Double-header weekend at Pocono has finally arrived. One article will cover them all—here is my stack of Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for both of this weekend’s races at Pocono.
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win at least one race on double-header weekend
Kyle Larson
Zero wins at Pocono is no problem for Kyle Larson. This may be the weekend his wild ride comes to an end—or not. With two races to choose from, I’m counting on the No. 5 to win at least one of them. In fact, everyone else in this article needs to find a way to keep the number 5 behind them in order to have a shot.
Wins at Pocono: 0
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 6
Kyle Busch
Outside of Michael McDowell and J.J. Yeley, Kyle Bush has the most DNFs at this track. But—he has three wins and lots of runner-up positions. As long as he can stay out of a wreck (and has a solid engine that doesn’t blow up) I have a feeling that Rowdy will take another win at some point of the double header weekend.
Wins at Pocono: 1
Top-5 finishes: 14
Top-10 finishes: 20
Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick nabbed his first Pocono win during last season’s double-header weekend, but he’s come so close many times before. It’s entirely possible that the No. 4 could get a win out of one of these races, despite his rough season. Still, I can’t bear to leave him out, especially with all but two top-10 finishes in the past seven years. I have confidence in Happy Harvick’s abilities this weekend.
Wins at Pocono: 1
Top-5 finishes: 14
Top-10 finishes: 20
Denny Hamlin
If Denny Hamlin can’t find his long-lost groove sometime this weekend at Pocono, feel free to count him out for the season. With such a fantastic start, it’s hard to believe he’s creeping down the list toward the cutoff line already. My confidence is high that the familiarity of Pocono will come back to him and produce at least one win.
Wins at Pocono: 6
Top-5 finishes: 13
Top-10 finishes: 20
Chase Elliott
I’m going with the streak here by putting Chase Elliot into the weekend mix. Nashville was a lousy run, but it’s been top-10 since Talladega. He might have a tough time holding off his teammates, but I would not be surprised to see the No. 9 with a victory on either Saturday or Sunday.
Wins at Pocono: 0
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 7
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for double-header weekend at Pocono
William Byron
William Byron is having the season of a lifetime. With a scant few finishes outside the top-10, he’s sitting in a pretty position for the championship run. He has yet to win on this Pocono track, but he runs so well here, it’s only a matter of time. Consider this Hendrick driver in your NASCAR fantasy lineup for double-header weekend.
Wins at Pocono: 0
Top-5 finishes: 1
Top-10 finishes: 4
Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch has shown signs of life in the past three races, and I think that warm-streak will continue in Pocono. He has two shots at the title, and there’s no reason to assume he won’t take advantage of the opportunity. The No. 1 team has made do with the car it has this season, but a win would certainly be nice to show the world his immense talent.
Wins at Pocono:3
Top-5 finishes: 14
Top-10 finishes: 20
Matt DiBenedetto
Matty-D is racing for a place in the Championship series and a ride for next year. Though his stats here are not the best, he’s shown signs of life this season—and the last time at Pocono, he finished sixth. If he can stay in the race long enough to make something work, don’t count him out this weekend.
Wins at Pocono:0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 1
Erik Jones
Though Erik Jones is having a wonky season as he adjusts to the iconic 43 for Petty Motorsports, Pocono has always been a good track for him. He’s only finished outside the top-10 twice, and one of those was due to a blown engine. It would be nice to see this talented driver get a win this season, and this is as good a place as any for him to get it done.
Wins at Pocono:0
Top-5 finishes: 5
Top-10 finishes: 6
Aric Almirola
Yes, it’s been such a heartbreaking season so far for the No. 10. But Aric Almirola is slowly warming up, with top-10 finishes in the last three races he’s run. Almirola has been hot at Pocono since 2018, so let’s see what he can do in this double header.
Wins at Pocono: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 4
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup for Pocono this weekend
Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace has never been good at this track, finishing all in the 20s and above each time he has run here. He’s still getting acquainted with his new team and I don’t expect much from him this weekend except the acquiring of experience.
Wins at Pocono: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 0
Tyler Reddick
Tyler Reddick has had a pretty sweet season so far. But I honestly can’t see him winning, let alone alone finishing in the top-10, this weekend. Maybe next time.
Wins at Pocono: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 0
Chris Beuscher
Yes, Beuscher won here before. But, not to take anything away, but he won when the race was called due to rain. I’m not saying that he’s not good at this track, but he’s not. Take a pass on the No. 17 for the double-header weekend at Pocono.
Wins at Pocono:1
Top-5 finishes: 1
Top-10 finishes: 2
Joey Logano
That one win he had was way back in 2012. I’m going out on a limb and saying that Joey Logano won’t grab his second one at the Pocono double-header. Between Larson and Harvick, it’s gonna be tough for anyone to get ahead and stay there.
Wins at Pocono: 1
Top-5 finishes: 4
Top-10 finishes: 8
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Aw, Ricky. I hate to say it, but the numbers here suck for the No. 47. And he’s never finished outside of the top-10. Yikes. Keep him in the pit for your lineup this weekend.
Wins at Pocono: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 0
