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Five drivers to watch at Michigan

Hisense 250 - Practice

HAMPTON, GA - FEBRUARY 27: Kevin Harvick (L), driver of the #88 Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet, talks with Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, in the garage during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Hisense 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 27, 2015 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

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Keep an eye on these drivers throughout the Sprint Cup weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

Kevin Harvick

Harvick has finished second in five of the last six Michigan races, including the Cup Series’ most recent visit last August. Since joining Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014, he’s averaged 35 laps led per race at Michigan - 47 if you throw out the Aug. 2014 race where he never led in route to a second-place result.

Matt Kenseth

Speaking of last August, Kenseth won that race in dominant fashion. That race featured the much-maligned high-drag package. Now there’s a different set of rules, designed to take away downforce. But expect him to be a threat again at Michigan where he carries an average finish of 10.2. That’s boosted by three wins and 14 top-five finishes (best among active drivers).

Brad Keselowski

Keselowski has kept momentum from his Talladega win and heads home to Michigan on a streak of five consecutive top-10 finishes. Since Michigan’s repave entering the 2012 season, Keselowski’s posted an average finish there of 8.1. However, he hasn’t exactly been a front-runner, either. During that same span, the most laps he’s led in a single Michigan race is 17 (Aug. 2012 & 2013).

Chase Elliott

An impressive run at Pocono hammered home the feeling that it’s only a matter of time before Elliott earns his first Sprint Cup win. After a 20th-place result at Martinsville, Elliott’s posted an average finish of 6.25 in the eight races since. In regards to Michigan, Elliott showed well in his Xfinity Series days with finishes of sixth (2014) and second (2015).

Paul Menard

With only one top-10 finish this season, Menard’s well back in the playoff picture (22nd in points, 73 behind 16th-place Ryan Newman). But he’s found a sweet spot at Michigan with three top-five and five top-10 finishes in his last seven Cup starts there, as well as an Xfinity Series win two years ago.