2008 Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway

2008 Pocono 500 Preview:

This weekend TNT takes over the television coverage as the NASCAR Sprint Cup series turns its attention to Pocono Raceway. 500 miles on the tricky triangle is another tough test for drivers and teams as this race features high speeds and three very different corners.

Tickets:

Speedway ticket office 1-800-RACEWAY

Buy online from TicketsNow (direct link)

The Track:

Pocono Speedway is a 2.5 mile three-cornered speedway. The triangle-shaped track has three different corner lengths and bankings making it very difficult to set up a car and to drive well. Pocono is, in a word, unique.

Even though Pocono is difficult to set up for and drive. Pocono Raceway frequently hosts great racing with events often decided within the last couple of laps.

Race Distance:

200 Laps = 500 Miles

The Big Picture:

Last week Kyle Busch visited Victory Lane for the fourth time in 2008. He extended his point lead over Jeff Burton and continues to be on fire this season.

David Ragan is still in thirteenth. He is just twelve points out of a Chase qualifying position.

The top twelve are now:

1. Kyle Busch
2. Jeff Burton -142
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -271
4. Carl Edwards -337
5. Greg Biffle -392
6. Jeff Gordon -404
7. Jimmie Johnson -406
8. Clint Bowyer -417
9. Denny Hamlin -420
10. Kevin Harvick -484
11. Tony Stewart -499
12. Kasey Kahne -526

Storylines:

This weekend NASCAR Sprint Cup point leader Kyle Busch will attempt to become the first driver to ever compete in all three of the NASCAR top touring series on three different tracks in the same weekend.

If everything falls into place Kyle Busch is expected to race in Friday's Craftsman Truck Series race in Texas, Saturday's Nationwide Series race in Nashville and then Sunday afternoon's Cup race in Pocono.

Is this a good idea for the current Sprint Cup point leader? Should Kyle focus on Sprint Cup and not risk injury in these other series?

Media Coverage:

TV: TNT Sunday, June 8th, 12:30PM Eastern.

Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite

Actual Race: 2:10PM Eastern

Recent Events:

2007 Winner: Jeff Gordon

2007 Polesitter: Ryan Newman

Last Year:

Last year rain was the big story of the Pocono 500. The start of the race was delayed by rain and it was looming all day. There was little doubt that this one wouldn't make it the full 500 miles.

With weather in the immediate area Jeff Gordon stayed out on old tires and had the lead when the skies opened up just past the halfway point.

Predictions:

Kurt Busch won at Pocono last August and was fastest overall during a recent two-day test session. As the most recent Pocono winner and top tester Kurt Busch makes an easy top pick for this weekend.

For my backup this week I am going with a NASCAR veteran who has never won at Pocono. Mark Martin has had a number of good runs in Pocono but fate never saw fit to deliver him to Victory Lane. Mark was second fastest in recent Pocono testing and his DEI Chevy has been quick all year long. This could be his week.