NASCAR Preview & Predictions For Pocono « The New 103.7 – Charlotte's Home For Country's Hottest Hits

NASCAR Preview & Predictions For Pocono

August 4, 2012 11:20 PM

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

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After only 8 weeks, the drivers are back at the 2.5 mile oval track for the Pennsylvania 400 — only 400 as 100 miles was shaved off the race this year.

But that’s not the only thing that’s changed to this race this season. It has a fresh coat of asphalt, construction of a $15 million solar farm and the track also made many safety enhancements, such as lining some interior walls with SAFER barriers and adding more catch fencing.

Juan Pablo Montoya may have won the pole award, but after his performance at the Daytona 5oo when the Target driver mistook the jet dryer for an actual target, I just can’t count on him to win the race. Besides, he hasn’t won a race since Aug. 8, 2010 at Watkins Glen.

I am going with Denny Hamlin, he just finished 5th in the truck race (Joey Coulter won it) — and he’s not even a truck driver, he was just driving for his teammate Kyle Busch’s team. Hamlin has four career victories at Pocono and an average finish of 9.3 at the track. He has led 660 laps in just 13 races, that ranks second among all active drivers and his average of 51 laps per race is the highest of any driver. Plus, I am pulling for him because he is about to be a father. He and his girlfriend, Jordan are expecting their first child in January … who also happens to be my very best friend. So yeah, maybe I’m partial, but I got the stats to back it up!

3wl interview NASCAR Preview & Predictions For Pocono

BIG SEXY is going with Dale Earnhardt Jr. again, as are the fans in Pocono who are going to get $100,000 from the track owner if Dale Jr. wins. It’s not unlikely anymore as he finally won a race this year, and he’s #1 in points right now!

It’s like Christmas for Junior nation!

And those coming up behind him in the chase include …

2. Matt Kenseth

3. Greg Biffle

4. Jimmie Johnson

5. Denny Hamlin

6. Kevin Harvick

7. Martin Truex Jr.

8. Tony Stewart

9. Brad Keselowski

10. Clint Bowyer

Who do you think is going to take the checkered flag tomorrow? The green flag is at 12 p.m. by the way