Top 5 Drivers to watch: POCANO
The #5 driver to watch is 18th hottest over the last six weeks, #48 Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie swept this race in 2004, getting his first win in only his 5th appearance. In addition to those two wins Jimmie won here in June of last year. He has ten Top 5 finishes in his 25 starts. Jimmie should get back to his point-getting finishes here where he is #2 on flat tracks and his team Hendrick Motorsports has won the last four races.
The #4 driver is the most recent winner here, #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale is not only the most recent winner, but has Top 5’s in all three appearances here in the mountains in the Gen6 car. He is #3 hottest over the last six weeks and #3 ranked on flat tracks.
My #3 driver to watch is very consistent here, #31 Ryan Newman. Consistent is a great descriptor for Ryan, he has 12 straight Top 15 finishes and his last four were all 7th place or better. He has 25 starts, one win and nine Top 5 finishes.
My #2 pick won this race two years ago, #24 Jeff Gordon. In fact Jeff is a six-time Pocano winner. Jeff has 43 starts and 19 Top 5’s in addition to his six wins. Jeff is coming off a big win at Indy and is #1 hottest over the last six weeks.
My #1 pick came very close to winning here in June, #2 Brad Keselowski. Brad only has three Top 5’s in his nine starts. But Brad did win this race in 2011 and came a wrapper away from a win in June. Brad is #3 in points, #2 hottest over the last six weeks, and is ranked #1 on flat tracks.
Monday look for our preview of the Cheez-It 355
at the Glen from Watkins Glen.
The Race Dr. 