NASCAR: What to watch for in the 2018 Gander Outdoors 400

This week, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series travels back to Pocono Raceway for round two at the Tricky Triangle. Here is what to watch for this Sunday.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads back north for the second of two Pocono Raceway races on the 2018 schedule. This race is race number 21 on the schedule for the Cup Series, meaning we are getting closer and closer to the playoffs. Will this week be more of the same with the “big three” dominating once again, or will another driver wiggle his way into the top spot?

Fresh off of win number six of the season is Stewart Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick. Harvick made a late pass on Kyle Busch to secure the victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway using the “bump and run” method. It seemed as though Aric Almirola was destined to spoil the day for the “big three”. However, a caution flag came out and Almirola came out of the pits in third place before eventually finishing the race in third.

It’s back to Pocono Raceway for round two at the Tricky Triangle of the year in the Gander Outdoors 400. The June Pocono race was mastered by Martin Truex Jr., who led 31 laps of the race on his way to victory.

There’s a strong possibility we could see the same this Sunday. However, there is always the opportunity for an upset at a track such as Pocono Raceway. After all, Ryan Blaney did hold off Kyle Busch in the June race of 2017 for his first career Cup Series win.

Here is what to watch for in this weekend’s Gander Outdoors 400.

What to watch for

Keep an eye on Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick

One of the many issues with race car drivers is their long-lasting memories of who has done them wrong. I felt Kyle Busch handled himself pretty well after Kevin Harvick’s bump and run on Sunday. It will be very interesting to see if anything more escalates from last Sunday’s race at New Hampshire. Although I firmly believe Harvick wasn’t in the wrong and the issue could have been far worse, Busch isn’t the type of driver to let that sort of thing happen without a little payback.

Can anyone stop the “big three” this weekend?

I can tell you right now that with 30 laps remaining on Sunday at Pocono Raceway, you’ll see one or more of Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch or Martin Truex Jr. either with the lead or within striking distance of the top spot. However, will there be another driver or two in contention who can fend off those three and steal a win? There are several drivers just aching for a win and I would bet a late caution would make things very, very interesting.

What will the booth do next?

In what seems to be an effort to spice up the broadcasts, the NBC Sports Network commentators last weekend wore throwback t-shirts in a more casual approach to calling the race. It will be interesting to see what this week’s theme will be among the group. Maybe Dale Earnhardt Jr. will use one of the “Dale Calls” to start the broadcast. Watch to see what shenanigans the crew come up with this weekend at the Tricky Triangle.

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What will you be watching for at Pocono Raceway this weekend? Tune into NBC Sports Network on Sunday, July 29 at 2:30 p.m. ET for the live broadcast of the 2018 Gander Outdoors 400!