2020 Pocono Organics 325

NASCAR Cup Series raceTemplate:SHORTDESC:NASCAR Cup Series race

The **2020 Pocono Organics 325** was an upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race held on June 27, 2020 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Contested over 130 laps on the 2.5-mile (4.0 km) triangular racecourse, it was the 14th race of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.

#### Entry list

* **(R)** denotes rookie driver.
* **(i)** denotes driver who are ineligible for series driver points.

## Qualifying

Aric Almirola was awarded the pole for the race as determined by a random draw.

## Race

### Stage 1

The green flag fell almost an hour late as crews were still drying the track at race time. Almirola drove down into turn one with the lead as Kyle Busch slipped past Blaney for 2nd. Drivers quickly spread out into a single file line, testing the track with light sprinkles appearing on camera lenses.

The competition caution was displayed on lap 13, allowing teams to pit and make adjustments while taking on tires and fuel. However, drivers in the first eight positions stayed on the track. With Almirola and Logano bringing the field back to the restart.

Drivers spread out five wide after taking the green flag, looking to improve positions by timing the flag at the restart. Quinn Houff spun out of the 1st corner heading down the backstretch before a lap could be completed and the yellow came back on.

On the next restart with 5 laps to go in Stage 1, it was Logano who came off the first turn with the lead. A few drivers came to pit road with 3 laps to go in the Stage, intending to stay out at the Stage ending caution to gain track position.

Logano held off Almirola to take the Stage win, 3 Ford Mustangs sat at the top of the standings and held 5 of the top 10 spots after the first 25 laps.

### Stage 2

Logano and Almirola did not pit during the Stage ending caution, holding onto the front row for another restart. With Almirola returning to the lead when the race went back to green.

Pit strategy was all over the board, as the leaders that stayed out finally pitted at laps 45 and 46. Martin Truex Jr. inherited the lead, followed by Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, William Byron, and Chris Buescher.

The caution came out with 13 laps to go in Stage 2, as JJ Yeley shredded a tire and spread debris around the track. Most everyone took the opportunity to come in for 4 fresh tires and a full tank of fuel. Leaving Almirola, Logano, and Blaney back out front when the Stage resumed with 8 laps to go.

The first wreck of the afternoon occurred with six laps to go in the Stage. Erik Jones moved down to avoid the slower car of Kurt Busch. Tyler Reddick ran into Jones, severely damaging both cars. Sending Jones to the garage into a backup car for Sunday’s race.

### The Final Stage

The front of the pack was jumbled up as a number of cars drove into the mix for the top spot. As the race settled down into single-file racing Almirola led with Kevin Harvick 2nd. Followed by Matt DiBenedetto, Truex, and Logano in the top 5.

With 39 laps to go, those on the long run pit strategy began to pit for fuel only. Inside of 40 laps is the window for enough gas to finish the race. Hamlin inherited the lead, followed by Ryan Newman, Michael McDowell, Buescher, and Ryan Preece. All who will have to pit before the end of the race.

After everyone made their stops it was Harvick in the lead. Hamlin, Almirola, Truex, and Christopher Bell making up the top 5. Harvick held on for the win, his first at Pocono in 39 tries. Almirola, who led the most laps(66), finished 3rd. Christopher Bell, the highest finishing rookie came 4th.

Ryan Preece made a late pass to finish in 20th, which will give him the pole position for tomorrow’s second half of the doubleheader as the first 20 finishers are inverted to set the field.

### Stage Results

**Stage One**
*Laps:* 25

**Stage Two**
*Laps:* 52

### Final Stage Results

**Stage Three**
*Laps:* 53

## Media

### Television

Fox Sports televised the race in the United States on Fox. Mike Joy and six-time Pocono winner Jeff Gordon will cover the race from the Fox Sports studio in Charlotte. Reporter TBA handled the pit road duties. Larry McReynolds provided insight from the Fox Sports studio in Charlotte.

### Radio

MRN had the radio call for the race which was also simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Alex Hayden, Jeff Striegle and Rusty Wallace called the race in the booth when the field raced through the tri-oval. Dave Moody called the race from the Sunoco spotters stand outside turn 2 when the field raced through turns 1 and 2. Mike Bagley called the race from a platform inside the backstretch when the field raced down the backstretch. Kurt Becker called the race from the Sunoco spotters stand outside turn 4 when the field raced through turns 3 and 4. Winston Kelley, Kim Coon, Steve Post, and Dillon Welch worked pit road for the radio side.

 **Lead announcer:** Alex Hayden**Announcer:** Jeff Striegle**Announcer:** Rusty Wallace | **Turns 1 & 2:** Dave Moody**Backstretch:** Mike Bagley**Turns 3 & 4:** Kurt Becker | Winston KelleyKim CoonSteve PostDillon Welch

## References

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