Gaughan: Michigan is big, mean and fast

 

There’s something in Brendan Gaughan’s back pocket. It’s something every driver entered in Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Michigan National Guard 200 (12:30 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1) at Michigan International Speedway would like to have, too.

In July 2003, Gaughan led the final 21 laps in the truck series race at Michigan to post a convincing 11.477-second win over Ted Musgrave. He is the only driver entered in this weekend’s race to have ever won a truck event at the two-mile track.

Over the past eight races, no driver has won at the track more than once. Barring any late entrants into the race that streak will increase to nine. Dennis Setzer won in 2005, followed by Johnny Benson (2006), Travis Kvapil (2007), Erik Darnell (2008), Colin Braun (2009), Aric Almirola (2010), Kevin Harvick (2011) and Nelson Piquet Jr. (2012).

Gaughan, who is sixth in the standings 75 points behind leader Matt Crafton, has one win and four top 10s in seven starts at Michigan. His lowest finish is 18th. He has an average finishing position of 8.9 and has finished on the lead lap in all but one start.

“Michigan is another one of those tracks that really fits my style. It’s big, mean and fast,” Gaughan said in response to a question about his thoughts on racing at the track. “Whoever has the best aero and motor package will do well at this race.”