A trip to Michigan

Michigan International Speedway is the site of this week's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, one many expect to be very competitive. The track has traditionally been a Roush-Fenway dominated track. Why do I say that you ask? Well, looking back, since 2002 there have been 12 races held at Michigan. Of those 12 races, 6 have been won by Roush-Fenway drivers. With that being said, here are my choices to win...

Matt Kenseth, No. 17 DEWALT Ford (Roush-Fenway Racing)
Last Week: 7th place finish in the Pocono 500
Career at Michigan: 9.7 Avg. Finish, 2 wins, 7 top 5's, 11 top 10's
Why he could win: Matt's been one of the most consistent drivers at Michigan in the last few years, earning two victories at the track. It also can't hurt that this team has four straight top 10 finishes in the last four weeks. Momentum here we come.

Carl Edwards, No. 99 Office Depot Ford (Roush-Fenway Racing)
Last Week: 9th place finish in the Pocono 500
Career at Michigan: 7.3 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 4 top 5's, 6 top 10's
Why he could win: This is Carl Edwards' kind of track. Michigan is a rhythm track, a place you get into a groove and go. Much like Atlanta, Texas or any other track designed in the same manner. Carl should run up front and be a threat to win all weekend.

Mark Martin, No. 8 U.S. Army Chevrolet (Dale Earnhardt Inc.)
Last Week: 10th place finish in the Pocono 500
Career at Michigan: 13.0 Avg. Finish, 4 wins, 16 top 5's, 27 top 10's
Why he could win: History is on Mark Martin's side. He's always done well at Michigan, as you might guess from his 4 career wins and 16 career top 5's. Mark has been on the verge of winning a race this season on a few occasions and I feel like Michigan might be as good a place as any for it to happen.

The underdog this week drivers for a team who just made a big merger announcement. Can you guess?

Bobby Labonte, No. 43 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge (Petty Enterprises)
Last Week: 11th place finish in the Pocono 500
Career at Michigan: 13.5 Avg. Finish, 3 wins, 9 top 5's, 16 top 10's
Why he could win: As we all know by now, the majority of Petty Enterprises was sold to Boston Ventures, a private equity firm, this week. With any luck, this will be the start of a push forward for Petty Enterprises back into the forefront of the NASCAR world. Wouldn't a top 10 or even a top 5 be a great way for this partnership to start?