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NASCAR Gears Up For pocono: A Prime-Time Spectacle At The Tricky Triangle
mount Pocono, PA – After a thrilling race on the road course in Mexico city, NASCAR is shifting gears to the Pocono Mountains for a weekend full of racing action.Pocono Raceway, a track known for its unique “tri-oval” design, is set to host the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series events, promising fans a diverse and exciting racing experience.
Daytona Motor Mouths: Shane van Gisbergen wins NASCAR Mexico City race
The guys break down Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR win in Mexico City,Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s beef with Carson Hocevar and more before Pocono.
The “tricky Triangle”: Pocono’s Unique Layout
Pocono Raceway isn’t your average oval track. Construction began in the mid-1960s, several years after daytona International Speedway, and Pocono took the tri-oval concept to an extreme. Instead of a typical tri-oval, Pocono is more of a triangle, featuring three distinct turns, each modeled after famous turns from other Indy-racing tracks, making it the “Tricky Triangle”.
Daytona Motor Mouths, Nov. 12: NASCAR officially names Joey Logano as the 2024 champion, marking another significant victory in his career.
Well, that’s a wrap for the excitement-packed 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, as Ken Willis and Chris Vinel elegantly tie a bow on the exhilarating year, highlighting the remarkable achievements of Joey Logano, who has claimed the coveted champion title, and transition their focus toward the upcoming 2025 season filled with anticipation.
Since the groundbreaking partnership in 1968 between racing legend Roger Penske and driver Mark Donohue, who created what some called an “unfair advantage,” Penske’s impressive roster of drivers has consistently featured names that echo through the halls of motorsport’s Hall of Fame.
Among the luminaries in Penske’s list are Mario Andretti, multiple-time champion Rick Mears, two Al Unsers, the indomitable Helio Castroneves, and the talented Juan Pablo Montoya in IndyCar, alongside another impressive lineup in sports-car and endurance racing, showcasing Penske’s versatility and dominance in various racing disciplines.
Penske’s all-time NASCAR roster is equally distinguished, featuring a mix of current stars and future Hall of Famers, notably highlighting the two drivers who have both won the past three Cup Series championships, signifying Penske’s stronghold in the sport.
Penske’s first foray into NASCAR came in 1972 at Riverside, where a determined Donnie Allison drove an American Motors Matador to a commendable third-place finish. Through 1980, Penske’s cars participated sporadically in NASCAR, although Bobby Allison’s full-time commitment in 1976 yielded no wins, yet saw him finish an impressive fourth in points due to his numerous top-10 finishes.
Having remained absent from NASCAR for the entirety of the 1980s, Penske made a triumphant return in 1991 and has since become a stalwart in the sport. His cars have notched up an impressive 147 Cup victories across 2,526 starts, and as of two Sundays ago at Phoenix, where Joey Logano clinched a pivotal win, Team Penske celebrated securing its fourth Cup championship, further solidifying its legacy.
Given that Logano has now claimed three of those championships, the debate intensifies around whether he truly stands as Penske’s finest NASCAR racer of all time.
Nine different racers have bolstered their careers by winning NASCAR Cup Series races in Penske equipment, leading us to rank them from 9 through 1 in terms of their contributions and achievements.
9. Mark Donohue
Years: 1972-73
Races: 6
Wins: 1
FYI: Donohue’s unique combination of engineering prowess and driving excellence made him a formidable competitor. His partnership with Penske was nearly unbeatable in the late-’60s Trans Am Series, as they also competed in Formula One, sports cars, and IndyCar, where he clinched victory at the 1972 Indy 500. His singular NASCAR win took place at Riverside, dominating the competition and finishing a whole lap ahead of the esteemed Bobby Allison.
8. Austin Cindric
Years: 2021-24
Races: 115
Wins: 2
FYI: Cindric’s time with Penske is still in its early stages, yet promising, having achieved significant success in the 2020 Xfinity Series championship while driving a Penske car. His two Cup victories are headlined by the remarkable triumph at the 2022 Daytona 500, marking an exhilarating start to his first full-time Cup season.
7. Bobby Allison
Years: 1974-76
Races: 56
Wins: 4
FYI: Among his celebrated four wins while racing for Penske, the highlight remains the thrilling 1975 Southern 500 victory. Ironically, none of these victories occurred during 1976, the first year that Penske fielded a full-time Cup car, although Allison excelled with an impressive 19 top-10 finishes that year, ultimately securing a commendable fourth place in the championship standings.
6. Kurt Busch
Years: 2006-11
Races: 216
Wins: 10
FYI: Penske was one of five different team owners for whom Busch celebrated victory in at least one Cup Series race. His best season with Penske came in 2009, a standout year with two wins, 21 top-10 finishes, and a solid fourth-place finish in the playoffs.
5. Ryan Newman
Years: 2002-08
Races: 296
Wins: 13
FYI: Newman burst onto the scene with remarkable speed. His first full-time season in 2002 was marked by immediate victory, winning races in each of his first four seasons while achieving numerous pole positions. His standout performance in 2003 is noted as one of the greatest seasons of this century, capturing eight wins and 11 poles during that year alone.
4. Ryan Blaney
Years: 2014 (2 races), 2018-24
Races: 254
Wins: 12
FYI: Blaney narrowly missed achieving back-to-back Cup championships when he finished a close second at the pivotal race in Phoenix. His journey began with his first career win in 2017, scoring with the Wood Brothers, and his impressive performances there earned him the sought-after seat at Team Penske.
3. Rusty Wallace
Years: 1980 (2 races), 1991-2005
Races: 494
Wins: 37
FYI: The majority of Wallace’s illustrious 55 career wins were secured under owner Raymond Beadle from 1986-90. During this time, he clinched the 1989 Cup title with Beadle and faced several near-title opportunities under Penske in 1992-93, racking up 18 victories in that span and finishing second and third in the championship standings.
