2017 Pocono Green 250 Explained

Type:NASXFIN
Location:Long Pond, Pennsylvania, Pocono Raceway
Distance Mi:250
Pole Time:52.070
Year:2017
Course Mi:2.5
Scheduled Mi:250
Scheduled Km:402.336
Course Km:4.0
Distance Km:402.336
Distance Laps:100
Scheduled Laps:100
Race Name:Pocono Green 250
Official Name:2nd Annual Pocono Green 250
Pole Driver:Kyle Benjamin
Pole Team:Joe Gibbs Racing
Race No:12
Season No:33
Car:22
Most Laps:29
Most Driver:Brad Keselowski
First Team:Team Penske
Most Team:Team Penske
First Driver:Brad Keselowski
Network:FOX
Announcers:Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Clint Bowyer
Radio:Motor Racing Network
Avg:135.583mph
Date:June 10

The 2017 Pocono Green 250 was the 12th stock car race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season and the second iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, June 10, 2017, Long Pond, Pennsylvania, at Pocono Raceway, a 2.5 miles (4.0 km) triangular permanent course. The race took the scheduled 100 laps to complete. At race's end, Brad Keselowski driving for Team Penske, would make a last lap pass on the final lap to win his 35th career NASCAR Xfinity Series win and his first win of the season.[1] To fill out the podium, Justin Allgaier of JR Motorsports and Kyle Larson of Chip Ganassi Racing would finish second and third, respectively.

Background

The race was held at Pocono Raceway, which is a three-turn superspeedway located in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. The track hosts two annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, as well as one Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series event. Until 2019, the track also hosted an IndyCar Series race.

Pocono Raceway is one of a very few NASCAR tracks not owned by either Speedway Motorsports, Inc. or International Speedway Corporation. It is operated by the Igdalsky siblings Brandon, Nicholas, and sister Ashley, and cousins Joseph IV and Chase Mattioli, all of whom are third-generation members of the family-owned Mattco Inc, started by Joseph II and Rose Mattioli.

Outside of the NASCAR races, the track is used throughout the year by Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and motorcycle clubs as well as racing schools and an IndyCar race. The triangular oval also has three separate infield sections of racetrack – North Course, East Course and South Course. Each of these infield sections use a separate portion of the tri-oval to complete the track. During regular non-race weekends, multiple clubs can use the track by running on different infield sections. Also some of the infield sections can be run in either direction, or multiple infield sections can be put together – such as running the North Course and the South Course and using the tri-oval to connect the two.

Entry list

DriverTeamMakeSponsor
0Garrett SmithleyJD MotorsportsChevroletJD Motorsports
00Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFordHaas Automation
1Elliott SadlerJR MotorsportsChevroletDale's Pale Ale
01Harrison RhodesJD MotorsportsChevroletJD Motorsports
2Paul Menard (i)Richard Childress RacingChevroletMenards, Richmond Water Heaters
3Ty Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevroletRheem
4Ross ChastainJD MotorsportsChevroletJD Motorsports
5Michael AnnettJR MotorsportsChevroletPilot Flying J
6Bubba WallaceRoush Fenway RacingFordGlobe Life, Cars 3
7Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevroletAllan Myers
07Spencer BoydSS-Green Light RacingChevroletGrunt Style "This We'll Defend"
8B. J. McLeodB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevroletMaguire Plumbing & Heating
9William Byron (R)JR MotorsportsChevroletAxalta, Rousseau Metal
11Blake KochKaulig RacingChevroletLeafFilter Gutter Protection
13Carl LongMBM MotorsportsDodgeCrashClaimsR.Us
14J. J. YeleyTriStar MotorsportsToyotaToyota Scranton
16Ryan ReedRoush Fenway RacingFordLilly Diabetes
18Daniel Suárez (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaJuniper Networks
19Matt Tifft (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaTunity
20Kyle BenjaminJoe Gibbs RacingToyotaHisense 4K TV
21Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevroletBlue Gate Bank
22Brad Keselowski (i)Team PenskeFordSKF
23Spencer Gallagher (R)GMS RacingChevroletAllegiant Air
24Dylan LuptonJGL RacingToyotaNut Up
28Dakoda ArmstrongJGL RacingToyotaWinField United
33Brandon JonesRichard Childress RacingChevroletGiant Markets, Anderson's Maple Syrup
39Ryan SiegRSS RacingChevroletHess Ornamental Iron
40Timmy HillMBM MotorsportsChevroletCrashClaimsR.Us
42Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevroletEneos
48Brennan PooleChip Ganassi RacingChevroletDC Solar
51Jeremy ClementsJeremy Clements RacingChevroletRepairableVehicles.com
52Joey GaseJimmy Means RacingChevroletJimmy Means Racing
62Brendan GaughanRichard Childress RacingChevroletSouth Point Hotel, Casino & Spa
74Mike HarmonMike Harmon RacingDodgeVeterans Motorsports Inc.
78Tommy Joe MartinsB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevroletB. J. McLeod Motorsports
89Morgan ShepherdShepherd Racing VenturesChevroletRacing with Jesus
90Josh WilliamsKing AutosportChevroletCrashClaimsR.Us, Southwest Florida Cable Construction
93Jeff GreenRSS RacingChevroletRSS Racing
98Casey MearsBiagi-DenBeste RacingFordFresh From Florida
99David StarrBJMM with SS-Green Light RacingChevroletGeorge's Tool Rental
Official entry list

