Only two races remain in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season. After two weeks of road course racing, the Cup Series returns to the oval tracks with the high speed two mile track in the Irish Hills of Michigan with the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

The Cup Series caps off a triple header weekend of racing that has brought a red flag for a power outage and a three try overtime shootout to the finish.

Kevin Harvick has won four of the last five races at MIS including three in a row. Winless so far this season, could this be the day the number four Stewart-Haas Racing car secures his spot in the playoffs?

But “the Candy Man” Kyle Busch leads the way with the most top 10’s in a row with eight.

Late last week it was announced that Corey LaJoie would not be in the race due to Covid-19 protocols. Josh Berry will do the three-peat when he takes over driving the number seven car for the race. LaJoie has not tested positive for the virus but was exposed to someone who was positive. As a precaution, LaJoie is not at the track and will not run in the race.

Current points leader Kyle Larson sits on the pole and will bring the field to green. Larson has five wins this season. Reigning Cup Series champion Chase Elliott will start alongside Larson on the front row.

The starting lineup for the Firekeepers Casino 400:
Kyle Larson
Chase Elliott
Ryan Blaney
Matt DiBenedetto
Martin Truex Jr
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
Kevin Harvick
Denny Hamlin
Alex Bowman
Chris Buescher
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Erik Jones
Tyler Reddick
Bubba Wallace
Ryan Newman
Justin Haley
William Byron
Joey Logano
Brad Keselowski
Chase Briscoe
Ross Chastain
Aric Almirola
Josh Berry
Michael McDowell
Austin Dillon
Cole Custer
Christopher Bell
Josh Bilicki
Daniel Suarez
Quin Houff
Ryan Preece
Garrett Smithley
Joey Gase
Anthony Alfredo
BJ McLeod
Cody Ware

Stages one and two of the race are 60 laps each with stage three lasting 80 laps for a total of 200 laps around the two mile track.

With a fuel load of 50 to 52 laps, the drivers cannot complete any of the stages without making at least one pit stop for fuel.

NASCAR has called for a competition caution on lap 20.

Kurt Busc has three wins at MIS; however, they were with three different numbers, manufacturers, and car owners!

Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag start of the race from the outside lane. Drivers get in a three wide battle. After a push from Matt DiBenedetto, Kyle Larson takes the lead.

Lap two, Kyle Larson leads the race wit Matt DiBenedetto in second; Kurt Busch, Chase Elliott, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

Ryan Blaney started third but is falling through the field and has dropped out of the top 10.

Lap three, Matt DiBenedetto battles with Kyle Larson for the lead. Larson holds on to the lead.

Kurt Busch passes Matt DiBenedetto for second.

Lap five, Kyle Larson has a narrow lead on Kurt Busch; Matt DiBenedetto, Chase Elliott, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.

After starting in fifth, Martin Truex Jr has dropped to 31st with some left rear damage. Truex is also reporting some major handling issues.

Lap seven, Kyle Larson has a third of a second lead on Kurt Busch; Matt DiBenedetto, Chase Elliott, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.

Kevin Harvick reports that his car is “nervous loose”. He is dropping back in the field and has fallen out of the top 10.

Lap 14, Kyle Larson continues to lead the race with a third of a second lead on Kurt Busch; Matt DiBenedetto, Chase Elliott, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.

Lap 17, leader Kyle Larson is beginning to lap cars.

AT the end of lap 20, NASCAR displays the yellow flag for the competition caution. Drivers are now in their fuel window to make it to the end of the stage.

With 13 winners so far this season, there are only three spots remaining in the top 16 playoffs; but Denny Hamlin has earned enough points to secure a spot in the playoffs, leaving only two spots.

Drivers come down pit road for service with Denny Hamlin winning the race off of pit road after taking fuel only. Kyle Larson came out second with two fresh tires.

Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag restart from the outside lane. Hamlin takes the lead with Chase Elliott in second; Kyle Larson, Kurt Busch, and Alex Bowman round out the top five.

Prior to the competition caution, Denny Hamlin had no communication with his team due to a loose antennae.

