The NASCAR Cup Series heads to the three-turn, 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway this weekend for the HighPoint.com 400.
One of the most unique tracks in all of motorsports will host its 90th Cup race in its near-50-year history.
Denny Hamlin is tied with Jeff Gordon for most wins at Pocono with six. Hamlin won last year’s race, but failed a post-race inspection and was disqualified, giving the victory to Chase Elliott.
Hamlin is the favorite again this weekend at +500, according to Caesars Sportsbook.
Martin Truex Jr. is also considered a frontrunner, as he’s coming off his third win of the season last Sunday at New Hampshire. Truex leads the Cup Series in driver points.
FrontPageBets takes a look at drivers to watch in the HighPoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday afternoon (2:30 p.m., USA).
(All odds courtesy of Caesars and are subject to change)
Pick to win: Denny Hamlin (+500)
The driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota knows how to win at Pocono.
If it wasn’t for failing the post-race inspection last year, he’d have a Cup Series-record seven wins at the 2.5-mile, three-turn track.
Hamlin swept both Pocono races in 2006, and also has wins in 2009, 2010, 2019 and 2020. His average finish is 11.8 and he’s led 818 total laps.
In 33 career starts at Pocono, Hamlin also has 21 top-10 finishes and 14 top-5s.
This season, Hamlin is fourth in driver points with one win, eight top-10s and five top-5 finishes.
Top-3 pick: Kyle Busch (+160)
Kyle Busch is second on the list of most Pocono wins by an active driver with four.
The pilot of the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevy drove to victory lane in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. He’s led 585 career laps, while turning in an average finish of 15.7 in 35 starts.
To go along with those four wins, Busch also has 18 top-10 and 11 top-5 finishes.
This season, he’s fifth in Cup points, racking up three victories and 12 top-10s, seven of which are in the top 5.
Top-10 pick: Brad Keselowski (+140)
While Brad Keselowski hasn’t won a Cup race since the 2021 season, he has been a consistent top-10 finisher.
So far this season, the driver of the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford has eight top-10s in 20 races and is 11th in driver points.
And he’s been successful at Pocono. In 25 career starts at the 2.5-mile track, he’s got one win and 11 top-5 finishes. His average finish is 10.7 and he’s completed nearly 99% of the laps he’s run there.
Odds-on favorites to win the HighPoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway
Denny Hamlin +500
Martin Truex Jr. +550
Kyle Busch +600
Kyle Larson +700
William Byron +850
Ross Chastain +950
Ryan Blaney +1000
Christopher Bell +1100
Chase Elliott +1200
Tyler Reddick +1200
Gambling problem? There is help. Call 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for help.
