After Kevin Harvick took home the win in a Bristol race that began on Saturday night, ran 50 laps, then was suspended until Sunday, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series turns their attention to this weekend's Pure Michigan 400, held at the Michigan International Speedway.
There is no shortage of storylines this weekend, from Brad Keselowski looking for his first win at his home track, to the Chase for the Sprint Cup grid becoming more clear, to Chris Buescher being in position to crash the Chase. It will be an interesting weekend for sure.
Weekend Schedule (All times eastern)
Friday, August 26
First Practice: 12:00 p.m. - 1:25 p.m.
Qualifying: 5:15 p.m.
Saturday, August 27
Final Practice: 11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Sunday, August 28
Race: 2:00 p.m. (NBCSN)
Weekend Notebook
- It was announced on Wednesday that Dale Earnhardt Jr., formerly the driver of the Hendrick Motorsports #88 car, will miss at least two more races due to concussion-like symptoms. This is the second time in his career that he has missed races due to concussions. Jeff Gordon, who retired at the end of last season, has been filling in for him since the Indianapolis race, and will continue to race the car until Earnhardt Jr. returns.
- There are only three more races until the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins, and spots in the season-ending playoff are hard to come by. That is thanks to Buescher, who finished fifth at Bristol, giving him enough points to be in the top-30, which when combined with his win at Pocono, puts him in the Chase. The driver he knocked out is Kyle Larson, who finished 24th at Bristol.
- One driver who does not have a win this season, but is one of the favorites this weekend is Greg Biffle, driver of the Roush Fenway Racing #16 car. In his career, he has four career wins, which is the most of any active driver. His team, Roush Fenway, also has 13 wins at the track, most of any team.
- Keselowski is also a favorite this weekend, as he will be looking to get his first ever win at his home track. If he does pick up a win, he will become the eighth active driver to pick up a win in their home state. In his career, he has four top-five finishes, with his best being a runner-up finish in fall of 2012.
- Another driver who is considered a favorite is Matt Kenseth, who is the defending winner of the fall Michigan race. In his career, he has three Michigan wins, with 14 top five finishes. His 102.7 driver rating is second among active drivers, behind only Chase Elliott, who has just one race at the track.
Pick Em
Every week, the writers of the VAVEL NASCAR section pick which driver they think will win that week, and give a short explanation. Here are the standings entering this week, and the picks for this weekend.
Mark Smith
Driver: Kevin Harvick
Reason: "After last week's victory at Bristol Motor Speedway I think the driver of the #4 Chevrolet could go back to back. Michigan is a fast 2 mile oval and I think the Stewart-Haas Racing driver will have no trouble staying out front of the field on Sunday."
Stevie Larson
Driver: Matt Kenseth
Reason: "Kenseth is not only the defending winner of this race, but his driver rating is second to only Chase Elliott, who only has one race at the track. When the race ends, he will be in victory lane celebrating his fourth career Michigan victory."
Stephen Furst
Driver: Kyle Larson
Reason: " While Larson is still searching for his first win and has had some poor finishes lately, they do not reflect how he has been running. He has had some strong runs only to have situations arise out of his control He will regroup this week and put the pieces back together at a type of track that he runs very well at. He seems to get around these 2 mile d-shaped tracks very well. Look for the 42 Chevy in victory lane at the end of the day on Sunday."