Lap 27, Chase Elliott passes Denny Hamlin for the lead.

Lap 29, Denny Hamlin and Kurt Busch battle for second.

Lap 30, Chase Elliott has a tenth of a second lead on Denny Hamlin; Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson battle for third with Tyler Reddick in fifth.

The caution flag comes out on lap 31 after Joey Gase hits the wall hard with a flat tire and is stopped on the track. Gase was in last place, one lap down. Gase is out of the car and checking out the car prior to getting in the safety car for the ride to the infield care center.

The damage to Martin Truex Jr’s car was due to contact with Kyle Busch on lap three.

Chase Elliott’s team is also reporting some radio issues.

Chase Elliott brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 36 with Kurt Busch alongside. The two go side by side before Chase Elliott finally gets out in front for the lead.

Lap 37, drivers are three wide across the track. Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin battle for third.

Joey Logano passes Kurt Busch for third.

Lap 38, the top five are Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Kurt Busch.

Kurt Busch continues to loose spots after taking two left side tires durng the competition caution. He is in sixth place.

Lap 40, Joey Logano battle Denny Hamlin for second. Hamlin holds on.

Joey Gase is the first driver out of the race.

Lap 41, the top five are Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Austin Dillon.

Richard Childress Racing drivers Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick are in a battle for the final playoff spot. Currently Dillon is in fifth with Reddick in 15th.

Lap 45, Chase Elliott continues to lead the race but Denny Hamlin is just a tenth of a second back.

When the teams come to Michigan, the race becomes more than about just taking home a win; it is a matter of pride since the manufacturers are based in nearby Detroit. This race is about bragging rights for the car makers.

Lap 50, after coming from fifth, Austin Dillon is now in second place behind leader Chase Elliott; Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.

Lap 53, Chase Elliott has a lead of over half a second on Austin Dillon.

Kyle Busch has re-entered the top 10 in eighth place.

Now in second place, Austin Dillon is the last driver in the playoffs with a two point lead on team mate Tyler Reddick.

Lap 56, Kyle Larson has passes Joey Logano for fourth; William Byron has passed Logano for fifth.

Kyle Larson passes Denny Hamlin for third.

Chase Elliott wins stage one for only the second Chevy driver to win stage one at Michigan.

The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Chase Elliott
Kyle Larson
Austin Dillon
Denny Hamlin
William Byron
Joey Logano
Matt DiBenedetto
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
Brad Keselowski

Drivers come down pit road for service.

Joey Logano had to make a second trip down pit road for missing lug nuts.

Kye Larson brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two but it is Austin Dillon who edges out for the lead on lap 66.

Lap 67, Matt DiBenedetto makes it a three way battle for the lead with Kyle Larson taking the lead.

Kurt Busch gets loose after some contact with Matt DiBenedetto but saves the car from the wall. He is falling through the field.

Lap 70, Kyle Larson leads the race with Chase Elliott in second; Austin Dillon, Kyle Buch, and Daniel Suarez rounding out the top five.

Austin Dillon passes Chase Elliott for second.

Lap 72, Matt DiBenedetto takes fifth from Daniel Suarez.

Lap 74, Austin Dillon battles Kyle Larson for the lead with Chase Elliott on their bumpers. Kyle Larson holds on to the lead but Austin Dillon on right on his bumper.

Lap 76, Austin Dillon is in second place but he is two points below the cut line for the playoffs.

Lap 77, Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson battle for the lead; the two go side by side and edge each other for the lead; Chase Elliott is in third waiting for his chance.

Lap 79, Kyle Larson leads the race with Chase Elliott in second; Austin Dillon, Matt DiBenedetto, and Kyle Busch round out the top five.

Lap 80, Chase Elliott passes Kyle Larson for the lead.

Austin Dillon comes up to battle Kyle Larson for second.

Lap 81, Chase Elliott leads the race with team mate Kyle Larson in second; Austin Dillon, Matt DiBenedetto, and Kyle Busch round out the top five.

Lap 83, Kyle Larson and Austin Dillon have caught up to leader Chase Elliott and are looking to challenge for the lead.

