Fast Forward ~ The Pure Michigan 400 At Michigan Fantasy Race Picks And Preview
“The future is like a corridor into which we can see only by the light coming from behind.”
–Edward Weyer, Jr.
The Track: Michigan International Speedway
Location: Brooklyn, Michigan
Length: 2.0 Mile Tri-oval
Banking: 18 degrees in turns 1-2;
18 degrees in turns 3-4;
12 degrees on the front stretch
5 degrees on the back stretch
Pit Road Speed: 45MPH
The Race: The Pure Michigan 400
200 Laps/ 400 Miles
Defending Champion: Joey Logano, 144.593MPH
Most recent winner: Jimmie Johnson, 143.441 MPH
Track Record: Dale Jarrett, 173.997 MPH, June 1999
Race Record: Dale Jarrett, 173.997 MPH, June 1999
Qualifying record: Kevin Harvick, 204.557, June 2014
2013 Purse: $5,243,575
TV:ESPN, 1:00PM EST 8/17/2014
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) Sirius XM 90; www.MRN.com
The History:
9/28/1967-Construction begins
6/15/1969- First race, won by Cale Yarborough
8/16/1992-Harry Gant becomes the oldest winner at 52 years, 7 months, 6 days.
6/10/2001-Closest finish, Jeff Gordon over Ricky Rudd, margin of victory: .085 seconds.
8/18/2013-Joey Logano becomes the youngest winner at 23 years, 2 months, 24 days
The Contenders:
Driver Ratings At Michigan Based on the Last 19 Races At Michigan
1. #16-Greg Biffle 107.8
2. #20-Matt Kenseth 104.5
3. #48-Jimmie Johnson 102.9
4. #99-Carl Edwards 102.2
5. #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 97.5
6. #14-Tony Stewart 95.8
7. #24-Jeff Gordon 91.2
8. #18-Kyle Busch 91.1
9. #41-Kurt Busch 90.0
10. #42-Kyle Larson 89.7
The Picks
As always, before we get into this week’s picks, let’s review how we did last week. Kevin took a big step towards making the post season by choosing A.J. Allmendinger. Nate is now on the outside looking in, but only by three points.
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
|
Mr. Seven |
4 |
37 |
861 |
898 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mr. Pole |
24 |
11 |
861 |
872 |
-26 |
4 |
2 |
|
Darrell |
9 |
43 |
776 |
819 |
-79 |
2 |
2 |
|
Vivian |
2 |
9 |
798 |
807 |
-91 |
3 |
2 |
|
Mr. Winner |
18 |
4 |
785 |
789 |
-109 |
1 |
2 |
|
PattyKay Lilley |
9 |
43 |
742 |
785 |
-113 |
1 |
1 |
|
Brian Marchetti |
9 |
43 |
723 |
766 |
-132 |
1 |
2 |
|
Jim Fitzgerald |
18 |
4 |
759 |
763 |
-135 |
1 |
2 |
|
Barbara |
9 |
43 |
715 |
758 |
-140 |
1 |
2 |
|
Nate |
14 |
7 |
748 |
755 |
-143 |
1 |
3 |
|
Alabama Fitz |
9 |
43 |
683 |
726 |
-172 |
2 |
4 |
|
Kevin Abraham |
47 |
48 |
667 |
715 |
-183 |
2 |
4 |
|
If Playoff Started Today |
|
|||||||
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
Chase Pts |
Mr. Pole |
24 |
11 |
861 |
872 |
-26 |
4 |
2 |
2012 |
Vivian |
2 |
9 |
798 |
807 |
-91 |
3 |
2 |
2009 |
Darrell |
9 |
43 |
776 |
819 |
-79 |
2 |
2 |
2006 |
Alabama Fitz |
9 |
43 |
683 |
726 |
-172 |
2 |
4 |
2006 |
Kevin Abraham |
47 |
48 |
667 |
715 |
-183 |
2 |
4 |
2006 |
Mr. Winner |
18 |
4 |
785 |
789 |
-109 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
PattyKay Lilley |
9 |
43 |
742 |
785 |
-113 |
1 |
1 |
2003 |
Brian Marchetti |
9 |
43 |
723 |
766 |
-132 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
Jim Fitzgerald |
18 |
4 |
759 |
763 |
-135 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
Barbara |
9 |
43 |
715 |
758 |
-140 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
Nate |
14 |
7 |
748 |
755 |
-143 |
1 |
3 |
2003 |
Mr. Seven |
4 |
37 |
861 |
898 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2000 |
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Michigan, where does one begin? A car has to be fast and have good fuel mileage. Do I pick on my own or mirror a one win person to ensure a spot in the RFF Chase?
