Pocono Organics 325 & 350: Power Rankings

This same set of drivers will be my recommendations for both races

Race Information

Race: Pocono Organics 325 & Pocono 350
Laps: 130 & 140
Date: June 27^th and 28^th
Venue: Pocono Raceway
2019 Winner: Kyle Busch (2:58:09) & Denny Hamlin (2:59:22)
Broadcast: Fox

Track

Pocono Raceway was built in 1969 and opened in 1971. This 2.5 mile asphalt triangle is best known for its distinctive non-oval or circular shape. Turn one (14 degrees) is modeled after Trenton Speedway, turn two (eight degrees) after Indianapolis Motor Speedway and turn three (six degrees) is after the Milwaukee Mile. Due to the different angles and styles, drivers have to make constant adjustments for each turn, mental fortitude is a must here. This is the fourth longest track on the circuit.

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Favorites

Brad Keselowski (fifth selection this year) — IN three of his last four years here, Brad has finished in the top 5. That 22nd finish in 2017, I wouldn’t worry about that one.

Ryan Blaney (fourth selection this year) — As if he’s recent track record isn’t strong enough, he is arguably the best Pocono driver on circuit right now. After winning here in 2016 he’s had nothing but top ten finishes since.

High Risk/High Reward

Kyle Busch (fifth selection this year) — Kyle has been up and down a bit recently with a handful of top 5 finishes mixed with finishes outside the top 15. He’s recent track record at Pocono saw him go from 31st to ninth, to second to fifth. Maybe a win is on the horizon for him?

Eric Jones (second selection this year) — Eric had a handful of solid finishes when the restart happened but lately, it’s been mostly 20th or worse. He finished 11th earlier this year at Charlotte which is a longer track similar to Pocono. At Pocono he finished 2nd last year and 3rd as a rookie in 2017.

The Dark Horse

William Byron (second selection this year) — With a handful of top 10 finishes recently William is making a strong push after some finishes in the 30s and 40th earlier this season. An improvement of 12th here his rookie year to sixth last year shows he’s getting better at Pocono.

Fun Fact: Joe Gibbs racing has won a Pocono race the last three straight years.

2020 Results

Favorite: Avg Finish 11th (28th Percent)
High Risk/High Reward: Avg Finish 28th (46th Percent)
Dark Horse: Avg Finish 18th (46th Percent)