Best of the Rest: Michigan

This past weekend, NASCAR’s Xfinity and Cup Series teams descended upon Michigan as both series look towards the end of their regular seasons.

Xfinity Series (Cabo Wabo 250)

1. Anthony Alfredo (#5 Our Motorsports Chevrolet): Alfredo and his Our Motorsports team once again showed their potential together. Qualifying 19th, Alfredo ran strong all race and finished 4th. Watch for Alfredo and his #5 Chevrolet in the coming weeks, as larger fast tracks play are Alfredo’s strong suit.
2. Ryan Ellis (#43 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet): In a season marred by not so great races for the 43 team, Ellis had a strong run in Michigan. The quick swing of luck for Ellis in Michigan yielded a strong 14th place run. This was Ellis’ best finish since Iowa where he also came home 14th.

   

3. Matt DiBenedetto (#38 Viking Motorsports Ford): DiBenedetto, who joined the RSS / Viking Motorsports team in Richmond had one of his better runs. While the #38 Ford started 31st, DiBenedetto would make his way consistently through the field and finish 7th. Similar to Ellis (above), DiBenedetto matched his season-best finish since Iowa.

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Cup Series (Firekeepers Casino 400

1. Spire Motorsports (#71 and #77 Chevrolets): While teammate Corey LaJoie did not have such a strong day in the flagship #7 entry, Spire’s Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar had a solid Michigan weekend. With both running for rookie honors this season, Smith wheeled his #71 to a seventh place finish, while Hocevar came home 10th.
2. Ryan Preece (#41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford): Preece has struggled to finish strong most of the year thus far, but had a much needed good run. Preece started his #41 Ford from the 26th place spot, and finished 11th.

   

3. Harrison Burton (#21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford): While Burton will be departing the legendary Wood Brothers team after this season, this did not deter the #21 Ford from having a quietly good showing. Burton brought his Motorcraft Ford home 14th, matching his Loudon finish.