Chris Buescher was a bit of a surprise last week at Richmond, locking himself into the Playoffs with just a few races left to do so. That makes the climb a little steeper for some, but a Win is still the magic ticket.
Here’s what to look for:
–Christopher Bell followed up last week’s disappointing Richmond result with a Pole run at Michigan. His hot lap was hotter than anyone else’s — that’s his first step on trying to improve on his career best 13th place finish today.
–Kevin Harvick was our most recent winner here, and has taken the checkers in five of the last seven Michigan races. That doesn’t even sound real…but it’s true! He’s earned far and away more points than any other drivers in the last ten races, and carries a 5.5 average finish. Wow!
–Kyle Larson has two Wins in the last ten races (and three straight if you stretch it back to the eleven most recent), each of those coming behind the wheel of Chip Ganassi’s #42 Target car. He hasn’t yet found the way to Victory Lane with Hendrick Motorsports, but he’s certainly capable.
-Michigan and Auto Club are sister tracks, and Kyle Busch captured the flag earlier this year in Fontana, CA. Success at one doesn’t guarantee excellence at the other, but it doesn’t hurt! Busch has a pretty good record here, too; he had a seven-race streak of 7th or better before crashing out in 2022. Can Rowdy pick up the pieces today? The #8 will start 8th.
–Brad Keselowski wants to win here. Bad. It is his home track, and he’s managed to finish 2nd twice in the last ten races. This’ll be his second attempt here as a owner/driver for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, and after seeing his teammate/employee Chris Buescher in the Winner’s Circle last week, you know he’s got to feel even more anxious about this one. –Oh, and by the way, Fords have won eight straight.
Coverage of today’s race starts on USA at 2:30pm, green flag scheduled to drop right around there, too — thanks, weather-in-the-area!
Roc Sports NOW 