There are a few races left in the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Series, so expect the action to get even tighter. This weekend, the series continues at Pocono Raceway for the 2018 Gander Outdoors 400. We know who the favorites are, but let’s take a look this time around at the sleepers who can shock the field (track) this Sunday.
Elliott had never done than 11th place at New Hampshire, but he finally bettered that last week with a fifth-place finish. Elliott is still winless, but based on his performance last week, he could be heating up – if he hasn’t already. Elliott also seems to like racing at Pocono, as he has finished inside the top 10 in four his five career races there. HE had a career-best fourth-place campaign there back in 2016.
Paul Menard
Menard is only one point back of the 16th and final spot for the playoffs. With that said, the 37-year-old driver will head to Pocono with an extra motivation other than his quest to get his first win of the season. Menard has not been making much noise of late, though. He finished 17th last week in New Hampshire and 11th in a prior race in Kentucky. The nearest he’s gone to getting 40 points was during the Monster Energy Open in May when he placed fourth. He finished 11th at Pocono during the Pocono 400 last month.
Alex Bowman
Bowman has made strides of late. Although he’s winless so far, he has finished 11th place or better in four his last five starts. In New Hampshire last week, the Team Hendricks Motorsports racer claimed the 11th place. He’s getting into his groove, and while Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Martin Truex Jr. are the imposing favorites this Sunday, don’t sleep on drivers like Bowman to pull the rug from under the ‘The Big Three.’
