Monday, August 12, 2013

Week 23 Preview

Michigan International Speedway: Pure Michigan 400


Last time in Michigan we saw Roush Racing continue its dominance at the track in Brooklyn, MI when Greg Biffle won for the 4th time in his career.  Biffle is second only to Mark Martin (5) in career wins for active drivers at MIS.  Now going back in August we will get to see if Roush and Biffle can keep it going and make it three in arow.

Also, as always, the story in Michigan will be can Nascar's most popular driver finally get back into the win column for the first time this season? Michigan has been a place that Jr has looked good at and had chances to win in his last 10 starts, so he will be looking to break out of the good category and enter the great with a win.  Take a look back at last years results from the August race here and also this years June race here.

Biffle won back to back. Last August and also this June.


*A look at last June's Week 15 Preview (Michigan)*

The Good:

  • Greg Biffle- Well he has to be mentioned right away. He has two straight wins, 4 career wins, and an average finish of 8.3 in his last 10 at MIS (best of any current driver in the last 10). Best Chance Forecast: He should be considered a contender again this weekend. Should find a way into the top 10 at the worst.
  • Carl Edwards- Edwards was the Pole winner here in June so he knows how to be fast around MIS.  In his last 10 starts here he has one (36th in 2011) time where he was worse then 12th. He also has 7 top 10's. Best Chance Forecast: Not normal to start this list with two Ford's, but this is the one track they have been good at. Another top 10 isn't out of the question.
  • Matt Kenseth- A former Ford car driver rounds out the list this week. Kenseth has 6 top 10's in his last 10 races at MIS including finishing 6th in June (4 of those top 5's). Best Chance Forecast: Well another guy taking a likely top 10 finish in this weeks Good category.
The Middle:
  • Clint Bowyer- What is more middle of the road and consistent then 7 top 10s in 10 races but no top 5's? Well in this addition of Week Preview for MIS nothing. He has three straight 7th place finishes and before that two straight 8th place finishes. 5 straight top 10's for Bowyer here and he needs it to get out of his two race slump.
The Bad:
  • Jimmie Johnson- Last time this was a reach in the Bad category, this time it gets a little more legit. He fiinished 28th in June and last August he finished 27th. That's back to back bad finishes and that doesn't seem to happen to JJ at any track.
  • Kasey Kahne- He seems to find bad luck a lot at MIS and it hasn't helped his average finish position in his last ten (19.7). MIS is the kind of track that Kahne can finish really well at because he is fast week by week. If he stays out of trouble he could find another win.
Looking for a Long Shot?
  • Joey Logano- I am on the JoLo bandwagon, but if you read NBTW regularly you may know that. I am still in the small group that thinks he will get a win this year, and at one point I thought it would be before the Chase started. Well I always like going out on a limb when picking my weekly winner so I'm taking Joey. He has been on a hot streak and he is due.

Need More?

Well that's it for this weeks preview. I am not sure how late the review will be back as I will be at this race and not back until Monday. Do, however, check out my Twitter for updates from the track. Also, you can check out June's Preview and Review from Nascar Behind the Wall earlier this year.  

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