Pocono Pennsylvania 400 Top Tier Elite Deadline Analysis

Jimmie Johnson

What I said about him earlier this week:

In June on the newly repaved Pocono Speedway Jimmie Johnson had one of the fastest cars. In fact I would contend it may of been the fastest. He started in 24th and by lap #40 he was already in the top 5. The Pocono 400 wasn’t without incident for Johnson though. In the first round of green flag pit stops he had a speeding penalty exiting pit road and then he had another speeding penalty while serving his pass through. Those penalties got him a lap back but he still managed to finish 4th. It was his third consecutive fourth place finish at Pocono. I think if the June race was the Pocono 500 he would’ve won. Jimmie Johnson is the safest pick you can make at Pocono. In 21 races at the “Tricky Triangle” only once has he finished outside the top fifteen. Fresh off his Indy win Jimmie Johnson will be a very popular pick by experts to win the Pennsylvania 400.

Starting Position:

10th

Practice Average Speed Rank

Practice #1: 8th

Happy Hour: 7th

Combined: 4th

Chassis Selection:

Jimmie Johnson will be using his Darlington winning chassis.

Pit Stall Location:

Pocono pit road is so big problems shouldn’t be expected

What to expect / Areas of concern:

Look for Johnson to contend for the win. His car is fast and I have no concerns.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr.

What I said about him earlier this week:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. may of had the best car at Pocono earlier this year. He started in 8th and had an average running position of 4th. When the checkered flag waved he crossed the finish line in 8th and had the second best driver rating (126.8). Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s problem was that his fuel mileage strategy was wrong. With about 20 laps to go Junior pitted for gas and went from a top three running spot all the way back to the high teens. His car was fast enough though that he was able to drive up through the field pretty quickly. Last year Earnhardt Jr. swept the top ten and finished 6th and 9th. My Dale Earnhardt Jr. Pocono prediction is that he’ll have a very good race.

Starting Position:

8th

Practice Average Speed Rank

Practice #1: 7th

Happy Hour: 13th

Combined: 10th

Chassis Selection:

Earnhardt Jr. is using the same chassis he used in June when he finished 8th.

Pit Stall Location:

Pocono pit road is so big problems shouldn’t be expected

What to expect / Areas of concern:

I think Junior will be very good in the race. Earlier this year his strength was being good over long runs.