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NASCAR: Five Drivers Most Likely To Win At Pocono

By Cole Mentzel

Aug 3, 2014; Long Pond, PA, USA; General view as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers come around turn three to start the GoBowling.com 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2014; Long Pond, PA, USA; General view as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers come around turn three to start the GoBowling.com 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 21, 2016; Concord, NC, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (42) races to a segment finish to qualify for the All Star Race during the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2016; Concord, NC, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (42) races to a segment finish to qualify for the All Star Race during the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

The Underdog: Kyle Larson

Stats at Pocono:

  • Wins: 0
  • Top-5’s: 1
  • Top-10’s: 2
  • Laps Led: 12

Kyle Larson has had a great start to his career racing at Pocono. In his four races there, he’s finished 5th, 11th, 8th and 12th, giving him an average finish of 9.0, the highest among all active drivers. It’s also his fifth-highest average finish among all other tracks.

A few weeks ago at Dover, Larson came as close as he had ever been before, finishing second to Matt Kenseth. Then, he went on to win in the Sprint Showdown and lead laps in the All-Star Race before hitting the wall. Last weekend at Charlotte, he finished 13th, but showed strength all night, racing into the top-10 and top-5 after starting 24th.

Matt Kenseth spoke about Larson recently (via ESPN.com):

"“He’s a great race car driver. To me it doesn’t even seem right that he hasn’t won yet. He’s got a bunch of victories in front of him for sure. He’s a really, really clean, hard racer, and a fast learner.”"

must read: Power Rankings Heading Into Pocono

The 23-year-old from Elk Grove California issue close to winning his first Cup Series race. Doing it this weekend at one of NASCAR’s most challenging tracks would be a memorable accomplishment.

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