Importance of starting up front at Michigan
Starting up front isn’t crucial at Michigan International Speedway but it sure helps lead to a successful afternoon. Two of the last three Michigan races have been won from the pole, and all three were won from a top seven starting position.
Last August Jeff Gordon won from the pole. 7 of the top 11 finishers in that event started in the top 12. Only two drivers who started inside the top ten in that event finished outside the top 15.
In June 2014 Jimmie Johnson won from 7th and Kevin Harvick finished 2nd from the pole. In that race only two drivers who finished inside the top 13 started outside the top 13.
