Clint Bowyer makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 10, 2018, in Brooklyn, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)BROOKLYN, Mich. – After 120 laps and two stages of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, the event was considered official. Any driver in the lead might conceivably win if rain intervened.
Clint Bowyer had finished second to teammate Kevin Harvick in the second stage, and both came to pit road. Bowyer took only two tires – and later explained he believed that decision by crew chief Mike Bugarewicz ultimately won him the race.
“It was a gamble on his part,” Bowyer said. “It was uncharacteristic for him. That’s part of growing and blossoming as a crew chief and being one of the elite.”
After that quick pit stop, Bowyer had outside position on Harvick on the ensuing restart and was able to take the lead. Rain halted the race not long after that, giving Bowyer his second win of the year.
Harvick finished second, and pole-position winner Kurt Busch finished third, completing a sweep of the top three spots for Stewart-Haas Racing. Kyle Busch was fourth, the lone Toyota near the top in a race dominated by Ford. Four more Fords – Paul Menard, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney – rounded out the top eight.