2008 Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway

2008 Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway Preview:

The big 2.5 mile triangle that makes up Pocono Raceway will host the NASCAR Sprint Cup stars this weekend. Last weekend's tire problems will continue to take center stage as fans, drivers and NASCAR officials are still feeling the frustration of the Brickyard. Tires are the focus as we come into Pocono. Lets hope that they are not the story when we leave.

Tickets:

Speedway ticket office 1-800-RACEWAY

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:

Kyle Busch was not a factor in Indianapolis but continues to lead by 253 points over Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Kevin Harvick's early race incident caused him to fall from the top twelve. He is now two points behind Clint Bowyer for that final Chase qualifying spot.

The top twelve:

1. Kyle Busch
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -253
3. Jeff Burton -271
4. Jimmie Johnson -315
5. Carl Edwards -320
6. Jeff Gordon -460
7. Greg Biffle -544
8. Denny Hamlin -551
9. Kasey Kahne -563
10. Tony Stewart -605
11. Matt Kenseth -638
12. Clint Bowyer -642

Storylines:

Last week the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard was painful to watch due to the extreme tire problems. NASCAR started the race with competition cautions every 15 laps and it still wasn't enough to keep the drivers from having blowouts. By lap 64 NASCAR was throwing the caution every nine laps to try to head off crashes.

Drivers, fans and NASCAR officials are frustrated over the Brickyard debacle. Last week's top story continues to be the top topic of conversation at the race track this week. What happened last week and what can NASCAR and Goodyear to make sure that it never happens again?

Media Coverage:

TV: ESPN Sunday, August 3rd, 1:00PM Eastern.

Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite

Actual Race: 2:10PM Eastern

Recent Events:

2007 Winner: Kurt Busch

2007 Polesitter: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Last Year:

Kurt Busch dominated most of the 2007 race. He had the best car all day and it was apparent that it would take something extraordinary to prevent him from winning this race.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin were chasing Kurt Busch. However, nobody was in the same class as the Penske Dodge #2. Kurt Busch rolled it home to take the easy win in Pocono after leading 175 of the 200 laps.

Predictions:

When the NASCAR Sprint Cup series visited Pocono just seven races ago it was Kasey Kahne who dominated the event. Kahne started on the pole and lead 69 laps on his way to the comfortable Pocono victory.

Pocono Raceway has seen season sweeps by a single driver six times. Most recently Jimmie Johnson in 2004 and Denny Hamlin did it in 2006. Since Kasey Kahne put down such a convincing performance in June he must be considered the favorite this weekend.

For my backup pick this week I'm going back to the 2004 sweeper and the winner last weekend in Indianapolis. Jimmie Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team are back on track after last week's big win. This team knows how to win in Pocono and makes a great backup pick this weekend.