NASCAR Crew Chiefs Finalize Pocono Plans for 1 p.m. Race as New Tires Shift Focus to Fuel
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 13
NASCAR Crew Chiefs Finalize Pocono Plans for 1 p.m. Race as New Tires Shift Focus to Fuel
1 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 13
Summary
Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET Cup race at Pocono is shaping up as a strategy-heavy event, with crew chiefs centering plans on fuel mileage and caution timing rather than expecting tire trouble to dictate calls.
Paul Wolfe said Team Penske’s practice feedback showed Goodyear’s new right-side tire should avoid the cord issues seen at some other tracks, leaving teams freer to lean into Pocono-style fuel strategy.
Pocono’s pit road adds another variable after officials reset timing lines and let teams rehearse pit-road speed in Saturday practice — an unusual step at NASCAR events.
Brake management is also on teams’ radar after rotor failures at Nashville two weeks ago, with Pocono’s long straightaways and heavy brake use forcing choices between lighter and heavier rotor setups.
The combined effect is a wider risk-reward puzzle for Sunday, as teams balance car handling, pit execution and durability while waiting to see whether cautions reshape the race.