NASCAR is heading to Michigan with drivers in The Chase, on the bubble and those who need a win to get in the playoffs.
The Pure Michigan 400 could produce a repeat 2017 season winner and it could give a driver to get in the playoffs by winning at Michigan International Speedway. Either way, the winner will not have an easy road to victory.
The Michigan International Speedway is a 2-mile track that allows drivers to reach speeds of 200 MPH plus at times. There is plenty of room to get side-by-side with two three and even four other cars. However, because of the speeds and the low down force package this year, getting too many cars side-by-side could be a major mistake. If car gets out of control and goes sideways around other cars the result could be what is called “The Big One.”
That puts more pressure on the crew chiefs and pit crews to make the right adjustments and get the cars on and off pit road without losing spots on the track. They will have a total of 200 laps (400 miles) to get those adjustments figured out. Those 400 laps will come with two 60 lap stages followed by a final stage of 80 laps.
This weekend’s race at Michigan is one of four left before the Chase Grid is set. The drivers on the bubble need to perform to remain above the cutoff line. There are drivers far enough below that line who will need to win one of these last four races to have a shot at racing for the championship. Below is a look at the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Chase picture heading into the Pure Michigan 400.
What drivers have a chance at winning in Michigan based on their career performance at the track? Below is a look at the top driver ratings at the track.
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Michigan
- Chase Elliott – 119.0
- Matt Kenseth – 102.4
- Kyle Larson – 100.7
- Jimmie Johnson – 99.1
- Joey Logano – 96.9
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 95.5
- Kevin Harvick – 93.7
- Brad Keselowski – 92.9
- Denny Hamlin – 90.2
- Kurt Busch – 89.3
NOTE: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2017 races (25 total) among active drivers at Michigan International Speedway.
When it comes to winning at Michigan the two active drivers who have scored three victories each are Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth. Kurt has a win this season while Matt does not and is just above the cutoff line for the Chase right now.
Kyle Larson has two wins at the track that happen to be the first race at Michigan this season and this race last year. Kyle also has two wins for the 2017 NASCAR season and is firmly on the Chase Grid at this time.
Four other drivers have a pair of wins at Michigan and include Ryan Newman, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano. Ryan and Denny have a win each and are on the Chase Grid as a result. Joey does have a win in 2017, but it has been encumbered by NASCAR and does not count toward making the playoffs. Each week it is looking more like Joey will need another win for a shot at the championship. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is far enough below the cutoff line that he will need to win to get on the Chase Grid in his final year as a full-time NASCAR driver.
Four drivers have a single win at Michigan during the NASCAR Cup Series careers and are Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie has three wins this season to secure his spot in the playoffs while Kasey, Kevin and Kyle have a win each putting them on the Chase Grid.
AS you can see in the Chase Grid picture above, there are three spots out of the 16 that are filled by drivers based on points. That means IF a driver below the cutoff line gets the win this weekend that will leave only two spots available to be filled based on points alone. This weekend’s race could change the playoff picture in a major way.
How will it all play out? We will see when the green flag waives to get it all started at 2:00 PM central time (3:00 PM eastern time) from Michigan International Speedway in the Pure Michigan 400.
By: Buck Stevens
