2016 Pocono Green 250 Race Predictions
NASCAR Xfinity Series Betting Preview
Saturday June 4th, 1:18PM (EST) at Pocono Raceway
by Jay Horne of NASCARWagers.com, NASCAR Handicapping Service
Today NASCAR’s Xfinity Series will go racing at Pocono Raceway when the green flag drops for the Pocono Green 250. Despite the fact the Sprint Cup Series has raced at Pocono since 1974 and even the Camping World Truck Series has raced at Pocono each of the last 6 years, today’s race will be the first for NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. Therefore, the majority of the drivers participating this afternoon do not have any experience at the “Tricky Triangle” which should make for an interesting race. Find out our thoughts for today’s race as we provide our 2016 Pocono Green 250 race predictions!
I think one of the main factors for today’s race will be the ‘experience’ factor. Experience is always important but perhaps more importantly this afternoon than most weeks. Pocono is a unique track that has 3 completely different turns which is a challenge amongst drivers. Just one slip or not attacking one turn correctly can have a big impact on the entire lap in terms of lap times. Additionally, crew chiefs typically have a difficult time getting cars to handle comfortably through all 3 turns around the track. Therefore, a lot of responsibility falls within the drivers hands at Pocono which directly plays into the hands of “experience.” Guys like Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and even Paul Menard should have an advantage from their track time in the Sprint Cup Series.
The Xfinity Series was scheduled to have 4 practices leading up today’s inaugural Xfinity Series race at Pocono. However after a pair of practices on Thursday, the two remaining practices that were scheduled on Friday were cancelled due to weather. Kyle Busch and Erik Jones topped the two practices on Thursday as JGR cars continued to flex their muscles in the Xfinity Series. Both Jones and Busch appeared to have the field covered in terms of speed. In fact, earlier this morning Erik Jones blistered the field in qualifying. He was a half second faster in round 2 of qualifying and bested Kyle Busch by more than 2 tenths for the pole. Not only did Jones win the pole, but JGR cars swept the top 3 starting spots for the 7th time this season and they are clearly the cars to beat.
Outside of the JGR cars, I believe Kyle Larson and Joey Logano will be the next biggest threats for the win today. Both drivers have experience on their side. Larson has been one of the hottest drivers in NASCAR over the last month despite the fact he is still searching for his first 2016 victory. Logano and the #22 team are definitely gaining in speed. I have mentioned a few times about the decline of the #22 team this year if you compare it to their dominance in the series over the last several years. However, the #22 team has found some speed and they are getting closer to their prior form.
If you are looking for a few guys to keep on your radar from a H2H perspective, I would put Elliott Sadler towards the top of the list. The JR Motorsports cars had some pretty solid speed and Sadler appeared to be the best of the group. Additionally, I would not be surprised to see Ty Dillon race well this afternoon. Dillon has been impressive on these high speed flat racing surfaces verifiable by his performances at Indianapolis. Pocono’s “Tunnel Turn” was actually designed in comparison to Indianapolis. While that is just 1 of the 3 turns, I think Dillon will be pretty good in race trim especially on long green flag runs which could give him some upside in the H2H market.
2016 Pocono Green 250 Race Predictions
Erik Jones +300 (2.5 units): captured the pole earlier today, fastest by a half second in practice 2
Open Parlays
Kyle Busch +140 wins Pocono Green 250
Slot 2 – Open for Axalta 400
Risking 1 unit to win: TBD
H2H Matchups
Erik Jones -180 over Joey Logano (2 units)
Kyle Larson -145 over Paul Menard (2 units)
Elliot Sadler +115 over Ty Dillon (2 units)
