2006 Pocono 500 Preview:
This week the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stars take on the tricky triangle that is Pocono Raceway. The 2.5 mile oval bills itself as the superspeedway that drives like a road course. Pocono is a one-of-a-kind raceway with fast straights and challenging corners. No matter how you look at it the 2006 Pocono 500 is one of the most unique races on the NEXTEL Cup schedule.
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:
Jimmie Johnson rebounded from a bad run in Dover to recover a top ten finish and maintain his point lead. Matt Kenseth's win allowed him to close the gap a little, but only a little.
At the back of the top ten Kyle Busch is holding on by 80 points over eleventh place Denny Hamlin.
The current top ten in points are:
- Jimmie Johnson -0
- Matt Kenseth -74
- Mark Martin -216
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. -282
- Tony Stewart -293
- Kasey Kahne -296
- Jeff Burton -396
- Kevin Harvick -420
- Jeff Gordon -428
- Kyle Busch -439
Storylines:
Since tires were a big issue here last year we need to keep an eye on them for this week's race.
Did Goodyear get the problem fixed? Maybe there was no problem and teams were running them too soft or with too much camber?
The other big story is Tony Stewart and his broken shoulder. Last week he got out of the car and let Ricky Rudd finish the race. Will he be able to go the distance this week?
Media Coverage:
TV: FOX Sunday, June 11th, 1:30PM Eastern.
Radio: MRN and XM Satellite
Actual Race: 2:10PM Eastern
Posted Awards:
$4,841,521
Last Year:
The 2005 Pocono 500 was marred by tire problems. There were more that 20 flat tires during the race.
When it came down to the final laps Carl Edwards was out front over Brian Vickers and Mark Martin. Vickers had lead the most laps on the day.
A late caution set up a two lap green-white-checkers finish. Edwards got the jump on the restart and lead them over to the tunnel turn where the yellow flew again. Edwards lead them around under yellow to take the win.
Predictions:
This week I'm going with a driver that finished third here in the second event and was credited with seventh in this race last year. (although I thought he crossed the line in fifth) Mark Martin has never won at Pocono, but he has been close many times. He has had some fast cars in 2006. If his team can avoid making mistakes that cost him the race Mark Martin can win the 2006 Pocono 500.
Jack Roush won both races here in 2005 as Edwards took the spring race and Kurt Busch won the second event. So I'm going with another driver that has never won at Pocono. Matt Kenseth has already been winning in 2006 and can keep right on trucking with a big victory in Pocono.