2015 Quicken Loans 400 Race Picks
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Betting Preview
Sunday June 13th, 1:16PM (EST) at Michigan International Speedway
by NASCARWagers.com, NASCAR Handicapping Service
On Sunday the Sprint Cup Series will unleash raw speed onto Michigan International Speedway with the running of the Quicken Loans 400. With speeds nearly averaging 200mph and the racing groove widening with each race since the track’s repave, we are sure to see 200 laps of great racing when the green flag drops at approximately 1:16PM (EST). Due to the track’s rather new surface, we will also see plenty of strategy on pit road as drivers and teams fight for “track position” which will be a key word all afternoon. With tight racing at extremely fast speeds, a little bit of drafting, and a lot of strategy on the menu, there are a number of drivers that could potentially find victory lane on Sunday. Find out who we think has what it takes to capture the checkered flag as we provide our 2015 Quicken Loans 400 race picks!
Kasey Kahne will lead the field to the green flag on Sunday after winning the Coors’ Light Pole for the Quicken Loans 400. Kahne will look to become the 3rd driver in the last 4 races at Michigan to win from the pole position. Jeff Gordon accomplished that feat last August at Michigan while Joey Logano previously accomplished the same feat back in August of 2013. Kahne does have a prior win at Michigan coming back in 2006 and Hendrick Motorsports has won each of the last two races at Michigan as well. In fact, all of the Hendrick Motorsports cars have looked strong throughout the weekend’s practices. All 4 cars finished in the top 11 in both of Saturday’s practices on speed. Possibly the most surprising was Jeff Gordon who paced the field in final practice. Gordon has struggled thus far this season but he easily had his best 3 rounds of practice this season and looks to have a fast ride for tomorrow’s race.
One of the common trends that has continued this week following Pocono is the dominance of Chevrolet powered cars at the top of the speed charts. We actually talked about Chevrolet power in last week’s Pocono preview and I think most betting/fantasy rosters should be heavily favored with Chevy engines again this week. Last week Martin Truex Jr held off Kevin Harvick to score his 1st win since 2013. Truex has actually led the most laps in the last 4 straight races and it is safe to say that the #78 has emerged as the breakout star of the season. Of course Harvick has been one of the fastest cars over the last two seasons and last week’s runner-up finish was his 8th runner-up showing of the season (2nd straight). Not only has Harvick had a ton of runner-up finishes this year, along with two wins, but consider the fact he has also finished 2nd in 4 straight races at Michigan International Speedway. Taking into account those facts and speeds thus far this weekend, both Truex and Harvick appear to be the favorites entering Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400.
Outside of the known favorites, there are a couple of other Chevrolet drivers to keep your eye on entering Sunday as potential dark horses. Paul Menard, Kyle Larson, and Dale Earnhardt Jr all have increasing stock entering Sunday’s event. Larson had another round of great practices and it is obvious the #42 team has found some speed in recent weeks. Despite a few subpar practices, Menard has posted 3 straight 4th place finishes at Michigan which is also just happens to be his best track. Dale Earnhardt Jr has returned for the 2nd straight week with a lot of speed. Earnhardt had a really fast ride last week running as high as 2nd before he banged fenders with teammate Kasey Kahne on a late restart which subsided the #88 team’s efforts. However, Earnhardt has been really strong in practices this weekend and we all know that he runs really well at Michigan so keep the #88 on your radar.
While Chevy engines definitely appear to have the advantage this week, there are a few drivers that could spoil the Chevrolet party. The primary candidates to pull off that feat appear to be the cars of Kyle Busch and possibly Joey Logano. Busch won the Great Clips 250 in his first race back in the Xfinity Series since sustaining the broken leg and ankle back at Daytona earlier today. Not only did Busch beat a very talented Xfinity Series field, but his #18 Camry on the Cup side has been really good as well. Michigan is one of those tracks that fit Rowdy’s driving style and he could be one of the best sleeper picks for Sunday’s race. Despite a pair of mediocre practices on Saturday, I also expect Joey Logano to be a factor tomorrow as well. Logano did not practice well in the #22 last week but rallied for a 4th place finish at Pocono. Despite single lap speed, Logano appeared to be pretty good in traffic and his recent Michigan resume makes him a viable threat.
2015 Quicken Loans 400 Race Picks
Jeff Gordon +1250 (1 unit): best practices of the year including fastest in final practice, most recent winner at Michigan with 3 Michigan wins overall, starting 6th
Dale Earnhardt Jr +1200 (1 unit): Two-time Michigan winner, looked good in race trim, run well at both Fontana and Pocono
Kyle Busch +1400 (1 unit): 2011 Michigan winner, finished 4th and 2nd in Saturday’s practices, appears to be best non Chevy driver in the field
Paul Menard +4400 (1 unit): early week pick, 3 straight 4th place finishes, disappointing practices but Michigan is best track
Cover Parlay
Martin Truex Jr/Jimmie Johnson +422 wins Quicken Loans 400
Paul Menard -115 finishes under 15.5
Risking 1 unit to win: +875
H2H Match-ups and Props
Kyle Busch -115 over Kasey Kahne (2 units)
Jeff Gordon -120 over Brad Keselowski (2 units)
Joey Logano -115 over Matt Kenseth (2 units)
Martin Truex Jr +255 wins Group B (1 unit over Keselowski, Kenseth, Logano, and Edwards)
Kevin Harvick +215 wins Group A (1 unit over Johnson, Earnhardt, Ku Busch, and Hamlin)
