The NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to Long Pond, Pennsylvania and the Pocono Raceway for the second edition of the Pocono Green 250 this weekend. Kyle Larson won the inaugural edition of this race but that victory was at a shortened length after persistent rain fell on the area at this time a year ago. The race was scheduled at 250 miles or 100 laps, but it was called after only 53 laps because of the constant downpour in the area. The forecast projects sunny skies for this weekend so there is a good chance it will be clear conditions for the second installment of the Pocono Green 250.
Details
Event: Pocono Green 250
Category: NASCAR Xfinity Series
Date: Saturday June 10th, 2017 – 1:00 PM ET
Location: Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pennsylvania
NASCAR’s recent contract renewal guarantees the Xfinity Series schedule will circle through Pocono Raceway in each of the new few years through 2020. The unique aspects of the track should make for a wild race this weekend in what will eventually be a sprint to the finish over just 100 laps. We’ll see some big names in the field as Kyle Larson – last year’s winner – will be on the track as well as Brad Keselowksi, Justin Allgaier and Elliott Sadler.
Past Winner
2016: Kyle Larson
What To Know About The Track
The Pocono Raceway is known as the “Tricky Triangle” because of its shape and its three distinct turns. Setting up a car for Pocono isn’t easy because it’s impossible to get the car to turn freely through all three corners. It’s on the driver to figure out the best way to navigate through the tricky corners without losing valuable time. Position won’t be nearly as important as in other races as drivers will have plenty of room to make their move to the front of the pack. However, time will be an issue with this race run at only 250 miles, which should result in plenty of excitement based on the sense of urgency that drivers race with from the start.
The Field
There will be 41 cars on the entry list for this race with 40 spots available in qualifying. The Cup drivers for this race will include the defending champion Larson, Brad Keselowski, Paul Menard, Ty Dillon and Daniel Suarez. Larson led only 27 laps before the skies opened up last year and he was awarded the victory. He should have a tougher time this year with a race that will be almost double the size. However, experience should count for a lot at a difficult course like Pocono so look for the Cup drivers to have a slight edge over their competition in that right.
A Good Matchup To Bet: Brad Keselowski over Ty Dillon
Keselowski has had a lot of bad luck of late but he has been excellent at Pocono in the past and a return to this raceway should help get him back on track. Keselowski finished third in the June Cup race and second in the August Cup race at Pocono last year so Saturday’s Xfinity race should be the perfect opportunity for him to get back on track before the Cup race the following afternoon. Dillon was brilliant at Dover last week and while he should produce a decent result in the Xfinity race this week we don’t expect him to finish ahead of Keselowski. Take Keselowski with your betting picks in this spot.
Top-Five Pick: Kyle Larson
Larson has been absolutely outstanding this season in both the Xfinity Series and in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The Chip Ganassi Chevrolet cars have shown a lot of speed this season and that will really help put him over the top in this week’s shortened race. Larson has never finished a race at Pocono outside the top-12. It won’t be a surprise if he produces another top-five finish in this Saturday’s Pocono Green 250.
Odds To Win The Pocono 250
Kyle Larson +200
Brad Keselowski +250
Daniel Suarez +600
Justin Allgaier +800
Elliott Sadler +1200
Paul Menard +1200
William Byron +1200
Darrell Wallace Jr +2000
Daniel Hemric +2500
Ty Dillon +2500
Casey Mears +4000
Matt Tifft +4000
Cole Custer +4000
Brendan Gaughan +5000
Field +1200
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