2014 Pure Michigan 400 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions: Favorites, Sleepers and Drivers to Avoid: The Cup Series heads back to Michigan International Speedway this weekend for the second of two races at the 2.-0 mile, D-shaped oval. Earlier this year, Jimmie Johnson emerged victorious in a race that saw several big names spend significant time at the front. Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano all led more than 25 laps, and with the track’s wide racing surface and multiple grooves, there is a good chance several drivers will take their turns out front this weekend, as well. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the drivers that could end up in victory lane this weekend.
The Favorites
After countless close calls at Michigan, Jimmie Johnson finally broke through and won at the track earlier this year. Had it not been for tire, engine and fuel issues in the past, he would already have four or five wins at MIS under his belt. Johnson has led the second-most laps of any driver in the last 10 races at Michigan, and now that he has the monkey off his back after his win in June, a season sweep is a real possibility.
He won at Michigan in August of 2010, and Kevin Harvick has been inching closer to a return to victory lane recently. He finished second in both starts at MIS last year, and he finished second once again earlier this year in his first start at the track with Stewart-Haas Racing. After three straight runner-up finishes, Harvick is among the safest bets to contend for the win Sunday.
Since joining Team Penske last year, Joey Logano has been one of the best in the business at Michigan. Not only is he the defending winner of this weekend’s race, but he has finished in the top 10 in all three starts at the track with Team Penske. In those starts, Logano has compiled a 6.3 average finish and has led more laps than any other driver.
The Dark Horses
Normally, Greg Biffle would be a favorite at Michigan, but he and the entire Roush Fenway Racing organization were awful at the track in June. On the other hand, he is a four-time winner at Michigan, and no driver has led more laps at the track in the last 10 races. If the performance in June was a one-race fluke, Biffle could bounce back in a big way this weekend.
Although he only has one victory in the Cup Series to date, Paul Menard has developed into a legitimate threat at Michigan. He has a 7.8 average finish in his four starts at the track, logging three top-10s during the stretch. More importantly, Menard has finished fourth in his last two starts at MIS, and he won a Nationwide race at the track earlier this year. If Menard is going to return to victory lane at the Cup level, Michigan is one of the likeliest spots.
A Lap 1 wreck ended a promising day at Michigan earlier this year, but Brian Vickers overall numbers at the track remain strong. Prior to the crash, he had finished in the top 15 in seven straight starts at MIS, picking up six top-10s during the streak. More importantly, Vickers is a former winner at the track so he has proven he can seal the deal.
Sleeper Special
Rookie Kyle Larson has less than a season under his belt, but he has already come close to reaching victory lane on several occasions. Meanwhile, he has been excellent at 2.0-mile tracks in his young career. Larson finished second at Auto Club Speedway early in the year, and he finished eighth at Michigan in June. He could become the next first-time winner in the Cup Series this weekend.
Big Name to Avoid
From 2010 to 2011, Denny Hamlin had a scorching three-race stretch at Michigan when he notched two wins and a second-place finish. However, he has been miserable at MIS since then, finishing outside the top 10 in his last six starts. During the slump, Hamlin had finished outside the top 25 four times and posted a dismal 26.5 average finish.
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