NASCAR returns to the Tricky Triangle for the second time of the season, and after last weekend’s exciting race at New Hampshire, it should be yet another exciting race at Pocono. This track has had a history of some of the most exciting moments in the history of the sport, from last-lap passes to major carnage-filled crashes, Pocono Raceway is one of the tracks that can be unpredictable in most cases. Kevin Harvick was finally able to drive his car into victory lane last Sunday in Loudon and has already gotten off to a good start for this Sunday’s Gander RV 400 by capturing the pole. He has been a part of some of those final lap battles that have occurred at this track including a memorable final lap back in 2017 when Ryan Blaney was able to hold Harvick off for his first cup series victory. Kyle Busch is the favorite heading in and should be since he took his car to victory lane at Pocono back in June. He hasn’t won since that race and could be looking to get the season sweep, which he has been known to do at a few tracks in NASCAR. This track has been mainly dominated by Joe Gibbs Racing along with Chevrolet who has won seven of the last 14 Pocono races but after terrible luck at New Hampshire its a bit hard to put faith in the Chevy camp this week. Let’s dive into the NASCAR Gander RV 400 Free Racing Picks for this Sunday.
Here are Five drivers to back in Pocono
Kyle Busch +275
Busch has been the man to beat for much of the season not to mention at Pocono Raceway in the last couple seasons. Kyle is a three-time winner at Pocono and has also won each of the last two races at the track. Not only that he has won three of the last four at Pocono. He hasn’t failed to finish inside the top 10 in each of the last six Pocono races. Busch knows how to get the job done at this track, and should have a good shot to get the season sweep on Sunday. He led 79 of the 160 laps in June and has also at least led one lap in each of the last eight races at the tricky triangle. He’s favorite and there is no question for why he shouldn’t be.
Martin Truex Jr +450
Kyle’s teammate Martin Truex Jr could have a claim to be a heavy favorite at Pocono as well. Truex is a two-time winner at the track, but his last two starts at Pocono have been less than spectacular. That includes having engine trouble in the June race which resulted in a 35th place for Martin. In last July’s Pocono race Truex finished 15th after not leading a lap at the track for the first time in four races there. He has failed to be out front in each of the last two Pocono races. He still has value as Toyota has won each of the last four Pocono races in a row.
Denny Hamlin +1000
Denny Hamlin looked strong in New Hampshire but ultimately came up one position short. Returning to a track where Denny has had a great history of success, comes at the right time. He scored his very first cup victory at this track back in 20. 06, in a season where he swept both Pocono events. He is the current active leader in wins at the track with four, however, hasn’t sniffed victory lane at the track since 2010. He has posted back-to-back top 10 finishes at the track including a 6th place finish in June.
Chase Elliott +1600
Chase Elliott is in need of a good finish, and soon. He’s not off to a very good start this weekend as a crash in practice sends him to a backup car and to have to start in the back of the field on Sunday. But, at least it is at a track he has performed fairly well at in his career so far. He has made seven starts at Pocono and has finished inside the top 10 in six of those races. His worst finish at Pocono came in August 2016 when he finished 33rd. Elliott won a stage in last July’s Pocono race. He is going to need to pass a lot of cars, but at the Tricky Triangle that will be something to keep an eye on. Elliott has really struggled through the summer and now would be a good time to get momentum with Watkins Glen up next.
Erik Jones +2500
A true longshot for Sunday, but Erik Jones has proven he can contend, as proven by his recent runs including a strong third-place finish at New Hampshire last weekend. Jones lone cup win came at Daytona last season, but Pocono has been a strong track for the Joe Gibbs driver as he has four top 10 finishes in five Pocono starts. That also includes three top-five finishes. He finished third in his first Pocono start and added another third-place finish back in June at the track. Jones has found a way to the front in three of his five Pocono starts as well. Jones could use the insurance of a race win, but his focus should still be on getting points, and he shouldn’t have trouble doing that at Pocono.
