2011 NASCAR Pure Michigan 400 Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
(The Spread) - The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Michigan International Speedway on Sunday for the Pure Michigan 400.
If this race is anything like the previous event at this track, it doesn't figure to be very exciting. Michigan International Speedway is known for giving us some pretty boring races with long green runs, very little passing, fuel mileage and track position. This was certainly the case back in June when Denny Hamlin held off Matt Kenseth after taking the lead on the last pit stop with eight laps in the race.
Don't be surprised to see much of the same this week, but with a little less gambling since we are just five races away from the start of the Chase. None of the contenders can afford to run out of gas and risk losing too many points.
Carl Edwards 7/1
Edwards has five top-5 finishes in his last six races here, which includes a win back in the fall of 2008. This is his second best track statistically and out of the 14 career starts he’s made here, 12 have been top-10 finishes. Edwards needs at least one more win before the Chase to position himself a little bit better for the stretch run and no better track for him than Michigan where he has won twice before. Look for Carl to do his trademark backflip again on Sunday.
Matt Kenseth 12/1
Kenseth is probably the most consistent driver at Michigan in the entire field. He’s made 24 starts at Michigan with just one finish outside of the top 20. He finished second to Denny Hamlin after losing the lead on the last pit stop but had the car to beat. Just like his teammate, a win this week would most likely put him in the Chase.
Live Longshot
Greg Biffle 20/1
Biffle has had lots of success on tracks like Michigan International Speedway and others similar to it. In 17 starts here, Biffle has two wins and 10 top-10s. With him still in the hunt to make the Chase, look for him to make another strong run this week and get a much needed win.
2011 Pure Michigan 400 Information
Race Date: Sunday, Aug. 21
Location: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI
Pre-Race: Noon ET
Green Flag: Approx. 1:16PM ET
TV Coverage: ESPN
Radio Coverage: MRN
Track Type: Oval (200 laps)