As we approach the 2024 Cup Series The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway, here’s an in-depth look at the likely frontrunners based on historical performance, similar track stats, and this season’s data.
Historical Performance at Pocono Raceway
Denny Hamlin
Hamlin has shown strong performance at Pocono Raceway in the Next Gen era, with an average running position (ARP) of 6.76 and a win. His points accumulation from the last two races at Pocono stands at 57, with a weighted average running position (wARP) of 3.91. This solid historical performance makes Hamlin a key driver to watch.
Kyle Larson
Larson has an ARP of 10.37 and has also scored 72 points in the last two Pocono races. Despite a relatively lower average finish position (AFP) of 12.50, Larson’s strong GR-LR differential of 1.78 indicates his ability to move up in ranks.
Performance on Similar Tracks
Chase Elliott
On comparable long tracks in the Next Gen era, Elliott holds an ARP of 13.68 and an ASP of 17.00. His similar track stats show a slight decrease in performance compared to Pocono-specific stats, suggesting variable outcomes on similar tracks.
Martin Truex Jr.
Truex Jr. has demonstrated a better-than-average ARP of 9.30 at Pocono and has accumulated 79 points. His performance on similar tracks aligns closely with his Pocono stats, indicating consistent capability on long tracks.
Season Stats
Chase Elliott
Elliott has raced in 20 events this season, earning 651 points and clinching one victory. His ARP of 10.93 and AFP of 10.60 are consistent with his historical performance at Pocono, suggesting he’s likely to place well.
Tyler Reddick
Reddick has accumulated 638 points this season, with an AFP of 12.00 and seven top-five finishes. His similar track stats are slightly less favorable, suggesting challenges in outperforming his typical averages.
Last Race Performance
William Byron
Byron’s performance in the last two Pocono races has been commendable, with an ARP of 10.11 and 67 points. However, his season stats show an average finish of 13.25, indicating he might struggle to consistently finish at the top.
Chris Buescher
Buescher accumulated 123 points on similar tracks but only 29 points at Pocono, showcasing a significant disparity. His ARP at Pocono stands at 17.93, suggesting potential difficulties maintaining high performance at this track.
Comparative Analysis
By analyzing the recent performance and historical data, drivers like Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott appear well-positioned given their consistency at Pocono and comparable tracks. Kyle Larson also shows promise due to his solid ARP and points accumulation across similar tracks. On the other hand, Chris Buescher’s performance variability calls into question his ability to sustain high rank at Pocono.
In conclusion, drivers demonstrating both historical success and favorable season stats are likely to be the ones to watch in the upcoming The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway.