FireKeepers Casino 400, Michigan, 3 p.m. TV: NBCSN
With just two races before the playoffs begin, NASCAR heads to Michigan Sunday for the FireKeepers Casino 400.
Only two of the 16 playoff spots remain open (Denny Hamlin, despite no wins, clinched a spot last week). Kevin Harvick would need two wild-card winners this week and next to not qualify.
The final spot, if there are no wild-card winners, is still between Tyler Reddick and his teammate Austin Dillon. Reddick holds a 25-point lead heading into Sunday.
Back to Harvick, it is a little shocking that he and Hamlin have gone the entire season without making it to Victory Lane.
If you believe in trends this could be Harvick’s week. Four of the last five winners in Michigan have driven Fords and four of the last six winners have been part of the Stewart-Haas racing team.
Harvick fits into both of those categories. Does The Eckel 4, which as always includes Scott “Tobacco Road’’ Baker, Mike “Left Turn’’ Sweeney and Barry “Dr. NASCAR’’ Davis, think this is his week? Some do, some don’t.
Here are Sunday’s selection for your betting and fantasy teams.
Kevin Harvick (8-1): Two of The 4 put Harvick on top, while the other two didn’t even mention him at all. It’s been that kind of a year for the 2020 points champion. He did win here last season, but he won just about everywhere last season.
Kyle Busch (7-1): One of The 4 picked “Rowdy’’ and surprise, surprise, it wasn’t “Tobacco Road’’. Busch has had success in Michigan with a fifth-place finish in both 2020 and 2019 and a fourth-place finish in 2018.
Kyle Larson (3-1): It’s hard to leave out the favorite, especially when he’s been the best driver all season. “Tobacco Road’’ made sure The 4 didn’t forget about him even though he’s had just moderate success in Michigan. Larson, however, will be on the pole and we know ow much “Tobacco Road’’ loves the pole.
Martin Truex Jr. (7-1): None of The 4 picked Truex to win, but three mentioned the New Jersey native to be in the mix Sunday. He has finished third here each of the past two years.
Denny Hamlin (9-1): You don’t usually get odds this good on Hamlin, so maybe he’s a play this week. The Doc and TR think he’s worth a look.
Longshot Play: Alex Bowman (18-1)