Sunday (6/28) NASCAR‘s Doubleheader weekend at Pocono Raceway came to an end with Denny Hamlin winning the Pocono 350.

Kevin Harvick won Saturday’s (6/27) Pocono Organics 325. Sunday NASCAR took the top 20 finishing order, inverted it for the start and added 10 laps (25 miles) for the Pocono 350. Additionally, the drivers had to use the same car from Saturday for Sunday’s race. If they had to change to a back-up car or replace the transmission or engine they had to start from the very back of the field.

Because of cars being moved to the back of the field, Kurt Busch got to start the race from the traditional pole position. He looked to be taking complete advantage of that good fortune to make it known he would contend for the win. Kurt led the first 35 laps of the race and scored the win in stage one of the race. However, Kurt’s race would falter after that with those being the only laps he would be at the front of the field.

Brad Keselowski was able to get out front to win stage two of the race. However, as the third and final stage began, it would turn into a repeat of a strategy battle like Saturday’s race. Also like Saturday’s race, stage three of the race would run caution free.

The comparison to Saturday night’s race would grow as the race neared the end. Drivers and teams played out their strategies and again as the laps remaining dwindled it would again become a battle between Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin. This time it was the reverse of Saturday’s race as Kevin was racing to try to catch Denny in the lead. Saturday Kevin’s strategy gave him enough of a lead that Denny could not catch him. Sunday Denny’s strategy gave him enough of a lead that Kevin could not catch him.

Denny held on to score his sixth career win at Pocono Raceway. That ties him with Hall of Fame driver Jeff Gordon for the most all-time wins at the track. It also gives him four wins for the 2020 season, more than any driver so far.

Kevin Harvick scored the runner-up finish with Erik Jones finishing in third place. Chase Elliott claimed a fourth place finish and Aric Almirola rounded out the top five. See the complete race results for the Pocono 350 here.

Kevin Harvick remains the leader in the point standings. Ryan Blaney also holds steady in second place. Brad Keselowski moves up a couple of spots to third place with Chase Elliott holding even in fourth place. Denny Hamlin’s win moves him up to round out the top five. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.

The next stop for the drivers and teams is Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered By Florida Georgia Line. The race is more commonly known as the Brickyard 400 and it will take place Sunday, July 5, 2020.

By: Buck Stevens