Friday, June 16, 2017

Michigan Betting Preview: 2017 Firekeepers Casino 400

How about this guy on 2-mile tracks?
LAS VEGAS -- After 14 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, I can say with a joyful happiness that I have absolutely loved the way this season is going. Between more competitive cars in the mix, the stages making all portions of the race important and then amazing storylines being built weekly that daisy-chains into each race, we've got some compelling television happening an its easy to follow like a primetime soap opera.

I can't say that it's been my most profitable betting year so far and part of that is because it's so competitive. But I don't mind because I'm still enjoying the races.

For instance, I love the fact that Ryan Newman broke a slump by winning at Phoenix. I also like the superstars like Jimmie Johnson getting his three wins. Most of all, I like seeing first-time winners. We've had three in the past five races -- Ricky Stenhouse Jr at Talladega, Austin Dillon at Charlotte and Ryan Blaney last week at Pocono.

Joe Gibbs Racing still doesn't have a win, nor does Kevin Harvick who is in a Ford for the first time in his career.

All those storylines tie into Sunday's FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. What's accentuated even more here is the manufacturer battle since Motown is right over the Irish Hills where this 2-mile D-Shaped oval rests. All the executives from Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota are on hand for their own little battle and the brands.

And Yes, Toyota is an American brand with the Camry made in Georgetown, KY where $1.3 billion was just reinvested by the company. However, thy newcomers are way down the list on the manufacturer winners board that has been updated twice a year since the former Penske track debuted in 1969. Ford leads all with 35 wins, including one by Joey Logano in this race last season. Chevrolet has 24 wins, including Kyle Larson's first career win in the fall last season. Toyota has five wins.

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