CONCORD, N.C. - For the first and only time in 2024, Hendrick Motorsports and the NASCAR Cup Series will take on "The Tricky Triangle" of Pocono Raceway.
At 2.5 miles in length, Pocono's unique configuration provides a challenge to even the best drivers the sport has to offer. To start, competitors will build quite a bit of speed as they head down the long front straightaway. Into turn one, 14 degrees of banking allow for that speed to be carried through to the "Long Pond Straight" as the field heads to the difficult turn two. With only eight degrees of banking, the second turn, also known as "The Tunnel Turn," forces drivers to be cautiously aggressive as they head to turn three. Now working with only six degrees of banking, each driver must manage throttle time in order to build a run to the start/finish line.
Another one-of-a-kind feature at Pocono is the history behind each of the three corners. Turn one is patterned after New Jersey's former Trenton Speedway, turn two after Indianapolis Motor Speedway and turn three is modeled after the Milwaukee Mile. Each requires a little something different to be successful.
Hendrick Motorsports’ 19 wins at the Long Pond, Pennsylvania, venue are the most by any team in the Cup Series. Team vice chairman Jeff Gordon leads the way with six wins, while Jimmie Johnson and Tim Richmond each earned three in their time with Rick Hendrick’s team. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s two wins came in a sweep of the 2014 events. Geoff Bodine, Terry Labonte, Kasey Kahne, Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott have each found victory lane once for the team.
SEE THEM ALL: Every Pocono victory for Hendrick Motorsports
Kyle Larson will aim to take home his first career victory at Pocono with the HendrickCars.com colors abroad the No. 5 entry. The Elk Grove, California, native currently leads the regular season points standings by 11 markers over teammate Elliott. As for Pocono, his 158 laps led are the most by any active driver without a win at the facility.
RELATED: See the iconic colors for the No. 5
NAPA Auto Parts will be back in the blue version of their 2024 paint scheme this weekend at Pocono. Elliott has earned nine top-10 results at the Pennsylvania track including the lone victory in 2022 and continues to lead the tour in the average finish category at 10.6.
BACK IN BLUE: Elliott's No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts entry
colors that the team sported at Atlanta Motor Speedway in late February. Byron will attempt to take the car to victory lane for the first time in his career at Pocono. The driver of the No. 24 entry won the pole for last year's race and has led a Cup Series-best 95 circuits here since the start of 2021.
PHOTOS: Byron's High Heat colors for Pocono
Back for the second time in 2024 will be Bowman's No. 48 Ally Best Friends paint scheme. Since 2021, Bowman and Ally have supported Best Friends and its network of partners. The group will look to back up a win at the Chicago Street Course with a second-career victory for Bowman at Pocono.
BACK FOR MORE: Bowman's Ally Best Friends Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
William Byron, No. 24 Raptor High Heat Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Best Friends Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
