NASCAR News: Top 5 favorites to win the Pure Michigan 400

Jun 15, 2014; Brooklyn, MI, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson during the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

3) Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s / Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevrolet)

·         One win, five top fives, 10 top 10s

·         Average finish of 16.2

·         Average Running Position of 11.2, fourth-best

·         Driver Rating of 102.9, third-best

·         Series-high 389 Fastest Laps Run

·         Average Green Flag Speed of 178.387 mph, second-fastest

·         2,772 Laps in the Top 15 (74.1%), fourth-most

·         731 Quality Passes, sixth-most

No doubt, Jimmie Johnson is in a terrible slump, with five straight finishes outside the top 10, including finishes of 42nd, 42nd, 39th and 28th. But Johnson scored his first career victory at Michigan in June, leading 39 laps to beat Harvick. Johnson had led the three previous races at Michigan, but had trouble in them all before finally breaking through in June. He could snap out of his slump in a big way this weekend.