Scouting Report: Pocono Good Sam RV Insurance 500
How to make an informed pick at Pocono:
1) Look back at what happened earlier this year. NASCAR visited this track less than two months ago so if you make really bad picks this week it’s all on you. On TV they’ll be saying “I can’t believe how much this track has changed since we lasted visited here”, but to fantasy racers we should be tuning this out. (Pocono results from earlier this year)
2) Starting position is important at Pocono. This isn’t a track where drivers can just easily change their lines and go around a competitor. In order to pass at Pocono you basically need superior horsepower.
3) Practice is important at Pocono because there will be plenty of long runs in Sunday’s race. This race will be won in long runs so play close attention to practice this week.
4) Don’t forget to look back at Indy. The basic concept between the two tracks are the same. Both tracks are essentially comprised of long flat straightaways were horsepower is the key to victory.
Drivers to watch:
Jeff Gordon – Gordon won at Pocono just a little bit ago so he’ll definitely be strong in the Good Sam RV Insurance 500. In June he started third and had an average running position of third throughout the race. His driver rating was second to only Kurt Busch (131.3). Indy has similar characteristics to Pocono and Gordon was the car to beat.
Kurt Busch – Busch didn’t win at Pocono earlier this year but he did have the best driver rating (131.5). In June Busch started on the pole and finished second. He’s the only driver who ran the entire race inside the top fifteen. Busch has two wins and eleven top tens at Pocono.
Denny Hamlin – In the Pocono race earlier this year Denny Hamlin led a race high 76 laps but a late flat tire killed his chances of visiting victory lane. Although he finished 19th his average running position was 6th. Hamlin’s average finish at Pocono is 9.2 and his average starting position is 5.9. Hamlin has four wins at Pocono.
Jimmie Johnson – Johnson was strong at Pocono earlier this year and finished 4th. He was a top five driver all day and once again will be a serious competitor at the “Tricky Triangle”. Out of current active drivers Johnson has the second best average finish (9.26).
Kevin Harvick – Havick has three straight top fives at Pocono. If you pick him don’t expect any lap leading bonus points. In 21 races at Pocono he’s only led once (2010) and that was for a grand total of five laps. In June Harvick started 32nd and finished 5th.
To see the rest of my rankings check out My Pocono Fantasy Preview
VegasInsider.com odds to win the Good Sam RV Insurance 500: Jimmie Johnson 4/1, Jeff Gordon 5/1, Denny Hamlin 6/1, Tony Stewart 7/1, Carl Edwards 8/1, Kyle Busch 10/1, Kevin Harvick 10/1, Kurt Busch 12/1, Matt Kenseth 15/1, Greg Biffle 18/1
Racing4Glory.com’s driver 5 year averages at Pocono: Tony Stewart 8.6, Denny Hamlin 9.2, Jimmie Johnson 10.1, Kevin Harvick 10.2, Jeff Gordon 10.6, Ryan Newman 11.3, Matt Kenseth 11.8, Jeff Burton 12.1, Mark Martin 13.6, Kurt Busch 14.0
FantasyRacingCheatSheet.com’s driver momentum over the last three races: 1)Ryan Newman 2)Tony Stewart 3)Jeff Gordon 4)Jimmie Johnson 5)Matt Kenseth 6)Carl Edwards 7)Kasey Kahne 8)Kurt Busch 9)Denny Hamlin 10)Joey Logano
