The Cup circuit (circus? There's a case for either I suppose) rolls into the weirdest looking oval on the planet for the second time this year. Expectations are if you're good on a road course, you should go ok at Pocono and, potentially, vice versa...and Watkins Glen is next week.
Last time here, Ryan Newman managed to nick pole from Denny "Mr Pocono 2006" Hamlin. This time, those guys won't be sharing the front row...though a Chevy and Dodge will be there. For the first time in, apparently, 172 races Dale Earnhardt Jr will start from the pole with Kurt Busch lining up beside him. Jr, Newman and Kasey Kahne all managed to chomp into Jeff Gordon's lead since Jeff could only manage 11th on the grid.
Jr managed to leapfrog Kasey into third in the points and his performance was more impressive to me as I had thought he was no chance of pole since the rain came as he started his run. I figured the track would have no grip when he went out...shows why I'm sitting here and not behind the wheel I guess.
Jr proved me wrong by planting his #8 car on the pole despite rain...his first pole since 2002
Tez's NASCAR Qualifying Championship - Standings after round 21
So the gap is five points between Jeff and Ryan with Jr and Kasey both trying to get in on the action as well. Those four guys look to be the ones who will fight out this title. Denny might be able to make a move but he, like Jeff, is more interested in experimenting setups for the Chase so this could be a good chance for Ryan, Jr and Kasey to make their charge.
I hope everyone enjoys the race...and keep an eye on turn four of this track, it's quite a doozy ;)
Tez is a rare creature; an Australian who was living in New Zealand before moving to Canada. He's also a Civil Engineer who is hoping to spend his Monday to Friday sitting in front of a computer surfing the inter...uh, working hard for an Engineering Consultant or Contractor when he finds a job. His heart is torn between his two loves; F1 and NASCAR.
Due to his high interest in those, his blogs will likely focus on them with the occasional foray into sports that don't get much (if any) mention on this website. All blogs and/or comments will more than likely have his usual dollop of sarcasm and general Aussie spin on them.
Amazingly, he also managed to score 2 MiB nominations on consecutive days (August 5 & 6, 2007) after announcing he had been keeping track of them...he's considering hiding under his bed as a result.
