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FireKeepers Casino 400 Power Rankings and Picks

Jenkins Miriam

Updated as of August 7, 2022 at 6:00 AM EDT with a 3 minute and 24 second read. Find more information on Twitter and Google News.

Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17.
Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images via AFP

Analyzing the field and key drivers to watch in anticipation of Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway, featuring our NASCAR power rankings and predictions for the FireKeepers Casino 400.

Following a chaotic road course race filled with wrecks last week, the NASCAR Cup Series is back on a fast-paced oval track.

The 2022 FireKeepers Casino 400 will be held on Sunday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway. With only four races left before the start of the NASCAR playoffs, many drivers are under pressure to secure a spot in the postseason.

The upcoming Sunday race holds particular importance for car manufacturers, particularly Ford and Chevrolet, as Michigan International Speedway serves as their hometown track. This will be the first Michigan race showcasing the Next Gen Car, and a victory could lead to heightened bragging rights for the manufacturers.

Explore our NASCAR betting predictions and power rankings for the 2022 FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, featuring odds from DraftKings, Caesars sportsbooks, and BetMGM.

FireKeepers Casino 400 Race Odds

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FireKeepers Casino 400 NASCAR Power Rankings

10. Austin Dillon (+6600 via BetMGM)

Austin Dillon’s 36th-place DNF at the 2021 FireKeepers Casino 400 was a disappointment considering the No. 3 car had shown race-winning speed. With a strong performance at the Auto Club Speedway earlier in 2022, where he finished in second place, it is likely that Dillon will be a contender for victory once again on Sunday.

9. Erik Jones (+3000 via Caesars)

The No. 43 Petty GMS Motorsports team remains a underdog contender to secure a win before the season concludes and clinch a playoff spot. Erik Jones’ strong performance at Auto Club Speedway earlier this year, finishing in third place, suggests that Michigan could be one of his prime opportunities to achieve that crucial victory.

8. Daniel Suarez (+2500 via DraftKings)

In recent weeks, Daniel Suarez has shown remarkable consistency, potentially surpassing his Trackhouse Racing teammate Ross Chastain. Since his first NASCAR Cup Series win, Suarez has finished in the top-10 in all but two races. Additionally, he achieved a fourth-place finish at the Auto Club Speedway earlier this season driving the No. 99 car.

7. William Byron (+1400 via BetMGM)

It has been a while since William Byron last secured a top-10 finish, with his last one coming at the road race in Sonoma. However, bettors should anticipate that streak coming to an end this Sunday. Byron showed his potential with a second-place finish at Michigan in 2021, and his DNF at Auto Club Speedway in February did not accurately reflect the speed of his No. 24 Camaro on that day.

6. Kyle Busch (+650 via DraftKings)

Similar to Byron, Kyle Busch has not achieved a top-10 finish in a while. Nonetheless, his consistency at Michigan in recent years has been unmatched by few drivers. Busch, known as “Rowdy,” has consistently finished in the top 10 for nine consecutive races at the track. Despite not securing a victory during this time, Busch has placed in the top five in five out of seven races held since 2018.

5. Tyler Reddick (+1200 via DraftKings)

Tyler Reddick had the strongest car at Auto Club in February, but his chances were ruined when he experienced a flat tire while in the lead. Despite this setback, Reddick is expected to be a top contender in the upcoming race on Sunday, given the impressive performance of Richard Childress Racing and its affiliated teams in the previous race.

4. Ryan Blaney (+1200 via DraftKings)

Blaney has every reason to fight to keep his FireKeepers Casino 400 title this Sunday. Despite his second place standing in the NASCAR standings, he has yet to win a race in 2022, leaving his playoff spot uncertain. However, Blaney has shown his skill at Michigan, earning three top-five finishes and five top-10 finishes in his last seven races at the track.

3. Kyle Larson (+700 via DraftKings)

Kyle Larson finished in third place during his most recent two races at Michigan International Raceway. From 2016 to 2017, he won three consecutive Cup Series races at the same track, despite not being part of Hendrick Motorsports at the time. In addition, Larson won this season’s Auto Club race, proving his ability to succeed on wide, two-mile oval tracks.

2. Kevin Harvick (+2500 via DraftKings)

Those who oppose ranking Kevin Harvick second in our FireKeepers Casino 400 race power rankings may have a valid argument. With just four races remaining before the NASCAR playoffs, Harvick is dealing with a significant points gap that may be difficult to overcome. However, there is a sense of urgency driving the No. 4 team to secure a victory. What better opportunity for Harvick to succeed than at Michigan, a track where he has emerged victorious in four of the last six Cup Series races?

1. Chase Elliott (+700 via BetMGM)

Chase Elliott, the current leader in the NASCAR standings, continues to dominate our power rankings. Despite his streak of five straight top-two finishes coming to an end recently, Elliott and his No. 9 team have a strong history at Michigan. In his last 10 starts at the track, Elliott has an average finish of 8.3 and has secured nine top-10 results, though he has yet to claim a victory. Additionally, bettors can reflect on Elliott’s strong performance at Auto Club earlier this year, where his car showed impressive speed and was in contention for the win before an incident with Larson derailed his chances.

Where to Bet on the FireKeepers Casino 400

These are our highest-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel UnderscoregCaesars UnderscoregDraftKings UnderscoregPointsBetBetMGM

Check out UnderscoregReview.com for more information on picks, odds, and sports betting news. Don’t forget to explore the community forums and betting tools available.

Picks for the FireKeepers Casino 400 were finalized on August 5, 2022 at 5:11 p.m. ET.

Written By:
Jenkins Miriam
Henry’s passion for sports dates all the way back to childhood and has ultimately led to a full-fledged career as an analyst and content creator. After getting his start penning fantasy football articles, he forrayed into the betting side of the business in early 2019. His love for sports and statistics proved to be an ideal match with the dedicated research and strategy that handicapping requires. Henry currently specializes in betting analysis and picks for college football, college basketball, and NASCAR. He counts NFL, WNBA, and NBA player props as additional leagues/markets of interest. Henry graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2021 with a Communication Studies degree and a Psychology minor. A native of the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York, he and his pup, Harold, have since relocated to Laramie, Wyoming. Thanks to his professional goals within the sports betting industry, there has been a whole lot of steam on the odds for a move to Las Vegas in 2023! Most of Henry’s free time is spent on outdoor adventures, playing chess, snowboarding, or reading a good book. He is also a competitive powerlifter and aspires to qualify for the USAPL Nationals meet within the next 2-3 years.