The FireKeepers Casino 400 is coming up and there are a number of drivers who will have a shot at winning this race. Past experience will play a factor in this, and possibly raw emotion. For one veteran NASCAR driver, Michigan International Speedway holds a special place in his heart. Others will try to rekindle the fires of past success in an effort to get their season back on track.
Michigan is a fun track. Last season it produced a great finish with Kevin Harvick coming out on top. Bubba Wallace earned his first career pole. Now the Cup Series returns to the 2-mile track for a 400-mile affair.
This week the folks at Bet MGM have Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin as the favorites in the FireKeepers Casino 400. At 7-1 odds, NASCAR’s newest frenemy rivalry might continue this Sunday.
Larson won three Michigan races in a row from 2016-2017 and hasn’t had much success since then. He is going to try to get that old flame going again as he makes a turn toward what he hopes is a strong playoff run.
Hamlin has two career wins at Michigan and in 32 starts, he has 11 top-5s. With an average finish of 12.6, Hamlin is a solid driver at this track.
The odds then list Kyle Busch at 15-2 odds to win the FireKeepers Casino 400. Busch is hoping to make a push for the regular season championship after his P3 finish at Richmond.
Kevin Harvick looking to defend FireKeepers Casino 400 win
Last season, it was Kevin Harvick, Mr. Michigan, who got the win. With six wins at this track, Harvick is by far the winningest driver in the active field. Harvick has the highest driver rating among the active drivers and in 42 races, he has just one DNF in this race.
This race also means a lot to Harvick. Michigan is the place he started giving his kids, Keelan and Piper, a ride to victory lane whenever he won. Last season was Piper’s first trip in her dad’s car.
Listed at 8-1 odds, is Harvick not being respected enough? With two top-5s and a top-10 in the last three races, Harvick seems to be cooking up a solid run. The Stewart-Haas Racing team has had a solid past two weeks. And the Fords as a whole have been hot lately.
Martin Truex Jr. and William Byron are both listed at 8-1 odds as well to win the FireKeepers Casino 400. Neither of those drivers has a win at Michigan. Byron only has one top-5 and just two top-10s in eight starts.
The FireKeepers Casino 400 could shake up the playoff standings. All it takes is one surprise winner to change everything on the playoff bubble.