Comments: NASCAR Picks for Pocono

While Pocono Raceway has been accused of producing boring races, the reputation is not entirely justified. It is true that the track's unique triangle shape and sweeping, flat corners make passing very difficult, but there are plenty of other interesting battles at work. Drivers have to try to get their cars to handle around three different sets of corners, and crew chiefs have to find the right fuel and tire strategy to deal with the long green flag runs. A race at Pocono is kind of like a basketball game between two teams that play confusing zones. It isn't fun to watch, but it should still be appreciated.

For fantasy owners, a trip to Pocono has different dangers. With laps taking nearly a minute to complete, most of the competitive drivers stay on the lead lap. Running out of fuel is a death sentence, and even a minor problem can drop a driver outside the top 30. Passing is too difficult to give away track position, and even the fastest cars on the track can suddenly become mediocre if they have to restart in heavy traffic. There might not be many wrecks at Pocono, but that doesn't mean fantasy owners won't have a rough day.

1. Jimmie Johnson, Lowe's/Kobalt Tools
2. Kyle Busch, Mars Brands/Interstate Batteries
3. Denny Hamlin, FedEx
4. Kevin Harvick, Budweiser/Rheem
5. Greg Biffle, 3M/Bondo
6. Jeff Gordon, Drive to End Hunger/Axalta
7. Tony Stewart, Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1
8. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew
9. Carl Edwards, Fastenal/Aflac/UPS/Subway
10. Ryan Newman, Quicken Loans/Haas Automation
11. Martin Truex, Jr., NAPA Auto Parts
12. Kasey Kahne, Farmers Insurance/Quaker State
13. Matt Kenseth, Husky/Dollar General
14. Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite
15. Paul Menard, Menards
16. Clint Bowyer, 5-Hour Energy
17. Mark Martin, Aaron's Dream Machine
18. Regan Smith, Guy Roofing
19. Juan Montoya, Target
20. Jeff Burton, Caterpillar/Cheerios
21. Kurt Busch, Furniture Row
22. Joey Logano, Shell-Pennzoil
23. A.J. Allmendinger, Phoenix Racing
24. Aric Almirola, Smithfield Foods
25. Jamie McMurray, McDonald's/Cessna
26. Marcos Ambrose, Stanley/Dewalt Power Tools
27. Landon Cassill, Little Joe's Autos
28. Bobby Labonte, Kingsford/Clorox/Bush's Beans
29. David Ragan, CSX Transportation/Peanut Patch
30. David Reutimann, Burger King/Doctor Pepper