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Podium Preview: FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan

Another trip to Michigan, a new look for Josh Bilicki's No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro entry. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Another trip to Michigan, a new look for Josh Bilicki’s No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro entry. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

At 2 miles in length with 73-foot corners banked at 18 degrees, Michigan International Speedway offers full out, maximum horsepower action, particularly with Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400.

The 23rd race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season is a change in pace from last weekend’s road course action at Indianapolis and unique hybrid racing style at Pocono. In this case, it’s about commitment and daring, particularly with corner entry and making it count on exits.

As the penultimate superspeedway race of the regular season, Michigan offers plentiful opportunities for a potential repeat winner or a first-time Cup victor to celebrate a triumph in front of their OEM representatives. Then again, even in today’s stage racing era, fuel mileage may be a factor.

Last year’s 400 offered a thrilling finish pitting the Hendrick Motorsports duo of Kyle Larson and William Byron against Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney. Ultimately, Blaney prevailed, delivering Ford’s seventh consecutive win at Michigan. This year, Blaney, Larson and Byron may have some tenacious Toyota contenders to consider like Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell and Martin Truex Jr.

This weekend, Cody ShoppeKobe LambethLuis TorresMatt SisolerMichelle RaynorNathan SolomonTaylor Kitchen and yours truly ponder about a Playoff driver and team to worry about and the kind of racing we can expect at Michigan.

Podium Preview: FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan
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Question 1
Can Alex Bowman turn things around before the Playoffs? (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Can Alex Bowman turn things around before the Playoffs? (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Of the Playoff drivers with secure postseason positions, which one concerns you the most in terms of performances and results in recent races? Justify your response.

Tiongson : I’m a bit concerned with William Byron before we reach the Playoffs. Sure, he’s got wins at Atlanta and Martinsville. Otherwise, he’s just been there and hasn’t really been a strong driver in the Cup ranks since the spring.

Of course, drivers and teams may experiment with different setups before the serious business ensues. However, we’ve seen this strategy backfire with some of the best drivers and teams in the past. Byron needs some pick me ups before we get into the postseason. If the Charlotte, North Carolina native can get back on track before Darlington, the No. 24 team can be a sneaky contender like Alex Bowman in 2020.

Solomon : A few winners from early in the season concern me with just four races left in the regular season. Alex Bowman has really struggled this summer just finishing races. Of the last six races, Bowman has completed just two of them and hasn’t recorded a top 10 since the Coca-Cola 600.

Additionally, Chase Briscoe is in a similar boat. Though he’s finished most races, Briscoe has just one top 10 since he finished ninth at Martinsville in April. Overall, I’d be really concerned about Bowman and Briscoe as the playoffs lurk.

Lambeth : With four races remaining until the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, I’m most concerned about Alex Bowman’s recent performances and results. While his spot in the postseason is secure, his latest form is setting himself up for an early exit after the Round of 16 if the No. 48 team doesn’t start figuring things out soon. To put into perspective how things are going for Bowman, he hasn’t scored a top-10 since the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway back in May. It’s August now.

In the last six races, Bowman has finished 30th or worse in four races. That’s not good at all if you want to be a serious championship contender. It certainly has to be frustrating for him when his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott’s been lighting it up for the last several weeks. Bowman’s weekend in Michigan isn’t off to a good start with a disappointing 30th-place qualifying effort.

This driver needs to start putting together some good runs to end this final stretch before it’s really time to buckle down and go race for a championship. Otherwise, his time as a Playoff driver might be short lived.

Shoppe : Due to bad luck and lack of speed, Alex Bowman is in a bad spot at this point heading into the playoffs. It is not complete panic mode, however, as he is a Hendrick driver and their teammates have been great, namely the No. 9 team.

Now, Chase Briscoe, on the other hand, must be wondering how they can possibly advance out of round one if they make the playoffs. Having very little to no success since early in the year, this team doesn’t even have a teammate to look to for help as the No. 14 is the only Stewart-Haas Racing car in the Playoffs at this point. Most focus in that organization has to be on Kevin Harvick making in at this point so I would be concerned with Chase Briscoe.

Two laps around Michigan flies by like driving on I-94 from Chicago to Brooklyn, Michigan! Next, let’s consider last Sunday’s Verizon 200 at Indianapolis, Race No. 22 of 36 of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Shoppe continues to score wins like an American Express customer.

Shoppe continues to score wins like an American Express customer.

Meanwhile, look out for Shoppe in the standings!

