Pocono Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

Denny Hamlin
Pocono Fantasy Outlook – Denny Hamlin is a super-elite performer at Pocono and on Sunday, the road to victory lane likely goes thru him. At “The Tricky Triangle”, Hamlin’s the winningest driver in NASCAR history (7-wins), and if you give him 2022 back, then he has 8-wins and is 2 for 2 at winning in the Next Gen. Also in the Next Gen era, Hamlin has the best Next Gen Speed Ranking, the best Driver Rating and the best Average Running Position. On Sunday, look for Hamlin to be a top five contender who’ll be a factor to win.
Pocono Track History – Defending Pocono winner, Denny Hamlin is the premiere performer and since 2019 when you credit him with where he crossed the finish line in 2022, Hamlin has 4 wins, the best average finish (3.7), the best average running position (7.2) and the best driver rating. In his career at Pocono (crediting him with his 2022 win), Hamlin has 8-wins, he’s finished in the top five 47% of the time and in the top ten 67% of the time. Last year, Hamlin had a hot rod and raced his way to victory lane. In the race, Hamlin started 8th, finished 3rd in Stage #1, finished 4th in Stage #2, had the 3rd best average running position (8.3), earned the 3rd best Driver Rating and of course finished 1st. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Hamlin ranked 3rd. In 2022, 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 and had the 3rd best Total Speed Ranking. 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 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 the three races prior to that, Hamlin had finishes of 1st, 2nd and 1st.

Kyle Larson
Pocono Fantasy Outlook – Kyle Larson has never won at Pocono, but he’s come close and there’s no question he’ll be a factor. The #5 team is always fast, so showing up with speed won’t be a concern. Larson came close to victory lane last year and if he didn’t have a flat tire while leading on the last lap in 2021 #1, he could’ve potentially won 2 of the last 4 races. If it wasn’t for those two races with problems while leading late, he could be 4 for 4 at finishing in the top five since 2021. On Sunday, look for Larson to be a top five contender who’ll be a factor to win.
Pocono Track History – Kyle Larson has performed at a super-elite level at Pocono and over the two races in the Next Gen, Larson ranks 2nd in terms of speed and is 2 for 2 at being a top 5 performer. Also in the Next Gen, Larson has the 4th best Average Running Position and the 6th best Driver Rating. Last year, Larson had a rocket and ranked as one of the best but finished an asterisk mark 20th. In the race, Larson started 3rd, won Stage #2, led 24 laps but while leading late on lap 153, Hamlin ran him high on the track and Larson then had contact with the wall which led to his 20th place finish. If that didn’t happen, there’s no question he was poised for a top five or perhaps even win. In terms of speed stats, Larson ranked 7th for Total Speed Rankings and Green Flag Speed. In 2022, 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. 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 led 15 laps, earned the 2nd best driver rating and had the 3rd best Total Speed Ranking.

Christopher Bell
Pocono Fantasy Outlook – At Pocono, put Christopher Bell high on your radar. Bell’s been stellar and in the Next Gen he ranks among the best. Over the last two races in the Next Gen, Bell has a 5.0 average finish, the 6th best Next Gen Speed Ranking and the 7th best Driver Rating. With the weekly speed that the #20 brings to the table, look for Bell to be a top five contender who might just be a factor to win.
Pocono Track History – In the Next Gen at Pocono, Christopher Bell has been stout and he’s 2 for 2 at finishing in the top 6. Last year, Bell didn’t even have an incident free race en route to his 6th. Late in Stage #2 on lap 92 while running in 11th (was in 5th prior to the late green flag pit strategy cycle), Bell spun. That was a setback for Bell, but he bounced back and finished 6th when the checkered flag waved. I’ll note, he did use pit strategy during a late caution but that’s all part of the game at Pocono. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Bell ranked 12th. In 2022, Bell had a great afternoon. In the race, Bell finished 4th, had an 8.3 average running position, led 14 laps, had the 5th best Total Speed Ranking and ranked 5th for Speed Late In A Run. In 2021 #2, Bell finished 4th in Stage #2, had a 13.1 average running position, had the 13th best Total Speed Ranking but finished an asterisk mark 32nd. On lap 97 while he was battling for 2nd, Bell had contact with Chastain and then the next lap he slapped the wall and got quite a bit of damage which doomed his afternoon. Over the first three segments of the race, Bell had speed rankings of 4th, 5th and 5th. In race #1 2021, Bell finished 17th.

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