Beat The Experts: Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan
By Cole Mentzel
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Michigan International Speedway this weekend for a race on the two mile track. Hendrick Motorsports will look to keep their streak going since Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon won both races there last season. We saw yet another new winner last weekend at Pocono as Martin Truex Jr. made it to Victory Lane, so will we see another this week? Our staff writers make their picks:
Joseph Shelton – Kurt Busch – Considering the fact that Michigan is similar to Fontana, you would think Brad Keselowski has it on lock, but I’m going to put my money on the #41 this weekend. He’s been on point this season in qualifying and he’s been extremely consistent. He had the dominant car in California, so he may very well be the man to beat on Sunday.
More from Jeff Gordon
- NASCAR: Jeff Gordon eyeing future Truck Series race at Martinsville?
- NASCAR: Could Jeff Gordon leave TV after 2018?
- Indy 500: The Best Drivers To Never Race
- Jeff Gordon To Drive In 2017 Rolex 24 At Daytona
- NASCAR: Jeff Gordon Takes Part In Whelen Euro Series Finals At Zolder
John Harlow – Kevin Harvick – He is overdue. How many times can you finish 2nd without getting a win? He won two in a row early on in the season at Las Vegas and Phoenix but since then, he has finished 2nd seven different times.
Marco Venosta – Jimmie Johnson – I think it is going to be Johnson again because he is so good on the cookie cutter tracks and he’s on a roll this season. His four wins have come at Atlanta, Texas, Kansas and Dover.
Claire Steen – Tony Stewart – I’m gonna go with Stewart because he keeps getting a touch of momentum and I feel like Michigan is a track where he can really shine. He’s itching for a win and it’s been too long plus it’s finally starting to heat up and Smoke loves hot tracks.
Cole Mentzel – Joey Logano – His only win so far this season was at Daytona and he’s in 4th place in the standings right now. Despite a few rough weeks, he has been staying consistent and having good finishes. I think he gets back to his winning ways on Sunday.
More from Beyond the Flag
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Will Kevin Harvick’s major record ever be broken?
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- Formula 1: Top Red Bull threat identified for 2024
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
Amy Marbach – Jeff Gordon – Gordon is my pick for this week because he is fired up and I equate that with a passion to win! I think he might just pull off his first win 0f 2015 at Michigan!
Mike Hutton – Kyle Busch – I still think the Ford’s are down on HP so that eliminates RFR or Penske plus a few other. The Toyotas have had a little resurgence of late and Kyle Busch needs a win.
Christopher Olmstead – Jeff Gordon – Gordon time is this weekend, or at least that’s what I believe anyways. Gordon has come close to winning a couple of times this season and we are now getting close to the point to where his fans might start becoming worried. At Michigan Gordon will put those worries to rest with a victory.
Underdog of the Weekend – Greg Biffle – Though Biffle has only had two top-10 finishes this season, he will come in to Michigan with some confidence. In his career, he has 4 wins there so he knows what it takes to have success. Watch out for the #16 this weekend.
Michigan always provides the fans with entertaining races and with so many storylines coming into this week, you won’t want to miss this one. Leave a comment below and let us know who your pick is to win the Quicken Loans 400 this weekend!