NASCAR visits the Irish Hills of Michigan for a date at the fast track in the sport, the Michigan International Speedway. Its a race weekend for bragging rights for the teams especially for Ford and Chevy, if they can get the job done on Sunday afternoon. With that in mind Chevrolet has had plenty of success as a Chevy has gone to victory lane at MIS in six of the last 10 races and Ford has three wins in that span. Toyota has only gone to victory lane once in those last 10 races at Michigan. Ford was able to sweep both races last season, and not just Ford but Stewart-Haas Racing was the class of the field in both races. Like last season those same Ford’s have looked strong in practice this week, so they could be the cars to beat this weekend. Kyle Busch didn’t have any problems in his victory at Pocono last weekend, and once again enters this weekend’s race as the driver to beat as he is once again atop the Odds. Let’s dive into the NASCAR FireKeepers Casino 400 Free Racing Picks for this Sunday.
Here are the Five Drivers to back in Michigan
Kyle Busch +275
Busch is once again a driver to back like he is every week because you never know when he will drive his Toyota into victory lane. Kyle is a one-time winner at Michigan, with that victory coming back in 2011. He was able to finish top five in both races last season, but prior to that kind of struggled in the previous nine Michigan races finishing outside the top five in each of those races. Regardless Busch is a threat every week. His momentum from winning at Pocono could carry over into this weekend’s race.
Kevin Harvick +500
Kevin Harvick is still searching for that first victory this season, so why can’t it come at a track he is familiar with. Harvick is a two-time winner at Michigan, and he has had the speed for days the last few races. He is looking fast for this Sunday’s race as he was fastest in final practice. He was able to win the most recent Michigan race last August. His teammate Clint Bowyer is the defending winner of this race, and that could hold a lot of weight for Stewart-Haas on Sunday. Harvick has been strong at Michigan in the last 12 races at the track, with seven top-three finishes in that span. In his career, Harvick has finished runner-up at Michigan seven times.
Brad Keselowski +650
Michigan Native Brad Keselowski, is still seeking that elusive first win at his home track. He has been right there for much of his career, including a runner-up finish last August. Keselowski has finished ninth or better in eight of last 10 Michigan races. That also includes three top-three finishes in that span as well. He has also been out front a lot in 10 of the last 14 Michigan races. That includes leading 105 laps in the August race in 2017. Ford’s have had success on this track and like Atlanta and Kansas, this is a fast-paced longer track, it could be the day for Keselowski to get that first win at his home track.
Chase Elliott +1000
The way Chase Elliott has performed at Michigan, most would think he has won a race at the track. Not yet, but at least he isn’t still looking for his first career win. Like his father he has been a strong racer at the track, having finished no worse than ninth in his six starts at the track. Add in three straight runner-up finishes in his first three starts at the track and Chase Elliott is definitely a contender when NASCAR visits the Irish Hills. Elliott has the best career average finish at the track in the history of the speedway, and that is quite an accomplishment. Elliott will be looking for his sixth consecutive top-five finish this season, as he has been one of the hottest drivers as of late. There is only one track where Elliott is better and that is Dover based on his career average finish, but you couldn’t ask for a better track for Elliott to be going to where he could continue his streak and possibly get his second win of the season.
Kyle Larson +1200
It’s weird to think Kyle Larson an underdog at a track he has seen some of his greatest success. Larson and Michigan International Speedway seem to like each other, as Larson is a three-time winner at the track. Those three wins came in a stretch of him winning them consecutively, as he won three in a row. In his two Michigan starts since his last win at the track in August 2017, Larson has been far off what was pretty dominate races at the track between August 2016 to August 2017. He failed to register a top 10 finish in both Michigan races last season finishing 17th and 28th respectively. Larson has struggled much of this season, and this could be the right track for him to finally break his winless drought. Kyle is definitely a good longshot to back, especially at this track.
