Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Pocono

by Eric McGuire , Monday, July 28, 2008

We're heading back to Pocono with more knowledge of how the drivers shape up on the flat speedways like Pocono and Indianapolis. The finishing order of the race at Indy should be tossed out for the most part, as it was largely dictated by how the teams performed on pit road and what strategies they employed throughout the event. However, we can learn a lot by how the cars ran under green.

Like Indy, the race this week will be decided by pit strategy and mistake free pit stops to enhance track position and maintain it. A good car will net you a top 15 only and passing the leader will again be more difficult than any good race should be. As a true fan, I don't think I've ever been excited about an upcoming road course, but Watkins Glen in a few weeks will be wildly entertaining after the races at Indianapolis and Pocono.

1. Kasey Kahne, #9 Budweiser Dodge, Gillett-Evernham Motorsports

Kahne won and led the most laps in June, snapping a streak of 3 straight finishes of 20th or worse at Pocono. He was a top 15 car at Indianapolis and wound up 7th after the last set of musical pit stops.

2. Jimmie Johnson, #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, Hendrick Motor Sports

Johnson led 59 laps and finished 6th in June. He is coming off a win at Indianapolis in which he may not have had the fastest car, but certainly a top 3 car. He was 5th last August and has a couple of career wins at the Pennsylvania track. He has 4 top 5's in 13 starts and 4 top 10's in his past 5 races (only a blown tire in June of last year has caused him a problem on this track).

3. Denny Hamlin, #11 FedEx Toyota, Gibbs Racing

Hamlin was 3rd and led 17 laps in June, having never had a bad run in his 5 starts at Pocono. He dominated both races in 2006, winning each time. Last season, he was extremely strong in the June event before pit strategy and rain cost him a shot at the win, and was 3rd in the second race. He has been a contender to win in each of his 4 career starts; you can't go wrong with him this weekend.

4. Dale Earnhardt Jr, #88 AMP/National Guard Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

Since the start of 2007, Jr. has had finishes of 12th, 2nd, and 4th at Pocono. He has also had one of the strongest cars at Indianapolis in the last couple of trips there and is an excellent class B choice this weekend once again.

5. Jeff Gordon, #24 DuPont Chevrolet, Hendrick Motor Sports

Gordon broke a streak of 3 straight Pocono top 5's in June when he finished 14th. He was 5th at Indy and definitely one of the strongest cars in the field. He's still an excellent class A option this weekend.

6. Carl Edwards, #99 Office Depot Ford, Roush-Fenway Racing

Edwards had finishes of 1st and 4th in 2005, but struggled until his 9th place finish in June. He had a super strong run at Indy and was actually faster than Johnson at the end before he settled for 2nd. He is another solid class A option should you not like Johnson, Hamlin, or Gordon.

7. Brian Vickers, #83 Red Bull Toyota, Red Bull Racing

Vickers is the consensus number one class C pick this weekend. He was 2nd in June and led 18 laps, proving last season's performances were anomalies. He had two 4th place finishes in 2006 and may even score his second career win this weekend.

8. Kurt Busch, #2 Miller Lite Dodge, Penske Racing South

Kurt absolutely dominated this race last year at Pocono, leading 175 laps after starting 2nd and gathering a win. He was also 2nd in both races in 2006 and was 8th in the first race this year. He didn't really get going at Indy before he lost it and crashed (collecting Kevin Harvick), but he should be a good choice again for this race.

9. Jeff Burton, #31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing

Burton was 5th in June and 9th at Indy, but probably won't be a threat to win. That's something you want from your class A selection, so look elsewhere.

10. Mark Martin, #8 Army Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Martin is the best driver to have never won at Pocono, with the most top 5's of any active driver (19 in 43 starts) and 30 top 10's. He was 10th in June and 11th last week at Indy, where he was so confident he actually predicted success (very un-Martin like). He is an excellent class B candidate this weekend.

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