NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway Preview

It is time to go racing in the Irish Hills of Michigan, at Michigan International Speedway and the Firekeeper’s Casino 400. Here is everything you need to know before cars hit the track in Michigan.

NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway Preview

Last August, it was Tyler Reddick winning his second of three victories on a Monday. The Sunday race was delayed due to rain and pushed to the next day. Will the rain return? Or will it be all sunshine for Sunday’s race? Can Tyler Reddick get win number one in 2025? Or can Ford or Chevy win in their backyard?

Race Preview:

The Firekeepers Casino 400 is the fifteenth race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. It is a 400-mile, 200-lap race around the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway. Stage cautions will be thrown on laps 45 and 120, with the checkered flag on lap 200. There is $11,055,250 in prize money available for those in the race. Teams will have 7 sets of Goodyear tires for practice and qualifying. The Goodyear tires are the same at Daytona and Talladega earlier in the season.

The Track: Michigan International Raceway

Built and opened in 1968, Michigan International Speedway is located in Brooklyn, Michigan, the heartland for Chevrolet and Ford. 2 miles in length, it is known for its record-setting speeds, with speeds being reported as high as 220 mph on the straightaway. With 18 degrees of banking in the turns, 12 on the front stretch, and 5 on the back, it is the perfect setting for high top speeds.

The Cup Series has raced here 107 previous times. Cale Yarborough won the first race in 1969. David Pearson has the most wins at the track, with 9 wins. Kyle Larson and Joey Logano are tied for wins amongst active drivers, both with three. Kevin Harvick set the lap record in 2018, turning a 36.093-second lap around the track.

Cup Series Point Standings:

Here are the standings following the race at Nashville:

1. William Byron: 547
2. Kyle Larson: 499
3. Christopher Bell: 459
4. Denny Hamlin: 443
5. Chase Elliott: 442
6. Tyler Reddick: 429
7. Ryan Blaney: 417
8. Joey Logano: 380
9. Ross Chastain: 377
10. Bubba Wallace: 343

Read More: Penske Power Shows Out as Ryan Blaney Wins in Music City

Drivers To Watch:

Brad Keselowski, a native Michigander, has steadily improved his finishing positions at Michigan in the Next-Gen era. Fourth and fifth in the previous two races at Michigan. Ford has won 2 of the 3 Next-Gen races at the track. I think it would only be fitting for Keselowski to get that elusive win at Michigan and win for the blue ovals.

For the Toyotas, you have to look at the 23XI crew and their boss, Denny Hamlin. Wallace ran second to Harvick in 2022 with Hamlin running in third. Hamlin ran third to Truex and Buescher in 2023, and Reddick won the race last year. Look out for the Nos. 45, 23, and 11 Camrys on Sunday.

Chevrolet has been the weakest manufacturer in the Next Gen era. No wins and only three top-five finishes. While Kyle Larson is the flagship of the Chevy program at the moment, I think eyes should be on one of the younger drivers in the camp. Carson Hocevar has had a string of good runs and a second-place finish at Nashville. If he can avoid being junked into the wall by Ricky Stenhouse, I think Carson can win his first race at his home track.

Read More: Carson Hocevar Faces Heavy Criticism After Wrecking Stenhouse At Nashville

How To Watch The Cup Series at Michigan:

Here is the schedule for the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan:

• Saturday, June 7th:
• Sunday, June 8th:
  • The Firekeepers Casino 400

Stay connected to Last Word on Motorsports for all the exciting action from Michigan International Speedway

Main Photo: Logan Riely, Getty Images

Recording Date: 8/19/2024