Today at 1:00 p.m. ET the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series continues from Michigan International Speedway, where Jeff Gordon sits atop his second straight pole for the Pure Michigan 400. Watch the action on ESPN or live stream it free by clicking this link.
Gordon set the Michigan track record in qualifying with a 206.558 mph lap, notching the 76th pole victory of his career.
"I don't know where to start," Gordon said. "You can point at the repaving of the racetrack. This track is smooth -- has a tremendous amount of surface area where the tire can get a lot of grip to it. The next thing is the cars."
Still, despite Gordon's electric qualifying performance, many around NASCAR are still talking about the tragedy involving Tony Stewart and Kevin Ward Jr. last week on a dirt track in which Stewart's vehicle struck Ward and killed him. Ward had been sent into the wall by Stewart minutes earlier and exited his car on the live track.
In light of the accident, NASCAR instituted a new rule barring drivers from leaving their vehicles on the track. In the event of a crash drivers must now "shut off electrical power, lower the window net and then wait, without removing any personal safety equipment, until safety personnel or a NASCAR official arrives on the scene."
Drivers may leave in the event of fire or smoke in the cockpit. In addition, the rule says "at no time should a driver or crew member approach any portion of the racing surface or apron" or "approach another moving vehicle."
Stewart did not race last week and won't be on the track today either.
"This decision was Tony's," said Brett Frood, Stewart-Haas Racing vice president. "[It's been] an emotional week for him. He's grieving. Made the decision he's not ready to get in the race car and will take it week by week. It will be up to Tony when he's ready to get back in the car."
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