Chastain Strong at Pocono
LONG POND, Pa. – Although Saturday’s Pocono Green 250 will be the first Xfinity Series race at the triangular track, Ross Chastain is no stranger there.
Chastain has driven in two Camping World Truck Series races at Pocono – and done well in each. In 2012, he finished 10th, then followed that run with a fifth-place finish in 2013.
“The track is very fast and tricky, but I feel like I know it well,” Chastain said. “The Xfinity cars should run well there. I hope all the laps I have on the track will give us a boost.”
Chastain, who will drive the Dream Water No. 4 Chevrolet in Saturday’s race, rides 14th in Xfinity driver points entering the weekend.
Because this will be Pocono’s first Xfinity race, practice has been extended. Practice sessions are scheduled at 2 and 4 p.m. Thursday and 12:30 and 3 p.m. Friday. Qualifying is set for 9:05 a.m. Saturday, with the race to follow at 1 p.m.
Smithley Prepared for Pocono
LONG POND, Pa. – Garrett Smithley is perhaps more excited to race at Pocono Raceway than any other Xfinity Series track.
The so-called Tricky Triangle will host the series for the first time in Saturday’s Pocono Green 250.
“When I found out the Xfinity Series was going to Pocono for the first time this year, I knew I wanted to be in that race,” Smithley said. “Though I didn't have much experience racing these cars going into this season, Pocono Raceway is one of the tracks I've raced at several times. I made my stock car debut at Pocono in 2013 in the ARCA Racing Series, and raced in the Camping World Truck Series last year.
“I love the Tricky Triangle. We have a lot of momentum going into this weekend, so I hope that mixed with my experience there will make for a great weekend.”
Smithley raced in the ARCA series twice and the Truck series once at Pocono.
Smithley finished 15th with a great run last week at Charlotte, lifting himself to 17th in Xfinity points.
Because this will be Pocono’s first Xfinity race, practice has been extended. Practice sessions are scheduled at 2 and 4 p.m. Thursday and 12:30 and 3 p.m. Friday. Qualifying is set for 9:05 a.m. Saturday, with the race to follow at 1 p.m.
Preece Challenges Pocono
LONG POND, Pa. – Ryan Preece faces another new frontier this weekend as the Xfinity Series races at Pocono Raceway in Saturday’s Pocono Green 250.
Fortunately for Preece, much of the rest of the field also will see “new” at Pocono. The Xfinity Series is racing at the difficult triangular track for the first time.
“I’ve never raced there, but a lot of the other guys are new to it, too,” Preece said. “I’m lucky that my teammates (Ross Chastain and Garrett Smithley) have some experience there, and that will help. It should be a fun race.”
Preece finished 22nd in last week’s race at Charlotte and is 18th in Xfinity driver points heading to Pocono.
Because this will be Pocono’s first Xfinity race, practice has been extended. Practice sessions are scheduled at 2 and 4 p.m. Thursday and 12:30 and 3 p.m. Friday. Qualifying is set for 9:05 a.m. Saturday, with the race to follow at 1 p.m.
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