The first NASCAR race during the Cup Series Doubleheader weekend at Pocono Raceway became Kevin Harvick‘s first win at the “Tricky Triangle.”
The Saturday (6/27) Pocono Organics 325 was a short race with different teams trying different strategies to get to the win. Most of the 130 lap race Aric Almirola looked to be the strongest car on the track. Joey Logano managed to get to the front in time to win stage one. However, Aric led a race high 61 laps and scored the win in stage two of the race.
The drivers were very cautious for the most part knowing that they would have to race the same car in Sunday’s (6/28) race. If they wrecked their car and had to go to a back-up for race two they would have to start from the back of the field. As a result there were only six cautions during the first two stages of the race including the two for the end of those stages.
The third and final stage ran completely under the green flag, caution free. With that fact in mind it came down to which would win, the strong car of Aric Almirola or one of the strategies being played out in the race.
As it would turn out, Kevin Harvick’s strong strategy overcame the strong car. Kevin’s strategy got him to the lead with just 17 laps remaining in the race. He was able to keep that lead to score his first career win in the Cup Series at Pocono Raceway. It was Kevin’s third win of the 2020 season.
Denny Hamlin scored the runner-up finish. Aric Almirola’s strong car gave him a third place finish. Rookie Christopher Bell finished in fourth place. Kyle Busch rounded out the top five. See the complete race results for the Pocono Organics 325 here.
Following the win Kevin Harvick remained the leader in the point standings. Ryan Blaney moved up a spot to second place with Joey Logano falling back to third. Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski remained steady in fourth and fifth places respectively. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series Point standings here.
Race number two of the NASCAR Cup Series Doubleheader weekend at Pocono Raceway takes place today, June 28th. The Pocono 350 starts at 3 p.m. central time (4 p.m. eastern time).
By: Buck Stevens
