The track also known as the “Tricky Triangle” will host not one but two races this weekend, beginning with the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Race. Who will take the checkered flag? Let’s get to know three favorites, a couple of sleepers, and a long shot for Saturday’s event.
Kyle Larson has become unstoppable. He has four Cup series wins on the season, three of which have come in his last three starts this season, excluding the NASCAR CUP All Star Race. But if you include the All-Star, Larson has now won all of his past four starts overall. Larson is coming off a win in the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway. Aside from his four wins, Larson also has 10 top 5s and 12 top 10s in 17 starts. The last time he raced at Pocono Raceway, he finished fifth during the 2019 Gander RV 400.
Harvick remains winless this year, but he has come close to notching a victory multiple times. That includes his fifth-place performance in the 2021 Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, where he earned 34 points. Harvick could finally break into the win column this coming Sunday, as he’s been fantastic at Pocono Raceway over his past few appearances on that track. He has four top 5s in six races there since 2018. He had a win over that stretch, topping the field during the 2020Pocono Organics 325 in partnership with Rodale Institute.
Elliott finished 13th in the 2021 Ally 400 over the weekend but got disqualified after a post-race inspection revealed five loose lug nuts on his car. The race at Pocono Raceway will give Elliott a chance to rebound strong. Regardless of what happened at Nashville Superspeedway, Elliott should be considered among the top drivers to watch out for on Sunday. He has a career average finish of 14.3 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.
Tired of Erik Jones? Well, it’s fine to feel that way, but if you’re still willing to give him a chance, now’s a good time to do it. Jones has five top 5s and six top 10s in eight career starts at Pocono Raceway. The last time he raced there, he finished third during the 2020 Pocono 350.
For the first time in four NASCAR Cup Series races, Suarez cracked the top 10 with a seventh-place finish in the 2021 Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway. His 16.75 career average finish at Pocono Raceway is 13th among all active drivers.
LaJoie has made it inside the top 10 just once this season, which was when he started things nicely this year with a ninth-place finish in the 2021 Daytona 500. In seven races at Pocono Raceway, LaJoie has come up with a mediocre average finish of 28.29.
Writer’s Prediction
Kevin Harvick wins the 2021 Race at Pocono on Saturday.
