Adapting to this track

• I've always loved Michigan's smooth track, and cars can go three- and four-wide down the front stretch. You'll see them come down on the apron to pass. The draft plays a role, and you'll see drivers all over the track trying to break the draft.
• Michigan can be hard on engines because of hanging rpms. The motor combination will not include a lot of bottom-end torque because the rpms don't go too low in the corners. The motor men work hard to get as much top-end power as they can. Because the rpms really get up there in the draft, there might be some attrition because of motor damage.
• Cars start to push during the race, so you want to be prepared for that. On long runs, the front of the car will have more nose push as the fuel cell empties.

Plotting strategy

• Michigan has a few racing grooves. Decide which one is the best for you and your car and start picking up positions. Fresh tires are important because they help you maneuver. You can go pretty much where you want on this track when you have new rubber.
• This track is known for long green runs, so fuel comes into play. If you can make a fuel run of 50 laps before pitting, you can work this race in three pit stops. If you can get 51 or 52 laps, you're in great shape.

Where the action is

• You're carrying so much speed, and you drive up against the wall, so pinching cars off comes into play on the exits of the corners. Sometimes you have wrecks because the cars won't turn coming out of the corners.
• If you get your car under the car in front of you and get in the throttle coming off the turns, you can make good passes in the corners. But you can pass just about anywhere on this track.