Practice

First practice

The first practice session was held on Friday, July 7, at 1:00 PM EST. The session would last for 55 minutes.[2] Brad Keselowski of Team Penske would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 28.806 and an average speed of 132.222mph.[3]

Pos.DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed
122Brad Keselowski (i)Team PenskeFord53.210169.141
220Kyle BenjaminJoe Gibbs RacingToyota53.327168.770
342Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet53.449168.385
Full first practice results

Second and final practice

The second and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Friday, July 7, at 3:00 PM EST. The session would last for 55 minutes. Kyle Benjamin of Joe Gibbs Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 52.722 and an average speed of 170.707mph.[4]

Pos.DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed
120Kyle BenjaminJoe Gibbs RacingToyota52.722170.707
221Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet52.995169.827
322Brad Keselowski (i)Team PenskeFord53.179169.240
Full Happy Hour practice results

Qualifying

Qualifying was held on Saturday, June 10, at 9:35 AM EST. Since Pocono Raceway is at least 2miles in length, the qualifying system was a single car, single lap, two round system where in the first round, everyone would set a time to determine positions 13–40. Then, the fastest 12 qualifiers would move on to the second round to determine positions 1–12.[5]

Kyle Benjamin of Joe Gibbs Racing would win the pole, setting a time of 52.070 and an average speed of 172.844mph in the second round.[6]

No drivers would fail to qualify.

Full qualifying results

Pos.DriverTeamMakeTime (R1)Speed (R1)Time (R2)Speed (R2)
120Kyle BenjaminJoe Gibbs RacingToyota52.409171.72652.070172.844
221Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet52.387171.79852.233172.305
300Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord52.701170.77552.236172.295
47Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet52.408171.73052.259172.219
59William Byron (R)JR MotorsportsChevrolet52.502171.42252.394171.775
642Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet52.449171.59552.472171.520
718Daniel Suárez (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota52.749170.61952.476171.507
822Brad Keselowski (i)Team PenskeFord52.749170.61952.486171.474
92Paul Menard (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet52.696170.79152.526171.344
1048Brennan PooleChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet52.597171.11252.694170.797
1162Brendan GaughanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet52.705170.76252.891170.161
1211Blake KochKaulig RacingChevrolet52.500171.42953.022169.741
Eliminated in Round 1
136Bubba WallaceRoush Fenway RacingFord52.768170.558--
1423Spencer Gallagher (R)GMS RacingChevrolet52.929170.039--
153Ty Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet53.016169.760--
1616Ryan ReedRoush Fenway RacingFord53.159169.303--
1733Brandon JonesRichard Childress RacingChevrolet53.200169.173--
181Elliott SadlerJR MotorsportsChevrolet53.257168.992--
1939Ryan SiegRSS RacingChevrolet53.350168.697--
2024Dylan LuptonJGL RacingToyota53.505168.209--
215Michael AnnettJR MotorsportsChevrolet53.516168.174--
2228Dakoda ArmstrongJGL RacingToyota53.608167.885--
238B. J. McLeodB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet53.623167.838--
244Ross ChastainJD MotorsportsChevrolet53.708167.573--
2551Jeremy ClementsJeremy Clements RacingChevrolet53.726167.517--
2614J. J. YeleyTriStar MotorsportsToyota53.917166.923--
2701Harrison RhodesJD MotorsportsChevrolet54.447165.298--
2893Jeff GreenRSS RacingChevrolet54.513165.098--
2978Tommy Joe MartinsB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet54.582164.890--
3040Timmy HillMBM MotorsportsChevrolet54.620164.775--
3119Matt Tifft (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota54.842164.108--
3299David StarrBJMM with SS-Green Light RacingChevrolet54.938163.821--
3389Morgan ShepherdShepherd Racing VenturesChevrolet55.039163.520--
Qualified by owner's points
3490Josh WilliamsKing AutosportChevrolet55.113163.301--
350Garrett SmithleyJD MotorsportsChevrolet55.124163.268--
3652Joey GaseJimmy Means RacingChevrolet55.561161.984--
3707Spencer BoydSS-Green Light RacingChevrolet56.608158.988--
3813Carl LongMBM MotorsportsDodge57.389156.824--
3974Mike HarmonMike Harmon RacingDodge57.762155.812--
4098Casey MearsBiagi-DenBeste RacingFord----
Official qualifying results
Official starting lineup

