick was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 35.871 seconds and a speed of.

Final practice

Final practice session for Saturday was cancelled due to rain.

Race

Stage results

Stage 1
Laps: 60
Stage 2
Laps: 60

Final stage results

Stage 3
Laps: 80

Race statistics

  • Lead changes: 9 among 7 different drivers
  • Cautions/Laps: 8 for 30 laps
  • Red flags: 1
  • Time of race: 2 hours, 15 seconds
  • Average speed:

Media

Television

Fox NASCAR televised the race in the United States on FOX for the seventh time at Michigan. Mike Joy was the lap-by-lap announcer, while three-time Michigan winner Jeff Gordon and two-time Michigan winner Darrell Waltrip were the color commentators. Jamie Little, Regan Smith and Matt Yocum reported from pit lane during the race.

Radio

Radio coverage of the race was broadcast by Motor Racing Network and simulcasted on SiriusXM's NASCAR Radio channel. Joe Moore, Jeff Striegle and five-time Michigan winner Rusty Wallace announced the race in the booth while the field was racing on the frontstretch. Dave Moody called the race from a billboard outside of turn 2 when the field was racing through turns 1 and 2, and Mike Bagley called the race from a platform outside of turn 3 when the field was racing through turns 3 and 4. Alex Hayden, Winston Kelley and Steve Post reported from pit lane during the race.

Standings after the race

;Drivers' Championship standings
;Manufacturers' Championship standings