The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits Michigan International Speedway this weekend with just 12 races remaining before the sport’s 16-team playoffs begin. Michael Waltrip Racing’s two fulltime drivers Brian Vickers and Clint Bowyer are both in the battle to secure one of those 16 spots.
Under the new rules a win likely earns a spot in the Chase while those without wins will rely onpoints to gain a berth. That makes for some sleepless nights for the men that run these race teams. Scott Miller, MWR’s vice president of competition, said the new format provides greater rewards for winning, but the drive to win has always been the mission at MWR.
SCOTT MILLER: “We are trying to get the best finishes we can every single week. We are focused on fielding the best cars we can that are capable of winning. Obviously, if we can close the deal and get a win then we are in great shape with both cars. But, winning at this level is very difficult. Outside of our two drivers, I’m fine if we don’t see any more first time winners in 2014 (laughing.) That just leaves more spots open if we can’t get a win. But, we are confident at MWR that we can close the deal. The cars have been running good enough and we have some good tracks coming up. We’ll see if we can get that victory.”
TRACK WITH HIGH HOPES: “I feel like Sonoma is obviously a good place for MWR. Road courses are really, really hard to close the deal. We have had tremendous success there winning the last two races and Brian always runs good on road courses. We expect to go back there and run competitively. But, I give ourselves a chance of being competitive in all the upcoming races.”
IS THIS NERVE-RACKING? “Everything about this sport is nerve-racking if you want it to be. I think you have to be insane to do this, but all of us love it. The new format places more emphasis on winning, but it was nerve -racking under the old way. If you were eighth through 12th under the old system you were on pins and needles those last five races. If you were 13th you were trying to claw your way in. Under the new format you have the same concerns.”
MWR PR
