Who takes the checkered flag as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Tricky Triangle? Here are our picks for Sunday's Pocono race.
Winner: Kyle Larson
Larson has a little extra motivation this week after Target announced it would be pulling its sponsorship of the No. 42 after the 2017 season. Here we have one of NASCAR's top drivers with something new to prove. Each and every time Larson has been challenged this season, he has risen to the occasion. His Chevrolet was second fastest in practice only to Kyle Busch. Larson also finished seventh at the Tricky Triangle in June after leading nine laps.
Contenders: Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr.
These guys have made picks pretty easy over the past few weeks. Truex Jr. has absolutely dominated the sport and is almost a lock to win at least a stage each and every week. The No. 78 had the seventh fastest car in practice, finished sixth here in June and won this race in 2015. As for Busch, well he looked really strong in the Truck Series race, winning both stages before crashing out. He also had the fastest car in final practice by a pretty decent margin and he's starting on the pole. Busch dominated this race in June, leading 100 laps ahead of a ninth-place finish.
Wild Card: Denny Hamlin
This one was tough because there were so many good choices. Ryan Blaney is going for the season sweep but has struggled lately. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s two career wins at Pocono also make him a popular choice, but he didn't do anything in practice to prove that he's made the proper adjustments to punch his ticket to Victory Lane. That brings us to Hamlin, who clinched his spot in the NASCAR playoffs two weeks ago at New Hampshire. Hamlin has four career victories for Joe Gibbs Racing at the Tricky Triangle and has gotten hot at exactly the right time. Don't be surprised if the No. 11 takes the checkered flag yet again.
Odds to win the 2017 Overton's 400
Here are the betting odds for Sunday's race, via VegasInsider.com
- Kyle Busch 3/1
- Martin Truex Jr. 9/2
- Kevin Harvick 15/2
- Kyle Larson 8/1
- Chase Elliott 10/1
- Jimmie Johnson 12/1
- Denny Hamlin 12/1
- Brad Keselowski 12/1
- Matt Kenseth 14/1
- Ryan Blaney 20/1
- Joey Logano 20/1
- Erik Jones 28/1
- Kurt Busch 33/1
- Jamie McMurray 33/1
- Clint Bowyer 40/1
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. 50/1
- Ryan Newman 55/1
- Kasey Kahne 66/1
How to watch the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton's 400
Location: Pocono Raceway
Date: Sunday, July 30
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Length: 160 laps/400 miles
Stage 1: Ends on lap 50
Stage 2: Ends on lap 100
Final Stage: Scheduled for lap 160
TV: NBCSN
Live stream: NBC Sports App
Overton's 400 starting lineup
- Kyle Busch
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Jamie McMurray
- Denny Hamlin
- Ryan Blaney
- Kevin Harvick
- Clint Bowyer
- Daniel Suarez
- Erik Jones
- Joey Logano
- Brad Keselowski
- Kasey Kahne
- Chase Elliott
- Jimmie Johnson
- Matt Kenseth
- Kyle Larson
- Michael McDowell
- Kurt Busch
- Trevor Bayne
- Ryan Newman
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Danica Patrick
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Chris Buescher
- Aric Almirola
- Austin Dillon
- Paul Menard
- AJ Allmendinger
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Ty Dillon
- Landon Cassill
- Cole Whitt
- David Ragan
- Corey LaJoie
- Gray Gaulding
- Stephen Leicht
- Derrike Cope
- Jeffrey Earnhardt
BOLD - denotes previous winners at Pocono Raceway
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings
POSITION | DRIVER | CAR # | POINTS | BEHIND | WINS |
1. | Martin Truex Jr. | 78 | 780 | LEADER | 3 |
2. | Kyle Larson | 42 | 732 | 48 | 2 |
3. | Kevin Harvick | 4 | 683 | 97 | 1 |
4. | Kyle Busch | 18 | 673 | 107 | 0 |
5. | Denny Hamlin | 11 | 612 | 168 | 1 |
6. | Brad Keselowski | 2 | 601 | 179 | 2 |
7. | Jamie McMurray | 1 | 599 | 181 | 0 |
8. | Chase Elliott | 24 | 588 | 192 | 0 |
9. | Matt Kenseth | 20 | 566 | 214 | 0 |
10. | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | 564 | 216 | 3 |
11. | Clint Bowyer | 14 | 533 | 247 | 0 |
12. | Ryan Blaney | 21 | 516 | 264 | 1 |
13. | Joey Logano | 22 | 515 | 265 | 1 |
14. | Kurt Busch | 41 | 463 | 317 | 1 |
15. | Ryan Newman | 31 | 462 | 318 | 1 |
16. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 17 | 443 | 337 | 2 |
