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The trick to winning at Pocono? Don’t take the lead until late
By Pat DeCola | Published: June 25, 2020 9
Tom Pennington | Getty Images)
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Tom Pennington | Getty Images)
Normally, a driver would be thrilled to get off to a good start in a race and find the front of the field early. Who wouldn't? The whole point of a race is to get to the finish line in the specified amount of laps first, so the sooner you can get in front of competition, the better.
Well, the way the races at Pocono Raceway have gone lately, that might not be the most direct path to Victory Lane.
Eight of the last 12 winners at the 'Tricky Triangle' did not lead their first lap until after the halfway mark of the race, six of which didn't lead until the ticker hit triple digits of the 160-lap event.
Read on to see who the late bloomers were, and how long they waited to lead their first lap of the race.
Well, the way the races at Pocono Raceway have gone lately, that might not be the most direct path to Victory Lane.
Eight of the last 12 winners at the 'Tricky Triangle' did not lead their first lap until after the halfway mark of the race, six of which didn't lead until the ticker hit triple digits of the 160-lap event.
Read on to see who the late bloomers were, and how long they waited to lead their first lap of the race.
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
Date: 7/28/19
Race winner: Denny Hamlin
First led on: Lap 104
Total laps led: 32
Race winner: Denny Hamlin
First led on: Lap 104
Total laps led: 32
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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images
Date: 7/29/18
Race winner: Kyle Busch
First led on: Lap 112
Total laps led: 52
Race winner: Kyle Busch
First led on: Lap 112
Total laps led: 52
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Jeff Zelevansky | Getty Images
Date: 6/11/17
Race winner: Ryan Blaney
First led on: Lap 151
Total laps led: 10
Race winner: Ryan Blaney
First led on: Lap 151
Total laps led: 10
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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
Date: 8/1/16
Race winner: Chris Buescher
First led on: Lap 127
Total laps led: 12
Race winner: Chris Buescher
First led on: Lap 127
Total laps led: 12
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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images
Date: 6/6/16
Race winner: Kurt Busch
First led on: Lap 129
Total laps led: 32
Race winner: Kurt Busch
First led on: Lap 129
Total laps led: 32
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Jeff Zelevansky | Getty Images
Date: 8/2/15
Race winner: Matt Kenseth
First led on: Lap 88
Total laps led: 2
Race winner: Matt Kenseth
First led on: Lap 88
Total laps led: 2
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Jeff Zelevansky | Getty Images
Date: 8/3/14
Race winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
First led on: Lap 147
Total laps led: 14
Race winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
First led on: Lap 147
Total laps led: 14
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Nick Laham | Getty Images
Date: 6/8/14
Race winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
First led on: Lap 97
Total laps led: 11
Race winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
First led on: Lap 97
Total laps led: 11