NASCAR sets new start time for FireKeepers Casino 400 amid rain at Michigan

NASCAR announced that the drivers would be called back to their cars at Michigan International Speedway at 4:45 p.m. ET. NASCAR is targeting a command for drivers to start their engines at 5 p.m. ET. Originally, the race was set to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET but has been delayed due to weather.

A hard out for tonight is 8:20 p.m. ET since there are no lights at the track in Michigan. If the race starts after 5 p.m. ET and gets halfway or to the end of Stage 2, it will be official. If neither happens, the race could be postponed until Monday.

This is a big race for drivers who are in the playoff bubble. With only three races remaining in the regular season, drivers like Bubba Wallace, Kyle Busch, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, and Chase Briscoe need to be at their best their next three weeks to give themselves a shot to compete for a Cup Series Championship.

Bubba Wallace reacts to Austin Dillon’s punishment before NASCAR Michigan race

This is also a big race for Austin Dillon as his playoff berth was revoked by NASCAR last week after he wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to win last week’s race. Before the Michigan race, Wallace shared his reaction to Dillon’s punishment.

“Myself and Chase [Elliott] were middle of the race, so this one was different in the same category as retaliation,” Wallace said, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “So, I think not being a playoff-eligible win when we go through the points and the money stuff, it somewhat nets out the same — kind of.”

Earlier in the week, Wallace took issue with Dillon’s actions last week. “Whatever it takes to win, I guess,” Wallace said. “We’re in, but I mean, hey, he deserved it fair and square. That’s the hard thing. I was ready to man up, go shake his hand, congrats. Can’t do that now. That was kind of BS. It is what it is. We’ve got to worry about our own races for the next three weeks.

“Proud of this team for fighting and executing all day. Wasn’t our best day, for sure, but all in all, we ended up on the good side. Shows how tough the Cup Series is. Ross [Chastain] finished right on my bumper, so it’s going to be a dog fight.”

On3’s Jonathan Howard and Nick Geddes contributed to this story.