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The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400.
Last week’s last-lap chaos aside, it’s getting down to the end of the road for those not yet locked into the playoffs. Three regular season races remain, and Daytona and Darlington won’t be easy for anyone feeling the pressure of the postseason.
Chris Buescher could use a repeat of 2023, when he won at Michigan for one of his three summertime victories last season. Buescher is tied with Ross Chastain for the final wild card spot heading into the weekend. Buescher, Chastain, Bubba Wallace and Ty Gibbs are within 19 points of one another, with three spots currently available for the four drivers.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Michigan:
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Mike Organ’s pick: Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
Buescher was good early last week and incredibly good in August last year. He won at Michigan in 2023 and is always strong during this time of the year.
Tom Kreager’s pick: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Larson gets win No. 5 for his Hendrick team and gives him momentum as the playoffs near. It also helps NASCAR turn the attention away from the Austin Dillon-Joey Logano-Denny Hamlin headlines and focus on the sport’s star.
Nick Gray’s pick: Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Martin Truex Jr. would have been my pick, but the No. 19 team has struggled for most of the summer with consistency. So Ryan Blaney it is; the No. 12 Ford has been very good at Michigan, and Ford runs well at Michigan. Keep it simple.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Michigan predictions 2024: Expert picks for Cup Series race
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