Some drivers are looking forward to Michigan this weekend, while others are not. Some drivers have not been able to get a handle on the 2.0 mile d-shaped oval in the Irish Hills. Which drivers are the ones who struggle the most at Michigan?
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By the Numbers: 0 Wins: 1 Top-5; 2 Top-10s; 20 Laps Led; 14.4 Avg. Finish; 8 Races
Breakdown: The issue with Byron has not necessarily been speed at Michigan, but putting a full rcae together. He has scored stage points in six of his eight races at Michigan, but he has only two top-10 finishes in eight races to show for it. He also had one of his most heartbreaking Xfinity Series losses at the track as well.
By the Numbers: 0 Wins; 2 Top-5s; 5 Top-10s; 36 Laps Led; 17.3 Avg. Finish; 19 Races
Breakdown: Sometimes it’s been bad performance, and at other times it’s been bad luck for Austin Dillon at Michigan. He’s led multiple laps at Michigan four times, and he finished outside of the top-10 in three of those starts. He also was easily a top-10 car at the track in 2021 before being taken out by Brad Keselowski in a horrifying crash.
By the Numbers: 0 Wins; 0 Top-5s; 1 Top-10; 1 Lap Led; 20.2 Avg. Finish; 12 Races
Breakdown: Chris Buescher has had small flashes of good races at Michigan in his career, but those have been very rare. He only has three top-15 finishes in 12 career races at Michigan. Now that RFK is improving, could Buescher turn it around at Michigan?
By the Numbers: 0 Wins; 0 Top-5s; 0 Top-10s; 1 Lap Led; 21.2 Avg. Finish; 21 Races
Breakdown: A.J. Allmendinger has never cracked the top-10 or scored any stage points in his career at Michigan. Granted, his last race there was in 2018, but he still had four races there under the current stage points format. Simply put, Allmendinger has never been a factor at Michigan.
By the Numbers: 0 Wins; 7 Top-5s; 13 Top-10s; 258 Laps Led; 12.6 Avg. Finish
Breakdown: Brad Keselowski is not on this list because he is bad at Michigan, but he is on this list because he has been so close to victory lane without winning. The Rochester Hills, Michigan, native wants to win at Michigan incredibly badly, but he has never found a way to break through. Maybe he will break through this weekend at Michigan while driving his own car.
Could some of these drivers make their fortunes change at Michigan? Maybe this is the weekend that finally happens.
The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona drew nearly 1.4 million viewers on FS1, beating the 2025 opening race number by 37%, and becoming the most-viewed Truck Series event since 2016.
NASCAR’s secondary series is facing a huge brand change, leaving the title name “Xfinity Series” to become the brand-new O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. What is not changing, however, is its broadcast partner. The CW is headed for its 2nd season with the series, and has been investing heavily in it. Year after year, we put up the rating numbers and rank them accordingly in comparison to the previous season. Here’s how it works:
All Races (1 Total in 2026)
It wouldn’t be Daytona without some weird, wacky, and headline-grabbing fallout. From viral Victory Lane moments to renewed debates about driver approval, NASCAR’s biggest race once again delivered more than just on-track drama. And with Michael Jordan celebrating a Daytona 500 win, the spotlight burned brighter than it has in years.
Jordan’s presence mattered. When the most iconic athlete of a generation shows genuine emotion upon winning the Daytona 500, it reminds the wider sports world that this race still matters. That kind of authentic publicity cannot be manufactured. It resonated far beyond the garage. Meanwhile, the O’Reilly Series race added fuel to another ongoing debate. The massive Decker crash, Cleetus McFarland’s Truck debut incident, and past approval inconsistencies have once again raised tough questions. Consistency, transparency, and accountability are now front and center. Add in Austin Hill’s dominance and Ryan Ellis’ career-best sixth-place run to open the season, and Daytona gave fans plenty to talk about on and off the track.
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