NASCAR makes a return trip to the Irish Hills of Michigan this weekend, as they march ever closer to the Playoffs. Ford will look to continue their recent domination at Michigan International Speedway, this week and will also look for the season sweep at the track. Joey Logano grabbed the checkered flag in June, but his teammate Brad Keselowski looks the strongest heading into Sunday’s race. The Michigan native has yet to score a win in the Cup Series at his home track but has posted plenty of strong finishes at the track. Chase Elliott is coming off a dominant performance at Watkins Glen and will look to carry some momentum into the Consumers Energy 400 on Sunday. Kyle Busch isn’t the only favorite for this event, as he is joined by Martin Truex Jr and Kevin Harvick atop the odds list. The Pole Sitter has won six of the last 12 Michigan races, can Brad Keselowski finally grab the elusive win in the Irish Hills, or is it finally time for Chase Elliott to add his name to the list of Michigan winners. Let’s dive into the NASCAR Consumers Energy 400 Free Racing Picks for this Sunday.
Five Drivers to back in Michigan
Kevin Harvick +500
Kevin Harvick is atop the odds chart this week, and for good reason, as he has had a history of performing well at MIS. Harvick has posted three-straight top 10 finishes at the track, which also includes back-to-back top-three finishes last season. Kevin is also the defending winner of this event. His seven runner-up at MIS just adds to a strong history at the track. He is a two-time winner at Michigan, and he rolls of second on Sunday, can he find victory lane for a second time this season. His history at this track makes him a prime driver to back on Sunday.
Kyle Busch +500
Kyle Busch could be in for a long day, on Sunday as his career stats at Michigan make it one of the few tracks he has had trouble with. Kyle does have a win a the track but that was back in the 2011 season, since then his best finish at the track was third last August. He has three-straight top-five finishes, however, he will start 22nd on Sunday, the crazy restarts and starts at this track will make his climb to the front fun to watch. Toyota has only won once in the last 14 Michigan races, which questions backing Busch here, but regardless he is one of the best drivers in NASCAR and find ways to post strong finishes no matter where they are.
Brad Keselowski +600
Sunday’s Pole Sitter, has pretty strong odds, given he has yet to win at his home track. He has been very consistent finish in the top 10 in nine of the last 11 Michigan races. That includes a runner-up finish last August. He has three straight top-10 finishes in the last three races at MIS. This is his second pole at the track in the last five races there. Now seems like a pretty good time to finally check off his home track. His teammate was able to win in June at this track, can Brad get the season sweep for Team Penske. Ford has won four straight at MIS. Look for Keselowski to take control early and be around at the end of the day.
Joey Logano +600
Joey Logano knows exactly what it takes to win in the Irish Hills. Logano has three victories at MIS in his career, including a dominating victory early this season. He led 163 laps in June and will look to replicate that success on Sunday. Add in his three straight top-10 finishes. He won from the pole in June but will have to come from eighth on Sunday if he wants to be celebrating in victory lane. He also has five top-three finishes in the last 12 races at Michigan. It doesn’t hurt he pilots a blue oval of Ford, which has been very dominate in the last 14 Michigan races winning seven of those events, including an active four straight since June 2018.
Chase Elliott +1400
Chase Elliott like his father Bill has performed at a high level at Michigan International Speedway. Chase has yet to capture the checkered flag at the track, but his three consecutive runner-up finishes from June 2016 until June 2017 were impressive in their own right. His top-10 streak at the track was snapped in June when he ended up finishing 20th. However, his six top 10 in sevens starts prove he can perform at this track. Elliott went out and dominated at Watkins Glen last weekend leading 80 of the races 90 laps in route to his second win of the season and fifth of his career. Now returning to a track he has been so close to winning at on many occasions, the momentum looks to be in a good spot for Chase to capture the checkered flag on Sunday. He will roll off sixth, and with the rest of the Hendrick Motorsports cars all starting in the top 10, can the Chevy’s breakthrough and snap the Ford streak. Chase looks like the best of the bunch, and with that matched with his strong feel for MIS, Elliott is a driver to watch on Sunday.