Kyle Busch ahs retaken fourth from Matt DiBenedetto.

Lap 86, team mates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott pair up to take advantage of the draft to put some distance on third place driver Austin Dillon. Dillon is within half a second of the leaders; Kyle Busch and Matt DiBenedetto round out the top five.

Lap 89, the top three drivers have pulled away from the rest of the field; they are separated by about a third of a second; fourth place driver Kyle Busch is a second back.

Tyler Reddick is reporting a vibration.

Chase Elliott passes Kyle Larson for the lead.

Lap 92, the top five are Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch, and Christopher Bell.

Buddies Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace battle for tenth.

Drivers are battling for positon allthrough the field.

Lap 99, Chase Elliott has a tenth of a second lead on Kyle Larson; Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.

There are 31 cars on the lead lap.

Kyle Larson is reporting that the car temperatures are creeping up.

Lap 101, Kevin Harvick brings his car down pit road to begin the cycle of green flag pit stops. Harvick is reporting a very loose condition in his car.

Lap 103, Kyle Busch passes Austin Dillon for third with Christopher Bell in tow.

The top five are Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, and Austin Dillon.

Lap 105, Denny Hamlin takes fifth form Austin Dillon.

William Byron comes down pit road for fresh tires and fuel.

More drivers begin making their green flag pit stops.

Kyle Busch ahs pulled to within half a second of the leaders.

Lap 109, Chase Elliott’s lead is being challenged with Kyle Busch right behind them in third.

Lap 111, Kyle Larson makes his green flag pit stop.

Lap 111, Chase Elliott makes his green flag pit stop and gives the lead over to Kyle Busch.

Lap 113, Austin Dillon makes his pit stop.

Lap 114, Kyle Larson passes Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin.

Kyle Busch makes his green flag pit stop and gives the lead over to Christopher Bell. Busch takes only two tires.

Denny Hamlin overshot his pit stop and had to back up before the crew could pit the car.

Lap 115, leader Christopher Bell makes his green flag pit stop; Kyle Busch retakes the lead with five laps remaining in the race.

In seventh place, Tyelr Reddick takes fuel only.

Joey Logano is off the track.

With three laps remaining in stage two, Kyle Busch ahs a lead of over two seconds on Christopher Bell.

Ross Chastain has taken his car to the garage.

Kyle Busch wins stage two after taking only two tires during his pit stop.

The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Kyle Busch
Christopher Bell
Kyle Larson
Chase Elliott
Denny Hamin
Austin Dillon
Brad Keselowski
Tyler Reddick
William Byron
Matt DiBenedetto
Kurt Busch

Austin Dillon comes down the track and when he begins to move up off the apron at the start/finish line, he makes contact with Brad Keselowski, sending Dillon into the wall hard. Dillon got airborne after hitting the wall. Dillon’s car is on the tow truck headed for the garage and out of the race.

Drivers come down pit road for service. Chase Elliott stalls his car briefly on pit road.

Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three with Kurt Busch alongside. Kurt Busch and Larson are in a side by side battle for thel ead. After a push from William Byron, Kyle Larson takes the lead.

Lap 128, Kyle Larson leads the race with team mate William Byron in second; Kurt Busch, Ryan Blaney, and Matt DiBenedetto rounding out the top five. There are 27 cars on the lead lap.

Anthony Alfredo and Ross Chastain are off the track; while Austin Dillon and Joey Gase are out of the race.

After restarting the race in 13th place, Kyle Busch has entered the top 10.

Austin Dillon is out of the infield care center and fine; he said that he had a “rocket ship” today.

Lap 134, Kyle Larson leads the race with William Byron just a tenth of a second back; Kurt Busch, Ryan Blaney, and Martin Truex Jr rounding out the top five.

Lap 141, Kyle Larson continues to hold on to the lead by a narrow margin over William Byron; Kurt Busch, Ryan Blaney, and Alex Bowman round out the top five.

Anthony Alfredo returns to the track 20 laps down; Ross Chastain is still in the garage.

Lap 146, Kyle Larson has dominated much of the race as he looks to be the first driver to win six races this season and extend his points lead.