Meanwhile, look out for Shoppe in the standings!

Now, here’s the top 10 starters for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan!
Row 1

 

Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Row 2
Kyle Busch and Joey Logano (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Kyle Busch and Joey Logano (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Row 3
Austin Cindric and Tyler Reddick (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Austin Cindric and Tyler Reddick (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Row 4
Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Row 5
Denny Hamlin and Erik Jones (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Denny Hamlin and Erik Jones (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Lastly, here’s our picks for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan!
It's almost like a die-cast collection you can buy on Spoiler Diecast! (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

It’s almost like a die-cast collection you can buy on Spoiler Diecast! (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Sharpe : As promising as Ryan Blaney has been at MIS, it seems his teammates have had the upper hand this year with snagging win. Joey Logano is veteran driver who understands what it takes to make it to the top and also secure a place within the playoffs.

Solomon : Joey Logano has had a rough summer. He’s really struggled since winning at Gateway but he’s coming to a historically good track for Ford, which, of course, is the home race for the manufacturer. I believe Logano will take the checkered flag first on Sunday at Michigan.

Kitchen : With one previous win at MIS back in 2011, I think Kyle Busch can capture another win at the track 10 years later. Qualifying in the third position and finishing first in practice, Kyle Busch has the consistency to get it done this weekend.

Raynor : Kevin Harvick will finally win. They are getting better each week.

Torres : Tyler Reddick‘s future with RCR after 2022 remains in limbo with him heading to 23XI Racing in 2024 already confirmed. Silly season fiascos aside, Reddick is hitting his stride right now which puts the No. 8 team in an awkward situation due to this. However, if a driver is going to hit their stride, this is the perfect time as we’re entering the final month of the regular season.

Reddick was fast at Fontana and had it not been for a crash entering Turn 2, he would’ve been a Cup winner much earlier than he did this summer. Now with two wins under his wing, Reddick’s got momentum that was lacking a few months ago. He’s gotta be a dark horse contender for the title and a win at Michigan will solidify it for me.

Lambeth : Qualifying didn’t go as planned for Ryan Blaney, who’s starting outside the top-20. Ford is disappointed in only having four Cup wins so far in 2022. While the Toyotas are looking strong, I think Ford is due for a win and it’ll come with the same driver who won the All-Star Race for them earlier this season. Look for Blaney to become the 15th different winner!

Sisoler : Finally, my home track. You cannot deny the speed of the Toyotas, and I’m gonna ride that speed. Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 looks very quick and I think this is his time to grab a victory in the Irish Hills.

Shoppe : Toyota has been really strong this weekend. While Denny Hamlin has had a very up and down season, he’s coming off a big low point so it’s time for an up. Hamlin will win Michigan and maybe even keep the trophy this time!

Tiongson : I’m encouraged by the pace and comfort with Kyle Larson at Michigan. I realize the drivers, teams and cars are not the same as they were at Fontana in February. However, I think the No. 5 team will rally back with a strong showing at a track that’s kind to Yung Money.

We’re ready for some racing. How about you? What do you think are the biggest storylines heading into the race? Who are your favorites to win?  Tweet us now @ThePodiumFinish and tell us now!

Thanks as always to the TPF team for their amazing efforts this week! While we progress toward a new kind of normal, please do your part to curb the impacts of the pandemic by washing your hands and getting your COVID-19 vaccine or booster.

The opinions and thoughts expressed in Podium Preview are solely of the authors. They do not reflect any organizations affiliated with the participants and author outside of TPF. This weekly feature is strictly for entertainment purposes. Ultimately, they are not indicative of TPF, the organization and its staff.

Rob Tiongson is a 30-something motorsports journalist who enjoys sports like baseball, basketball, football, soccer, track and field and hockey. A Boston native turned Austinite, racing was the first sport that caught his eyes. From interviews to retrospective articles, if it's about anything with an engine and four wheels, it'll be here on TPF, by him or by one of his talented columnists who have a passion for racing. Currently seeking a sports writing, public relations, or sports marketing career, particularly in motorsports. He enjoys editing and writing articles and features, as well as photography. Moreover, he enjoys time with his family and friends, traveling, cooking, working out and being a fun uncle or "funcle" to his nephew, niece and cat. Tiongson, a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, pursues his Master of Arts in Digital Journalism at St. Bonaventure University. Indeed, while Tiongson is proud to be from Massachusetts, he's an everywhere kind of man residing in Texas.

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