NASCAR Pure Michigan 400: Preview and prediction
Who’s Hot
Joey Logano
This may have been the summer of Kyle Busch, but Joey Logano is having his time in the sun as well. Eying his first Sprint Cup Championship, Logano has started to look dominant out on the track, something the young driver has needed to do in order to take that next step and become one of NASCAR’s elite.
After finishing second in multiple races to Busch, and watching a win slip away to a fuel issue, Logano persevered against all adversity and took home the victory last week at Watkins Glen. Putting on display yet another trait of what it takes to be a champion in the Sprint Cup Series, Logano is finally coming into his own.
Logano is one of the youngest drivers in NASCAR and is going to be around for a long time to shepherd the new guard of the next generation of NASCAR drivers. It’s only a matter of time before he wins his first championship, and the 2015 season could very well be the year that he does it.
Heading into the Pure Michigan 400, Logano has to like his chances at the track, as he has been on a roll, and has won at Michigan before. With his Team Penske teammate Brad Keselowski also being one of the new prominent faces in the sport, and a good bet as well at Michigan, it could be a great weekend for Roger Penske and his team.
Kyle Busch
Guess who’s in the top-30 in points? Guess who now has a spot in The Chase? Guess who now has all of NASCAR on its heels?
The answer to all of the above questions: Kyle Busch. One of the greatest stories in NASCAR is being written and No. 18 is the author of this great tale. After missing a majority of the early part of the season because of a leg injury that could have damn near ended, and probably should have, ended his career, Busch returned to the track in May against all odds.
The story didn’t stop there though. Busch would go onto win four out of five races, and suddenly put himself into contention for a spot in The Chase and a chance at a Sprint Cup Championship. Last week at Watkins Glen, Busch finished second on the day, and officially climbed into that top-30.
Now Busch is in The Chase and has to be considered a heavy favorite to win the Sprint Cup Championship this season. Heading into the Pure Michigan 400 he’s also a favorite.
If things trend as they have the past few weeks, Busch will likely be battling the aforementioned Logano and Kevin Harvick for a chance to enter victory lane on Sunday.
Kevin Harvick
The man who has been right there with Logano and Busch, Kevin Harvick has been downright dominant this year. With 15 top-5’s and 19 top-10’s, Harvick is boasting one of the most impressive single season resumes on record.
He hasn’t won since Phoenix early on in the season, but he has made sure to remain in contention for wins each week. Harvick has preserved his place in the points standings and let everyone know that he isn’t going to give up his Sprint Cup Championship so easily.
At Watkins Glen, Harvick looked like he was going to have his third win of the season in place, but he didn’t have enough fuel for the final few turns and ended up getting passed by the two guys he has been battling for wins all summer.
Still, Harvick’s performances have to make him the favorite to win it all, as he makes sure to finish high even if not winning. The new format of racing has really separated the best drivers from the rest of the pack, and thus far it’s Harvick who has been better than anyone overall this season. Looking for his second championship, Harvick is running at the right pace to do so.
Harvick has won at Michigan before, and has claimed the Pure Michigan 400 too. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that he will be in contention yet again this week. The real question is whether or not he can pick up his first win in almost six months.
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