The NASCAR Xfinity Series roars back to life this weekend at Michigan International Speedway after a three-week hiatus. Meanwhile, the Cup Series faces mounting pressure with only three races left in the regular season.

Cabo Wabo 250 (Xfinity Series)
When: Saturday, August 17, 3:30 p.m. ET (USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Where: Michigan International Speedway; Brooklyn, MI
Last Year’s Winner: John Hunter Nemechek

Saturday’s Cabo Wabo 250 (3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network) marks the return of Xfinity Series competition. The championship battle remains intense, with Cole Custer of Stewart-Haas Racing leading the points standings. Custer holds a 56-point advantage over Justin Allgaier, with Austin Hill and Chandler Smith rounding out the top four.

Recent winners Cole Custer (Pocono) and Riley Herbst (Indianapolis) look to continue their momentum after the break. A.J. Allmendinger, the 2021 Michigan winner, enters the weekend as the highest-ranked driver (9th) without a victory this season.

With six races remaining in the regular season, eight drivers have already clinched Playoff positions through wins. Shane Van Gisbergen leads with three victories, while Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, and Sam Mayer have two wins each.

The fight for the final Playoff positions remains tight, with Ryan Sieg currently holding the last transfer spot by a mere three points over Sammy Smith.

Defending race winner John Hunter Nemechek returns in the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, while Daniel Dye and Carson Kvapil make appearances in the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet and No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, respectively.
My Pick To Win: Austin Hill

Firekeepers Casino 400 (Cup Series)
When: Sunday, August 18, 2:30 p.m. ET (USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Where: Michigan International Speedway; Brooklyn, MI
Last Year’s Winner: Chris Buescher

The NASCAR Cup Series arrives at Michigan International Speedway for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 (2:30 p.m. ET on USA Network) amidst controversy and tight Playoff battles.

NASCAR ruled that last week’s Richmond winner, Austin Dillon, would be ineligible for the 2024 Playoffs due to his aggressive last-lap maneuvers. Dillon and his team were penalized 25 points, and his spotter was suspended for three races. The team plans to appeal the decision.

The shake-up in standings now puts Chris Buescher in the final Playoff position, with only three races left to determine the 16-driver field. Buescher, the defending Michigan race winner, holds a tiebreaker over Ross Chastain for the 16th spot.

Kyle Larson continues to lead the championship standings, with Tyler Reddick and Chase Elliott close behind.

Michigan’s two-mile track holds special significance for manufacturers, with Ford currently on a nine-race winning streak. Defending Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney emphasized the importance of keeping the Heritage trophy in Detroit for Ford.

As both series return to action at Michigan International Speedway, fans can expect intense racing and high stakes as drivers fight for crucial points and Playoff positions.
My Pick To Win: Joey Logano

Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images