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NASCAR 2012 Pure Michigan 400 Picks & Predictions    
By ATSSportsline.com

BROOKLYN, MI (ATS Consultants) - The Sprint Cup Series heads to the Michigan International Speedway for the 23rd Cup race this season on Sunday, August 19 at 1:00PM ET for the 2012 Pure Michigan 400.

While Jimmie Johnson is the favorite, Brad Keselowski should be the fan favorite. The Michigan native has won three times this season and is in fifth place overall in the Sprint Cup standings.

Last week, he finished second to Marcos Ambrose in the Finger Lakers 355 at The Glen. Kyle Busch won this race last year and Johnson placed second.  The last time the Sprint Cup Series was at the Michigan International Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. ended his four year, 143-race winless streak when the series ran at this two-mile racetrack for the first time this season the third weekend June.

Tony Stewart 7-1

Smoke had a runner-up performance in June, which gives him five straight top-10s at MIS. Stewart has been remarkably consistent in his 20 career starts at the site with 17 finishes of 12th or better, which dates back to 2002. Despite three wins this season, Smoke is eighth in points due to volatile performances from week to week.

Brad Keselowski 12-1

After finishing third last year here, Keselowski qualified 25th back in June but raced his way into the top five by lap 64. He would finish 13th, but also started an active streak of eight finishes inside the top 15, including four top-fives. In fact, no driver has scored more points than Keselowski over the last six races.

Live Longshot

Clint Bowyer 30-1

Boyer has collected six finishes of 13th or better at MIS in seven starts since 2009. He recorded a career-best average running position of seventh in June, spending all but five laps inside the top 15. In the last 14 races of the season, Bowyer has only finished worse than 16th once. Bowyer appears to be a safe pick among the middle-tier options.

2012 Pure Michigan 400 Information

Race Date: Sunday, August 19

Location: Michigan International Speedway

Start Time: 1pmET

Green Flag: Approx. 1:16PM ET

TV Coverage: ESPN

Radio Coverage: IMS Racing Network (Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

Track Type: 2 mile 200 laps, 400 miles

Recent Winners

2011 Kyle Busch, Toyota, 150.898 m.p.h.
2010 Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 144.029 m.p.h.
2009 Brian Vickers, Toyota, 131.531 m.p.h.
2008 Carl Edwards, Ford, 140.351 m.p.h.
2007 Kurt Busch, Dodge, 117.012 m.p.h.

Last year’s top 5

1. Kyle Busch (Start: 17)
2. Jimmie Johnson (19)
3. Brad Keselowski (6)
4. Mark Martin (5)
5. Ryan Newman (3)