Power Rankings: Blaney aiming to double up at the ‘Tricky Triangle’

Analysis: Byron’s Mexico City run was a grind, but he managed to salvage a ninth-place finish after qualifying near the tail of the field and battling through the mid-pack chaos. The “Tricky Triangle” has been good to No. 24 in the past, so a smoother weekend could be in store. He dominated a Truck Series race there in 2016 and has four top-six Cup finishes in 11 Pocono starts. Analysis: Bell was the best of the bigwigs in Mexico City, finishing runner-up but nearly 17 seconds behind SVG after a clean, composed drive. He has three top-six finishes at Pocono himself in just seven starts, and with JGR’s track record, Bell looks poised to keep his hot streak rolling at one of NASCAR’s most unique tracks. Analysis: Larson’s Mexico City weekend ended in heartbreak after damage from an early crash kept him behind the wall for much of the event, leading to a second finish of 36th or worse in the past four weeks. He’s still one of the most dangerous drivers at Pocono -- remember his near-win in 2021 before a last-lap tire failure -- and will be hungry to rebound and finally capitalize at a track where Hendrick Motorsports always brings speed. Analysis: Elliott returned to the podium with a third-place run in Mexico City, showing the poise and pace that have made him a road-course ace over the years. His 2022 Pocono win kicked off an active three-race top-10 streak there and No. 9 could be a real threat to break through this weekend. Analysis: Hamlin’s Mexico City return will have to wait after he missed this season's running for the birth of his son (fill-in Ryan Truex took the No. 11 home in 23rd). Hamlin's Pocono resume is second to none -- a track-record seven wins, three of which have come in the past eight races -- and he should rebound from missing a race in a big way at one of his signature tracks. Analysis: Blaney’s Mexico City finish was a quiet one, landing 14th after showing speed and residing in the top five in the two opening stages. He scored his first Cup win at Pocono in 2017 in memorable fashion and enters as the defending winner as well. Whenever the series heads to Pennsylvania, the No. 12 team is always a contender. Analysis: Reddick never found his rhythm in Mexico City, coming home 20th after starting mid-pack and struggling to make ground. He’s still one of the sport’s most versatile drivers, and with a pair of runner-ups in two of his last three Pocono starts, don’t be surprised if he bounces back on the triangle’s infamous layout. Analysis: Chastain’s Mexico City run was marred by a spin and a 16th-place finish, but he showed flashes of speed before trouble struck. He’s somehow still searching for his first Pocono top 10 in Cup, but his aggression and Trackhouse’s momentum could make him a wild card this weekend. Analysis: Wallace fought hard for a 12th-place finish in Mexico City, keeping his playoff push alive with another steady day. He’s been strong at Pocono with an 8.5 average finish over the past four races, so watch for the No. 23 to be in the mix if his team nails the strategy. Analysis: Buescher quietly delivered another road-course top 10 with a 10th-place run in Mexico City, continuing his run of consistency on these layouts. He’s a past Pocono winner (2016, in the fog-shortened race) and RFK’s recent speed suggests he could be a dark horse again this weekend. Analysis: Briscoe rebounded from a somewhat fruitless three-race run of poles with a strong seventh-place finish in Mexico City, showing poise and pace on the international stage. He’s still seeking his first Pocono top 10 and laps led, but it feels like we're about to enter a strong stretch for JGR and Briscoe’s confidence is trending up. Analysis: Logano’s Mexico City outing was a struggle, finishing 21st after fighting handling issues all day. He’s a past Pocono winner (2012), but his results there with Team Penske have been quite hit or miss. Still, don’t count out No. 22 for a bounce-back performance. Analysis: Bowman got the rebound he needed in Mexico City with a strong fourth-place drive under less-than-ideal conditions, building momentum after a tough stretch. He’s a past Pocono winner (2021, capitalizing on Larson’s misfortune) and could be a sneaky pick to contend again this weekend. Analysis: Preece grabbed a stage win and recovered from a penalty to finish 15th in Mexico City, showing flashes of speed and racecraft on the road course in a speedy Ford. He’s still looking for a true breakout oval run in 2025, but his recent form suggests he could surprise if things break his way at Pocono. Analysis: Cindric’s 18th-place finish in Mexico City was a solid if unspectacular day, but he kept his nose clean and led a lap. He has not quite impressed at Pocono just yet, but he has finished better each time out and his road-course discipline could translate to the triangle’s technical corners eventually. Analysis: McDowell delivered his best run of the year with a fifth-place finish in Mexico City for a whopping 45 points, capitalizing on chaos and showcasing his road-course prowess. He’s had some sneaky good recent runs at Pocono, and with Spire’s recent uptick, McDowell could be a dark horse for another top 10. Analysis: Busch’s Mexico City race ended early after an incident put him out just seven laps in, continuing a frustrating off-and-on run of bad luck. Still, he’s a four-time Pocono winner and always a threat if his team can find the right balance for the triangle’s unique demands. Analysis: Allmendinger rallied to 13th in Mexico City, once again proving his road-course mettle despite perhaps missing out on one of his playoff-clinching opportunities. Pocono has rarely been kind to him, but his experience and Kaulig’s steady improvement could see the No. 16 in the hunt for stage points. Analysis: Berry’s first international Cup race was a learning experience, coming home 26th after a mid-race incident (but getting a front-row seat to the Carson Hocevar/Ricky Stenhouse Jr. skirmish, so, you win some, you lose some). The short-track ace is still gaining experience on the big ovals, but Wood Brothers Racing has a strong Pocono history and win No. 2 isn't that far-fetched for Berry. Analysis:  SVG was expected to be strong but still stunned the field in Mexico City, leading 60 of 100 laps from pole and winning by a mesmerizing amount of time for his second Cup victory -- both at inaugural road-course events. The New Zealander is still learning NASCAR’s ovals, but with Trackhouse's momentum and the playoff monkey off his back, he’ll be one of the most intriguing wild cards at Pocono this weekend.