NASCAR insider predicts winner, top-five finishers, dark horse to win at Pocono

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports has officially submitted his pick to win Sunday’s Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway.

Pockrass is going with Tyler Reddick to get it done at the Tricky Triangle, which would be his first victory at the 2.5-mile racetrack. Reddick has finished as the runner-up in both of the Next Gen car races at Pocono and has already showcased speed this weekend. He topped the field in Saturday’s practice session after going for a spin and starts from the seventh position.

Reddick has moved up to third in the points standings following a run of three consecutive top-six finishes. He finished P2 at Nashville and is coming off a P3 run in the Chicago Street Race.

Rounding out Pockrass’ top-five is William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs and Kyle Larson. Byron starts P2 outside Gibbs, the pole-sitter. He hasn’t been nearly as strong as he was in the early portion of the season when he won three races in his first eight starts but is one week removed from a P8 finish at Chicago.

Hamlin is one of the favorites based on his history at Pocono. In 34 starts at Pocono, Hamlin has tallied seven wins and 22 top 10s. Hamlin holds the Cup Series record for the most wins at Pocono. A three-time winner this season, Hamlin is currently riding a cold streak dating back to Sonoma last month. Hamlin has finished outside the top-10 in each of the last five race. He finished inside the top-five in the previous five races before the skid. Hamlin starts P4 at Pocono.

Can Ty Gibbs clinch playoff spot at Pocono?

Gibbs is on the pole Sunday for the second time in his NASCAR Cup Series career. He finished P3 at Chicago and could use a win with his playoff chances all but guaranteed.

“We were really close last weekend. We were second [Larson],” Gibbs said Saturday. “We’ve been really fast this weekend. The car is really good, and I think we’ll be really good tomorrow.”

Larson, meanwhile, remains the points leader after finishing 39th at Chicago. As long as he avoids trouble, most expect Larson to be in the mix every week and that should remain the case Sunday. He starts from the 12th position at Pocono.

Pockrass’ dark horse to win at Pocono is Josh Berry, who must win to get into the playoffs. Following back-to-back top 10s at Iowa and New Hampshire, Berry has finished 26th or worse in the last two races. He had speed Saturday, qualifying fifth.