In 2020 the NASCAR Cup Series had to run some doubleheader weekends to get all the races in for the season. This year there is a doubleheader weekend at Pocono Raceway because … we can!
That’s right, Saturday, June 26th is the Pocono Organics CBD 325. The next day, Sunday, June 27th, will be the Explore the Pocono Mountains 350. That is two of the remaining nine races of the regular season. That’s double the chance to “win to get in” and double the chance to make mistakes on the track known as the “Tricky Triangle” and ending your post-season hopes.
Here is a look at the track and the data for this weekend’s doubleheader at Pocono Raceway.
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
Pocono Organics CBD 325 (Race 1) Data
Season Race #: 18 of 36 (06-26-21 – Saturday)
Race Length: 130 laps / 325 miles
Stage 1 Length: 25 Laps
Stage 2 Length: 52 Laps
Final Stage: 53 Laps
Explore the Pocono Mountains 350 (Race 2) Data
Season Race #: 19 of 36 (06-27-21 – Sunday)
Race Length: 140 laps / 350 miles
Stage 1 Length: 30 Laps
Stage 2 Length: 55 Laps
Final Stage: 55 Laps
What drivers have done well through the triangular shaped, 2.5-mile track during their NASCAR Cup Series careers? Here are the top active drivers in overall driver rating.
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Pocono Raceway
Denny Hamlin ……………………….. 107.1
Kevin Harvick …………..….………… 100.1
Erik Jones ……………………………. 100.0
Kurt Busch ……………………………. 99.1
Kyle Busch …………..……………….. 95.3
Kyle Larson …………………………… 95.3
Chase Elliott ………………………….. 95.0
Brad Keselowski ……………………… 95.0
William Byron …………………………. 88.4
Martin Truex Jr. ……………………….. 88.1
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2020 races (32 total) among active drivers at Pocono Raceway.
This is the list of active drivers who have won in NASCAR’s top division on the “Tricky Triangle.”
Active Drivers with Win(s) at Pocono Raceway
Denny Hamlin – 6 Wins
Kurt Busch – 3 Wins
Kyle Busch – 3 Wins
Martin Truex Jr. – 2 Wins
Kevin Harvick – 1 Win
Brad Keselowski – 1 Win
Chris Buescher – 1 Win
Joey Logano – 1 Win
Ryan Blaney – 1 Win
Ryan Newman – 1 Win
Last year Kevin Harvick won the first race of the Pocono doubleheader weekend. It was his third win of the 2020 season. Denny Hamlin won the second Pocono doubleheader weekend race to bring his 2020 win total to four. Neither driver has won a race to date in the 2021 season. If they can repeat last year’s Pocono doubleheader weekend results they will both lock themselves in the post-season.
Denny may not have won a race thus far in the current season. However, he has been the leader in the point standings for most of the season. If he can hold on to that lead for the next nine races he will make the post-season as the Regular Season Champion. However, if he does not win a race and loses the points lead he will not make the Playoffs.
There are other drivers that are below the cutoff line for the playoffs that need to win to get in the post-season. With nine races left and just six spots open for drivers to fill based on points, making the post-season on points is not a safe strategy this season.
Will there be two drivers with wins that pad their start to the Playoffs by winning again this weekend?
Will two drivers without wins put their name above the cutoff line in the Playoffs Outlook?
Will Kyle Larson score two more wins to move his consecutive win streak to five point races?
We will fins out Saturday, June 26th starting at 2 p.m. central time (3 p.m. eastern time) in the Pocono Organics CBD 325 and Sunday, June 27th starting at 2:30 p.m. central time (3:30 p.m.) in the Explore the Pocono Mountains 350. Both races will take place at Pocono Raceway.
By: Buck Stevens
