LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 28: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 28, 2019, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
Thanks to a fast No. 11 Toyota, a feel for fuel economy and a first-ever application of traction compound to the asphalt at Pocono Raceway, Denny Hamlin rediscovered the magic at the Tricky Triangle that marked his spectacular debut in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2006.
LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 27: The car of Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet, sits in the garage after an incident during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images
Chase Elliott was unduly hard on himself after Saturday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session at Pocono Raceway.
LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 27: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, signs autographs during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Next year’s Pocono Raceway schedule will feature a longer weekend, shorter Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races but considerably more racing action at the 2.5-mile triangular track.
LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 27: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Beer Gen X Ford, celebrates with the Busch Pole Award after qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
No practice made perfect on Saturday at Pocono Raceway.