The NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to Michigan International Speedway for the Irish Hills 250 this Saturday. Daniel Suarez will look to become the first driver to repeat in the Irish Hills 250 since Brad Keselowski won this event in back-to-back years in 2009 and 2010. Speaking of Keselowski, he will be back looking for a third-career Xfinity Series win at Michigan following a dominant performance last week at Pocono. Keselowski has finished in the top-five in three of his four Xfinity Series starts this season and it won’t be a surprise if he contends for the win again this weekend in Michigan.
Details
Event: Irish Hills 250
Category: NASCAR Xfinity Series
Date: Saturday June 17th – 1:30 PM ET
Location: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, Michigan
Keselowski delivered a dramatic victory last week with the first last-lap pass of the season to win the Pocono Green 250. Keselowski became the ninth different driver to win an Xfinity Series race this season. Based on what we have seen at Michigan over the years, it wouldn’t be a surprise if that trend continued with the Irish Hills 250.
Past Five Winners
2016: Daniel Suarez
2015: Kyle Busch
2014: Paul Menard
2013: Regan Smith
2012: Joey Logano
What To Know About The Track
The Michigan International Speedway has run extremely fast since it was repaved back in 2012. The track is more than wide enough for drivers to pass one another so track position won’t be nearly as important in this race as it is in some others. With the high speeds and plenty of room to pass this should be one of the more exciting races of the Xfinity Series season.
The Field
The full 40-car field for this event is set with a strong cast of NASCAR Cup drivers in the mix. Keselowski will lead the way among the sports betting favorites to win his hometown race. Meanwhile, Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Paul Menard and Ty Dillon will all race. A different winner has been crowned in each of the last six editions of the Irish Hills 250. It won’t be a surprise if that trend continues this weekend.
Taking a closer look at the standings, Justin Allgaier enters the week as our leader. He has amassed 409 points to date and has a slim lead. He has placed in the Top 5 four times and in the Top 10 six times. He’s closely followed by Elliott Sadlers, who has 408 points and is hot on his heels. William Byron is further back with 347 points in third place while Darrell Wallace Jr. is in fourth with 321 points. Daniel Hemric rounds out the Top 5 with 314 points so far this season. He is 95 points off the pace.
A Good Matchup To Bet: Kyle Busch over Ty Dillon
Dillon hasn’t been terrible this season but there is good value betting Busch to finish ahead of him in this week’s Irish Hills 250. Busch has had his highs and lows in both the Monster Energy Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season but he is trending in the right direction heading in to this weekend and should be a force in the Xfinity race. Busch has a Cup Series-high three wins at Michigan and should be a strong pick to contend for the win in this Saturday’s Irish Hills 250. It makes a lot of sense to bet on him to finish ahead of Dillon in the Xfinity Series race.
Top-Five Pick: Brad Keselowski
Last week’s Xfinity Series win ended a 46-race drought for the No. 22 Team Penske Ford. Keselowski swept the stages in the 100-lap event and then powered past Kyle Larson on the final lap to capture the victory. The Michigan native has made winning in his hometown a priority in the past and that will be the case once again this weekend. Keselowski has finished each of his last six races at this track overall in the top-10 so a top-five finish isn’t an unrealistic expectation in the Xfinity Series this weekend.
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