Michigan Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Ranking Picks

1) Kevin Harvick (Starting – 3rd)
Michigan Fantasy Spin – Kevin Harvick is a super-elite performer at high-speed intermediate tracks who’ll be one of the drivers to beat at Michigan. He should’ve won this spring, and this year at high-speed intermediate tracks he’s thrived. In 2018 on this track type minus Auto Club and Charlotte, he has 3 wins, a 2.1 average finish, a 3.6 average running position and has had a result in the top 5 every race. In Happy Hour, Harvick had a great car and had good long run speed. In that session his crew chief said, “The times look pretty good, the fall off looks pretty good.” On Sunday look for Harvick to finish in the top five and be a serious threat to win.
Michigan Track History – Michigan has been a stellar track for Kevin Harvick. Over the last 11 races (spring 2013) he has 6 runner-up results, 8 top fives, the best driver rating, a 7.1 average finish and a 7.0 average running position. This spring at Michigan, Harvick finished 2nd but nobody was better than him. He earned the best driver rating, had a 2nd place average running position, led a race high 49 laps, finished 4th in Stage #1 and won Stage #2. If it wasn’t for rain and Clint Bowyer doing a two-tire pit stop, right at the end I think he would’ve won. In August 2017 he was a top five contender but finished a misleading 13th after using inferior pit strategy and a wild late restart. Prior to the last portion of the race he finished 2nd in Stage #1 and 3rd in Stage #2. In spring 2017 he finished 14th, but he was slightly better than his result. With 11 laps to go while he was running in 8th he got some minor damage in a wreck. In the 8 Michigan races prior to that Harvick had 5 runner-up’s and 7 top fives.
DraftKings $12,200 / FanDuel $12,700

[themify_box]Want to be a better fantasy racer? Get the ifantasyrace advantage and read all of our full exclusive content. Join Now![/themify_box]

2) Kyle Busch (Starting – 2nd)
Michigan Fantasy Spin – Kyle Busch will be tough to beat at Michigan. “Performance Wise”, I think he’ll finish in the top five and compete for the win. Every week the #18 team has been a factor and this weekend won’t be any different. Since Charlotte, minus Daytona he’s finished in the top five every race. One variable I really like about Kyle Busch is how good he’s been at high-speed intermediate tracks in 2018. Over the 9 combined races he has 3 wins, a 3.7 average finish, a 5.3 average running position, the best driver rating and is the only driver who’s finished in the top ten every race.
Michigan Track History – Michigan has historically been a trouble spot on the schedule for Kyle Busch, but he’s been pretty good over the last three races. Over the last three he has the 4th best driver rating, a 7.0 average finish and a 7.3 average running position. This spring, Busch started in the rear of the field after failing inspection but that wasn’t a problem. On lap 51 he raced his way up to 8th. When the checkered flag waved he finished 4th. Last year he had a good season and was one of five drivers who swept the top ten. In August 2017 he had a good car and finished 10th. Throughout the race he ran well. He finished 7th in Stage #1, 9th in Stage #2, had a 9th place average running position and earned the 7th best driver rating. In spring 2017 he had a great car and if there wasn’t late cautions I think he would’ve won. When the checkered flag waved he finished 7th, had a 3rd place average running position, earned the 3rd best driver rating and led 40 laps.
DraftKings $11,900 / FanDuel $12,200

3) Erik Jones (Starting – 4th)
Michigan Fantasy Spin – Don’t overlook Erik Jones. Michigan has been a good track for him and you have to love how well he’s been running recently. Heading into the weekend over the last 7 races he has 6 top 7 finishes and a 6.7 average finish. On Sunday I think the good times will continue and I think he’ll compete for a top five. This year over the 9 combined races at high-speed intermediate tracks he has a 9.3 average finish, a 10.9 average running position and has only twice finished lower than 11th. In both practice sessions on Saturday, Erik Jones had the best ten lap average. I will note in final practice at the end he said, “Something broke or something.” That’s a concerning statement to make so if need be he’ll get adjusted in our rankings, but he has a great car this weekend.
Michigan Track History – Michigan is Erik Jones home track and he’s run well in all three of his races. This spring he started in the rear of the field and finished 15th. I will note he was better than his result and performance wise he was likely 9th place good. He finished 9th in Stage #2 and the race ended shortly after that. Last August he had his best race at MIS. When the race reached its conclusion, he finished 3rd, earned the 3rd best driver rating and had a 5th place average running position. If there wasn’t a late caution he was poised to finish runner-up. Additionally, he finished 5th in Stage #1 and 4th in Stage #2. In spring 2017 when he made his track debut he finished 13th and had a 14th place average running position. It should be noted his race wasn’t incident free. On lap 41 while he was running in 8th he made an unexpected pit stop for a loose lug nut which dropped him off the lead lap to last.
DraftKings $8,000 / FanDuel $9,400