The Monster Energy Cup Series moves on to the Michigan International Speedway this coming Sunday, and what’s going to make it even more interesting is the jockeying for position for the last few final spots for the playoffs. below are some of the drivers you should be keeping an eye on.
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Betting Preview for the Consumers Energy 400 NASCAR Race Running on August 12, 2018
Where: Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan
When: Sunday, August 12 2018, 2:30 PM ET
Line: View NASCAR sportsbook
TV Broadcast: NBCSN
FAVORITES
Kyle Busch (+375)
Busch is getting closer and closer to copping the top seed in the playoffs, as he now has a 70-point lead atop the standings following a third-place finish last week at Watkins Glen. Even though he didn’t win that event, Busch is in a groove. He has finished inside the top five in nine out of his last 10 races. That stretch includes wins in Charlotte, Chicago, and Pocono. Busch is the safest best out there, without a doubt, and there’s no reason to change that long-held view this late in the season. Busch has finished 10th or better in his last three races at the Michigan International Speedway, and has also won the Pure Michigan 400 there back in 2011.
Kyle Larson (+750)
Larson has yet to win a race this season, but that’s not a reason to give up on him, especially with a race in Michigan ahead. Larson, who finished sixth last week at Watkins Glen, has won three of his last four races at the Michigan International Speedway. To be more precise, he has three wins, four top 5s and five top 10s in nine career races at the said track. If there’s a race that provides the highest level of confidence in Larson, it this. Also, since 2016, Larson has won four of eight races on an intermediate track.
Chase Elliott (+1100)
Elliott is coming off his first career win in the big boy league last week, topping all drivers at Watkins Glen. That win wasn’t enough to push him inside the top of the NASCAR Cup standings, but it might have lit a fire under him – enough to extend his current three-race streak of top-seven finish or better. Although he has not won a single race on an intermediate track, it’s hard to ignore his 6.88 average finish in eight career intermediate track races, which includes three runner-up finishes dating since 2016.
SLEEPER
Erik Jones (+2500)
Jones came in fifth last week at Watkins Glen, the same result he had at Pocono a week prior. He’s been competitive in the last several races. He has sneaked into the top 10 in six of his last starts, including his lone win of the season so far, which was at Daytona back in July. Dating back to 2016, Jones has had five intermediate track races with a 10.00 average finish.
LONG SHOT
Matt Kenseth (+2800)
If you want to lay some money on a driver barely anyone believes will even have a respectable finish in the next race, then try Kenseth. Kenseth was the 19th driver to finish the race at Watkins Glen. He hasn’t finished inside the top 10 in eight races he’s taken part in so far this season. His best performance this year was a 14th place finish at Pocono back in June. Having said all of that, Kenseth won here in 2015, when he topped the Pure Michigan 400 on the strength of 146 laps lead.
Writer’s Prediction
Chase Elliott (+1100) remains hot and notches his second-career win this weekend.
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