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For the first time in the modern era, the NASCAR Cup Series is hosting a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader. It comes at the Tricky Triangle, Pocono Raceway.
Because there are races in consecutive days, NASCAR has shortened the distance of each race, with Saturday's race being 325 miles; or 130 laps. For fantasy players, that's a small cause for concern as there aren't as many points on the line for laps led (32.5 points) and 65 points for fastest laps.
Over the years, Pocono has had some entertaining races and some snoozers, but with a shortened event, expect drivers to be up on the wheel throughout the race. This lineup will be focused around Kevin Harvick, who is still looking for his first triumph at the racetrack.
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My Lineup for Saturday's Pocono Organics 325
Kevin Harvick ($10,100)
Career at Pocono: 38 starts, 0 wins, 12 top fives, 249 laps led
Average finish at Pocono: 12.6
Fact: Pocono is one of Harvick's few tracks on the circuit where he's yet to record a victory. However, he's been really strong at the triangle-shaped track (as he has most venues) since joining Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014, and it's almost a crime he hasn't visited victory lane.
In 12 races at Pocono driving the No. 4 car, Harvick has four runner-up finishes. FOUR. For you math experts, that's 33.3% of the time, he's finishing second. He's also got three additional top-five efforts in that timeframe.
By starting ninth, it's lucky Harvick is going to move to the front quickly, should the team hit on the setup. But of late, the No. 4 team has been inconsistent in finding speed off the hauler, given there's no practice. No need to worry, as usually the same players run up front at Pocono each race. Expect a big day from Happy Harvick.
Martin Truex Jr. ($9,700)
Career at Pocono: 2 wins, 6 top fives, 197 laps led
Average finish at Pocono: 15.2
Ever since joining Furniture Row Racing in 2014, Truex has been fast at Pocono more times than not. Remember, his 2015 victory snapped a 69-race losing streak, catapulting him into success with that company.
Over the past handful of seasons, he's recorded two triumphs. There has been some inconsistency, with the No. 19 team blowing an engine in last June's race, only to rebound to a third-place effort in July.
Forget that, though, as Truex will start the 325-miler from 11th. With the speed Truex has shown at Pocono recently, he's a given on Saturday.
Denny Hamlin ($8,800)
Career at Pocono: 5 wins, 11 top fives, 726 laps led
Average finish at Pocono: 12.0
With half of the 2020 regular season in the rear view mirror, it's Hamlin that has the most victories in the series (three). He's also the active win's leader at Pocono with five, including the last time NASCAR visited the Pocono Mountains.
Now, much of Hamlin's success at Pocono came prior to the repave years back. Flashback to his rookie season in 2006, and Hamlin swept the races at Pocono, even after a mid-race spin in one of them.
For fantasy players, Hamlin's third-place starting position could be a cause for concern. However, if he gets passed the front row -- Aric Almirola and Ryan Blaney -- quickly, the No. 11 could set sail, clocking off quick laps and spend a significant amount of time out front.
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Matt DiBenedetto ($7,600)
Career at Pocono: 10 starts, 0 top fives, 0 laps led
Average finish at Pocono: 29.6
There's no way around it, those numbers are concerning. Good news: DiBenedetto is finally in good equipment.
Sure, that's a slight excuse for his numbers at Pocono, but there's optimism that he will turn that around this weekend. Why, you ask? Well, DiBenedetto is crafty on road courses, and throughout its history, Pocono is known to favor road course drivers with its three distinct corners.
DiBenedetto also starts the event from 21st position. In last year's races for Leavine Family Racing, he had a pair of 17th-place efforts. More good news: Pocono is the site of Wood Brothers Racing's last victory with Blaney in 2017. Not saying Matty D is going to win, but the No. 21 Ford should move up in finishing order.
Erik Jones ($7,100)
Career at Pocono: 6 starts, 4 top fives, 45 laps led
Average finish at Pocono: 8.3
For Jones to be priced at $7,100 for the first race, fantasy players, you better have him on your team.
Sure, 2020 hasn't gotten off to the way Jones would have liked, especially in a contract year. But over the course of his first three seasons in Cup, one thing is certain, homeboy can get around the Tricky Triangle.
In five of his six starts at Pocono, Jones has four top-five finishes, with an additional eighth-place result. Over the past couple of seasons, he's had great, late-race duels with teammates Hamlin and Kyle Busch for the victory. Look for the No. 20 car to race to the front from a 19th-place starting position.
Chris Buescher ($6,500)
Career at Pocono: 8 starts, 1 win, 1 top five, 12 laps led
Average finish at Pocono: 19.6
Who will ever forget Buescher's infamous fog victory at Pocono in 2016 with Front Row Motorsports? Classic.
While running in underfunded equipment, Pocono has always been a solid racetrack for Buescher. In eight starts at the racetrack, he's got five top-20 efforts, which is solid running for Front Row and JTG Daugherty Racing.
Given that Buescher's with Roush Fenway Racing in 2020, there's hope he will do better than with the other teams at Pocono. Win? Probably not, as he stole the victory four years ago, but he does start 24th, meaning he will pick up some points for lineups should he crack the top 15 to 20.
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