2011 Pure Michigan 400 Predictions – Betting Preview + Picks + Odds
Preview: It’s getting to be that time of year when the Sprint Cup circuit starts circling back to tracks they’ve recently raced on. Such is the case with Michigan International Speedway, which just hosted a Cup race on June 19. 
Race: Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway
Date: Sunday, August 21, 2011
Time: 1:16 PM ET (scheduled green flag)
TV: 1:00 PM ET on ESPN
That race was won by Denny Hamlin from a 10th-place starting spot. Although this has traditionally been considered a Ford-friendly race track, the last Ford winner here was actually Carl Edwards in August 2008; four of the last five Michigan races have been won by Toyotas, the other by a Chevy.
Safe Bet: (odds of less than 10/1)
– Denny Hamlin (4/1): Denny won the June race here and desperately needs another win to help solidify his Chase hopes. Hamlin is currently 12th in points and is the first of two wildcard contenders, but Brad Keselowski in 14th has two wins to Hamlin’s one. Denny qualified 4th for Sunday’s race and is a two-time Michigan winner.
Mid Range: (odds between 10/1 – 20/1)
– Greg Biffle (18/1): Like Denny Hamlin, Biffle is a two-time Michigan winner. He’s hoping for a victory Sunday to help him contend for a wildcard spot; the Biff is currently 13th in points, but winless in 2011. He led the most laps in the last two Michigan races, but his last win here was in 2005. Biffle starts from the pole on Sunday.
Long Shot: (odds of greater than 20/1)
– Dale Earnhardt Jr. (25/1): Earnhardt Jr. has struggled with qualifying this year, but posted a solid 8th-place heat run at Michigan on Friday. Junior won here in his first Michigan race for Hendrick Motorsports back in June 2008 and finished 3rd in August 2009. He finished 21st here in June after starting 15th. [ad-8757089]
Summary:
It’s an all-Ford front row leading the race to green Sunday, with Greg Biffle on the pole and Matt Kenseth in P2. Current points leader Kyle Busch starts 17th. Kevin Harvick won a wild Camping World Truck Series race here on Saturday.
NASCAR – Pure Michigan 400 Odds To Win
Kenseth, Matt 4-1
Biffle, Greg 5-1
Hamlin, Denny 7-1
Johnson, Jimmie 8-1
Gordon, Jeff 9-1
Edwards, Carl 9-1
Earnhardt Jr., Dale 10-1
Busch, Kurt 10-1
Busch, Kyle 10-1
Stewart, Tony 12-1
Harvick, Kevin 18-1
Keselowski, Brad 18-1
Newman, Ryan 20-1
Kahne, Kasey 25-1
Ragan, David 30-1
McMurray, Jamie 50-1
Reutimann, David 50-1
Vickers, Brian 50-1
Martin, Mark 50-1
Lagano, Joey 50-1
Montoya, Juan 60-1
Menard, Paul 60-1
Bowyer, Clint 60-1
Burton, Jeff 75-1
Allmendinger, A.J. 100-1
Ambrose, Marcos 100-1
Smith, Regan 200-1
Bayne, Trevor 300-1
Against the Field (any other driver) 300-1
