The Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway is scheduled to start on August, 28 at 2:00 p.m. ET on the NBC Sports Network. Joey Logano dominated the spring race leading 138 of the 200 laps turned. As a result, the Team Penske phenom reeled in his first victory of the 2016 season. The speedy competitor once again sits out front for the start of the Pure Michigan 400 on Sunday. Las Vegas has Logano slated at 6/1 to repeat as the contest’s winner.
Brad Keselowski is also a favorite to take the checkered flag in the Pure Michigan 400. Joey Logano’s teammate, will be searching for his first win ever at his home track in Brooklyn, Michigan. If that trend continues, he will become the eighth driver to claim victory on their home turf. Keselowski has four top five’s and was runner-up in 2012. Odds-makers have the experienced racer at a tempting 15/2 to nab his first Pure Michigan 400 title.
Matt Kenseth is another driver that has favorable odds to drive on to victory in the Pure Michigan 400. The Joe Gibbs Racing’s veteran won this Sprint Cup event last year in the fall. Kenseth truly excels at the two mile, paved tri-oval.
In his career, he has amassed 14 top five’s and three trips to Victory Lane. He has the highest Sprint Cup Series driver rating at this venue among any active participants (102.1). Despite his less than impressive qualifying effort, Las Vegas agrees. They have Kenseth at a very playable 15/2 to reel in his fourth win at Michigan.
Kevin Harvick, last week’s winner at Bristol Motor Speedway, is very fast at Michigan as well. Furthermore, the Stewart/Haas driver has had quite the impressive run in the last few years at this venue. Harvick collected four straight second place finishes from 2013-2014 and repeated that feat once again in the second race here last year. Line-setters have Harvick tied with Joey Logano as the contest’s favorite. The freaky fast driver is also placed at 6/1 to take the checkered flag in style.
Hendrick Motorsports looks like they brought their “A” game heading into the Pure Michigan 400. The Six-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson looks impressive behind the wheel of his #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet.
The future hall-of-fame driver was the second fastest in the first round of practices on Friday. Furthermore, Johnson kept that speed through qualifying. The Hendrick Motorsport’s leader will start in the second spot to begin the Pure Michigan 400 on Sunday. He currently sits at a 12/1 favorite to win his second race at the famed speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is still recovering from concussion like symptoms. He is expected back in two weeks at Richmond. Alex Bowman will fill in for the beloved driver in Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400. Jeff Gordon, filled in for the last three events. Unfortunately, he had prior commitments that kept him from competing in this weekend. Consequently, Bowman has impressed the Hendrick Motorsport’s posse. The replacement driver posted the eighth fastest practice time in the second round and will begin in sixth when the green flag is waved.
Rookies Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney continue to impress the racing world. Both drivers have over achieved throughout the 2016 Sprint Cup season. The speeds that they are posting this weekend at Michigan International Speedway is no different.
Chase Elliott guided his #24 Chevrolet to a fifth place qualifying position to start the Pure Michigan 400. The prodigal son lead 35 laps the first time he navigated the draft here in the spring. With plenty of confidence and a solid Hendrick Motorsport’s entourage, Las Vegas has the greenhorn at 15/1 to claim his first ever Sprint Cup victory.
Ryan Blaney continues to show plenty of speed at the larger tracks on the Sprint Cup circuit. His Woods Brothers’ affiliation with Team Penske is paying off in spades. The talented rookie was the fourth fastest driver in the first practice on Friday. He improved from the fourth fastest to the second fastest in the second go around.
His #21 Motor Craft/Quick Lane Ford will take off from the seventh position when the Pure Michigan 400 gets underway. If Blaney can find away to be towards the front in the closing laps, he just might pick up his first career win. Odds gurus have notched the youngster as a 50/1 long shot to get the job done on Sunday.
The Hun’s Fantasy Line-Up:
A: Joey Logano
B: Ryan Blaney Kyle Larson Matt Kenseth
C: Alex Bowman
