NASCAR announces FireKeepers Casino 400 will resume Monday at 11:00 AM EST

Well, they tried. NASCAR attempted to get the Michigan track dry multiple times, but Mother Nature wouldn’t cooperate. The FireKeepers Casino 400 was able to get through the first stage and then some, but not halfway.

Good news, we got to see racing today. Bad news, we won’t see this race completed tonight. The rain moved back in and by the time the track dries again and racing resumes, it will almost be too dark to race.

The rain storms held off long enough for NASCAR to dry the Michigan International Speedway surface. Then, after a fun bit of racing, dark clouds returned. We will see the remainder of the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Monday at 11:00 AM EST.

NEWS: The remainder of the #FireKeepersCasino400 at @MISpeedway has been postponed to Monday at 11 a.m. ET on @USANetwork, @MRNRadio and @SiriusXMNASCAR Radio. pic.twitter.com/2PcrVGH1Xx

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 18, 2024

Today, NASCAR fans were treated to a fun Stage 1. Kyle Larson shot out to the lead ahead of Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick. However, the Hendrick driver wasn’t able to pull away from them too far.

The battle for the lead would actually end up causing our first caution of the day. For what little racing we had, at least it was exciting. It definitely looks like the Toyotas are the strongest group in the field. As the laps ticked away, the Camrys were moving up without issue.

Denny Hamlin spins during FireKeepers Casino 400

As the end of Stage 1 approached, Denny Hamlin was chasing Bubba Wallace for the lead and lost control, spinning into the infield. This NASCAR race has plenty of time left, but this could be detrimental.

Denny Hamlin was coming up the frontstretch when he lost control, got loose, and went around. To his credit, Hamlin missed the wall which will likely save him further headaches.

Bubba Wallace was leading at the time, but the leaders chose to come to pit road for tires and fuel after this caution flag. With crew chiefs doing the math and crunching numbers, there were a number of decisions made at this flag.

The start of the race was a real battle between Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin. Bubba Wallace took the lead when Hamlin and Larson were racing side-by-side, diving deep into Turn 1, Wallace made it stick and took control.

This race was getting interesting. Drivers coming into the pits to take tires and fuel and others staying out for the points. It is just what you want from a Michigan race. Now we have to wait until tomorrow before seeing the conclusion of the FireKeepers Casino 400.