LONG POND, PA.: In the short history of the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Pocono Raceway, five races have produced five different winners—Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe.
That trend is certain to continue in Sunday’s Pocono Green 225 Recycled by J.P Mascaro & Sons (12 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). None of the five former winners are competing in the event.
Nevertheless, the race could present a significant opportunity for Jeremy Clements, who expanded his hold on the 12th and final Playoff-eligible position with an 11th-place finish last Saturday at Nashville Superspeedway.
Clements has a 48-point advantage over Brandon Brown, who fell out of the Nashville race in 35th place because of brake problems. Having run third in last year’s race at the Tricky Triangle, Clements is the highest finisher from that event competing on Sunday.
Part-time competitor Ty Gibbs will return to NASCAR Xfinity action at Pocono after competing in Friday’s ARCA Menards Series event. In seven Xfinity starts this season, Gibbs has collected wins at the Daytona Road Course and Charlotte oval to go with four other top fives.
“I’ve been to Pocono before in the ARCA car, but this will be my first time in an Xfinity car there,” Gibbs says. “(Crew chief) Chris Gayle and the guys will bring us a good Toyota Supra, and we’ll continue to keep learning and developing as we go along.
“It’s a unique track, and we have to make sure the car handles well in all three turns. It will help to run the ARCA race as well on Friday night.”
Source: Reid Spencer / NASCAR Wire Service