Race results

Stage 1 Laps: 25

Pos.DriverTeamMakePts
122Brad Keselowski (i)Team PenskeFord0
220Kyle BenjaminJoe Gibbs RacingToyota9
342Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet0
42Paul Menard (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet0
518Daniel Suárez (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota0
67Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet5
79William Byron (R)JR MotorsportsChevrolet4
821Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet3
93Ty Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet0
1048Brennan PooleChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet1
Stage 2 Laps: 25
Pos.DriverTeamMakePts
122Brad Keselowski (i)Team PenskeFord0
220Kyle BenjaminJoe Gibbs RacingToyota9
300Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord8
442Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet0
57Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet6
648Brennan PooleChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet5
76Bubba WallaceRoush Fenway RacingFord4
816Ryan ReedRoush Fenway RacingFord3
919Matt Tifft (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota2
1062Brendan GaughanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet1
Stage 3 Laps: 50
Fin[7] StDriverTeamMakeLapsLedStatusPts
1822Brad Keselowski (i)Team PenskeFord10029running0
247Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet10013running46
3642Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet10015running0
4181Elliott SadlerJR MotorsportsChevrolet1000running33
5718Daniel Suárez (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota1001running0
61162Brendan GaughanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet1000running32
7300Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord10014running38
8153Ty Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet1000running0
9221Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet1000running31
103119Matt Tifft (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota1000running29
11136Bubba WallaceRoush Fenway RacingFord1000running30
1259William Byron (R)JR MotorsportsChevrolet1000running29
13215Michael AnnettJR MotorsportsChevrolet1000running24
141616Ryan ReedRoush Fenway RacingFord1000running26
151048Brennan PooleChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet1000running28
16120Kyle BenjaminJoe Gibbs RacingToyota10028running39
172551Jeremy ClementsJeremy Clements RacingChevrolet1000running20
181423Spencer Gallagher (R)GMS RacingChevrolet1000running19
192614J. J. YeleyTriStar MotorsportsToyota1000running18
202228Dakoda ArmstrongJGL RacingToyota1000running17
214098Casey MearsBiagi-DenBeste RacingFord1000running16
222024Dylan LuptonJGL RacingToyota1000running15
231939Ryan SiegRSS RacingChevrolet1000running14
24244Ross ChastainJD MotorsportsChevrolet1000running13
253299David StarrBJMM with SS-Green Light RacingChevrolet1000running12
26238B. J. McLeodB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet1000running11
271211Blake KochKaulig RacingChevrolet1000running10
283490Josh WilliamsKing AutosportChevrolet990running9
292978Tommy Joe MartinsB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet980running8
303040Timmy HillMBM MotorsportsChevrolet970running7
3192Paul Menard (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet970running0
323652Joey GaseJimmy Means RacingChevrolet970running5
333707Spencer BoydSS-Green Light RacingChevrolet970running4
343974Mike HarmonMike Harmon RacingDodge950running3
35350Garrett SmithleyJD MotorsportsChevrolet850engine2
361733Brandon JonesRichard Childress RacingChevrolet770crash1
372701Harrison RhodesJD MotorsportsChevrolet490clutch1
383389Morgan ShepherdShepherd Racing VenturesChevrolet160handling1
393813Carl LongMBM MotorsportsDodge120handling1
402893Jeff GreenRSS RacingChevrolet70brakes1
Official race results

Standings after the race

Drivers' Championship standings
PosDriverPoints
1Justin Allgaier409
2Elliott Sadler408 (-1)
3William Byron347 (–62)
4Bubba Wallace321 (–88)
5Daniel Hemric314 (–95)
6Ryan Reed296 (–113)
7Brennan Poole291 (–118)
8Matt Tifft284 (–125)
9Cole Custer280 (–129)
10Michael Annett272 (–137)
11Blake Koch237 (–172)
12Dakoda Armstrong226 (–183)
Official driver's standings

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2017-06-10 . Brad Keselowski ends drought for No. 22 Ford with last-lap pass . 2022-05-16 . ESPN.com . en.
  2. Web site: 2017-04-30 . 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Pocono Race Info . 2022-05-16 . ESPN.com . en.
  3. Web site: Long . Dustin . 2017-06-09 . Brad Keselowski puts Team Penske ride atop Xfinity speed chart at Pocono . 2022-05-16 . NASCAR Talk NBC Sports . en-US.
  4. Web site: Bonkowski . Jerry . 2017-06-09 . Kyle Benjamin is fastest in final Xfinity practice at Pocono . 2022-05-16 . NASCAR Talk NBC Sports . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2018-02-07 . NASCAR Qualifying Rules . 2021-11-01 . ESPN.com . en.
  6. Web site: McFadin . Daniel . 2017-06-10 . Kyle Benjamin wins first Xfinity pole for Pocono Green 250 . 2022-05-16 . NASCAR Talk NBC Sports . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2017 Pocono Green 250 - The Third Turn . 2022-05-14 . www.thethirdturn.com . en.