Cup Series Preview: Michigan

     


 As we are now one week removed from a controversial finish and decision by NASCAR at the end of the Richmond race, the Cup series now heads full send into Michigan as we are preparing to watch the Cup series action later on today.  Qualifying was rained out so Denny Hamlin is the pole sitter with Tyler Reddick starting along side in 2nd. Rain has been in and out of the area all weekend and is a threat for the race today as well so that will be something to watch out for strategy wise if we are able to get cars on track today. Darkness is around 8:30, and yesterdays NASCAR Xfinity Series race had a cutoff time of 8:20 local time so that’s also something to consider. Monday like always is also an option and at that point the field should watch out for Mr. Monday Martin Truex Jr as it seems like he’s a Monday guy. Without further ado let’s get into the storylines.

         Fresh off a controversial finish and decision that followed, Austin Dillion was able to keep his win, but had to give up his playoff spot along with a point penalty that now has him sitting 31st in points more than at least 260 points back from the cut line which is currently held by last years Michigan winner Chris Buescher. Had Dillion would’ve kept the playoff eligible spot that would’ve put Bubba Wallace on the playoff bubble so that was a shake up. 

       This race we shouldn’t have to worry about the shenanigans that we saw on the last lap last Sunday, at least I hope not at these speeds. This race will be more about getting good restarts, going 3-4 maybe even 5 wide while trying to get the car dialed in. Like most Michigan races I expect a few cautions but for the race to become a strategy race in the last stage at least. The final stage is 80 laps and with the fuel window being 46-52 laps (that’s going to fluctuate with cautions or fuel saving) it makes the last stage interesting as to when should a guy pit, do you split down the middle or do you pit immediately as the window opens. It also matters what decision is made under stage 2 stage break.

        Now it’s time to talk about contenders for today. Ross Chastain was fastest in yesterday’s shortened practice session with Martin Truex Jr in 2nd, Kyle Larson in 3rd, William Byron in 4th, and Bubba Wallace rounding out the top 5. All 5 of these guys who their way around this race track so it’s hard for me to bet against them if judging off of practice speed alone. Out of that top 5 only 2 drivers start in the top 5 with Larson starting 4th and Bubba in 5th.  Ross starts 7th with William Byron starting 9th but Martin Truex Jr will have to drive from 24th position. Last years race winner Chris Buescher will start 18th, and he was a solid 9th in practice while also running the most laps at 18 (as well as did Byron and Martin Truex Jr). Last weeks winner Austin Dillion will start 10th but was 26th in practice so work needs to be done there. If I had to pick a favorite I would probably pick William Byron to come through for the win, and my sleeper pick would be the 23 of Bubba Wallace to win today.

      With all of this being said, NASCAR is ultimately racing the rain…..again. Rain is in the area all day and should we make it to stage 2 the aggression level from stage 1 is expected to double at least. There’s guys around the cut line that run well here and could throw a hail merry should the opportunity present itself and on the other side, we could have someone go for broke outside of the top 30 and shakeup the playoff field even more. All in all, this is what Michigan is about and hopefully we get to see the track in action today.


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