Pocono Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

Denny Hamlin
Pocono Fantasy Spin – Denny Hamlin is a super-elite performer at Pocono who’ll be tough to beat. At “The Tricky Triangle”, Hamlin’s a six-time winner, and that’s not even counting last year’s race where he crossed the finish line first. If you give him back last year’s win, then Hamlin’s the All-Time wins leader at “The Tricky Triangle.” On Sunday, look for Hamlin to be a top five contender who’ll be a factor to win.
Pocono Track History – Denny Hamlin is one of the premiere performers at Pocono and since 2019 when you credit him with where he crossed the finish line last year, Hamlin has 3 wins, a series best 4.1 average finish, a series best 7.1 average running position and he has the best driver rating. Last year at Pocono, Denny Hamlin crossed the finish line first but NASCAR DQ’ed him in post-race inspection which led to his 35th. In the race, Hamlin had a 6.1 average running position, led 21 laps, had the 3rd best Total Speed Ranking and then ranked 4th for Speed Late In A Run. Hamlin was also stripped of Stage finishes and in them, Hamlin finished 3rd in Stage #1 and 5th in Stage #2. In 2021 #2, Hamlin was strong but finished 14th. In the race, Hamlin finished 2nd in Stage #2, was running in 2nd with 4 laps to go but then with 2 to go he had to duck down pit road for fuel. In the race, Hamlin ranked as the 5th Fastest Driver Late In A Run. In 2021 #1, Hamlin finished 4th, was the 4th fastest driver late in a run and had the 6th best Total Speed Ranking. In the 4th segment of the race when it was closing time, Hamlin had the 2nd fastest car on the track. In 2020 #2, Hamlin raced his way to victory lane. In the race, Hamlin led 49 laps, ranked as the 3rd Fastest Driver Late In A Run and had the 6th best Total Speed Ranking. Over the last three segments his speed rankings were 3rd, 3rd and 1st. In race #1 2020, Hamlin finished 2nd, earned the 2nd best driver rating, ranked as the 2nd Fastest Driver Late In A Run and had the 4th best Total Speed Ranking. Over the final segment, I’ll note Hamlin had the fastest car on the track. In 2019, Hamlin’s results were 1st and 6th.

Kyle Larson
Pocono Fantasy Spin – Kyle Larson has never won at Pocono but there’s no question he’ll be tough to beat. In the #5 at “The Tricky Triangle” if Larson didn’t have a flat tire while leading on the last lap in 2021 #1 where he should’ve won, Larson would be 3 for 3 at finishing in the top five. If you credit him with that win, then his average finish in his current ride would be 2.6.
Pocono Track History – Kyle Larson has performed at a super-elite level at Pocono in the #5. Last year, Larson had a great car and was a factor. In the race, Larson won Stage #1, finished 8th in Stage #2, led 18 laps, had a 9.2 average running position and then finished 5th when the checkered flag waved. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Larson ranked 2nd. In 2021 Race #2, Larson started in the rear of the field, damaged his nose near the start in traffic, but he battled back and finished 2nd when the checkered flag waved. Over the final Stage, Larson was at his best and then at the end he benefitted from having plenty of fuel. In race #1 2021, Larson had a flat tire in turn #3 on the last lap while leading, and that led to him finishing 9th after slamming into the wall. In the race, Larson ran the most fastest laps (23), led 15 laps, earned the 2nd best driver rating and had the 3rd best Total Speed Ranking. In 2019 in his next most recent race, Larson finished 5th.

Martin Truex Jr.
Pocono Fantasy Spin – Martin Truex Jr. is a two-time winner at Pocono who’ll be a contender. Pocono has been a great track for Truex, and you have to like the speed the #19 team shows up with every week. At Pocono over the last six races minus race #1 2021, Truex has a 7.4 average finish and he’s had a result in the top 11 every race. On Sunday, look for Truex to be a top five contender who’ll be a factor to win.
Pocono Track History – Martin Truex Jr. has performed at a high-level at Pocono. Last year, Truex finished 7th in Stage #1, 10th in Stage #2, had an 11.6 average running position and then finished 7th when the checkered flag waved. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Truex ranked 10th. In 2021 #2, Truex won Stage #1, finished 6th in Stage #2, led 19 laps, had an 8.8 average running position and then finished 11th when the checkered flag waved. In 2021 #1, Truex finished 18th, but I’m not going to read into that result too much. I think Truex tanked his performance because of the invert. His 4th quarter speed ranking was the 19th best, in the two segments prior to that he ranked 8th and 9th. In the three Pocono races prior to that, Truex had results of 10th, 6th and 3rd.

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