Mired back in 14th, Chase Elliott is running some of the fastest laps on th track.

Lap 150, Kyle Larson leads the race with William Byron in second; kurt Busch, Ryan Blaney, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.

Lap 154, Kyle Larson holds on to the lead with William Byron in second; Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.

Lap 156, William Byron brings his car down pit road for service. Denny Hamlin passes Kurt Busch to take second, over half a second behind leader Kyle Larson.

Lap 157, Alex Bowman makes his green flag pit stop.

Lap 159, leader Kyle Larson is out of fuel but makes his way on to pit road. With his pit stall all the way down pit road, he will lose some time.

Denny Hamlin is the new leader.

Kurt Busch makes his pit stop.

Lap 162, the top five are Dennny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, and Tyler Reddick.

More drivers make their green flag pit stops.

Lap 165, leader Denny Hamlin makes his pit stop and gives the lead over the Kyle Busch.

Lap 167, Kyle Busch leads the race with Brad Keselowski in second; Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher, and Christopher Bell round out the top five but all of them have yet to make their pit stops.

Leader Kyle Busch comes down pit road and overshoots his pit stall. He has to back it up before the crew can service the car. Brad Keselowski is the new leader. Busch returns to the track in 20th place.

Lap 171, the top six drivers have yet to make their pit stops.

There are only 14 cars on the lead lap.

With 27 laps remaining in the race, leaders Brad Keselowski and Christopher Bell make their pit stops and gives the lead over the William Byron with Kyle Larson in second.

The top five are William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch, and Ryan Blaney.

With 21 laps remaining in the race, there are reports of precipitation in the area. NASCAR has displayed the caution flag for wet weather conditions.

With 18 laps remaining in the race, pit road is open; leaders stay out but drivers back in the field come down pit road for fresh tires.

William Byron brings the field down for the green flag restart from the outside lane with just 14 laps remaining in the race. After a push from Kyle Larson, William Byron gets out in front for the lead. Drivers get three wide battling for position.

The caution flag comes out for a crash. Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, Josh Berry, Michael McDowell, Martin Truex Jr, and Christopher Bell were all involved in the wreck.

Joey Logano takes his car to the garage with crash damage.

William Byron brings the field down for the green flag restart from the outside lane with just eight laps remaining in the race. Getting a push from Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney takes the lead with William Byron in second. Drivers are getting five wide across the track battling for position.

The top five are Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Kurt Busch.

Tyler Reddick spins out but the track stays green as he gets moving again.

Kyle Larson passes William Byron for second with Ryan Blaney in the lead.

Five to go, Ryan Blaney holds on to the lead with Kyle Larson on his bumper; Kurt Busch, William Byron, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.

Drivers are pushing, beating, and banging all through the field in a battle for position and points.

Three to go, William Byron drops to the bottom and passes Kyle Larson for second.

Two to go, William Byron tries to get past Ryan Blaney for the lead.

Ryan Blaney takes the white flag.

Ryan Blaney holds off William Byron to win the race for the closest finish in MIS history – 77/1,000th of a second! The top five drivers were separated by less than half a second. This is Blaney’s second win of the season.

Kevin Harvick has locked in a spot in the playoffs on points. There is only one more spot open with one race remaining in the regular season.

The unofficial results of the Firekeepers Casino 400:
Ryan Blaney
William Byron
Kyle Larson
Kurt Busch
Denny Hamlin
Matt DiBenedetto
Kyle Busch
Chase Elliott
Brad Keselowski
Martin Truex Jr
Chase Briscoe
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Christopher Bell
Kevin Harvick
Chris Buescher
Alex Bowman
Aric Almirola
Erik Jones
Bubba Wallace
Michael McDowell
Ryan Preece
Daniel Suarez
Cole Custer
Ryan Newman
Justin Haley
Josh Berry
Cody Ware
BJ McLeod
Tyler Reddick
Quin Houff
Josh Bilicki
Garrett Smithley
Joey Logano
Anthony Alfredo
Ross Chastain
Austin Dillon
Joey Gase