The race was held at Michigan International Speedway, a two-mile (3.2 km) moderate-banked D-shaped speedway located in Brooklyn, Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is known as a "sister track" to Texas World Speedway as MIS's oval design was a direct basis of TWS, with moderate modifications to the banking in the corners, and was used as the basis of Auto Club Speedway. The track is owned by International Speedway Corporation. Michigan International Speedway is recognized as one of motorsports' premier facilities because of its wide racing surface and high banking (by open-wheel standards; the 18-degree banking is modest by stock car standards).
*Driver changed to Geoff Bodine for the race due to an injury Brett had suffered during the Happy Hour practice session.[2]
Practice
First practice
The first practice session was held on Friday, June 13, at 11:00 AM EST, and would last for 2 hours.[3]Bobby Labonte of Joe Gibbs Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 38.293 and an average speed of 188.024 miles per hour (302.595 km/h).[4]
The second practice session was held on Saturday, June 14, at 9:30 AM EST, and would last for 45 minutes.[3]Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 38.749 and an average speed of 185.811 miles per hour (299.034 km/h).[5]
The third and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, June 14, at 11:10 AM EST, and would last for 45 minutes.[3]Bobby Labonte of Joe Gibbs Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 39.455 and an average speed of 182.486 miles per hour (293.683 km/h).[6]
In the practice session, Brett Bodine would suffer a violent crash that would result in a broken right clavicle. As a result, brother Geoff Bodine would replace him for the race.[2]
Qualifying was held on Friday, June 13, at 3:05 PM EST. Each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap.[3] Positions 1-36 would be decided on time, while positions 37-43 would be based on provisionals. Six spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champ needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.[7]
Bobby Labonte of Joe Gibbs Racing would win the pole, setting a time of 37.822 and an average speed of 190.365 miles per hour (306.363 km/h).[8]
Jimmy Spencer would blow an engine in the session. He was forced to use a provisional.[9]