2. Brad Keselowski
Years: 2009-21
Races: 435
Wins: 34
FYI: Keselowski began his Penske journey with three races at the end of the 2009 season, paving the way for a full-time 12-year tenure. The ultimate highlight of his career came when he secured the 2012 Cup Series championship, solidifying his status among NASCAR’s elite.
1. Joey Logano
Years: 2013-24
Races: 432
Wins: 34
FYI: Logano’s racing career initially appeared to face hurdles during his four seasons at Joe Gibbs Racing, as results did not meet lofty expectations. However, his fortunes turned around dramatically upon joining the Penske team, where he quickly emerged as a consistent contender for the championship, ultimately claiming the title three times, including his most recent championship victory in 2024.
NASCAR’s short-track racing scene has faced challenges in recent years, with many fans expressing disappointment over the lack of excitement. However, the electrifying playoff moments that unfolded on Sunday at Martinsville breathed new life into the competition.
Ryan Blaney emerged victorious, clinching a vital win that grants him the opportunity to defend his coveted Cup Series championship title.
As the race progressed, the tension heightened as the calculations began to determine the fourth and final spot in next week’s championship race, set against the backdrop of Phoenix. In a dramatic twist reminiscent of an NFL game, the proceedings took a pause as officials convened in the replay booth to assess who would secure the fourth coveted position for a shot at the championship.
Let’s do a quick review …
1. Ryan Blaney gets it done
Just a week prior, Ryan Blaney found himself narrowly missing a win at Homestead when Tyler Reddick surged past in a breathtaking finish during the final corner. Realizing he had no mathematical path to reach Phoenix without a victory at Martinsville, Blaney pushed himself to the limit.
Blaney successfully executed a masterful late-race strategy, leveraging long-run speed to pull ahead of Chase Elliott, ultimately securing a comfortable victory. “So proud of everybody,” Blaney declared to the NBC television audience. “To have another shot at a championship is really special. We’re going to try to go back-to-back next week.” Adding to the drama, he revealed, “I’m worn out. I’ve got nothing left. This car hung on longer than most.”
2. Did Christopher Bell get too cozy with the wall?
In a thrilling final lap, Christopher Bell maneuvered past Bubba Wallace, claiming the vital finishing position needed to surpass William Byron in the playoff standings. However, the maneuver involved a risky drive hugging the high line, running perilously close to the wall. This bold approach echoed Ross Chastain’s infamous “Hail Melon” strategy from two years prior at Martinsville, which ultimately faced its own backlash and was outlawed.
As the officials reviewed the footage, viewers were left on the edge of their seats, the tension palpable in the air. Their deliberations culminated in a verdict of a “safety violation,” resulting in a penalty for Bell’s daring move.
The fourth championship driver who will join the ranks of Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, and Blaney is none other than William Byron.
3. Next up for NASCAR: Championship weekend at Phoenix
The culmination of a thrilling NASCAR season that kicked off over nine months ago in Daytona Beach is set to unfold next weekend in the breathtaking Desert Southwest. In an exciting finale, NASCAR’s Truck and Xfinity Series will also conclude their seasons and determine their champions using the same high-stakes format: four finalists, with the highest finisher claiming the coveted title.
Here’s the lineup for the last hurrah of 2024.
Friday: Truck championship race, 8 p.m. (FS1). The four finalists: Christian Eckes, Grant Enfinger, Ty Majeski, and Corey Heim.
Saturday: Xfinity championship race, 7:30 p.m. (CW). Four finalists: Austin Hill, AJ Allmendinger, Cole Custer, and Justin Allgaier.
Sunday: Cup Series championship, 3 p.m. (NBC).
**Interview with NASCAR Analyst John Doe**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, John! Let’s jump right into it. Sunday’s race at Martinsville was a real nail-biter. What did you think of Ryan Blaney’s performance?
**John Doe:** Thanks for having me! Blaney was incredible. He really demonstrated both skill and strategy under pressure. After narrowly missing that victory at Homestead, he knew he had to win at Martinsville to secure his spot, and he came through in spectacular fashion. His late-race strategy showcased his ability to adapt and execute when it mattered most.
**Interviewer:** It certainly was a dramatic finish! Many fans were on the edge of their seats as the officials went to the replay booth. How significant was that moment in terms of the race’s impact?
**John Doe:** That moment was quintessential NASCAR. The tension was palpable, not just for the drivers but for the fans as well. With so much on the line, it added another layer of drama to an already thrilling race. It’s moments like these that remind us why short-track racing can still be so captivating, even amidst some criticisms in recent years.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of moments, Blaney mentioned feeling “worn out” after the race. Do you think the physical and mental toll of races like this will affect him going into the championship race in Phoenix?
**John Doe:** It’s a good question. The mental and physical fatigue is real, especially after intense races like Martinsville. However, Blaney has proven he can rise to the occasion. His experience will serve him well as he prepares for Phoenix. Plus, the adrenaline of having another shot at the championship is a great motivator.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, Blaney and other drivers are set for Phoenix next week. How do you think they’ll approach this race, knowing how much is at stake?
**John Doe:** It will definitely be a mix of aggressive driving and strategic planning. The drivers will need to balance taking risks to secure a win while also ensuring they don’t jeopardize their positions. Phoenix is a unique track, and mastering it could be the key to championship success. I expect to see some fireworks!
**Interviewer:** Thanks, John! You’ve provided some great insights into what’s shaping up to be an exciting championship race next week. We appreciate your time!
**John Doe:** Anytime! I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds in Phoenix.