NASCAR: 3 longshot picks to win the FireKeepers Casino 400

Michigan International Speedway has been Kevin Harvick’s playground in recent NASCAR Cup Series season. But who could dethrone him by pulling off the upset this weekend?

Going back to August 2018, seven NASCAR Cup Series races have been contested at Michigan International Speedway. Only three drivers have found victory lane at the track during that span.

Five of those seven races around the four-turn, 2.0-mile (3.219-kilometer) Brooklyn, Michigan oval were won by Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick, who owns six career wins at the track. The other two wins during that stretch went to Team Penske teammates Joey Logano (June 2019) and Ryan Blaney (August 2021).

In total, Ford have reeled off eight straight NASCAR Cup Series wins at the track going back to Clint Bowyer’s June 2018 victory, when he finished ahead of Harvick in second place.

Not since Kyle Larson won three races in a row at the track from August 2016 to August 2017 has Chevrolet won there, and not since Matt Kenseth won in August 2015 has Toyota been victorious.

Could race number two at Michigan International Speedway in the Next Gen era shake things up? If so, here are three drivers with appealing longshot odds to win Sunday’s race at FanDuel Sportsbook, which is currently offering fans an instant $100 just for betting $5.

NASCAR at Michigan: FireKeepers Casino 400 longshot picks – Ty Gibbs

I’m going to sound like a broken record, but it still seems as if Ty Gibbs’ time is coming. He finds himself as the top driver below the playoff cut line with four races remaining on the regular season schedule, and Michigan International Speedway is a track at which he won en route to securing his 2022 Xfinity Series championship.

Additionally, Gibbs secured his first career top 10 finish in just his third career Cup Series start at the track last August. He is coming into his own at NASCAR’s top level, and this just might be his weekend.

NASCAR at Michigan: FireKeepers Casino 400 longshot picks – Chris Buescher

RFK Racing are experiencing a resurgence in year number two since adding Brad Keselowski as a full-time driver and team co-owner, and Chris Buescher has taken advantage, having now won twice in the last calendar year.

Buescher hasn’t been particularly strong at Michigan International Speedway, but coming off of a dominant victory at Richmond Raceway, momentum is on his side, and his team continues to get stronger and stronger. We’re talking about a driver who is becoming somewhat of a regular frontrunner being listed at only +5000.

NASCAR at Michigan: FireKeepers Casino 400 longshot picks – Austin Dillon

For as bad as his 2023 season has been, Austin Dillon has run better lately for a Richard Childress Racing team that have continued to compete at the front with all the teams that were supposedly a tier above them coming into the year.

If not for a hard wreck at Pocono Raceway, Dillon would be sitting at three straight top 10 finishes for the first time since late last season. He has historically run well at Michigan International Speedway, and Richard Childress Racing won the other race at a 2.0-mile oval this season, with Kyle Busch taking the checkered flag at Auto Club Speedway in only his second start for the team.

With odds and availability subject to change, be sure to lock in your $100 today!

Beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET this Sunday, August 6, USA Network is scheduled to broadcast the FireKeepers Casino 400 live from Michigan International Speedway. Take advantage of FuboTV’s free trial offer now and don’t miss it!