In a thrilling conclusion to the NASCAR regular season, Ford sets its sights on an impressive milestone at Michigan International Speedway by seeking their tenth consecutive victory at the prestigious track. With only three races remaining before the playoffs, several blue oval drivers are eager to secure one of the final four playoff spots.

Last year, Ford dominated the Irish Hills race, with Chris Buescher claiming his second victory in a remarkable streak that saw him win three out of the last five races in the 2023 regular season. However, this season Buescher finds himself just three points below the elimination line, intensifying the pressure on him to secure back-to-back wins at the 2-mile oval and guarantee a playoff spot. But will the top contenders derail his plans?

According to insights from Racing Insights, Kyle Larson emerges as the betting favorite for Sunday's race. Larson, who has triumphed three times at Michigan, has been consistently strong at the track with no finish worse than seventh in his last four events. However, Racing Insights gives a slight edge to Larson's on-track rival, Denny Hamlin. Hamlin has showcased remarkable consistency at the 2-mile oval since 2019, finishing no worse than sixth and clinching two victories at Michigan.

The projected top five includes Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, and Christopher Bell. However, each driver faced their own challenges in last year's event. Reddick encountered issues on pit road, Bell spun and wrecked early despite finishing 13th, and Blaney had an on-track incident with Corey LaJoie. All three will be looking to overcome these obstacles and secure a strong finish this time around.

Sunday's race holds significant importance for Larson, Reddick, and Chase Elliott, who are separated by a mere six points in the battle for the regular-season title. With Daytona and the pressure-packed Southern 500 on the horizon, Michigan presents a crucial opportunity for drivers to seize control of their playoff destiny. Last season, Larson was the only driver among the three to finish in the top 5 and on the lead lap, highlighting the importance of a strong performance at Michigan.

One driver to watch closely during the upcoming race is Brad Keselowski. Although the 2012 Cup Series champion is yet to claim victory in 26 starts at Michigan, RFK Racing, as a whole, is expected to demonstrate formidable prowess this weekend. Buescher, in particular, aims to break through in the 2024 season after his thrilling victory last year, while Keselowski himself finished fourth.

Martin Truex Jr. finds himself in need of a quality performance at Michigan to solidify his playoff position on points after enduring an engine failure at Richmond. With four runner-up finishes at the 2-mile facility, including one last year, Truex is determined to secure his first win at Michigan and secure his postseason aspirations.

Bubba Wallace has become a contender for the playoffs, holding a three-point advantage over both Ross Chastain and Chris Buescher. Wallace's strong performances on larger ovals have positioned him well, and Michigan could be the race where he breaks his 66-race winless drought. History suggests that Michigan has been a catalyst for eight drivers to end winless streaks of at least 41 races.

Front Row Motorsports, in their continued alliance with Team Penske and now operating as a Tier 1 organization under Ford, is expected to unleash their fast cars at their home track. With both Michael McDowell in the No. 34 and Erik Jones in the No. 38, the team is poised to showcase top-10 speed or even contend for a race victory on Sunday.

Racing Insights provides valuable projections for the race with their advanced statistical formula, taking into account factors such as current track conditions, recent performances, team data, and pit-crew data. With Ford's impressive winning streak on the line, the anticipation for Sunday's race at Michigan International Speedway continues to build, promising an exhilarating battle for victory and coveted playoff spots.