Cabo Wabo 250 Predictions: Defending Race Winner Ty Gibbs Is Moonlighting at Michigan This Week

• Defending race winner Ty Gibbs is moonlighting at Michigan this week.
• John Hunter Nemechek has three Michigan starts with three different teams.
• Justin Allgaier leads a JR Motorsports contingent with a strong history.

Cabo Wabo 250 Betting Odds

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Our Picks for the Cabo Wabo 250

• Justin Allgaier to win the race at +500
• John Hunter Nemechek to beat Ty Gibbs Head-to-head at -105

Cabo Wabo 250 Predictions

Defending Winner Ty Gibbs Is Moonlighting at Michigan This Week

Last year at Michigan International Speedway, Ty Gibbs picked up his fifth victory of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season on the way to the series championship.

On Saturday—now a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver—Gibbs will attempt to defend his victory from last year. He’ll be driving the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, with veteran Jason Ratcliff as his crew chief.

The major motivation here is extra track time for the Cup Series rookie. Gibbs is the first driver below the cut line for the Cup Playoffs, 18 points behind Michael McDowell for the final berth available on points.

Of course, Gibbs will be trying to win the race, and doubtless he’ll be a contender, but we think an Xfinity Series regular is more likely to take the checkered flag.

We’ll also opt for slightly better odds than the +450 DraftKings Sportsbook is offering for Gibbs, the pre-race favorite.

Nemechek Will Make Fourth Michigan Start With Fourth Different Team

It’s difficult to judge John Hunter Nemechek’s prowess at Michigan International Speedway.

The 26-year-old Mooresville, North Carolina, native has three starts to his credit at the high-speed, two-mile track, but those starts were in cars fielded by three different car owners.

In 2018, Nemechek finished 13th in a Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. A year later, he posted his best result to date—eighth in a GMS Racing Chevy.

Last year, Nemechek drove Sam Hunt’s Toyota to a 19th-place finish. Admittedly, Nemechek (+500 via DraftKings) will be behind the wheel of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on Saturday, the best equipment he has driven at Michigan.

Based on past performance, however, we’re not sure Nemechek has a knack for the track, so we’re looking elsewhere for our winner. We do think he’ll beat Ty Gibbs head-to-head at -105 (DraftKings).

Justin Allgaier Leads Strong JR Motorsports Contingent in Irish Hills

Despite failing to win either of the last two NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Michigan International Speedway, JR Motorsports drivers nevertheless have achieved a strong presence at the two-mile track.

In 2021 and 2022, JRM drivers have taken three of the top six finishing positions. Justin Allgaier came closest to victory with a runner-up performance last year, finishing 1.160 seconds behind race winner Ty Gibbs.

Allgaier has show excellent speed of late, starting with his lone victory of the season at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, and he’s confident he’ll be a force at Michigan once again.

“We came close to getting the win here last year, and hopefully we can be that one spot better this weekend,” Allgaier said.

“We have had some unbelievable speed here lately and I know that (crew chief) Jim (Pohlman) and everyone on this No. 7 team will give me just as strong a car again this weekend.”

We agree with Allgaier, who is our pick to win on Saturday at +500 via DraftKings. After all, his bright red paint scheme fits perfectly with the creator of the Cabo Wabo brand—Red Rocker Sammy Hagar.

How to Watch the Cabo Wabo 250

• Race: Cabo Wabo 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race
• Location: Michigan International Speedway
• Time: Saturday, August 5, 3:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: NBC