Next Stop: Pocono Raceway

By Sarah Pizzo Cup Scene Daily,July 19th

Built by the Mattioli family in 1968 Pocono Raceway is one of the most unusual tracks on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit. 

At one point the family considered selling the track, however were ultimately persuaded by Bill France Sr. to hang on.  Not long afterwards NASCAR awarded the track with a second race date.  In 1990 the track went through a reconstruction.  The result was the “roval” shaped track with three different length stretches and three different turns.  This track is hard on engines and brakes and there is generally a good deal of engine attrition.  Cars will need to have good downforce and because of the different corners it will be difficult, if not impossible for crews to get the cars right in all three turns, so some compromises will have to be made.  This track is known for long green flag runs but cars can carry so much speed into the corners that they can end up causing a wreck.

Will someone new take the checkered flag at Pocono Raceway or will we see a repeat win from Johnson or Kasey Kahne who have already taken the checkered flag this season?

Can Denny Hamlin sweep at Pocono, the site of his first Nextel Cup series win?

Will another driver make Pocono the site their first Nextel Cup career win?

Since NASCAR began coming to this track twice a year 5 drivers have swept the races at this track, will another name be added to this short list?

Will engine attrition take out the top contenders and shake up the point standings?

Bill Elliott has the most wins at this track with 5 but Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, and Jeff Gordon all have 3 wins.  Can one of these drivers move one-step closer to Elliott’s win record?

Yahoo Fantasy Racing

Group A

Jimmie Johnson – In 9 starts at this track Johnson has 2 wins and 3 additional top ten finishes for an average finish of 8.3.  Johnson swept the races here back in 2004.  He seems to have a good idea of how to run here and he could take home another trophy.

Group B

Brian Vickers – Vickers has five starts with two top ten finishes and an average finish of 9.4.  He came in 4^th here earlier in the season, He has also led 122 laps at this track.  Vickers is on tap for a win, his season has been inconsistent but this is one driver who could pull off his first victory of his career.

Denny Hamlin – won his first Cup race here earlier in the year.  In his first race he conquered the track and now has an average finish of 1.0.  He is looking to sweep this years races at the track and find his second victory in his young career.

Group C

JJ Yeley – Yeley, in his first Cup race at this track came in 15^th, with his teammate, Denny Hamlin taking his first win and Tony Stewart helping as well as long as his engine survives he could do well.

Big Johnson Fantasy Racing

Group A

Jimmie Johnson – In 9 starts at this track Johnson has 2 wins and 3 additional top ten finishes for an average finish of 8.3.  Johnson swept the races here back in 2004.  He seems to have a good idea of how to run here and he could take home another trophy.

Jeff Gordon – Gordon has 26 starts at this track with 3 wins and 15 other top ten finishes with an average finish of 10.1.  Jeff has had a rough season so far but he is good at this track. 

Group B

Denny Hamlin – won his first Cup race here earlier in the year.  In his first race he conquered the track and now has an average finish of 1.0.  He is looking to sweep this years races at the track and find his second victory in his young career.

Brian Vickers –. Vickers has five starts with two top ten finishes and an average finish of 9.4.  He came in 4^th here earlier in the season, He has also led 122 laps at this track.  Vickers is on tap for a win, his season has been inconsistent but this is one driver who could pull off his first victory of his career.

Group C

Dale Jarrett – Jarrett has 39 starts here with 3 wins and 15 other top ten finishes with an average finish of 15.5.  Although Dale and Robert Yates Racing is having a tough season this is a track that he Dale has done well at.  A win might be a stretch but he could very well have a decent top fifteen maybe top ten finish if he can stay out of trouble and his engine and brakes last.

JJ Yeley – Yeley, in his first Cup race at this track came in 15^th, with his teammate, Denny Hamlin taking his first win and Tony Stewart helping as well as long as his engine survives he could do well.

Group D

Clint Bowyer – Clint didn’t have an amazing performance at this track earlier this season, coming in 21^st.  With that being his only start here in a Cup car he could win the award for most improved after this weeks race.

Robby Gordon – Robby has 11 starts with 2 top tens and an average finish of 26.3.  Robby’s season has improved tremendously and as long as his engine can stay together and he can stay out of trouble he could have another good finish and get a third top ten.