Jimmie Johnson looks to become the third driver to win three consecutive races at Pocono. Credit: Autostock

New gear ratio presents unique Pocono challenge

There's nothing inherently different about the 2.5-mile, three-turn Pocono Raceway this year. It has the same straightaways, same corners, same pit road, same garage area.

Still, Nextel Cup drivers will find Sunday's Pocono 500 a completely different experience.

Track History Winners at Pocono Year Winner 2004 Jimmie Johnson   Jimmie Johnson 2003 Tony Stewart   Ryan Newman 2002 Dale Jarrett   Bill Elliott 2001 Ricky Rudd   Bobby Labonte 2000 Jeremy Mayfield   Rusty Wallace 1999 Bobby Labonte   Bobby Labonte 1998 Jeremy Mayfield   Jeff Gordon 1997 Jeff Gordon   Dale Jarrett 1996 Jeff Gordon   Rusty Wallace 1995 Terry Labonte   Dale Jarrett 1994 Rusty Wallace   Geoffrey Bodine 1993 Kyle Petty   Dale Earnhardt 1992 Alan Kulwicki   Darrell Waltrip 1991 Darrell Waltrip   Rusty Wallace 1990 Harry Gant   Geoffrey Bodine 1989 Terry Labonte   Bill Elliott 1988 Geoffrey Bodine   Bill Elliott 1987 Tim Richmond   Dale Earnhardt 1986 Tim Richmond   Tim Richmond 1985 Bill Elliott   Bill Elliott 1984 Cale Yarborough   Harry Gant 1983 Bobby Allison   Tim Richmond 1982 Bobby Allison   Bobby Allison 1981 Darrell Waltrip 1980 Neil Bonnett 1979 Cale Yarborough 1978 Darrell Waltrip 1977 Benny Parsons 1976 Richard Petty 1975 David Pearson 1974 Richard Petty • Wins -- Bill Elliott (5) • Top-5s -- Mark Martin (18) • Top-10s -- Mark Martin (25) FedEx PreviewNBC/TNT's Marty Snider previews all the action at Pocono Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

NASCAR's new mandatory gear rule -- which mandates that all teams use the same gear ratio -- basically wipes out any reason for drivers to shift on Pocono's long front straightaway, so Jimmie Johnson really doesn't know what to expect this weekend.

"What made it so interesting and fun for me was the shifting and the demands on the braking and getting your downshift done right at the right time," Johnson said. "So I don't know really what to expect. It's going to be a lot different."

In recent years, drivers have used the transmission to boost engine revs in the transitions between corners and straights, which optimizes power. But Johnson said that's now been taken out of the equation.

"That's going to be much different than what any of us have done before," Johnson said. "And I expect the times to probably be a lot slower since we're not able to optimize the power band of the engine.

"And then with the smaller spoiler, at Pocono it's very tough to get stopped in Turn 1 with the speeds we carry and I would expect that the smaller spoiler is going to be a little tougher on the brakes as well."

In the past, drivers have referred to tracks like Pocono and Indianapolis, with their flat corners and long straights, as "rovals", combining the features of an oval track with those of a road course. But Johnson said the new gear rule puts them in a unique category.

"Yeah, in the past I'd say it's more like a road course -- especially with the downshifting," he said. "But now, I think it's still its own place.

"You have three different corners with different banking and different radiuses and definitely different speeds you carry through it. So, that's what makes it so fun and challenging in every corner. It's hard to really get a rhythm on a track that big. So it makes it a lot of fun."

Johnson has the chance to join Bobby Allison and Tim Richmond as the only drivers to win three consecutive races at Pocono.

If past performance is any indication, you might not want to discount Johnson's chances. One year ago, Johnson dominated the three-turn, triangular-shaped track located in the Pennsylvania mountains, leading 250 of 400 laps.

And just two weeks ago, he made it three wins in a row at Lowe's Motor Speedway by edging Bobby Labonte to win the Coca-Cola 600.

So what will it take to win on Sunday? Johnson said patience will be paramount.

"I think drivers who search out a new line and keep their cool and not get frustrated [will benefit]," he said. "It's going to be aggravating not to be able to pass as easily and having the cars be so low in the power band coming off the corners.

"It's going to be frustrating so once again, I think the tempers once again will be high. So whoever can keep a cool head and really search out a new line [will benefit].

"I don't think you can run the same line we have in the past. You're probably going to have to move up and you may see a higher line around this race track than you've ever seen before."