It would not be the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan without the Detroit Pistons’ distinct colors on Alex Bowman’s No. 48. (Photo: Stephen Conley | The Podium Finish)
BROOKYLN, Mich. – Much like any race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway is a race with pride on the line.
In this case, OEMs vie for manufacturer supremacy at the 2-mile superspeedway nestled in the Irish Hills. With spacious corners and a banked frontstretch offering plentiful passing opportunities, the 200-lap race is one of NASCAR Cup Series racing’s best events of the season.
As the Gen 7 cars graduate into faster machines like their predecessors from 2013 to 2021, speed is the name of the game. It is a page from the past with high horsepower and hammer dropping excitement much like the heroes of yesterday with their winged wonders or boxy fleets.
Names like Richard Petty, David Pearson, Ricky Rudd, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin are among the best who have won at Michigan. Now, today’s stars in Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain hope to cement their place as Wolverine State legends.
At the same time, RFK Racing hopes to remind Michigan fans about their former home state team’s popularity. Chris Buescher vies for back-to-back wins while Rochester Hills’ Brad Keselowski hopes to finally break through to the winner’s circle.
Once the NASCAR official unfurls the green flag on race day, it is anyone’s guess as to who will prevail in this year’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. For the time being, come along for the ride this and each race weekend with Podium Preview.
This weekend, Cody Shoppe, Jasmine Sharpe, Kobe Lambeth, Luis Torres, Matt Sisoler, Teresa Bennink and yours truly contemplate about potential racers vying for the Playoffs and Ford’s chances of another Michigan win.
Podium Preview: FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan
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Question 1
Perhaps Daniel Suárez will throw his name into the hat for the postseason fight. (Photo: Stephen Conley | The Podium Finish)
After Chris Buescher punched his ticket into this year’s NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs field, which current driver and team, looking to make the Playoffs, has the best chance at repeating this feat this Sunday at Michigan?
Sisoler : When I used to write for the paper that covers MIS as its home track, I remarked that a certain driver should ask Dale Jr. if he could borrow his nickname as the “Pied Piper of Daytona” for Michigan. That man was Kevin Harvick, and if there is any driver who has seemingly excelled at the big 2-mile D-shaped oval in the Irish Hills, it’s been “Happy” Harvick often walking out very happy at the end of 400 miles. Don’t ever count out “The Closer” until the checkered flag falls.
Lambeth : Looking at recent history at Michigan International Speedway, Kevin Harvick and Stewart-Haas Racing are probably the best bet to find Victory Lane, securing their place in the postseason. Harvick currently leads all active drivers with six career wins at Michigan, including five wins in the last seven Michigan races. We haven’t seen him breakthrough yet for a win in his final year in the NASCAR Cup Series. It seems like Michigan is the best place given his dominance here and better yet, he’s driving a Ford.
Torres : As Kobe alluded to, I can see Kevin Harvick getting a win at Michigan. Something about the two-mile oval has clicked for him in recent memory. If he’s gonna end his NASCAR career on a good note, a win will help tremendously. It’ll not only give Stewart-Haas Racing a much-needed break, but momentum heading into the final leg of the regular season.
Another driver I can see getting it together and playing a big role for the win is Brad Keselowski. For the second time in as many years, a race he had beaten evaporated which led to Chris Buescher winning at Bristol last year and Richmond last weekend.
Keselowski will have a huge sense of urgency because he’s come close to winning in his own equipment. Yet, no victory to show for and time is running out to assure him a playoff spot without relying on points which he’s doing just fine at the moment.
Question 2
Austin Cindric would like to join the Playoffs fray with a win at Michigan. (Photo: Stephen Conley | The Podium Finish)
Ford vies for its ninth consecutive victory at Michigan International Speedway. How likely will it be that a Ford Performance driver and team wins Sunday’s race at Michigan, and if so, who gets the job done?
Sharpe : Ford is such a powerhouse at MIS due to the company being created from Detroit. With such strong ties to the ‘mitten’ state, it’s no shock to see the manufacturer do well at the 2-mile track. With Penske, HAAS, and RFK being the main CUP Series teams to drive the manufacturer, it comes down to stats and the data.
Kevin Harvick is tied with David Pearson for most wins at the track currently with five. Overall, Ford has the most wins with 43. Yet, RFK as a team has the most wins as a team, with 13. Chris Buescher won last week at Richmond. His team’s co-owner and teammate, Brad Keselowski is from Michigan, making the push overall to snag another win that much more appealing.
