Denny Hamlin capitalized on a late pit stop to outlast Kevin Harvick at Long Pond. Hamlin checks off his 4th win of the 2020 NASCAR Cup season and 6th trophy of his career Sunday at Pocono Raceway.
LONG POND, PA. – June 29, 2020 – ANTHONY HOLBROOK
The NASCAR Cup Series wrapped up the NASCAR Cup Doubleheader at the 2.5 Tri-Oval Pocono Raceway Saturday, June 28, 2020 for the Pocono Organics 325.
The NASCAR Cup series doubleheader, the first of its kind in the modern era of NASCAR, was scheduled in 2019 and kept on track with essential personnel abiding with coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Sunday, marking the first time NASCAR’s top three series held events on the same track on the same day.
As inclement weather made her presence felt as lightning advanced, NASCAR initiated a mandatory 30 minute safety caution before the start of the NASCAR Cup race.
The field was brought to green by Ryan Preece only to see the a pocket of storms invaded Long Pond once again and delay the race for another 50 minutes until jet dryers resolve issue. This marks the eighth weather-related delay or postponement this season in the NASCAR Cup series.
Pocono 350 – Stage 1 Results:
- Joey Logano
- Aric Almirola
- Ryan Blaney
- Kyle Busch
- Chase Elliott
- Kurt Busch
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Brad Keselowski
- Alex Bowman
10.Erik Jones
Pocono 350 – Stage 2 Results:
- Aric Almirola
- Joey Logano
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Ryan Blaney
- Matt DiBendetto
- Alex Bowman
- Kevin Harvick
- Kyle Busch
- Denny Hamlin
- Chase Elliott
In Saturday’s race, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick held Hamlin off to collect the win.
On Sunday, the situation was reversed as Hamlin’s team strategy to stay out long before taking his final pit stop made the difference.
Only 20 laps remaining, Denny Hamlin pitted and opted to take right side tires and fuel to get back on the track for position. Kevin Harvick who was off a 3 second pit sequence could not catch Hamlin in over the final laps and had to settle for second place.
Finishing third was Erik Jones, Hamlin’s teammate, followed by Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports stable and Aric Almirola, Harvick’s teammate.
Winless and Defending NASCAR CUP Champion Kyle Bush day ended on Lap 76 after alteration with Ryan Blaney, both spinning out force Bush into the infield barrier wall.
Pocono 350 – Final Stage Results
- Denny Hamlin
- Kevin Harvick
- Erik Jones
- Chase Elliott
- Aric Almirola
- Matt DiBenedetto
- William Byron
- Clint Bowyer
- Alex Bowman
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Brad Keselowski
- Matt Kenseth
- Kurt Busch
- Austin Dillon
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Jimmie Johnson
- Cole Custer
- Ryan Newman
- John Hunter Nemechek
- Bubby Wallace
- Corey Lajoie
- Ryan Blaney
- Ty Dillon
- Joey Logano
- Ryan Preece
- Daniel Suarez
- Brennan Poole
- JJ Yeley
- Timmy Hill
- James Davison
- Quin Houff
- Garrett Smithley
- Joey Gase
- Josh Bilicki
- Tyler Reddick
- Chris Beuscher
- BJ McLeod
- Kyle Busch
- Christopher Bell
- Michael McDowell
Denny Hamlin became the winningest active driver at Pocono Raceway and tied Jeff Gordon for the most all-time Cup wins at the 2.5-mile triangle track with six as the sun sunk below the Pennsylvania horizon.
| The NASCAR Cup Series travels to Indy for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway; Sunday , July 5th 2020at 4 p.m. ET NBC / Sirus XM Radio NASCAR 90 |