Why does recent history favor Hendrick Motorsports this week?
One race team has swept both races in each of the past three seasons at Pocono. In 2004, it was Hendrick and Jimmie Johnson. In 2005, it was Roush Racing with victories from Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch. Last year, it was Joe Gibbs Racing’s rookie driver Denny Hamlin. Hendrick driver Jeff Gordon won the rain-shortened Pocono 500 on June 10. Q: With six races to go before the Chase field is set, which drivers are in jeopardy? A: Bull’s-eyes squarely are on the back of Dale Earnhardt Inc. drivers Martin Truex Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr., currently 11th and 12th in points. Earnhardt had a strong car for much of last week’s race but failed to finish due to engine problems. Settling for 34th left him just 13 points ahead of Kurt Busch for the 12th and final position in the Chase. Ryan Newman, a Penske Racing teammate of Busch, Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle, Mark Martin and Juan Pablo Montoya are all within 200 points of Earnhardt. Q: Can the Ford teams hope to keep up? A: The Roush Fenway Racin
