What’s Happening?

The race to the NASCAR Playoffs journeys north to Michigan International Speedway for an Xfinity and Cup Series race weekend. With multiple drivers on the playoff bubble in both series, the fast action at Michigan can lock underdogs into a shot at the championship.

• Michigan International Speedway opened in Lenawee County, Michigan in 1968. The 2-mile speedway is known for its fast speeds and historical reputation. Since opening, Michigan has hosted CART, Indy Car, IROC, and all three NASCAR National Series races.
• The NASCAR Cup Series has raced at MIS since 1969; the track traditionally hosted two race weekends until 2021. The all-time winningest Cup Series driver at MIS is David Pearson, who won nine races from 1969 to 1978.
• The NASCAR Xfinity Series has raced at MIS since 1992 and has done so without interruption. The all-time winningest Xfinity Series driver at MIS is split between eight drivers, including Brad Keselowski, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Mark Martin, and Kyle Busch.

Weekend TV Schedule (All Times ET)

Friday, August 16th – Xfinity Practice/Qualifying RACE

• 3:30-4:10 PM – Xfinity Series Practice/Qualifying on USA

Saturday, August 17th – Xfinity Series RACE, Cup Series Practice/Qualifying

• 12:35-1:20 PM – Cup Series Practice/Qualifying on USA
• 3:30 PM – Xfinity Series Cabo Wabo 250 on USA

Sunday, August 18th – Cup Series RACE

• 2:30 PM – Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 on USA

Race Facts

Michigan International Speedway

• Year Built: 1968
• Length: 2 Mile
• Shape: D-Shaped Oval
• Banking: 18 Degrees in Turns; 12 Degrees on Frontstretch; 5 Degrees on Backstretch
• Surface: Asphalt
• Lights?: No
• Rain Tires?: No

Xfinity Series

• Race Length: 125 Laps (250 Miles)
• Stages: Laps 30 Laps (Stages 1 and 2), 65 Laps (Stage 3)
• Most-Recent Winner: John Hunter Nemechek (2023)
• Former Winners in the Field: AJ Allmendinger (2021), John Hunter Nemechek (2023)

Cup Series

• Race Length: 200 Laps (400 Miles)
• Stages: 45 Laps (Stage 1), 75 Laps (Stage 2), 80 Laps (Stage 3)
• Most-Recent Winner: Chris Buescher (Summer 2023)
• Former Richmond Winners in the Field: Kyle Larson (2016 Fall, 2017 Spring, 2017 Fall), Denny Hamlin (2010 Spring, 2011 Spring), Joey Logano (2016 Spring, 2019 Spring), Kyle Busch (2011 Fall), Ryan Blaney (2021), and Chris Buecher (2023)

Entry Lists

Xfinity Series

A total of 39 cars are entered for 38 spots at Michigan, leaving one entered car out of the race. Notable entries include:

• Daniel Dye – No.10 – Kaulig Racing
• Lawless Alan – No.15 – AM Racing – Xfinity Series Debut
• Taylor Gray – No.19 – Joe Gibbs Racing
• Jeffery Earnhardt – No.26 – Sam Hunt Racing
• Noah Gragson – No.30 – Rette Jones Racing
• Carson Kvapil – No.88 – JR Motorsports

NASCAR Cup Series

The NASCAR Cup Series has 36 cars entered for 40 spots at Michigan, meaning no cars will be sent home. Notable charter entrants include:

• AJ Allmendinger – No.16 – Kaulig Racing

Qualifying Order

NASCAR Xfinity Series

NASCAR Cup Series

What To Watch For

Xfinity Series

• Last season, John Hunter Nemechek won the Xfinity Series race at MIS. This win was part of a seven-win season that resulted in Nemecheck finishing fourth in Xfinity Series points. With Nemecheck now in the Cup Series, MIS looks to have a first-time winner. That is if Nemecheck and 2021 race winner A.J. Allmendinger allow the series regulars to do so.
• Eight drivers have won their way into the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. Justin Allgaier, Shane Van Gisbergen, Chandler Smith, and Austin Hill are notable locked-in drivers. Riley Herbst won the last race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the Olympic break, locking himself into the playoffs. Notable drivers not locked into the playoffs with six races include A.J. Allmendinger, Sammy Smith, and Sheldon Creed.

Cup Series

• Chris Buescher won last season at MIS; this was part of a five-race stretch in which Buescher won three races and set himself as a championship favorite. However, with three races until the playoffs, Buecher finds himself three points out of the playoffs and desperately needs a win. He will have to fight off other playoff-hopeful drivers like Bubba Wallace, Ty Gibbs, and Ross Chastain if he wants to make it two in a row at MIS.
• Buescher could be favored as a member of Ford’s fleet at the track. Ford has won nine straight races at MIS, dating back to the spring 2018 race won by Clint Bowyer. Four Ford drivers are locked into the playoffs; Buescher, along with Chase Briscoe, Michael McDowell, and Josh Berry, are among those outside the top 16.

Note: This article will be updated as more information about the weekend comes out.