For the first and only time in 2012, the Camping World Truck Series makes a stop at the Michigan International Speedway for the VFW 200.
With this being the series’ first trip to the track in 2012, that means it will be the first time the trucks compete on the newly repaved track.
In the most recent race at Pocono (a track which has also been repaved), horsepower was crucial. With fresh pavement being the ultimate equalizer in regards to handling, it places a lot of pressure on the engine shop to give the drivers speed to power around the two-mile Michigan International Speedway.
Saturday’s race also marks the twelfth race for the Truck Series this season. Or in other words; the race for the championship is in full swing.
Despite a crash late at Pocono, Timothy Peters holds a slim, eight- point lead over Ty Dillon heading into Michigan. James Buescher, who has won three times on the season so far, is 15 points back of Peters, while Justin Lofton(-18) and Matt Crafton(-35) round out the top-five drivers in points.
Another story-line to keep an eye on this weekend is the debut of Parker Kligerman behind the wheel of the No.7 Toyota for Red Horse Racing.
Following the race at Pocono, Kligerman was released from Brad Keselowski Racing as the driver of the No.29 RAM. A few days later, Kligerman found a new home at Red Horse Racing in the same truck which took John King to victory lane in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
If the race at the recently repaved Pocono Raceway is any indication how Saturday’s event will play out, fans are in for another classic Truck Series show they love.
Past Winners of the VFW 200:
1999: Greg Biffle
2000: Greg Biffle
2002: Robert Pressley
2003: Brendan Gaughan
2004: Travis Kvapil
2005: Dennis Setzer
2006: Johnny Benson
2007: Travis Kvapil
2008: Erik Darnell
2009: Colin Braun
2010: Aric Almirola
2011: Kevin Harvick
Michigan International Speedway Truck Series fast-facts:
Most Wins: 2 – Greg Biffle, Travis Kvapil
Most Poles: 2 – Mike Skinner
Most Top Fives: 4 – Kyle Busch, Mike Skinner
Most Top 10s: 7 – Terry Cook, Dennis Setzer
Fewest Caution Laps: 6 – 7/26/03
Most Finishers on Lead Lap: 30 – 6/17/06
Fewest Finishers on Lead Lap: 12 – 7/22/00
Most Running at Finish: 34 – 6/17/06
Fewest Running at Finish: 19 – 6/13/09
Most Laps Led by a Race Winner: 90 – 7/22/00
VFW 200 Entry List:
#0 T.J. Bell (Driver2Honor.org)
#2 Tim George Jr. (Applebee’s)
#3 Ty Dillon (Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats)
#5 Paulie Harraka (TBA)
#6 Justin Lofton (Millennium Private Jet Services/Lofton Cattle)
#07 Johnny Chapman (Wear Your Gear/BOBBER.info)
#7 Parker Kligerman (Red Horse Racing)
#08 Ross Chastain (Melon 1 / Engine Parts Plus)
#9 Ron Hornaday Jr. (Joe Denette Motorsports)
#09 John Wes Townley (TBD)
#10 Jennifer Jo Cobb (Driven2Honor.org)
#11 Todd Bodine (Toyota Care)
#13 Johnny Sauter (Honeys/Curb Records)
#14 Brennan Newberry (NTS/IronClad Performance)
#17 Timothy Peters (Red Horse Racing)
#18 Kurt Busch (Shore Lodge)
#22 Joey Coulter (Rip It)
#23 Jason White (GunBroker.com)
#25 Brandon Knupp (TBA)
#27 TBA (TBA)
#29 Brad Keselowski (Cooper Standard)
#30 Nelson Piquet Jr. (AutoTrac)
#31 James Buescher (TBA)
#32 Miguel Paludo (Duroline)
#33 Cale Gale (Rheem)
#38 Chris Jones (RSS Racing)
#39 Ryan Sieg (RSS Racing)
#57 Norm Benning (Norm Benning Racing)
#74 Mike Harmon (Koma Unwind)
#75 TBA (TBA)
#84 Chris Fontaine (Glenden Enterprises)
#88 Matt Crafton (Menards)
#93 Dennis Setzer (RSS Racing)
#98 Dakoda Armstrong (EverFi.com)
#99 Bryan Silas (Rockingham Speedway)
