The Post Race Inspection - 2025 Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

By Adam Carabine & Logan Morris

Logan Morris: Hey Adam! We’re back after a great race in Michigan! Denny delivered for his third win of the season. 

Adam Carabine: Hey Logan, good to be back with you here in our digital space!  That might have been the best race of the season so far.  I’m not sure I can think of one that was more fun, can you?

LM: I really can’t! The intense speeds created chaos, and decisions had to be made arguably quicker than they do at Daytona or Talladega. The intensity was palpable.  

AC: The field was a little more spread out than at the Super Speedways, but boy they sure got some runs too.  It was so fun to watch the different lines on the track producing freight train-like runs sometimes out of nowhere.  We had green flag lead changes!  Maybe we’ve been so beaten into submission with an often disappointing aero-package, but this was a ton of fun.  

You could tell the guys in the booth calling the race were having fun watching it too, which makes a difference.  I’m not sure there’s anyone better than Dale Jr. at just sharing his overall passion and excitement.  Maybe Leigh Diffey? 

LM: Diffey gets a tad carried away for my taste on occasion. But, maybe that’s just the Mike Joy fan in me. Dale Jr. does an incredible job of showing his passion and riding that fine line between over-the-top and a little too laid-back. This stretch of races on Prime has reminded all of us what a special asset he is in the booth.

AC: I’ve really been enjoying the Prime broadcast.  Anyway, moving on to other parts of the race - lots to touch on here.  Anyone’s performance stand out to you?

LM: I have to give credit to Ty Gibbs. This season has left a lot to be desired for him. But, a very solid P3 could be the shot in the arm he needs. I think for everyone in the garage, confidence is key. However, I believe it means even more for a young guy like Gibbs who’s still looking for that first win of his career. As we head into a road course heavy stretch, the momentum could be big for him.

AC: I’d like to hope so, though I worry that these next few races could also quickly undo any positive momentum he (or any struggling driver, for that matter) may have.  Take a look at Brad Keselowski, for example.  A Top 10 for him at Michigan, after an absolutely abysmal start to the year - but Brad K isn’t exactly known for his road course prowess - the next few weeks could be make or break for his season, if it’s not already completely over.

LM: You’re right! But, there are two sides to that coin. Guys like SVG have been waiting all season for this stretch. It’s hard to believe we’ve only had one road course in 2025 so far. A.J Allmendinger, being another one who must be chomping at the bit to turn right. In the previous car, we would be looking at Chase Elliott as a guy who would steal the show over the next few weeks but his road course prowess has not carried over to the next-gen era. You are absolutely right that these next 5 weeks or so are likely to make or break a lot of seasons. Michigan is its own beast, and momentum is a fickle mistress. 

AC: The two non-road courses in the next five races are also anomalies, themselves.  You’ve got Pocono and Atlanta sprinkled in between three road courses.  It’s going to be a tough stretch of racing for some of those bubble teams - but it should make for some fascinating drama.

Back to Michigan, we saw the race end as a fuel mileage-style race.  Now, for someone like me who hasn’t maybe been around this sport as long, was this a bit of a throwback for you?

LM: One thousand percent. One of the unquestioned  downsides to stage-racing is that fuel mileage races are almost entirely a thing of the past. I wish we had them more, and while only William Byron ran out of gas, the anticipation of ‘will they or won’t they’ make it on fuel is a rush I miss.  It’s a different kind of sitting on the edge of your seat. Given your lack of experience with it, what did you think?

AC: Since I am a sucker for strategy, it was awesome.  I don’t quite understand the magic behind all of the math that goes into the way they calculate fuel on these cars.  I mean, I understand the principles, but I can’t quite wrap my head around how they can look at all of this data in front of them and tell their driver over the radio that he needs to save 2 laps worth of fuel, or that he’s good by half a lap, etc.  It’s majorly impressive, and there’s also this underlying possibility that maybe the math is a little bit off.  Nothing is quite a perfect science, and that makes for some really fun racing.

Anything else we should get to before our weekly awards?

LM: It is pretty phenomenal to think about. But I think we’ve pretty much said all that needs to be said. Let’s get to those awards.

Best Performer

LM: I’m going with Chris Buescher, he got a much-needed P2 finish. As we head down the stretch it’s going to be fascinating to see if he can get back to contending for wins. 

AC: Buescher sits just 20 points ahead of the playoff bar right now - and that’s also thanks to 30 of the 60 points he lost to a penalty being rescinded.  You might not peg him as a road course racer, though he did get the win at Watkins Glen last year.  This P2 couldn’t have come at a better time for him and the 17 team.

For me, I already touched on it, but I’m going to give my award to Buescher’s teammate, Brad Keselowski.  It’s hard not to root for this guy, and it’s been a rough season so far.  A Top 5 two races before Michigan at the Coca-Cola 600, and now a Top 10 this past weekend - I’m hoping Brad can turn things around here, because I think the sport is better when he’s in contention.

Biggest Move of the Race

LM: My biggest move of the race is Denny Hamlin putting on a masterclass with fuel mileage. He still had quite a bit there for the past-race celebration. Credit to him. 

AC: It does seem that when it comes to these mileage races, the veterans rise to the top.  See: Joey Logano.  

My biggest move could also be my biggest disappointment, but I’ll put it here for now - Carson Hocevar getting a flat tire in the dying moments of the race.  He was possibly on his way to his first career win, and got an unlucky puncture.  Then he managed to limp it to pit road without bringing out the caution, which essentially ruined his day.

Biggest Disappointment

LM: I’m going to go with Chase Eliott here. Michigan is a place he should be a major factor, and while he was up front for a bit, he ended up with only a top 15. There’s something off with that 9 crew 

AC: I was watching the race with an Elliott fan, and they were commenting on how unimpressed they’ve been with his passiveness lately.  Not a great showing for a team that isn’t performing like it should.

It might be strange to give my biggest disappointment to a guy who has a win already (let alone a Daytona 500 win), but William Byron should probably have like five wins this year already.  This guy continues to have dominant days at the track and something goes wrong for him near the end.  This time it was a fuel issue, and he had to peel off just before the end, costing him his day.  

What to Watch for Next Weekend

LM: This weekend NASCAR heads to Mexico City, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to be exact! This will be the first points-paying international race since 1958. We have to keep our eyes on SVG and others. But the elevation could play havoc on horsepower. Also, the way-too-early forecast suggests rain is possible.  

AC: Elevation is going to be the name of the game, I think, for everyone and everything.  Oxygen levels are lower, these athletes are going to have their bodies be in a state they’re not used to, and then yes - the horsepower will be lower as a result.  It’s a complete wildcard, since no one from NASCAR has raced here before, and I think it should be a fun spectacle.

LM: Viva! See you next week!