The Michigan International Speedway (MIS) is renowned for its challenging nature, with the track providing drivers with a true test of their skills.

This point was highlighted to perfection last weekend as the NASCAR Xfinity Series rolled into Detroit. Read on as we delve into what makes the track so fearsome.

Van Gisbergen Bounces Back to take 17th place

New Zealand driver Shane van Gisbergen has been making headlines in NASCAR, but came down to earth with a bump in Michigan.

Van Gisbergen was in 25th place but changed lanes from low to high too early at the Lap 72 restart, which resulted in a penalty.

After taking the punishment for the restart violation, he dropped to 30th. The Auckland-born driver was a lap down and out of contention in the home run.

However, the Kiwi raced into 28th place before the rain forced a red flag to halt proceedings. After the 28-minute delay, he gained more ground in overtime.

He subsequently had to settle for a 17th-place finish in the Cabo Wabo 250 and will be eager to bounce back at the Daytona International Speedway this weekend.

With Van Gisbergen’s talent and the unpredictability of Daytona, many New Zealanders may be tempted to place a wager on his success.

Kiwi motorsport enthusiasts will be looking for the best odds and insights on the Coke Zero 400 on sportsbook comparison website Bettingtop10.co.nz ahead of the race.

The top betting sites in New Zealand will likely be inundated with wagers as Van Gisbergen bids to secure victory at one of the most iconic tracks in the United States.

Michigan Test Halts Van Gisbergen’s Progress

The Kiwi racer’s recent victory in Chicago sparked talk among the NASCAR community that he could become a force to be reckoned with in the series.

However, he struggled to get to grips with the track at Michigan, highlighting that he still has plenty to learn in the unique NASCAR environment.

The D-shaped oval opened its gates in 1968 and has been a mainstay in North American motorsports since then.

Ronnie Bucknum won the first-ever event on the track, taking the checkered flag and the $20,088 prize, which was only second to the Indianapolis 500 at the time.

Cale Yarborough won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at the speedway in June 1969, after a breathtaking battle with LeeRoy Yarborough.

The track’s operators went bankrupt in 1971, opening the door for Roger Penske to buy the venue.

MIS became the testing ground for Penske’s IndyCar team. It was a secluded venue away from prying eyes, allowing them to fine tune things without opposition getting a whiff.

The strategy paid massive dividends. Penske claimed ten victories in the Indianapolis 500 before he sold the MIS to International Speedway Corporation (ISC) as part of a $700 million merger in 1999.

Over the years, many great drivers have proved themselves at Michigan. It is a circuit that tests mentality and sharpens riders against adversity, but what makes it so challenging?

The Technical Challenge of Michigan

Despite its wide corners, MIS is not the most straightforward track for drivers. It is also a massive challenge for teams.

One of the defining aspects at MIS is straight-line speed. There is a 3,600-foot (1,100 metres) front stretch and a 2,250-foot (685m) back straightaway. Drivers spend approximately 73 percent of each lap at full throttle.

Teams must maximise engine performance. Even a small increase in horsepower can make a massive difference at the end of the long straights.

The problem is that speed won’t be enough. The track’s sweeping, wide corners demand a refined aerodynamic set-up with mid-corner speeds potentially going over 180 mph.

Cars must balance downforce and drag. Too much downforce can slow the vehicle on the straights, and too little can cause instability in the corners.

Drivers also need to watch out for the seams – narrow sealer trips between lanes that offer less grip than the surrounding asphalt.

If drivers cross these seams at high speed, it can unsettle the car, forcing oversteer or understeer depending on which side of the vehicle makes contact.

Van Gisbergen showed signs with his late moves that he was gaining a greater understanding of the test presented by Michigan, which bodes well for his future in NASCAR.