Kevin Harvick analyzes ford/”>Ford dominance at Michigan as Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series approaches, highlighting Ford’s recent streak at Michigan International Speedway and underlining the mounting pressure on top chevrolet/”>Chevrolet teams such as Hendrick Motorsports. With the upcoming 400-mile race set in the heart of Detroit’s auto industry, the high-stakes rivalry between Ford and Chevrolet intensifies as manufacturers vie for supremacy on their own turf.
Harvick and FOX Sports Team Spotlight Ford’s Winning Streak
Despite toyota/”>Toyota breaking into NASCAR in 2007, the core focus has long stayed on the battle between Ford and Chevrolet, two dominant forces with roots deeply intertwined in American automotive history. As drivers return to Michigan International Speedway (MIS)—an iconic location for both brands—the conversation naturally pivots to each manufacturer’s strengths and weaknesses.
Mamba Smith, speaking with the FOX Sports Happy Hour crew, addressed Hendrick Motorsports’ situation by asking,
Do you know the last time a Hendrick car went to victory lane at Michigan?
—Mamba Smith, Analyst. Harvick replied candidly, noting, “Probably been a while.” The co-host highlighted that Hendrick’s last Michigan victory was in 2014, secured by Jeff Gordon at the Pure Michigan 400, while Chevrolet’s most recent win at the 2-mile track came through Kyle Larson for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2016. During that era, four of the top five finishers were Chevrolets, interrupted only by Joey Logano from Team Penske.
Ford’s Takeover Explained by Harvick
In recent years, Ford’s grip on MIS has tightened considerably. Ford drivers captured every Michigan Cup Series event from 2018 onward, only for Tyler Reddick to briefly interrupt the sequence last season. Notably, Kevin Harvick himself was responsible for five of those Ford triumphs at the track, further cementing his expertise on what drives success at the facility.
Harvick offered an analysis of Ford’s impressive run, stating,
I think they had a lot of power. Doug Yates and his team put a lot of emphasis on going to Michigan. I think that was part of the RFK, Rousch, but I think that the other piece was, they also made a lot of downforce.
—Kevin Harvick, Former Driver. He expanded further on Ford’s technical edge:
I think with this car, the Ford seems to have a little bit of less drag, it’s a little bit tightly balanced than the other cars, and the powerband of the Ford with where you run the rpm, fits the Ford engine very well. It’s like they designed everything around Michigan.
—Kevin Harvick, Former Driver.
Chevrolet’s Challenge Ahead at Michigan
With Sunday’s race looming, intrigue builds as Hendrick Motorsports and other Chevy teams look to break Ford’s Michigan dominance. The momentum built by Doug Yates and the Roush organization has set the bar high for any competitors. After Tyler Reddick’s recent success, there is renewed hope for Chevrolet to reclaim a victory lane celebration at MIS, pushing key figures like Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano, and Kyle Larson into the spotlight.
In addition to the manufacturers’ rivalry, the wider Cup Series battle is amplified by the track’s history and the pride associated with winning at this legendary venue. Drivers, teams, and fans alike will be monitoring whether this year’s event marks the end of Ford’s stronghold or adds another chapter to its recent string of victories.
The outcome could significantly shift the balance in the ongoing Ford-Chevrolet saga, setting the tone for the rest of the NASCAR season and influencing strategies for future races at Michigan and beyond.
