With three distinct corners and long straightaways, Pocono Raceway is a challenge for car setup. Often drivers have to give up handling in one corner to make the car better in another. AJ Allmendinger’s first year trying to tame the tricky triangle proved to be a rough one. In June of 2007, a pit cue mistake left AJ stranded on the 2.5 mile tri-oval with no fuel and dropped him off the lead lap. Then in August, the car stepped out on lap 2 of the first practice, leaving AJ the insurmountable job of trying to qualify a backup car.
AJ rebounded in June of 2008 by having an outstanding qualifying run and finishing 12th, which was his best career finish in a points race at that time. He struggled a little bit in the August race that year, but still managed to come home with a top-20 result. Even with the bad luck in 2007, AJ has an average starting spot of 22nd and an average finish of 23rd at Pocono. With rain looming on qualifying day, I would imagine we will see AJ start deep in the field at 30th. But with practice looking good for Saturday, expect the #44 Stanley Dodge team to dial that car in for a good race on Sunday.
Special good luck wishes to AJ for this weekend – he needs a change of fortune!
Pocono Statistics
June 2007
Started 28th, Finished 39th
August 2007
Did Not Qualify
June 2008
Started 8th, Finished 12th
August 2008
Started 31st, Finished 19th
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