2014 Ollie’s Bargain Outlet 250 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions: Vegas Favorites and Drivers to Bet: The Nationwide Series heads to Michigan International Speedway this weekend for a companion race with the Cup Series, but unlike the Cup Series, Saturday’s Ollie’s Bargain Outlet 250 will be the only trip to the 2.-mile oval for the Nationwide Series. As a result, the Cup regulars pulling double duty, especially the drivers that have been at the Cup level for a bit, have a huge edge in experience at the track. Not surprisingly, several big names headline the favorites for this weekend’s race, but there are some Nationwide regulars that could make some noise. Here is a closer look at the potential contenders.
The Favorites
He has only made two Nationwide starts at Michigan in his career, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won both of them. He will put his perfect record at the track on the line this weekend, and considering he has been one of the most dominant driver on the Michigan’s new surface at the Cup level, there is a good chance that Junior will make it three-for-three at MIS in the Nationwide Series this weekend.
In his first Nationwide starts at Michigan, Kyle Busch went to victory lane. He hasn’t really slowed down much since. He has a 4.7 average finish in six starts at the track, and he has finished fourth or better in five of those starts, including three straight. Busch currently leads all drivers with three Nationwide wins in 2014, and he could add to that total this weekend at a track where he has always exceled.
Joey Logano has always run well at Michigan in any series, and since the track was repaved, he has really come into his own. Overall, he owns a 6.2 average finish in five Nationwide starts at the track, and he has logged four finishes of seventh or better. More importantly, Logano won his first Nationwide race at Michigan in 2012, and he won the Cup race last season. Don’t be surprised if he adds to his steadily-growing resume at MIS this weekend.
With two wins under his belt in the Nationwide Series this season, it is time to start mentioning Kyle Larson among the weekly favorites. The 21-year-old driver is one of the most impressive talents to come to NASCAR in quite some time, and last year, he finished second in his first-ever Nationwide start at Michigan. Larson already has a win at Auto Club Speedway in the Nationwide Series this year, and Michigan just happens to have the same 2.0-mile layout. Watch out for Larson Saturday.
The Dark Horses
Michigan has been one of his best tracks at the Nationwide level, and Paul Menard will try to seal the deal at the track this weekend. In eight career starts at the track, he has logged seven top-10 finishes, including six straight. More importantly, Menard he has notched three top-five finishes in his last four starts at MIS, including a career-best third-place run last season.
While he is known more for his consistency than his ability to win races, Regan Smith is the defending winner of this weekend’s race. Granted, he took advantage of terrible pit strategy on the part of Austin Dillon to steal away the lead, but Smith had a top-five car all race and held off several big names in the final laps to secure the victory. He may not be the biggest name, but counting out the defending winner would be a mistake.
Roush Fenway Racing has had a ton of success at Michigan over the years, and Trevor Bayne has continued the tradition at the Nationwide level. In each of his last two starts at MIS, Bayne has notched top-five finishes. He enters this weekend’s race with another year of experience under his belt, and a little more knowledge could be all he needs to turn a top-five effort into a victory.
Sleeper Special
Although his overall record at Michigan isn’t great, Sam Hornish Jr. will be in a bit of different situation when he heads to the track this weekend. After all, he will be behind the wheel of a Joe Gibbs Racing car, and in his first-ever start with the organization earlier this year, he went to victory lane. Hornish nearly won the series championship last year, and now that he is driving some of the best equipment in the series, he has a chance to break out of his Michigan slump in a big way.
Big Name to Avoid
Since a 25th-place run in his Michigan debut, Elliott Sadler has delivering solid finishes at the track. That being said, he has never been a serious contender for the win at MIS either. He has finished 11th or better in his last five starts at the track, but Sadler has never finished better than seventh. He should be able to sneak into the back half of the top 10 this weekend, but it seems unlikely that he will suddenly make the jump and win at the track.
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