With NASCAR heading to Michigan this weekend, we inch ever closer to the conclusion of the regular season. Several drivers will hope to capture momentum at the 2024 FireKeepers Casino 400.
However, the biggest storyline heading into this week has to be the win and subsequent penalization of Austin Dillon after Richmond. The driver of the #3 absolutely cleared out Joey Logano first and then Denny Hamlin in order to claim his first victory and secure his playoff ticket.
AUSTIN DILLON TURNS JOEY LOGANO TO WIN AT RICHMOND! 👀 pic.twitter.com/R8FXVNrzAK
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) August 12, 2024
Or so he thought.
NASCAR announced earlier this week that while the win would stand, it would not count towards the playoffs. Additionally, NASCAR took 25 points away from Dillon and suspended his spotter – all calls with which I wholeheartedly agree. Purposely wrecking multiple cars ought not to secure your playoff spot and so Dillon must win again to lock himself into the postseason. With both Hamlin and Logano likely livid at him and RCR not having speed anywhere other than last week, I don’t like his chances.
Playoff Picture Heading Into the 2024 FireKeepers Casino 400
- Kyle Larson – Four Wins
- Denny Hamlin – Three Wins
- William Byron – Three Wins
- Christopher Bell – Three Wins
- Ryan Blaney – Two Wins
- Chase Elliott – One Win
- Tyler Reddick – One Win
- Brad Keselowski – One Win
- Alex Bowman – One Win
- Joey Logano – One Win
- Daniel Suarez – One Win
- Austin Cindric – One Win
- Martin Truex Jr. +78
- Ty Gibbs +18
- Bubba Wallace +3
- Chris Buescher +0
- Ross Chastain -0
- Chase Briscoe -99
- Kyle Busch -119
A look at the updated #NASCARPlayoffs standings following Wednesday's news. pic.twitter.com/IDzG7X9d5c
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 14, 2024
After Richmond, the most notable change was Bubba Wallace vaulting himself into the current playoff sixteen with a strong run at Richmond. The #23 looks to build off the momentum with a strong run at Michigan – a place where Wallace has run well before. However, the margin for error is zero with Chris Buescher and Ross Chastain just three points back of Wallace.
Also of note from last week is Ty Gibbs slipping closer to the cutline. The driver of the #54 did not have a good run at Richmond and should he have issues in any of the final three races, he could find himself below the cutline in a hurry.
2024 FireKeepers 400 Entry List
Cody Ware wheels the #15 this week for Rick Ware Racing while AJ Allmendinger will be behind the #16 for Kaulig Racing after it was announced he’ll be back in the Cup Series full-time in 2025. There were no surprises throughout the rest of the field.
As for what to expect at Michigan, the wide and sweeping 2.0-mile track suits the NASCAR NextGen car well. Expect high speeds and loads of passing come Sunday. Aeroblocking will undoubtedly play a role in the closing stages but the draft down the straights could lead to some pretty daring dives in the corners. I’m excited about this one.
FireKeepers 400 Race Odds and Predictions
As has been a recurring theme all season, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin sit atop the odds rankings for Sunday’s race with both drivers coming in at +600. Ryan Blaney comes in just behind at +750. Martin Truex Jr., still in search of his first win of 2024, comes in +850 while Tyler Reddick at +900 and Brad Keselowski at +1000 round out the rest of the top ten.
Parked and ready to unload.
— Michigan International Speedway (@MISpeedway) August 16, 2024
The NASCAR Cup Series teams are here for the #FireKeepersCasino400! pic.twitter.com/p7w7eOTsSs
If you’re looking to take more of a dark horse in Sunday’s race, I think Bubba Wallace at +2000 is an excellent pick. Wallace nearly won this race two years ago and I’d expect the #23 to run well once again. Don’t count out Chris Buescher in the #17 either. Buescher won the 2023 FireKeepers 400 and a win would be massive for him and his playoff hopes. His odds to win are currently at +1400.
As for my official race pick, I’m going with Tyler Reddick on Sunday. I also like Bubba Wallace at +260 to place in the top five and Toyota at +130 to win on Sunday.
Check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action.
Saturday 08/17
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – 12:20 p.m. CT on USA
Cabo Wabo 250 (NASCAR Xfinity Series) – 2:30 p.m. CT on USA
Sunday 08/18
FireKeepers Casino 400 (NASCAR Cup Series) – 1:30 p.m. CT on USA
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