Asterisk Mark Report – Michigan (2022)
The following drivers were involved in the “Competition Caution Restart Big One” following lap 20. Since it happened so early, there’s really no serious takeaways to be made: Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric, Aric Almirola, Michael McDowell, Harrison Burton, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Todd Gilliland and JJ Yeley.
Ross Chastain – Last year at Michigan, Ross Chastain had one of the best cars but he finished an asterisk mark 24th. In the race, Chastain started 22nd, finished 6th in Stage #1, led 29 laps, got a pit penalty on lap 93 while running in 3rd, rebounded back into the top 5 in the final Stage but then on lap 158 while battling Bell for 2nd, they had contact which ruined both afternoons.
Tyler Reddick – Tyler Reddick hasn’t had any luck at Michigan and his average finish over his four starts is 25th. Last year, Reddick’s engine couldn’t go the distance and it led to his 29th. In the race, Reddick ran as high as 2nd early, was in 9th on lap 80 but then around lap 100 while running around 15th, Reddick was smelling smoke in his car. On lap 110, Reddick’s race was then over due to an engine failure. In terms of speed over the first two segments prior to his engine problem, Reddick had speed rankings of 8th and 6th.
Christopher Bell – Last year at Michigan, Christopher Bell had a great car that ranked among the best, but his race wasn’t incident free, and he finished an asterisk mark 26th. In the race, Bell won Stage #1, finished 4th in Stage #2 and led 31 laps. Bell’s afternoon nosedived on lap 158 when he had a run-in with Ross Chastain while battling for 2nd which destroyed the #20. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Bell ranked 6th but take note his speed over the segments were 1st, 2nd, 3rd and then 26th (segment he had contact with Chastain).
Daniel Suarez – Last year at Michigan, Daniel Suarez looked pretty good, but he finished an asterisk mark 25th. Suarez’s afternoon went south late when he had a flat tire on lap 194 while running around 13th. In the race, Suarez started 15th, finished 2nd in Stage #2 and led 33 laps.
Noah Gragson – It sounds crazy, but Noah Gragson actually showed top ten potential last year at Michigan in the Kaulig Racing #16. Of course, Gragson’s not in that car anymore, so you can disregard that performance. Last year at MIS, Gragson finished around 11th in Stage #1, was legitimately running in 4th on lap 80 but then shortly after that on lap 109 while running around 9th, he crashed which doomed him to a 30th.
