On Sunday, NASCAR will be returning to Michigan for the FireKeepers Casino 400! Michigan is a big 2.0-mile oval, where the surface is smooth, tire wear is minimal, and horsepower is king. In my opinion, Michigan is the purest test to see what teams can find speed. Michigan is the only 2.0-mile oval on the schedule, but I would recommend you look back at who’s been fast overall at high-speed intermediate tracks this season (High Speed Intermediate Track 2026 Total Speed Rankings).

On Saturday, NASCAR practice was held. Teams had 25 minutes, and keep in mind teams have different agenda’s. Make sure you check out our Michigan Practice Notes, Michigan Group Speed Rankings, Michigan 5,10,15 and 20 Lap Average Speed Cheat Sheet and Michigan Practice Speeds/ 10 Lap Averages. 

Here’s the Michigan Starting Lineup/ Qualifying Results.

Michigan Full Field Fantasy Rankings

1) Denny Hamlin
Start 1st (WILL START IN THE BACK) / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
Michigan Outlook – 3-time and defending Michigan winner, Denny Hamlin will be tough to beat in the FireKeepers Casino 400. Hamlin’s been the premiere performer here, and he’s been the driver to beat at high-speed intermediate tracks in 2026. This year at high-speed intermediate tracks (Kansas, Las Vegas, Charlotte and Texas), Hamlin has the best Track Type Total Speed Ranking (1.5), the best average finish (2.5), the best Driver Rating and the best average running position (3.9). At Michigan in the Next Gen, nobody has been better than Hamlin and he’s #1 across the board in terms of Speed Ranking, Driver Rating and Average Finish (4.0). Last year, Hamlin raced his way to victory lane while conserving fuel. In the race, Hamlin finished 3rd in Stage #1, finished 8th in Stage #2, had a 5.5 average running position, led 5 laps, made the pass for the win with 3 laps to go and then raced his way to victory lane. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Hamlin ranked 2nd. In 2024, Hamlin ranked among the best but while running in 2nd on lap 38, Hamlin spun into the grass, damaging his underbody and that put him behind for the rest of the race, leading to his 9th. In 2023, Hamlin finished 3rd despite his race not being incident free. In the race, Hamlin started 13th, finished 8th in Stage #1 but then in Stage #2 around lap 105 while running in 5th, Hamlin had trouble getting going again after a pit stop and that dropped him to the back. In terms of speed stats, Hamlin was the fastest driver late in a run and his Total Speed Ranking ranked 2nd. In practice, Hamlin was fast with the 3rd best 10-lap average, but I’ll also note he had a flat tire and as a result he’ll be starting in the rear of the field after damaging his underbody. That said, Reddick started in the back last summer and by lap 4 he was up to 20th. 
DraftKings $11,000/ FanDuel $14,000

Further Recommended Reading = Michigan Finish Projections, DraftKings Michigan Scoring Projections, FanDuel Michigan Scoring Projections, Michigan Next Gen RPM, Michigan Next Gen Average Finishes, Michigan Next Gen Speed Rankings

2) Tyler Reddick
Start 3rd / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
Michigan Outlook – Tyler Reddick, the 2024 Michigan winner will be a driver to be reckoned with. Reddick’s been a serious factor to win 2 of the last 3 Michigan races and he ranks among the premiere performers at high-speed intermediate tracks in 2026. This year at high-speed intermediate tracks, Reddick has the 2nd best average finish (5.5) and ranks 3rd for Speed. In the Next Gen at MIS, Reddick ranks 6th for Driver Rating, 7th for Speed but has an 18.3 average finish. Last year, Reddick was solid despite his race not being incident free. In the race, Reddick started in the back (unapproved adjustments), finished 4th in Stage #2, was in 3rd on lap 145 but then just after that during a caution, Reddick was blocked in his pit box which dropped him back to about 20th. When the checkered flag waved, Reddick finished 13th. Additionally, Reddick had the 6th best average running position (10.3), had the 6th best Total Speed Ranking and earned the 9th best Driver Rating. In 2024 en route to victory lane, Reddick earned the best Driver Rating and led 15 laps. In terms of speed stats, Reddick ranked 4th for Total Speed Rankings and then 5th for Speed Late In A Run. In 2023, the #45 was a rocket but Reddick finished an asterisk mark 30th. In the race, Reddick logged many laps in the final Stage in 2nd but then on lap 158 during green flag pit stops while he was running in 2nd, Reddick had a loose wheel following his pit stop which led to a long, unexpected pit stop which dropped him 3 laps down. In the race, Reddick had the 13th best Total Speed Ranking but take note his speed over the segments were 9th, 6th, 3rd and then 26th (when he had his problem). In 2022, Reddick was a top ten contender, but engine issues led to his 29th. In practice, Reddick was viewed to be the best by Earnhardt Jr. and he ranked 1st for both 5 and 10-lap averages.
DraftKings $10,700/ FanDuel $13,000

3) Ty Gibbs
Start 4th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – High
Michigan Outlook – Look for Ty Gibbs to be a contender at Michigan. Gibbs has performed at an elite level here and he’s been fielding fast #54’s at high-speed intermediates this year. In 2026 on this track type minus Texas where he looked great but was crashed, Gibbs has a 6.7 average finish and a 6.3 average Speed Ranking. At Michigan in the Next Gen, Gibbs ranks 3rd for average finish (6.8), 5th for Driver Rating, 13th for Total Speed Rankings and he’s had a result in the top 11 every race. Over the last two, Gibbs has a pair of 3rd place finishes. Last year, Gibbs finished 3rd, being at his best to close out. Additionally, Gibbs had a 14.3 average running position and ranked 22nd in terms of Total Speed Rankings. In 2024, Gibbs finished 3rd, had the 7th best Total Speed Ranking and had a 12.5 average running position. I’ll note, on lap 190 before overtime, Gibbs was running in 3rd, so his good finish is legit. In the two races prior to that, Gibbs had results of 11th (2023) and 10th (2022).
DraftKings $9,500/ FanDuel $11,500