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On the heels of an exciting and controversial finish at Richmond, where Austin Dillon wrecked both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the way to his first victory in nearly two years, the NASCAR Cup Series is back on the track this weekend in Michigan.
That’s right, the field heads to the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway’s 2-mile oval with just three regular-season races to go before the playoffs.
Meaning, every lap matters for those on the playoff bubble, which now includes Dillon, after NASCAR on Wednesday revoked his automatic spot in the playoffs after it was determined he “crossed a line” after intentionally wrecking Logano and Hamlin on the last lap at Richmond.
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Dillon and his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevy team were also docked 25 owner and driver points, dropping Dillon to 31st in the driver standings.
Here’s something else to keep in mind this week: A Ford has won the last nine Cup races at Michigan, including Chris Buescher’s last year and Kevin Harvick’s four out of five starts from 2019-2022.
Toyota hasn’t won a race at the 2-mile oval since Matt Kenseth’s victory in the summer of 2015. Chevy’s last win was in August 2017 when Kyle Larson (who also won three in a row from 2016-2017) took the checkered flag.
Expect fireworks at the FireKeepers Casino 400, as FrontPageBets takes a look at the drivers to watch this Sunday at Michigan International Speedway (2:30 p.m.; USA Network).
Blaney, the defending Cup champion, drives a Ford as a member of Team Penske, which makes him a good bet considering the manufacturer’s success at Michigan.
Blaney won there in 2021, and has eight top-10s, including five top-5s in 15 career starts at the 2-mile track.
Blaney has two wins this season and sits fifth in driver points.
While the driver of the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford has never won there, the Rochester, Michigan, native has run well at his home-state track.
Keselowski, who won at Darlington earlier this year to punch his playoff ticket, has eight top-5 finishes at Michigan’s 2-mile oval.
His average finish there is 12.3.
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It’s now or never for the driver of the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevy.
Busch has three races left to try and earn a playoff spot, and the best way to do that is with a win.
He won at Michigan back in 2011 and since has 10 top-10 finishes at the track.
NASCAR FireKeepers Casino 400 odds for Michigan International Speedway
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 24-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His “View From The Lazy Boy” column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
