2011 5-hour Energy 500 at Pocono Raceway:
This weekend TNT takes over the television coverage from Fox as the NASCAR Sprint Cup series turns its attention to Pocono Raceway. The most unusual track layout on the NASCAR schedule. Pocono Raceway has a massive front straight that often sees cars going four, five and six wide. Add the high speeds to the challenging turns and you've got a 2.5 mile superspeedway that drives like a road course.
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:Last week in Kansas Carl Edwards' maintained the lead while Jimmie Johnson regained second with his second place finish. No new drivers cracked the top ten.The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings:
Storylines:- Carl Edwards
- Jimmie Johnson -40
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. -41
- Kevin Harvick -43
- Kyle Busch -60
- Kurt Busch -71
- Matt Kenseth -73
- Tony Stewart -92
- Clint Bowyer -94
- Ryan Newman -103
This weekend Pocono brings us a new broadcast network as TNT takes over for next six races.
We have officially reached the grind. This isn't the exciting new season anymore and it's not the Race to the Chase or the Chase itself. Mid-summer in NASCAR can be great racing, but many marginal fans often drift away from the sport.
TNT will be introducing themselves and recapping the season to date. I can't wait to see what innovations they are bringing to the broadcast this season.
Media Coverage:
TNT will be introducing themselves and recapping the season to date. I can't wait to see what innovations they are bringing to the broadcast this season.
TV: TNT Sunday, June 12th, 12:00PM Eastern.Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite
Actual Race: 1:00PM Eastern
Recent Events:Actual Race: 1:00PM Eastern
2010 Polesitter: Kyle Busch
2010 Winner: Denny Hamlin
Last Year:2010 Winner: Denny Hamlin
Last year this race didn't see much excitement until the final laps. Denny Hamlin's win was a given but the focus of this race was mild-mannered Joey Logano who had some harsh words for Kevin Harvick after the race.
Predictions:This week I am going with a NASCAR veteran who has never won at Pocono Raceway. Mark Martin has had a number of good runs in Pocono but fate never saw fit to deliver him to Victory Lane. I admit that this may be an emotional pick instead of pure logic. I'd really like to see the old guy get back to Victory Lane.Kevin Harvick leads all drivers with three wins so far in 2011. Last year he posted a pair of fourth place finishes in the two Pocono races. Like Martin, Harvick has never won here before but this could easily be his weekend.
