2018 Consumers Energy 400 Betting Preview

On Sunday afternoon, NASCAR returns to Michigan International Speedway for the 2018 Consumers Energy 400, which involves 200 laps around a two-mile D-shaped track that lets speed carry the day from start to finish. Kyle Larson has won three of the last four races on this track, but Clint Bowyer won here most recently in June. However, Larson is still worth a look because he has four finished in the top three in his last five races here. You can catch the action on NBC Sports starting at 2:30 Eastern time. Check out our auto racing betting suggestions on some drivers to include on your wager card.

2018 Consumers Energy 400 Betting Preview

Sweet relief. pic.twitter.com/4pvwjHcwHT

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 8, 2018

2018 Consumer Energy 400 Odds

• Kevin Harvick                                                                                                 11/5
• Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr.                                                                          7/2
• Kyle Larson                                                                                                     8/1
• Chase Elliott                                                                                                    10/1
• Clint Bowyer, Brad Keselowski                                                                       12/1
• Ryan Blaney                                                                                                   20/1
• Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Erik Jones                                                          25/1
• Aric Almirola                                                                                                    40/1
• Jimmie Johnson                                                                                              60/1
• Daniel Suarez                                                                                                 80/1
• William Byron, Alex Bowman, Jamie McMurray                                           100/1
• Paul Menard, Austin Dillon, Ryan Newman                                                   200/1
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Matt Kenseth                                                                300/1
• Kasey Kahne, Darrell Wallace Jr., A.J. Allmendinger, Chris Buescher         500/1
• Ty Dillon, Michael McDowell                                                                          2000/1
• FIELD (all others)                                                                                            500/1

Kyle Larson (as mentioned above) has a terrific record at this track and won this race in 2016 and 2017. He hasn’t won yet in 2018, but given his record at Michigan International Speedway, he’s someone you have to consider. He was the ninth racer to successfully defend a title here, and he looks like a solid candidate to go for the three-peat. The likelihood that he finds his form on one of his favorite tracks is significant, and you still get decent value of that win. Kyle Busch is another racer with a superior record at Michigan International Speedway, winning this race in 2011 and finishing in the top ten just about every time he shows up here. In 2018, he has been the most consistent and the best racer overall, with nine top-five finishes in his last 10 starts — and a four-race streak in which he has finished no worse than fourth. In his last 20 races, he has made the top 10 17 times. So despite that low value on the odds, you have to put Kyle Busch on your card. Clint Bowyer has won just twice this season, but he has been right there at the end on quite a few other occasions and could easily have more wins. He won the first 2018 event at Michigan International Speedway and has 10 top-ten finishes in his last 15 starts here. Those 12/1 odds give you some good value for the last driver to win on this track, so I’d definitely consider adding him to your card for this race. Paul Menard is our sleeper for you to consider this week. He has one total win in his NASCAR career, and it came in 2011. However, in his six of his last 12 races at Michigan International Speedway, he has finished in the top eight, and he came in fifth on this track back in June. He has had a lot of success here historically, and if you’re looking to add some odds value, he’s one to look at. Chase Elliott comes in after a big win a week ago, the first of his career. He could repeat a week later at Michigan International Speedway, as he has raced here five times and has finished in the top 10 each time — and as the runner-up on three occasions. He also leads all active drivers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series in average starting position, with 4.600 oer five starts.  He comes in with a ton of momentum and energy, and those 10/1 odds still give you nice value on this wager.