NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 Odds, Predictions & Best Bets At Michigan International Speedway

Disgruntled driver Denny Hamlin wanted NASCAR Cup Series officials to act.  

Promptly.

Well, it took a few days, but Austin Dillon eventually absorbed a penalty for his controversial actions at the end of last Sunday’s Cook Out 400. The No. 3 Chevrolet driver took out Hamlin and Joey Logano during the final turn at Richmond Raceway last Sunday, prompting wide-ranging criticism. 

NASCAR’s ruling body revoked the team’s automatic playoff bid and docked it 25 points. Dillon’s spotter, Brandon Benesch, received a three-race suspension for uttering “wreck him,” regarding Hamlin, over the team radio as the two raced for the start/finish line.

Rehashing the incident on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, Hamlin, who earned P2 following the circuit’s two-week Olympic Games break, called on the sanctioning body to penalize Dillon, who visited Victory Lane for the first time in 68 outings.  

“You are the big boys in the room,” Hamlin said. “You have to make tough calls sometimes. Sometimes you make the right call even if it’s a tough call. 

“You can’t wreck two guys to then go win a race and then reap the benefits and reward of that.”

BetOnline Sportsbook tabbed points leader Kyle Larson as the early betting favorite at plus-550, followed by Hamlin (+600).

Below, we’ll preview the top storylines heading into Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400, go over the odds, and give our best bets for the 24th race on the 2024 NASCAR schedule.

Austin Dillon takes Dale Jr. on a play-by-play through the last corner and ultimately leading to him turning Denny Hamlin. ⏪ pic.twitter.com/t9WisXZCUJ

— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) August 13, 2024

FireKeepers Casino 400 Storylines 

• Daniel Suarez’s team executed the optional tires strategy. The team went to option tires early in Stage 2. The No. 99 Chevrolet was P16 on Lap 80 and paced the field 13 rotations later, leading to a stage win and finishing P10. 
•  Erik Jones will continue to drive Legacy Motor Club’s No. 43 Toyota after agreeing to a multi-year contract Tuesday. Jones, 28, has three career Cup wins and enters the weekend 28th in points.
• Bubba Wallace’s P4 at Richmond was his first top-10 finish in 12 previous outings at the 0.75-mile D-shaped asphalt oval. Wallace moved into the final spot on the postseason cutoff.

Here was a frustrated Bubba Wallace after the Austin Dillon win, where Dillon wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap pic.twitter.com/SyoOR0uzDF

— Jackson Didlake (@diidlake) August 12, 2024

FireKeepers Casino 400 Odds

Here is an early look at the drivers’ odds for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:

*Odds through Tuesday

FireKeepers Casino 400 Predictions and Picks 

Here are our best NASCAR Cup Series bets for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway: 

Denny Hamlin (+600) 

Hamlin likely will be driving angry at MIS, but he’s at the right place. Hamlin has long admired the track in the Irish Hills, compiling three top-five finishes in his past three outings.

Christopher Bell (+925) 

The Stage 1 winner last Sunday, Bell led 122 laps and looked dominant, until he was penalized for speeding for the straight race at Richmond. He recovered for a P6, but he could view the effort as a lost opportunity.  

Joey Logano (+1000) 

Logano also will be driving with an edge next weekend. Look out, Dillon.

An adventurous pit exit for stage one winner Christopher Bell. pic.twitter.com/OvkQXLMcCD

— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) August 11, 2024