This week the NASCAR drivers will race on the “Tricky Triangle” of Pocono Raceway in the Gander RV 400. This track is unlike any other on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series circuit. There are only three turns and none is like any of the other two. The track is sometimes described as a cross between a road course and a super speedway.
The track has three sides and the teams will need to set the cars up to have three main abilities. The cars will need handling to make it through the turns safely. They will need acceleration to come off the turns and get up to maximum speed quickly. Finally, the cars will need pure speed to be able to pass and outrun the other cars.
Here is a look at the basic data for the track and race that is the same for every driver and team.
Pocono Raceway Data
Track Size: 2.5-miles
Banking/Turn 1: 14 degrees
Banking/Turn 2: 8 degrees
Banking/Turn 3: 6 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 3,740 feet
Backstretch Length: 3,055 feet
Shortstretch Length: 1,780 feet
Gander RV 400 Data
Season Race #: 21 of 36 (07-28-19)
Race Length: 160 laps / 400 miles
Stage 1 and 2 Length: 50 Laps (each)
Final Stage: 60 Laps
Something that is not the same for every driver is what their goals are in the race. Obviously every driver wants to win the race. However, not every driver needs to win the race. Counting this weekend’s race at Pocono there are six races remaining in the regular season to earn a spot in the post season.
Nine drivers are locked in with at least one win this year. That leaves seven spots filled based on points. If there is a new winner every week remaining in the regular season there will still be one spot open for a driver to fill based on points. With that knowledge some drivers have to be thinking, “don’t take too big of a chance to win because I can point my way in.” Other drivers know that the only way they are going to make the playoffs is to win a race before they start. Drivers locked in the playoffs want to earn every playoff point they can to help them through the post season and toward winning the championship. These varying goals on the track can lead to some interesting competition for fans to watch.
Let’s take a look at the active drivers that have performed well on the “Tricky Triangle” in NASCAR’s top division.
Top 12 Driver Ratings at Pocono
Denny Hamlin ……………………….. 104.1
Chase Elliott …………………………. 103.0
Erik Jones …………………………….. 102.1
Kurt Busch ……………………………. 101.5
Jimmie Johnson………………………. 99.7
Kevin Harvick ………………………….. 97.5
Brad Keselowski ……………………… 95.2
Kyle Busch ……………………………… 94.6
Kyle Larson …………………………….. 94.3
Ryan Newman ………………………… 88.8
Joey Logano …………………………… 88.8
William Byron ………………………….. 88.8
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2019 races (29 total) among active drivers at Pocono Raceway.
Here are the active drivers who have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono.
Denny Hamlin – 4 wins
Jimmie Johnson – 3 wins
Kurt Busch – 3 wins
Kyle Busch – 3 wins (including last two races at track)
Martin Truex Jr. – 2 wins
Brad Keselowski – 1 win
Chris Buescher – 1 win
Joey Logano – 1 win
Ryan Blaney – 1 win
Ryan Newman – 1 win
Will a new 2019 winner get locked in the post-season by winning? Will a driver already locked in add to their Playoff Points?
The story from the “Tricky Triangle” will be told Sunday, July 28th beginning at 2 PM central time (3 PM eastern time) in the Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway.
By: Buck Stevens
