Pocono Raceway: NASCAR to Award Almost $10 Million in Purses, Together with Virtually $500,000 Bonus for Cup Drivers

After a rain-affected Chicago Road race, the NASCAR Cup Collection is headed again to oval racing this weekend at Pocono Raceway. The Excessive Level 400 race on the tri-oval racetrack is predicted to see some fierce racing motion. With simply six races left within the common season, the factors leaders are eyeing these extra 15 bonus factors. Whereas, some massive names like Kyle Busch and Bubba Wallace are attempting to safe the playoff spot.

Whereas the factors and race win are going to lure the driving force to herald their A-game, a further buff within the prize cash can be one thing that can carry the most effective out of them. Like many of the races this season, this Sunday’s occasion can be an increment in comparison with final yr’s payout.

Sharing out the main points concerning the payouts, NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass by way of his X account wrote, “Purses for Pocono weekend contains all payouts for all positions, year-end factors fund, contingency awards and for Cup, payouts to constitution groups based mostly on participation and historic efficiency (previous 3 yrs & championships): Cup: $7,776,907Xfinity: $1,439,558 Truck: $757,128.”

If we’re to match final yr’s prize purse for the Cup Collection race, this yr’s race will hand out an additional $533,546. For the 2023 race, the payout was set at $7,243,361. Sadly, this optimistic pattern hasn’t been carried ahead on the Xfinity and Truck ranges, these are the collection which are anticipated to unearth new skills. However one way or the other they aren’t compensated as handsomely because the Cup races.

The Xfinity Collection race’s prize purse is kind of the identical as final yr, with only a marginal improve of $28,000. However, the Truck Collection race barely made it even and was far off from reaching the million-dollar mark. The disparity from the Cup degree to Xfinity after which on to the Truck Collection payout simply doesn’t make sense. Repeatedly, followers have questioned this strategy, however their complaints have fallen on deaf ears.

With that being stated, the Cup Collection race is predicted to be a curler coaster trip, and choosing outright favorites for this race goes to be powerful. With 12 drivers already locking their spots within the remaining 16 with a win to their identify, this simply makes issues tough for many who are simply on the cutline, banking on factors to get by.

Entrance runners to win the Excessive Level 400 race at Pocono

One factor is for positive, the Toyota is predicted to run up entrance on the Tough Triangle.

1. Denny Hamlin from JGR is predicted to show up on the two.5-mile racetrack, as it’s one in all his favourite stomping grounds. He has seven wins on the venue and is the defending race winner coming into this weekend. After a robust begin to his 2024 season, profitable three races, he has hit a hunch and failed to complete inside the highest 10 in his final 5 races. So it’s about time he delivers the products within the No. 11 Camry.
2. If there’s somebody who might genuinely give Hamlin a run for his cash at Pocono, it’s none apart from his teammate Christopher Bell. The motive force has simply been in blistering kind ever since he discovered his second win at Charlotte. And on the present tempo, he’s set on making the championship 4 for the third consecutive season. Within the Subsequent Gen period, Bell has a consecutive P6 end on the racetrack. If he manages to sneak out a win this Sunday, he can be in a commanding place to kickstart the playoffs.
3. Tyler Reddick is one other driver who simply desires a win. Despite the fact that he might need bother throughout your entire race, he one way or the other manages to mount a late cost. This was not too long ago evident in Nashville and Chicago. He’s come so shut and missed out on profitable the race, and that has been the case in his final two begins at Pocono. Within the Subsequent Gen period, he has two consecutive runner-up finishes, so he does have some extent to show and overcome his tag of ending second.

The likes of Kyle Larson and Chris Buescher are additionally ones to be careful for. The HMS star can be trying to return Hamlin the favor of ruining his profitable run final yr. Whereas, Buescher desperately wants a win to safe his playoff spot.