Pennsylvania 500

Pocono Raceway

Long Pond, PA | Sunday, July 31st, 2016

1:30 PM EST | NBCSN

Brickyard 400 Recap:

Another week in the books and the Dick Trickle Fantasy team continues on its tear of the summer months of NASCAR fantasy racing. In the last few weeks I have managed to dig out of an early season hole and jumped atop the fantasy standings. Its a victory Monday, yesterday was my 4th win of the summer and 6th on the year. Hopefully, we can build on this late summer domination as we get ever so close to the final races of the season.

The weekend started early with a mid-week race with the Truck series on dirt in Eldora. Kyle Larson, the dirt track kid from California came from a lap down to steal the victory. His good weekend continued at the 2.5 mile Brickyard at Indy where he finished 4th in the Xfinity Series race on Saturday and 5th in the cup race yesterday afternoon.

It was Tony Stewarts 'last' start at Indianapolis, I say that only because we thought the same with Jeff Gordon last season. Smoke had a good day, battled back from a speeding penalty on pit road on Lap 122 to finish 11th.

Jeff Gordon was back, which took away a little from Tony Stewarts finale at the big track. Gordon was subbing in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. who was out of the car for the 2nd straight week with concussion like symptoms. Gordon will be back in the #88 car this weekend at Pocono Raceway.

The two legends of our sport shared an emotional lap.

But the day and the whole weekend pretty much belonged to Kyle Busch. It didn't start the way he had hoped as in practice he was spun out by Patrick Carpentier. That probably added extra fuel to the fire. Kyle Busch qualified on the pole for Saturday's Xfinity race and won from the pole. Same story, different day yesterday as Kyle dominated the event leading 149 of the 160 (170 with overtime) laps. You give me one driver, stick him out there in the lead with older tires and everyone behind him on stickers, I'm picking Kyle Busch 99 out of 100 times. The cat can flat out drive a race car.

This weekend we head to the Pocono Raceway. Where in June, Kurt Busch stretched the fuel to steal a victory. That week was a not so good week for the Dick Trickle fantasy team, so I am hoping we can turn that around. So lets get to my picks for this weekends Pennsylvania 400.

Indy Bright Shiny Star Award- Kyle Busch

The first driver in the history of NASCAR to win both poles and races in the same weekend at the same track. He has to be the favorite now for the championship.

Indy SURPRISE!! Award- Kyle Larson

A 1st to start the weekend and carried that high note all the way to the 2.5 mile Brickyard. A 4th place finish Saturday and 5th place finish yesterday. Oh and he is in the top 16 in points.

Indy Wreck(s) of the Day-

The BIG one at Indy





Trevor Bayne and Clint Bowyer wreck

GROUP A-

Jimmie Johnson

Despite the 35th finish here in June, the #48 is coming off a 3rd place finish last weekend at Indy. He has 3 wins here and finished 6th in this event last season look for 6 time to continue in the right direction.

Brad Keselowski

There is something about this #2 team and the 2nd Pocono race. He finished 2nd last season in this event and finished 3rd here in June where he also started on the pole. One of the best drivers at saving fuel is Brad Keselowski, that may come into play again here at Pocono's 2nd race.

WE2W4-  Denny Hamlin

Sleeper- Kurt Busch

Group B-

Kyle Larson

11th place in the June race for Kyle and runs very well here. In his 5 starts at Pocono he has finished 11th (twice), 12th, 8th and 5th. Look for Larson to possibly get his first win this weekend.

Ryan Newman

After last weekends crash at Indy, he and the 31 team will be looking for a solid weekend to keep his chase hopes alive. Ryan could also be racing for a job in 2017 as this is his last year on his RCR contract.

Kasey Kahne

If your looking for a sleeper to start this weekend, Kasey is your guy. Finished 6th here in June and is still looking to stay alive for the chase. Look for Kasey Kahne to have a good, solid weekend.

Austin Dillon

He wrecked here in June and wound up finished 37th, in his other 4 starts he is recorded a 13th, 19th, 15th and 17th place finish. Coming off a top 10 finish last weekend at Indy, Dillon looks to run well to stay inside the top 16 in points.

WE2W4- Tony Stewart and Ricky Stenhouse (finished 12th yesterday he will be on my radar going forward)

Sleeper- Martin Truex Jr

Group C-

Jeff Gordon

6 career wins at Pocono. PERIOD. Start him.

WE2W4- Chase Elliot

Sleeper- Ryan Blaney

There we have it another week in the books. Hopefully Pocono treats me a little better then last time. One thing to take note is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished 12th yesterday and is 20th in points. Its going to be interesting to see how he runs this weekend. Also, keep an eye on Kyle Larson and Chase Elliot, both are still looking for their first career wins, Elliot led the most laps here in June and could be a threat this weekend.

Thank you for all the continued support. Please LIKE, SHARE and COMMENT!

Until Next Time......

GOD SPEED

BOOGER