Statistically, it would seem most likely for a Ford to win, but from which team, and more importantly as Playoffs loom near, the driver is to be seen.
Shoppe : With Ford being on an upswing of late, there is a good chance to see their home track win streak continue today! Certainly, the RFK team has been a surprise standout lately with Chris Buescher winning at Richmond. But let’s not count out last year’s winner, Kevin Harvick. It was a similar season to this one year ago when a consistent but winless Harvick went on a roll winning back to back races. Could this be the day Harvick gets that anticipated win in his final season? I think he can.
Bennink : The numbers don’t lie. With that information, Ford has been dominant at Michigan for the past eight years. Even prior to that, Ford’s claimed the top spot more often than not. I think the manufacturer will continue this trend and bring home a win today too. Qualifying was a mixed bag of manufacturers at the top, but the Ford that brings home the win today starts from the sixth spot with Joey Logano.
Tiongson : Sure, why not? Ford has been the manufacturer of choice at the 2-mile superspeedway over the years. Whether it’s 1991, 2002, 2013 or 2023, Ford Performance puts a lot of stock at reigning supreme at their backyard stock car arena.
In 1991, Dale Jarrett scored his first career Cup Series win over a popular Davey Allison with Ford dominating the 400-miler. On Sunday, I look for Joey Logano to reign supreme over teammate Ryan Blaney in a potentially equally thrilling battle for the win.
Two laps around Michigan can prove as exciting as a hot August night as Neil Diamond once sang. Before continuing our preview for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan, let us rewind to Race No. 22 of 36 of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season with last Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway!
Rookie candidate Teresa Bennink nearly won with Kyle Busch.
Meanwhile, Sisoler extends his points lead over Lambeth.
Now, let us look at the top 10 starters for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan!
Row 1 – Christopher Bell and Ross Chastain
(Photo: Stephen Conley | The Podium Finish)
Row 2 – Ty Gibbs and Chris Buescher
(Photo: Stephen Conley | The Podium Finish)
Row 3 – Martin Truex Jr. and Joey Logano
(Photo: Stephen Conley | The Podium Finish)
Row 4 – William Byron and Kyle Busch
(Photo: Stephen Conley | The Podium Finish)
Row 5 – Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott
(Photo: Stephen Conley | The Podium Finish)
Last but not least, here are our picks for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan!
It is another five pack for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan. (Photo: Stephen Conley | The Podium Finish)
Bennink : Ford is so strong at MIS. It would be silly to not choose a Ford. Kevin Harvick has more wins, and RFK has momentum, but Joey Logano has three Cup wins here too. I think Logano brings home a win for Penske.
Tiongson : Joey Logano needs a statement type of victory to remind folks why he’s the two-time and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion. Over the years, Michigan International Speedway has been a kind track for the Middletown, Connecticut native. Look for Logano to tally another win for the Ford Performance camp on Sunday (or Monday).
Lambeth : Kevin Harvick will finally snap his 34-race winless streak to give Ford its ninth straight win at Michigan and get one final shot to chase a championship, before hanging up the helmet at the end of the year.
Torres : Kevin Harvick is no slouch at Michigan and in his final race at the last standing two-mile oval in NASCAR, he’ll capture his first win of the season. It’s honestly a no brainer and will certainly boost Stewart-Haas Racing as the regular season is down to its final month.
Sisoler : As much as I’d like to pick a home state driver for my home race on the Cup calendar, or Kevin Harvick, I think a certain different driver, the Melon Man, Ross Chastain, looks to have a good amount of speed this weekend. Front row starting spot, 5th fastest in Saturday’s practice. That Jockey Camaro looks sharp with the American flag on it, and I think it’s gonna look even better taking a different kind of flag, a checkered flag, at the end of 400 miles Sunday.
Sharpe : Yes, Kevin Harvick has won the most at MIS, and yes, RFK is on a roll as Chris Buescher just won last week at Richmond, but Ryan Blaney has proven his ability to win at the Michigan-based track from a couple of years ago and is seeking for another win as Playoffs close in.
Shoppe : William Byron has been having a great season with frequent wins! But he hasn’t been on top lately. I expect that to change today with a win in Michigan. Look for the No. 24 team and William Byron to be wearing some large hats in victory lane once again and showing the garage they are a true championship contender this year.
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 as we celebrate our 15th anniversary of operations!
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.
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