One of the most popular tracks on the circuit for both fans and drivers alike, NASCAR is making the trip to the Irish Hills of Michigan.  The Michigan International Speedway has been a great facility and a fan-friendly environment for many years, which explains why the track has been among the top stops for the series every year.

At the same time, it's a huge undertaking for the auto manufacturers.  The track is located in Brooklyn, Michigan, which is just outside Detroit.  In the last few years, the auto industry has seen the lowest of lows but has also seen some recovery.

It's been cliche that "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday."  Unfortunately, that's not always been the case in the last few years.  It still gives a lot of bragging rights to the auto dealers when their brand takes a victory at Michigan.

With all the issues of the bailouts, the recalls, and the concerns, it seems like the race weekends at Michigan are always a sign that the auto industry is still proud to be part of NASCAR.

The question is now, which auto maker is going to take the win after 400 miles on Sunday afternoon?  The way this season has gone so far, anyone can take a victory.

The points got jumbled up last week not just because of finishes, but also the penalty that was assessed at the beginning of the week.  Now, it's a different week, a new track, and a new opportunity.

Here's who the writers have chosen to win Sunday's Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400:

 

Misan Ayuka:  Carl Edwards

It is Michigan, how can you go against a Ford?  Edwards has two wins in the Irish hills; a third can happen.

 

James Broomhead:  Carl Edwards

I was tempted to embrace the randomness and confront the elephant in the room that is the probability of this weekend coming down to fuel mileage, but Cousin Carl is the best of both.

A fair shot for a win anyway and a man who’s proved he can get his car to sip frugally from the fuel tank when it matter most.

 

Kelly Crandall:  Matt Kenseth

Michigan is the house of Roush, even though they haven't won there recently. But in 2011 these Fords are fast and now that they're heading to Ford's backyard, an even bigger incentive to win. The reason I'm going with Kenseth over the other Roush-Fenway cars is because he's the only one that come through for me so far.

Even further, he's been very consistent this season, even though Carl Edwards has the point lead. Edwards though, hasn't been performing since his win at Vegas on tracks that he normally does, and neither does Biffle who was shut out from leading a lap at Kansas where he's a two-time winner. And here's Kenseth with two wins this season and quietly climbing into contention, I'll stick with him for as long as I can.

 

Billy Fellin:  Carl Edwards

After his valve went poof and his brief stint on TNT (which I thought was awesome of him, by the way...how many drivers would have done that as opposed to just watching from their trailers), Carl literally watched his lead over Jimmie Johnson shrink to just five points.

I don't think it's necessarily panic time for the No. 99 team, but I think Carl realizes they need to not have another disastrous finish without having a few more wins in their pocket.

Enter Michigan International Speedway, where he has an average finish of sixth and has two wins.

 

Michael Hirshbein:  Kyle Busch

No reason given.

 

Christopher Leone:  Greg Biffle

There's something about the Biff (well, any Roush Fenway Racing car) at Michigan that makes him a contender just about every time the series heads there. Of the top six active drivers at Michigan, three are currently employed by RFR.

Biffle rounds out that top six, but given his two wins at the track and 10 top-10s in 16 starts for a 12.2 average finish, it's obvious he can perform there. And given his greater need than Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth (first and second on that list) to have a great performance to get into the Chase hunt, he has the intangibles on his side.

 

Kara Martin:  Carl Edwards

No reason given.

 

Ryan O'Hara:  Jeff Gordon

Should have picked him last week. He has the momentum coming into this race. He hadn't won a complete Pocono race since 1998 and he won. He hasn't won at Michigan since 2001. Why not now?

 

Dustin Parks:  Jeff Gordon

I feel like I have to go with momentum this weekend because it's obvious this team has it.  Let's look at the facts, after having a strong start to the season with the win at Phoenix, Gordon has experienced struggles.  But, the last two weeks he has bounced back extremely well.

He's jumped from 16th in the points to 11th, not to mention two top-fives including last week's victory at Pocono.  Now, here's a track where Gordon is extremely good at, and has won at before, last coming in this race in 2001.

He's got his groove back, so I have to go with the Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet.

 

Sal Sigala Jr:  Dale Earnhardt Jr.

After toying around with my pick for the last few days between four drivers which included Earnhardt. I thought I was ready with the driver I felt would win this weekend, but on my way to my second job of the day I got a speeding ticket.

The CHP wrote me a ticket for doing 88, so I figured it might be some sort of sign. Hopefully its not a bad one.

 

Rob Tiongson:  Jeff Gordon

I picked him a week too early during the Kansas race weekend and hopefully I make up some points by picking Sunday's race winner with 84-time race winner Jeff Gordon.

He's got two wins at Michigan (1998 and '01) and he'll look to add a third trophy to his mantle from Brooklyn, MI. Can it happen? Lots of confidence with this No. 24 team!

 

Standings following Pocono:

Sal Sigala Jr. (492) Kyle Busch finished third (2)

Kelly Crandall (485) Carl Edwards finished 37th (2)

Christopher Leone (461) Denny Hamlin finished 19th (2)

Billy Fellin (460) Denny Hamlin finished 19th (2)

Rob Tiongson (447) Greg Biffle finished 27th (1)

James Broomhead (441) Denny Hamlin finished 19th (1)

Misan Ayuka (436) Denny Hamlin finished 19th (2)

Kara Martin (432) Denny Hamlin finished 19th (1)

Michael Hirshbein (423) Kyle Busch finished third (2)

Ryan O'Hara (412) Tony Stewart finished 21st (1)

Dustin Parks (407) Greg Biffle finished 27th (0)

 

Final Thoughts:  The many different grooves mean this track will provides excellent side-by-side racing, many different strategies, and a lot of excitement for the fans that will pack the stands.

Like usual, this track can come down to fuel mileage.  It was avoided last week, but anything can happen.  This track has also gone caution free, which is another possibility.

We will all find out on Sunday at 1 p.m. when the green flag goes in the air.  Wally Dahlenbach, Kyle Petty and Adam Alexander once again bring the coverage on TNT.

 

Summary of Picks:

Carl Edwards-4

Jeff Gordon-3

Greg Biffle-1

Kyle Busch-1

Dale Earnhardt Jr-1

Matt Kenseth-1