Pocono Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

Kevin Harvick – Kevin Harvick has never won at Pocono, but he’ll be a favorite to win on Sunday. Since August 2014 minus August 2015 (engine failure) he has a 3.6 average finish, a 6.4 average running position, has 6 top four finishes and has had a result in the top nine every race. Earlier this year at Pocono, Harvick had an extremely strong showing and finished 4th. In the race earned the best driver rating, had a 1.8 average running position, led a race high 89 laps, finished 2nd in Stage #1 and won Stage #2. Last summer he had a very strong performance. He finished 2nd, earned the 3rd best driver rating and had a 6th place average running position. With 17 laps to go he passed Denny Hamlin for the lead, only to later be passed by Kyle Busch that same lap. Additionally, he finished 3rd in Stage #1 and would’ve finished in the top five in Stage #2 if pit strategy didn’t come into play. In spring 2017 Harvick had a very strong car and finished runner-up hot on Ryan Blaney’s heels. In the race he earned the 2nd best driver rating, had an 8th place average running position, finished 2nd in Stage #1 and 4th in Stage #2. If there wasn’t a late caution he likely would’ve finished 4th. On Sunday I would look for Harvick to finish in the top five and compete for the win.

[themify_box]Want to be a better fantasy racer? Get the ifantasyrace advantage and read all of our full exclusive content. 10 drivers have members exclusive content in this post. Join Now! [/themify_box]

Martin Truex Jr. – Martin Truex Jr. won at Pocono this spring and on Sunday I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls out the broom and completes the season sweep. At Pocono he’s a two-time winner and has performed at an extremely high-level in recent races. Over the last three races he has a 3.3 average finish, the 3rd best driver rating and a 6.3 average running position. This spring at Pocono, Truex Jr. had a great car and raced his way to victory lane. In addition to winning he earned the 2nd best driver rating, had a 4th place average running position, led 31 laps, won Stage #1 and finished 4th in Stage #2. What makes his win a little more impressive is that his race wasn’t incident free. Just after he won Stage #1 he had an extremely slow pit stop which dropped him from 1st to 14th. Last summer he had a very strong showing. When the race reached its conclusion he earned the 2nd best driver rating, finished 3rd, had a 4th place average running position and led 31 laps. Additionally he finished 2nd in Stage #1 and should’ve finished 2nd in Stage #2 if pit strategy didn’t enter the equation. In spring 2017 he started in the rear of the field but that wasn’t a problem. When the checkered flag waved he finished 6th and earned the 9th best driver rating. Late in the race it was reported that he had the fastest car on the track. On Sunday I would look for him to finish in the top five and compete for the win.

Kyle Busch – Kyle Busch will be tough to beat at Pocono and on Sunday he’ll be a favorite. He’s the defending champion of this particular event and he’s thrived in recent races. Over the last three Pocono races Busch has the best driver rating, the best average running position (3.0), has led the most laps (187) and has a slightly misleading 4.3 average finish. Earlier this year at Pocono, Kyle Busch was a consistent front runner and was a serious threat to win. When the race reached its conclusion he finished 3rd, had a 3rd place average running position, earned the 3rd best driver rating and led 13 laps. Additionally, he finished 3rd in Stage #1 and 2nd in Stage #2. In 2017, Kyle Busch had a phenomenal year at “Tricky Triangle.” Last summer, Kyle Busch was the class of the field. He started on the pole, finished 1st, earned the best driver rating, led 74 laps and won Stage #1. In spring 2017 nobody was better than Kyle Busch. He earned the best driver rating, had a 2nd place average running position, led 100 laps and finished 9th. Late in the race there was a caution and almost everyone pitted but him. After he got passed from the lead with 10 laps to go he started falling back in the running order. On Sunday I would look for Busch to finish in the top five and be a serious threat to win.

Make sure you read the full spectrum of our Pocono Fantasy NASCAR Rankings

Top Tier Elite Picks > Front Runners Rankings > Mid Pack Predictions > The Low Tier