Beat The Experts: Pure Michigan 400 At Michigan
By Cole Mentzel
The Sprint Cup Series will visit Michigan for the second and final time this season on Sunday in the Pure Michigan 400. The last time NASCAR was in Michigan, there were some very lengthy rain delays that eventually led to the race being called since it was over halfway done. Fortunately for NASCAR, and its fans, there isn’t any rain in the forecast for Sunday (at the moment) so hopefully they can get a full race in this time.
Michigan always provides fans with lots of fast action due to its big sweeping turns and the fact that it is a 2 mile track. Many interesting stories stemmed from the last race like Kyle Larson nearly winning his first race and Kyle Busch spinning when it was apparently raining on the re-start. Could more things like that happen this week and if so, who will win? The BTF staff gives their predictions:
John Harlow – Tony Stewart – I am going to go with Stewart because he has run well in the last 3 weeks. Pit strategy cost him at Indy, gas got him at Pocono and a parts failure was the problem at the Glen. Finally, it all goes right for Smoke this week.
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Cole Mentzel – Denny Hamlin – He’s won here a few times and has fared well at tracks 2 miles and over this season. His last win was the All-Star race and despite a few solid finishes lately, he just hasn’t been himself. That will change this weekend on a track that he is solid at.
Mike Hutton – Brad Keselowski – He’s a Michigan native, always runs well on this type of track and seems due. Also, I realize a paint scheme has nothing to do with on-track performance but his retro-MGD Black No. 2 looks freakin’ awesome!
Claire Steen – Jeff Gordon – I have to go with Jeff Gordon in Victory Lane come Sunday at Michigan. I think he could have an awesome day, especially after the lap times he had on this track last year.
Joseph Shelton – Kyle Busch – I see Busch solidifying his Chase position with his second Michigan win. Anything’s possible for the 18 this season.
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Zach Roethlisberger – Kevin Harvick – He has finished in second place more times than anyone this year and was so close last week after doing a hell of a job saving fuel but just wasn’t good enough. He is very good at Michigan and has had a tremendous amount of speed in the car. Look for Harvick to get win number three in 2015 this weekend.
Underdog of the Weekend – Greg Biffle – Biffle has 4 wins at Michigan (2004, 2005, 2012, 2013). Though he has had a bad year so far this season, this is one of his better tracks so I expect him to do well. He could surprise you this weekend.
With only 4 races left until the Chase starts, every driver without a win is going to going as hard as they can. That means drivers like Jeff Gordon, Jamie McMurray and the rest will be desperate to get a win and solidify their position. Things are going to get crazy in Michigan as drivers look to keep their point totals high and that will create a fun race to watch.
Who do you think will win this weekend? Let us know in the comments below!