JIM FITZGERALD: The competition is secondary. .. Give our readers someone who can win on Sunday! This week I'm going with Brad K. He finished third here in the first race, and has two other top 5 finishes. Plus I'm looking for someone to head into the Chase with a small advantage over the rest of the field, and I don' think Jimmie and Chad are concentrating on that. Keselowski is my guy this week.
ALABAMA FITZ: Considering the year he is having, Brad is a good solid pick, Jim. It was his recent past record (last three were 12-12-3) that made me look elsewhere. He finished behind JJ and Harvick in the spring, and as you say, JJ and Chad are looking elsewhere right now it seems. So many to choose from, only one winning spot.
JIM FITZGERALD: So you choose…
ALABAMA FITZ: While Junior is running very well this year, his performance at Michigan lately makes me hesitant to choose him. The same with Gordon and Johnson, even though JJ won here earlier this year. The defending champ of this race, Logano, is running well in 2014 and warranted a good look from me this time around with his three consecutive Top 10s at this track. Clint Bowyer, however, has FIVE consecutive Top 10's here. Biffle has finished in the Top 10 four out of his last five at Michigan. So, there are many to choose from this week. I'm going with the guy who has three consecutive 2nd place finishes at this track that used to belong to Ford and Roush. (Biffle has won FOUR times here if my research is correct, so he would be my dark horse selection.) This guy has won here in the past, and already has two wins this year. I will ride with Kevin "Happy" Harvick.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: I wonder if Biffle has extra motivation after losing sponsor 3M to Jeff Gordon next year? It’s motivation enough for me to pick him. For that reason, I am going to say Biffle wins and secures sponsorship for 2015.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: I have looked at Michigan and the old mantra no longer holds true here, especially since that last repaving. That track is greased lightning and the Roush Fords can't handle it. I know he's been picked once, or at least I think I saw his name go by, but it just makes sense on a track that fast to go with the car that's Freaky Fast. Mama will be riding shotgun on Sunday with Kevin "Happy" Harvick. Let 'r rip!
BRIAN MARCHETTI: That was my pick, too…who else can I have?
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Deal with it Brian; I'm not doing a do-over. Harvick it is! Freaky Fast is a good thing... most times.
BRIAN MARCHETTI: Well, after doing some homework, I have my doubts, but I'm going with Biffle this week. I'll admit to not fully understanding or caring about the new Chase format, rules, etc., so I can't even say that I'm accurate in my next statement. Biffle looks like a bubble car to me, with no wins this season. We know he can win at Michigan, and we know he needs/wants a win. He does have the top Driver Rating for this track, so I'm trying to find the flaws....I'm looking for reasons not to take him, and I just can't find any.
JIM FITZGERALD: Too late now, anyway! Now let’s see what our fans have to say!
Vivian: MIS is going to be a Chevy track Sunday when Jeff Gordon wins the Pure Michigan 400.
Nate: I'm going with #88 for Michigan. He's been strong there recently.
Barbara: As for Michigan: JGR lost their notes from last year, but I’m going to trust Matt to remember driving for Jack and put the #20 in victory lane.
Darrell: My pick for this weekend's race in Michigan will be Jeff Gordon. 2wins, most top fives and most top 10's at that track. He won't let another one slip away.
JIM FITZGERALD: Well, there you have it. One for Brad, one for Dale, one for Matt, two for Kevin, two for Jeff, and two for The Biff. We’ll be back next week of course to review these picks and look ahead to the race at…BRISTOL BABY! Until then, keep the shiny side up!
Our Picks For This Week!
Kevin Abraham |
Alabama Fitz |
Jim Fitzgerald |
PattyKay Lilley |
Brian Marchetti |
Darrell |
Nate |
Who is YOUR pick to win this week?
Correctly choose the winner before the green flag drops on Sunday, and you'll be entered into a drawing to win some racing stuff!