After two weeks of racing in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series moves into Pennsylvania to race at Pocono Raceway for the Pocono 400. The track is known as the ‘Tricky Triangle’ and has always been a unique place for the series to compete. With only three corners, teams struggle to find the perfect balance in their racecars as they navigate around the 2.5-mile asphalt track.
William Byron led the field to the green flag, and he led up until the competition caution on lap 20. Everyone came down pit road for servicing, and Kyle Larson won the race off pit road after only taking two tires. Shortly after this caution, another caution flag waved when Paul Menard and Austin Dillon make contact. Dillon went around and slammed into the wall, ending his day. Kyle Larson continued to lead, won the first stage of the race.
Brad Keselowski stayed out between stages and brought the field back to the line. Kyle Busch quickly made the pass for the lead. Three cautions came out within a span of ten laps. Matt DiBenedetto, Matt Tift, and Corie Lajoie all spun around on separate occasions. After these three cautions, the field settled down. Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer battled each other for the lead. Busch eventually took the lead and created separation. However, with seven laps left in the stage, he came down pit road under the green flag. Several other drivers did so as well, and Kyle Larson retook the race lead and winning the second stage of the race.
Kyle Busch started stage three with the lead and took control of the race. It seemed as if nobody could contend with him. Green flag stops began with 41 laps to go, and Busch cycled back to the front of the field. With fourteen laps remaining, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. blew a tire and smacked the fence. That brought out the last caution of the race and on the ensuing restart, Kyle Busch beat Brad Keselowski and the rest was history. Kyle Busch brought home the victory in the Pocono 400.
Busch started the season strong with three early victories. After his win at Bristol, it seemed that he cooled off a bit. He was still a huge factor but could not seem to be in the right place at the right time to complete the victory. In yesterday’s race at Pocono, he was dominant, but his team made the right moves to make sure he was leading the race at the right moment. Coming down pit road and jeopardizing his stage two win with seven laps left in the stage was the play call that won the race for him. Instead of racing on and winning the stage, he came down for fuel and tires right before the stage ended. This allowed him to stay out during the stage break and reclaim the lead. This move was expertly executed.
Next week’s race is at Michigan International Speedway. This race should be an exciting one with the aero-package. Michigan has been the fastest track in years past, but this package has been slowing down the pace. This has provided a faster corner speed. Drafting and holding momentum will be key in next weeks race. Surely the team that can use their talent to the fullest will come out on top.