Larson vs. Hamlin Prediction on August 18, 2024

Match info

This coming weekend, Michigan will host the 2024 FireKeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway, located close to Brooklyn Village in Lenawee County. This is the 24th NASCAR Cup Series (the most prominent stock car racing series in the US) event for 2024 (out of 26) before the Playoffs, which will commence at 2:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, August 18. Last week’s weekend at Richmond Raceway, Virginia, was packed with activities. The winning car at the Cook Out 400 was a long shot and won’t profit by qualifying for the postseason. This week in Michigan has the potential to be a lot more exciting and fun. We witnessed a lot of action last year, and these cars are capable of reaching high speeds.

So let’s get started right away. These are Bookmaker Expert’s official predictions for the 2024 FireKeepers Casino 400.

Meeting statistics

Denny Hamlin, who was upset with an incident at Richmond Raceway, demanded that NASCAR Cup Series officials take immediate action. After some days, Austin Dillon was finally penalized for his contentious antics at the conclusion of the Cook Out 400 last Sunday. During the final turn, the No. 3 Chevrolet driver took out Hamlin and Joey Logano, drawing criticism from a broad spectrum. The team lost its automatic playoff bid and was penalized 25 points by the NASCAR regulating committee. After the circuit’s two-week Olympic Games hiatus, Hamlin secured P2. In this race, Hamlin is the favorite. Although the driver for Toyota’s Joe Gibbs Racing has won here twice in his career, it was the last time in 2011. Nevertheless, he’s been reliable here lately. Hamlin has finished sixth or better in each of his previous six races at Michigan. In addition, he has led laps in eight of the earlier races held here and finished in the top three five times during the previous six races. In 2020, Hamlin finished second at this track after finishing third the last two times. Moreover, Hamlin is a fantastic racer. In addition to finishing second at Pocono two races prior, he also finished third at Richmond.

Hendrick Motorsports’ driver, Kyle Larson, has the second-highest odds at any new online bookmaker. With just one top-five finish in his last five races, he hasn’t been as successful lately. Still, that one was a victory, while he finished seventh last week. Additionally, Larson has won three straight races in Michigan, beginning with 2016 second race and continuing with the two 2017 victories. Following that, he’d place 14th or below three times in a row; lately, however, his results have improved. Larson has finished third twice, seventh, and fifth in his previous four races at this track. In his previous time here, he placed fifth in the first stage and sixth in the second. He’d end up fifth overall after leading two laps.

The Michigan Speedway is a two-mile oval circuit featuring 18-degree corners. Its front stretch boasts 12 degrees of banking, while its backstretch is level at just five degrees. Chris Buescher, who finished first in the race the previous year, is the defending champion here. Second place would go to Martin Truex Jr.; Hamlin finished third.

Match analytics

Yes, Hamlin is in the right place; he’ll probably be driving frantically at Michigan Speedway. There’s no doubt in our minds that Hamlin, who has long appreciated the track, will win.

Tip: Danny Hamlin will win the 2024 FireKeepers Casino 400 at +550 odds on BetOnline.