Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams are revving up for the Overton’s 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, July 30th at 3 pm ET. Coverage begins at 2:30 pm ET on NBC Sports Network, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Drivers are racing 400 miles over 160 laps with Stage 1 ending on lap 50, Stage 2 on lap 100, and the last stage ending on the last lap on lap 160.
What to Watch for: June Pocono winner Ryan Blaney attempts to become the eighth driver to sweep the Tricky Triangle.
Indy winner Kasey Kahne goes for his second straight victory.
Pocono often produces surprise finishes, so a 14th different winner of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season is a possibility.
Six races remain for drivers to qualify for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. .
Pocono is one of two active tracks where Kyle Busch has never won. The other track is Charlotte.
Dude. Sweep.
Blaney Hopes to Find Pocono Victory Lane for Second Time this Season
A month after he notched his first career win at Pocono, Ryan Blaney will attempt to visit Victory Lane once again when the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Tricky Triangle on Sunday for the Overton’s 400.
Blaney will attempt to become the eighth driver to complete the Pocono sweep, joining: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2014), Denny Hamlin (2006), Jimmie Johnson (2004), Bobby Labonte (1999), Tim Richmond (1986), Bill Elliott (1985) and Bobby Allison (1982).
Blaney has struggled since his win, with just two top-ten finishes in six starts. In addition to his victory, he has three top-fives, seven top-tens and an 18.8 average finish on the season. His eight playoff points rank tied with Kevin Harvick for sixth in the series.
Kahne And Able: Kasey Kahne Earns First Win in 102 Starts at Brickyard
Kasey Kahne snapped a 102-race winless streak by beating out Brad Keselowski on a restart in NASCAR overtime to win the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports driver is now virtually guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.
Additionally, the win marked Kahne’s first top-ten finish since his fifth-place showing at Talladega in May. The victory was the first for his crew chief, Keith Rodden.
Kahne became the 13th different winner in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this season.
He will attempt to continue his momentum in Sunday’s Overton’s 400 at Pocono Raceway – a track where he’s experienced success in the past. In 27 starts at the Tricky Triangle, Kahne claims two wins five top-fives and nine top-tens.
Can Dale Jr. Punch Playoff Ticket at Pocono?
Time is running out for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to earn a playoff spot in his final full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. He only has six races left to achieve the feat.
Pocono Raceway might be his best-remaining bet to get the win that ensures him a playoff berth.
In 34 career starts at the Tricky Triangle, Earnhardt owns two victories (both in 2014), 11 top-fives, 15 top-tens and a 15.1 average finish. He has finished fifth or better in six of his last eight races there.
Six to Go: Playoff Pressure Heightens
The pressure is on to make the playoffs after Kasey Kahne stole a berth with his win at Indy.
The following drivers would get in if the season ended today: Martin Truex Jr. (three wins, 29 playoff points), Jimmie Johnson (three, 16), Kyle Larson (two, 13), Brad Keselowski (two, 13), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (two, ten), Kevin Harvick (one, eight), Ryan Blaney (one, eight), Denny Hamlin (one, seven), Kurt Busch (one, five), Ryan Newman (one, five), Austin Dillon (one, five), Kasey Kahne (one, five), Kyle Busch (140 points above Clint Bowyer on the cutoff line, seven playoff points), Jamie McMurray (+84), Chase Elliott (+73, two), Matt Kenseth (+51, two).
The first four out would be Bowyer (33 points below Kenseth on the cutoff line), Joey Logano (-51, one playoff point), Erik Jones (-126), Daniel Suarez (-132) and Trevor Bayne (-180).
Remember a victory virtually guarantees a driver a playoff berth. Below is a list of winless drivers who have taken a checkered flag at the remaining six regular-season tracks
Pocono: Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chris Buescher
Watkins Glen: Ky. Busch, AJ Allmendinger
Michigan: Ky. Busch, Earnhardt Jr., Kenseth
Bristol: Ky. Busch, Kenseth, Earnhardt Jr.
Darlington: Ky. Busch, Kenseth
Richmond: Ky. Busch, Kenseth, Bowyer, Earnhardt Jr.
Kyle Busch Tries for First Pocono Win
Kyle Busch has won at 21 of the 23 active Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series tracks. The only two places where Busch has never visited Victory Lane are Charlotte and Pocono – the site of Sunday’s Overton’s 400.
Busch won the Coors Light Pole at the Pennsylvania track in June and led 100 of 160 laps on his way to a ninth-place finish. In 25 career Pocono starts, he claims four top-fives, ten top-tens, and an 18.2 average finish. He’s finished runner-up at Pocono twice (2010-June; 2011-August).
Although he is fourth in the points standings (107 markers behind leader Martin Truex Jr.) and second in stage wins (seven), Busch has yet to win a race this season.
Also Noteworthy…
Kids Drive NASCAR Launches: The NASCAR industry is celebrating the next generation of fans with Kids Drive NASCAR beginning this weekend (thru Michigan). Look out for the Kids vs. Drivers challenges on AccelerationNation.com, and be part of the conversation by using #KidsDriveNASCAR on social media. NASCAR and participating tracks will host children as honorary race officials, green-flag wavers, and reporters, in addition to hosting a variety of youth-focused events and activities for families. Pocono will host its 10th annual Lehigh Valley Children’s Hospital Kids Day on Saturday. Free activities include face painting, bounce houses, and photo booths.