Sticking around in the north this weekend, we’re off to Michigan for the FireKeepers Casino 400.
Location
- Michigan International Speedway
Track Length
- 2 miles
Track Type
- D-shaped oval superspeedway
Last 10 Track Winners:
- 2021: Ryan Blaney
- 2020 (2): Kevin Harvick
- 2020 (1): Kevin Harvick
- 2019 (2): Kevin Harvick
- 2019 (1): Joey Logano
- 2018 (2): Kevin Harvick
- 2018 (1): Clint Bowyer
- 2017 (2): Kyle Larson
- 2017 (1): Kyle Larson
- 2016 (2): Kyle Larson
- 2016 (1): Joey Logano
Last 10 Track Winners by Model
- Ford: 7
- Chevrolet: 3
Firekeepers Casino 400 Race Day Preview
Tyler Reddick took home the checkered flag, and three rookies finished in the Top 5 last weekend at Indianapolis for the first time since 1994, with Austin Cindric, Harrison Burton, and Todd Gilliland ending up 2-3-4. Ross Chastain, being Ross Chastain, was assessed a 30-second penalty for using the access road during overtime, which bumped the three youngsters into higher positions.
My sincere apologies for not suggesting those three for your lineups last Sunday. It is a friendly reminder that we can use all the best data available, and occasionally, a race will go sideways. Someone you may have thrown in your lineup because he was the only one you could afford ends up being the difference. So goes DFS, my friends.
Unlike last week, Michigan International Speedway has a long and rich NASCAR history to inform our decisions for the FireKeepers Casino 400. With only four regular-season races remaining, Martin Truex and Ryan Blaney hope no new driver (unless it’s one of them) wins, clinging to the only two points-only playoff positions.
Unfortunately for them, the best driver on this racetrack is the guy sitting in 17th place. Let’s take a look at everyone I’m planning to have shares of this weekend.
Of note: They have ruled out Kurt Busch again this weekend, with Ty Gibbs retaking his place.
Fantasy Drivers: The Contenders
Kevin Harvick (#4 Ford, Stewart-Haas Racing)
Kevin Harvick has four wins in his last six races in Michigan for a driver rating of 122.9. He sits one place out of the playoffs and is in danger of going home after the regular season for the first time since 2009. We could be watching the sunset of a marvelous career, but I also think he might have one last oomph in 2022. Statistically, his best chance is the FireKeepers Casino 400.
Chase Elliott (#9 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports)
Chase Elliott was running well, restarting alongside eventual-winner Tyler Reddick before a crash took him out of contention before the overtime restart. He is now running at a peak level and should be considered as such until further notice.
Joey Logano (#22 Ford, Team Penske)
Fords have a seven-race winning streak in Michigan, and Joey Logano is responsible for one of them. Coming in with a 105.2 driver rating, the No. 22 car has enjoyed success at superspeedways throughout its career. He had an encouraging sixth-place finish last weekend after a run of disappointing races. With two victories guaranteeing his playoff spot, Logano should show strongly in the FireKeepers Casino 400.
Fantasy Drivers: The Accelerators
Martin Truex Jr. (#19 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing)
Truex has never won in Michigan yet has the highest average finish over the past five races of anyone in the field. He has always run well on this track, and two-mile courses have been more friend than foe to him this season. Even though Toyotas have a terrible track record, we know by now to throw all of that out when it comes to the NextGen cars, and maybe this is the week the No. 19 car gets locked into a playoff spot.
Ryan Blaney (#12 Ford, Team Penske)
As the most recent winner of this race, Blaney’s 94.9 rating in Michigan would be higher save for one DNF in the last five races. He is receiving the “desperation boost” as another driver just chilling on the inside of the playoff bubble without a win. He has performed well enough at the track to give us some hope in rostering him for the FireKeepers Casino 400.
Kyle Busch (#18 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing)
Busch has performed well at 2-mile ovals this season and has one previous win in Michigan, though it came back in 2011. Still, he has been racing well, minus the DQ in Pocono. Sunday might be the day the Toyotas break out of their slump and prove that they’ve got the NextGen cars tamed to their liking.
Fantasy Drivers: The Intriguing One
Kyle Larson (#5 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports)
Larson had an early exit last weekend after a horrible accident under mysterious circumstances. This week, no clarification has come aside from Hendrick Motorsports stating it wasn’t a mechanical failure. Larson has a 105.2 rating in Michigan, so all signs point to him being a strong play on Sunday; however, without further information regarding last week, it might be hard to trust him.
I’ll be back Sunday morning looking at whose value is climbed following qualifiers on Saturday. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts or want to chat fantasy sports, give me a follow on Twitter @thewonkypenguin.