Cup Series: Firekeepers 400 at Michigan Qualifying and Starting Lineup

Sunday’s Cup Series action is set to be a spellbinding and thrilling sight to behold at Michigan International Speedway. The 2-mile track, nestled in the heart of Michigan’s rolling hills, features variable banking, touch-and-go speed, and long straightaways, adding to the excitement. Here’s an inside look at what to expect during Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400.

Key Takeaways: FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan Qualifying

It was a Chase Briscoe show on the track during qualifying for the Cup Series Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. The Joe Gibbs driver has had a pretty stellar season and today was no different. He ran a high lap of 36.826, securing his third consecutive pole of the season.

Ahead of that, his pole wins were in Nashville and Charlotte. Richard Childress driver Kyle Busch also found himself on top, clocking in 36.853 seconds, below the driver seconds. During the final seconds of qualifying, Briscoe, who was tussling with teammate Christopher Bell in the No. 20, never wavered, leading him to notch a record high of 195. 482 seconds.

 Chris Buescher was also fierce on the track and in true fashioned answered with a quickness for the third fastest lap recorded at 195. 207 mph followed by Alex Bowman at 194.985 mph and Austin Dillon at 194. 974 to cap the top five. However, not all drivers were as lucky after experiencing tire issues.

First, Ryan Blaney ran into issues on the backstretch at Michigan International Speedway after he lost left front tire pressure to his No. 12 Team Penske Mustang Dark Horse during the second 25-minute qualifying session. Surprisingly even though the Ford was towed back to the garage he still notched 26th fastest in practice

Additionally, 23XL’s Tyler Reddick also experienced issues but with his left rear tire, but luckily, he was coming into the turn three apron near the pits, so his crew was able to address it quickly. Season newcomer Shane Van Gisbergen also experienced issues with his No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet with the left rear tire.

Seems pretty odd that all three drivers experienced it this on the same side which left many spectators and crew scratching their heads. Yet, it is not unexpected due to Michigan International’s unpredictable dips in speed, long straightaways and sharped angled turns. This wears the tires down causing mishaps like those seen during this afternoon’s qualifying.

Why Briscoe Winning the Pole at Michigan Was Historic and How Denny Hamlin Could Recover

Today marks a special moment in history for Briscoe who notched his fourth consecutive his others were notched at the season opener in Daytona, followed by Charlotte, and Nashville. Briscoe now joins ranks with Kyle Larson to become the first driver since 2024 to win consecutive poles in a preceding order. Still, no one could ignore the other dominant force on the track in Joe Gibbs driver Denny Hamlin. Hamlin who broke a 31-race winless streak in Darlington followed by Martinsville for two consecutive wins this season is not backing down without a fight.

Overall, 2025 has been a bit of a toss-up for Hamlin as he’s fluctuated with his starts and finishes from either rounding out the top 10 or drowning in 30s. So, tomorrow’s race will be interesting to say the very least. Completing the top five in the starting lineup for tomorrow’s 400 will be William Byron (P4) at 36.878, and Chris Buescher (P5) at 36. 908. Kyle Larson who placed sixth has had quite the season himself appearing outside of Cup in the Craftsman and Xfinity Series.

He’s secured two wins in Xfinity and three in cup, so there’s optimism that he’ll notch a fourth in tomorrow’s Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Regarding strategy the only thing Larson needs to avoid in order to make it happen is a repeat of Texas. The Hendrick Motorsports trouble started strong leading the first wo stages but fell short to Ross Chastain (P2) and race-winner Joey Logano.

He gave all he had in the beginning which is no doubt how his momentum dropped so quickly and judging from the patterns of other NASCAR races drivers must give a little in each stage before striking gold. Can he, do it? Don’t touch that dial because it would be ashamed to miss tomorrow’s close drafting due to Michigan’s variable banks and fluctuations and instantaneous fluctuations in speed. 

FireKeepers Casino 400 Starting Lineup at Michigan

1. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (36.826)
2. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet (36.853)
3. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (36.861)
4. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (36.878)
5. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford (36.908)
6. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (36.889)
7. Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford (36.920)
8. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (36.927)
9. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota (36.937)
10. Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford (36.937)
11. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford (36.938)
12. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota (36.954)
13. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford (36.961)
14. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (36.973)
15. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford (36.975)
16. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (36.977)
17. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (36.997)
18. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet (37.000)
19. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet (37.013)
20. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (37.031)
21. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota (37.031)
22. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota (37.934)
23. Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford (37.052)
24. Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford (37.052)
25. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (37.061)
26. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (37.075)
27. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford (37.081)
28. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet (37.124)
29. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford (37.125)
30. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet (37.137)
31. Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (37.149)
32. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (37.151)
33. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford (37.160)
34. Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota (37.183)
35. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (37.230)
36. Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford (37.406)

Where to Watch

To catch the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series events and race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, tune into FOX Sports and FS1 or live stream through the FOX Sports App, YouTube TV, Hulu +, and FuboTV. Live coverage of the 400 can also be accessed through MRN Radio, Sirius XM, or NASCAR Radio.

FireKeepers Casino 400 Schedule at Michigan International Speedway

• Fire Keepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway (Practice)—9:30 a.m. EST
• Fire Keepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway (Qualifying)—10:40 a.m. EST
• Firekeepers 400 (Cup Series Race)—2:00 p.m. EST

Final Thoughts

From blown tires to unpredictable dips Michigan International Speedway certainly tested Cup Series driver’s abilities on the track. Just ask Ryan Blaney who blew a tire on the backstretch during group two qualifying. While it was frustrating Blaney still managed to notch a P13 finish and 26th fastest overall. Even so, Chase Briscoe stole the show and will start from the pole to lead the field of 36 to the green flag for the FireKeepers Casino 400. Stay tuned.