The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to the Northeast for the running of the Pocono Green 225 at the Pocono Raceway on Sunday afternoon. Pocono is a triangular-shaped 2.5-mile oval and has 3 distinct turns. There is no track on the Xfinity circuit truly like Pocono and the track is a one groove facility. Sunday’s race will consist of 90 laps to make up the 225-mile advertised distance. The Pocono Green 225 is a short race for the Xfinity Series and mistakes of any kind are difficult to overcome.
Here are a few drivers to consider for the Pocono Green 225.
Austin Cindric +325- Cindric comes into Sunday’s Pocono Green 225 starting from the 13th position after a disappointing 32nd place finish at Nashville one week ago after a crash. Cindric has 3 wins on the 2021 Xfinity Series circuit with 10 top 5 finishes. Looking for a bounce back at Pocono, Cindric did get caught up in a crash here in 2020 at Pocono a race that was very bizarre. Cindric as of recent has been good race, bad race but Pocono provides a great opportunity for a bounce back on Sunday afternoon.
Ty Gibbs +325- Gibbs will fire off alongside Cindric from the 14th position on Sunday afternoon for the Pocono Green 225. 7 starts on the season to date for Ty in the Xfinity Series and has come away 6 top 5 finishes and 2 wins. Sunday will mark the first time Ty has raced a Xfinity Series car at the Pocono Raceway. Gibbs has 1 start in the ARCA Menards Series at Pocono, and he led 65 of the 80 laps to claim victory in 2020. Ty in one of the best cars heading into Sunday’s Xfinity race, be sure to consider for the win.
A.J. Allmendinger +800- A.J. take the green flag for Sunday’s Pocono Green 225 from the 3rd position. Allmendinger comes from a road racing background as well as plenty Cup Series experience. A.J. has 22 Cup Series starts at Pocono in addition to 3 Xfinity Series starts with 1 top 5 finish. Allemdinger with the road racing experience will have a leg up on the field as the 3 turns at Pocono are unique with one another. Look for A.J. to be competitive here on Sunday afternoon.
Harrison Burton +800- Burton will start from the pole position on Sunday afternoon for the Pocono Green 225. Burton comes off a 3rd place effort at the Nashville Superspeedway one week ago after 2 crashes put him out at Mid-Ohio and Texas respectively. Burton was involved in a crash in the 2020 Xfintiy race at Pocono and the team is ready for a great run at Pocono on Sunday. Best track position to begin the Pocono Green 225, Burton will have a nice opportunity to keep the nose clean and be in contention in the final stage on Sunday afternoon.
Sam Mayer +1200- Sam Mayer will make his Xfinity Series debut on Sunday afternoon at Pocono for JR Motorsports starting from the 20th position. Mayer has one ARCA Menards Series start at the Pocono Raceway that came in 2020 where he started in the 18th position and came home a solid 3rd. Sam has 12 starts total in the NASCAR Truck Series with 4 top 10 finishes including a victory. Mayer is an up-and-comer to the NASCAR ranks and the future is bright, consider a sprinkle of action on the longshot heading into Pocono on Sunday afternoon.
AUTHOR: Jeff Jeter
