NASCAR Fantasy Picks: Firekeepers Casino 400, Michigan International

This week’s NASCAR fantasy picks for the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

I’m not really one to “get down” on teams and drivers. There once was a time when I liked certain teams and disliked other teams, but those days have long passed.

A few years ago, I began a mind-shift that looked at all teams for their good qualities, as well as their not-so-good qualities. I still have my favorite drivers, to be sure, but I can’t really say that I have any drivers that I thoroughly dislike as I did in the past. I still think that Rowdy acts like a big baby sometimes, but I see the good qualities in him, too. One, he’s always up for a good time – have you ever seen some of the promo stuff he and Samantha do? Hysterical. And two, he’s one hell of a driver. Period. Hands-down. Probably one of the best you’ll see in this generation.

I now appreciate drivers for their abilities, even if you can’t see them week in and week out. I used to watch Cole Custer compete in the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and feel bad for him for his poor finishes. Then I started watching the NASCAR Xfinity Series and discovered that he’s a heck of a driver. Not only did Custer clinch a playoff spot in last season’s final 4, he finished runner-up to winner Tyler Reddick. This guy has 3 wins right now in the Xfinity Series, which is more than anyone from Stewart Hass Racing has in the Monster Cup Series.

You might say, “Yeah, well, there’s a big difference between the two series’,” and I might agree with you. But sometimes, talent is shown in different ways. I get that now, and I enjoy looking for it.

Speaking of SHR, I know that these four drivers are talented, but I can’t seem to figure out why no one has won a race this season. Last season, all four drivers for SHR went to the round of 8; Harvick, Bowyer, Almirola, and Kurt Busch (Daniel Suarez took over for Kurt Busch this season after a subpar career with JGR). This year, they all have yet to grab a win.

So, while I don’t get down on teams and drivers, I do get up to wondering when someone, anyone, is going to break through. You’ll see by my picks I’m thinking it could be this week.

Last Week’s NASCAR Fantasy Picks: Recap From The Pocono 400 At Pocono Raceway:

Brilliant NASCAR fantasy picks:

• Denny Hamlin – finished 6^th
• Martin Truex Jr. – finished 35^th
• Kurt Busch – finished 11^th

Bold NASCAR fantasy picks:

• William Byron – finished 9^th
• Ryan Blaney – finished 12^th
• Erik Jones – finished 3^rd

Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks:

• Aric Almirola – finished 10^th
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – finished 32^nd
• Austin Dillon – finished 37^th

And now, here are this week’s Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers NASCAR Fantasy picks for the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway:

Brilliant NASCAR fantasy picks

Chase Elliott

• Wins: 0
• Top 5 finishes: 3
• Top 10 finishes: 6

He’s never had a win here, but it’s one of his best tracks. His average finish is 5^th, and that shows he knows how to get up front and stay there. I expect him to get a 1 in the win column for Michigan this week, because he’s been hot and has no indication of cooling down.

Joey Logano

• Wins: 2
• Top 5 finishes: 5
• Top 10 finishes: 14

Logano has been great for my personal fantasy team this season, but he still only has one win. I expect him to make that two after Sunday. Look for him to come on strong and push it ‘til the wheels fall off–as he smokes them to victory lane, that is.

Kyle Larson

• Wins: 3
• Top 5 finishes: 4
• Top 10 finishes: 5

I’d have this guy down in the bold category, but since this is his most winning track, I think he deserves a brilliant. He’s won a pole here, led some laps, and should be right up in the top this week. I think he’s been showing more confidence since his All-Star win, and that’s just what he needs to get a win that counts for more than just cash.

Bold NASCAR fantasy picks

Kevin Harvick

• Wins: 2
• Top 5 finishes: 12
• Top 10 finishes: 17

I’m hesitant to put him in here at all after his last 2 finishes. But I keep thinking that maybe, just maybe, the number 4 team is gonna get back to their fabulous form and get that elusive win. This is just a good a place as any to do it, considering his record here.

Denny Hamlin

• Wins: 2
• Top 5 finishes: 7
• Top 10 finishes: 12

Denny looked like his old self again last week, though he ended up with a 6^th place finish. Get him in the right place at the right time, and you’ll continue to see him getting warmer. If luck and pit strategy hold, he might just pull off something hot.

Clint Bowyer

• Wins: 1
• Top 5 finishes: 2
• Top 10 finishes: 12

Week after week, Clint toughs it out and races hard. I don’t know why he’s not getting it done, but I think that this move to the mid-west might be just what he needs to seal the deal. Look for the 14 to stay up front and sail in for the win at Michigan.

Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks

Martin Truex Jr.

• Wins: 0
• Top 5 finishes: 6
• Top 10 finishes: 9

Last week was a debacle for Truex at Pocono, where I fully expected him to win. Could the 19 come out on top this week? Nothing would surprise me. However, I think that this week he’ll make my picks come true; this is not one of his better tracks.

Daniel Suarez

• Wins: 0
• Top 5 finishes: 0
• Top 10 finishes: 0

Let’s just say that this isn’t Suarez’s best track. With an average 25^th place finish, it probably won’t get him a win this week. He’s had some good races this year, and he’s already led more laps in this half season that he’s led in an entire season in the Monster Cup, so I expect something good eventually. Just not right now.

Jimmie Johnson

• Wins: 1
• Top 5 finishes: 5
• Top 10 finishes: 13

It almost seems unfair to pick the 48 for a bonkers slot because he’s been so long without a win. That doesn’t mean, however, that he won’t get one this season. It just won’t be here. The stats speak for themselves, and I don’t see them changing in the coming weeks.