{"id":21963,"date":"2024-07-14T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-14T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=21963"},"modified":"2024-07-15T01:05:55","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T05:05:55","slug":"nascar-cup-series-the-great-american-getaway-400-preview-predictions-and-how-to-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/07\/14\/nascar-cup-series-the-great-american-getaway-400-preview-predictions-and-how-to-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR Cup Series The Great American Getaway 400: Preview, Predictions And How To Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"

With only six races remaining in the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season, the pressure continues to mount on the drivers around the cut line. Only four open spots remain; a win would lock any prospective playoff drivers in. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell and William Byron<\/a> look to separate themselves from the field with a series-leading fourth win. Here’s what you need to know before the green flag flies at Pocono Raceway.<\/p>\n

The Track – Pocono Raceway<\/h2>\n

Nicknamed the “Tricky Triangle,” Pocono’s treacherous three turns make for one of the most unique racetracks in the world. The same length – 2.5 miles – as both Daytona and Indianapolis, Pocono provides a challenge that can only be found on its hallowed grounds. Fuel strategy and restarts are always the name of the game at Pocono, and at a track where a late-race restart has decided the race winner two years in a row, you don’t want to get caught napping in the restart zone.<\/p>\n

Current NASCAR Cup Series Standings:<\/h2>\n

Regular-Season Championship:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Kyle Larson, 671<\/li>\n
  2. Chase Elliott, 660 (-11)<\/li>\n
  3. Tyler Reddick, 648 (-23)<\/li>\n
  4. Denny Hamlin, 629 (-42)<\/li>\n
  5. Martin Truex Jr, 601 (-70)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Chase Elliott’s 21st-place finish – the worst result of the season for the 2020 champion – helped Kyle Larson, who crashed out of the Chicago Street Race, keep his lead in the regular-season standings<\/a> by just 11 points. Both Larson and Elliott have shown speed at Pocono Raceway in recent years, so don’t be surprised if the regular-season points battle continues to feature the two Hendrick Motorsports drivers.<\/p>\n

    NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Bubble:<\/h3>\n

    14. Ty Gibbs (+84)<\/p>\n

    15. Ross Chastain (+53)<\/p>\n

    16. Chris Buescher (+45)<\/p>\n

    17. Bubba Wallace (-45)<\/p>\n

    18. Chase Briscoe (-88)<\/p>\n

    19. Kyle Busch (-98)<\/p>\n

    20. Todd Gilliland (-121)<\/p>\n

    The points battle<\/a> for the final few playoff spots may not be too intriguing at the moment, but all it takes is for one new wildcard winner to shake up the fold. Bubba Wallace should be strong at both Pocono Raceway and Indianapolis, but it will likely take a win over the next six races for any driver below the cut line to vault into a postseason spot.<\/p>\n

    Race Predictions<\/h2>\n
    \n

    When Denny Hamlin told fans after winning last year at Pocono that they could boo his rock \u2026 these are the rocks he was talking about, rocks that honor the most accomplished drivers here. pic.twitter.com\/7S7lgAuLbU<\/a><\/p>\n

    — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 12, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n