2017 Pure Michigan 400

The 2017 Pure Michigan 400, was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on August 13, 2017 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Contested over 202 laps extended from 200 laps due to an overtime finish, on the 2 mi D-shaped oval, it was the 23rd race of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.

Background
Michigan International Speedway (MIS) is a 2 mi moderate-banked D-shaped speedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than 1400 acre approximately four miles (6.4 km) south of the village of Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas World Speedway, and was used as the basis of Auto Club Speedway. The track is owned by International Speedway Corporation (ISC). 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). Michigan is the fastest track in NASCAR due to its wide, sweeping corners and long straightaways; typical qualifying speeds are in excess of 200 mph and corner entry speeds are anywhere from 215 to 220 mph after the 2012 repaving of the track.

First practice
Ryan Blaney was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 35.365 seconds and a speed of 203.591 mph.

Qualifying
Brad Keselowski scored the pole for the race with a time of 35.451 and a speed of 203.097 mph.

Second practice
Kyle Larson was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 35.550 seconds and a speed of 203.591 mph.

Final practice
Brad Keselowski was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 35.845 seconds and a speed of 200.865 mph.

Stage 1
Brad Keselowski led the field to the green flag at 3:16 p.m., Pole-sitter Keselowski breezed to the opening stage win, beating Kevin Harvick to the line. Keselowski led 56 of the 60 laps after getting a great start and putting Logano behind him going into Turn 1 on the opening lap .Kevin Harvick was second, followed by Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Erik Jones, Joey Logano, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin. Busch was sent to the rear of the field for the start of Stage 2 because he came to pit road too soon, while Clint Bowyer went to the rear of the field for speeding on pit road. The first caution flew on lap 62 for the conclusion of the first stage. Daniel Suárez stayed out at the end of the stage and took the lead and he led three laps.

Stage 2
The race restarted on lap 67, Brad Keselowski regained the lead and he led 44 laps, and Kyle Busch took the lead on lap 111, Martin Truex Jr., who took the lead after pitting on Lap 105, won the stage – his series-leading 15th. He was followed by Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Erik Jones, Daniel Suárez, Ryan Blaney, Jamie McMurray, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin. Clint Bowyer again was speeding on pit road and was sent to the rear. The second caution of the race flew on lap 122 for the conclusion of the second stage.

Final stage
The race restarted on lap 128, Brad Keselowski took the lead and he led only one lap, and Martin Truex Jr. retook the lead and he led only 31 laps, The third caution of the race flew for a two-car spin, Kasey Kahne crashed hard into the outside SAFER barrier in Turn 2, collecting Daniel Suárez. Kahne's car briefly had all four tires off the asphalt. He radioed his crew that he was OK. The race was delayed while the wall was repaired. This was Kahne's first race since Hendrick Motorsports announced he would not return in the No. 5 Chevrolet in 2018. He will be replaced by William Byron.

The race restarted on lap 148, Erik Jones took the lead on lap 160 and led only one lap, and then Brad Keselowski took the lead and led only one lap, and Denny Hamlin took the lead on lap 162 and led 16 laps, and then Kyle Busch took the lead on lap 178, Debris on the track brought on the fourth caution of the race on lap 187, Martin Truex Jr. took the lead on lap 189 and led 12 laps

The race restarted on lap 192, and it remained green for 5 laps.

The fifth caution of the race flew with five laps to go for a two-car spin in turn 2, Michael McDowell spun on the backstretch and collected Paul Menard, setting up an overtime finish. NASCAR red-flagged the race for cleanup of fluid on the track.

Overtime
The race restarted with two laps to go, Kyle Larson took the lead on lap 201 and scored his second career victory at Michigan.

Post race
“I was running a few options through my head if I got a good jump, that was one of them, and it worked out," Larson said. ”We weren’t as good the last two times we won (at Michigan), but we got some good restarts, persevered and got it done. It’s a week I’ll never forget.”

Stage results
Stage 1 Laps: 60

Stage 2 Laps: 60

Final stage results
Stage 3 Laps: 82

Race statistics

 * Lead changes: 7 among different drivers
 * Cautions/Laps: 5 for 28
 * Red flags: 1 for 5 minutes and 39 seconds
 * Time of race: 2 hours, 40 minutes and 38 seconds
 * Average speed: 150.903 mph

Television
NBC Sports covered the race on the television side. Leigh Diffey, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte had the call in the booth for the race Diffey subbed for Rick Allen, who was covering the IAAF World Championships in London. Dave Burns, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast reported from pit lane during the race.

Radio
Motor Racing Network had the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

Standings after the race

 * Drivers' Championship standings


 * Manufacturers' Championship standings
 * Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.
 * . – Driver has clinched a position in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.