NASCAR Racing Tricky on the Triangle in Pocono 400

Posted on May 30, 2019
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400
LONG POND, PA – JUNE 03: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Duracell Ford, and Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Beer Ford, lead the field to green for the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 3, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Some drivers love it, others hate it. This weekend NASCAR heads to “The Tricky Triangle” of Pocono Raceway for the Pocono 400.

This has to be the most unique track on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series circuit. The nickname for the track says it all. There are only three turns on the track and none of them is the same.

Drivers have to remain total focused on hitting their marks to make it around the track in control. Passing takes on a whole new risk knowing that if done in the wrong place and wrong time the result can be devastating.

Here is a look at the facts that every driver will be dealing with on the track and in the race this weekend.

Pocono Raceway Data
Track Size: 2.5-miles
Banking/Turn 1: 14 degrees
Banking/Turn 2: 8 degrees
Banking/Turn 3: 6 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 3,740 feet
Backstretch Length: 3,055 feet
Shortstretch Length: 1,780 feet

Pocono 400 Data
Season Race #: 14 of 36 (06-02-19)
Race Length: 160 laps / 400 miles
Stage 1 and 2 Length: 50 Laps (each)
Final Stage: 60 Laps

Below are the ten active drivers that have performed the best at Pocono during the Cup Series careers.

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Pocono
Denny Hamlin ……………………….. 104.0
Chase Elliott …………………………. 103.2
Kurt Busch ……………………………. 102.8
Jimmie Johnson…………………….. 100.4
Erik Jones …………………………….. 100.2
Kevin Harvick ………………………….. 97.7
Brad Keselowski ……………………… 94.7
Kyle Larson …………………………….. 94.3
Kyle Busch ……………………………… 92.7
Ryan Newman ………………………… 89.6
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2018 races (28 total) among active drivers at Pocono Raceway.

Ten active drivers have won at least once on “The Tricky Triangle.”

Denny Hamlin – 4 Wins
Jimmie Johnson – 3 Wins
Kurt Busch – 3 Wins
Kyle Busch – 2 Wins (including 2nd race at track in 2018)
Martin Truex Jr – 2 Wins (including this race in 2018)
Brad Keselowski – 1 Win
Chris Buescher – 1 Win
Joey Logano – 1 Win
Ryan Blaney – 1 Win
Ryan Newman – 1 Win

Which driver and team will get the speed, balance and focus just right to tame “The Tricky Triangle” with a win? We will find out Sunday, June 2nd starting at 1 PM central time (2 PM eastern time) in the Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway.

By: Buck Stevens

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