Hey race fans, it’s Bryan back with another week of fantasy fun, this time we’re heading to one of the weirdest, wackiest, and most frustrating tracks on the schedule: Pocono Raceway, affectionately (and sometimes angrily) known as “The Tricky Triangle“, to run race #17, The Great American Getaway 400
With its three totally different turns, long flat straights, and track position chess games, Pocono is a place where strategy meets skill and more than a few fantasy lineups have been wrecked in Turn 3.
But fear not, I’ve dug through the data, scoured the stage points, and even dusted off some NextGen driver ratings to bring you my picks to climb the leaderboard this Sunday.
Let’s get into it.
Locked & Loaded: My Main Driver – Tyler Reddick (#45 – 23XI Racing)
I’ve been riding with Tyler Reddick all season, and honestly? I’m not mad about it. Reddick has been sneaky good at Pocono. He finished 2nd here in 2023 and 11th last year, and he’s rolling into the weekend with 3 Top-5s and over 115 stage points already banked in 2025.
He’s aggressive on restarts, which matters a ton here, and he’s managed to keep things clean at a track where one wrong angle can send you sailing off into the cornfield. If tire strategy plays out late, don’t be surprised to see him contending.
Bonus Tip: He’s got a knack for picking off cars in the tunnel turn, if he’s in the top 10 at the Stage 2 break, we’re golden.
Top-12 Drivers to Build Your Fantasy Lineup Around
Denny Hamlin (#11 – Joe Gibbs Racing)
If Pocono had a mayor, it would be Denny Hamlin. The guy has won here seven times. Yes, seven. That’s not just “good at this track” territory, that’s “owns the lease on Turn 1” kind of dominance. Even though he’s had a slightly quieter 2025 by his standards, he’s still scored 3 wins, 7 Top-5s, and over 120 stage points.
He knows how to manage dirty air, he doesn’t overdrive the flat corners, and he always seems to have a long-run car that sneaks into the mix late. Expect him to be near the front when it counts.
Bryan’s Tip: Don’t overthink this one. Hamlin at Pocono is like peanut butter on toast—reliable, smooth, and weirdly good in the heat.
Kyle Larson (#5 – Hendrick Motorsports)
Larson hasn’t won at Pocono yet, but it feels inevitable. He should have taken the checkered in 2021 if not for a blown tire on the final lap. He rebounded last year with a Top-5 and has been one of the most consistent drivers of the 2025 season—3 wins, 11 Top-10s, and more laps led than anyone else (851 and counting).
He’s aggressive, smart in traffic, and nails restarts, which is critical here when the field stacks up like rush-hour traffic heading into the tunnel turn.
Bryan’s Tip: Larson is my “stage points king” pick this week. Whether he starts P2 or P22, he’ll find his way to the front.
Underdogs and Dark Horses: My 3 Picks from Outside the Top 12
Erik Jones (#43 – Legacy Motor Club)
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I love a sneaky sleeper—and Erik Jones fits the bill perfectly. His recent Pocono finishes? 9th in 2022, 9th in 2023, 14th in 2024. That’s consistency, folks. Not flashy, but steady.
He’s also quietly climbing this season with solid stage performances and one of the better driver ratings at Pocono in the NextGen era. If your fantasy pool rewards reliability (and mine does), this is a great value pick.
Bryan’s Tip: Pencil him in as your safety net. Low risk, quiet reward.
Kyle Busch (#8 – Richard Childress Racing)
Yes, he’s had a bit of a rocky season. Yes, he’s taken out half the field in more than one race this year. But here’s the deal—Kyle Busch is elite at Pocono. Four career wins, 11 Top-5s, and a Truck Series win here in 2023. He just knows how to race this track.
If he qualifies well and keeps the nose clean, he’s got the racecraft to collect stage points and contend for the win. Just know what you’re signing up for—high ceiling, but bring a helmet.
Bryan’s Tip: If your fantasy scoring system has a bonus for “guy most likely to shake things up,” Rowdy’s your man.
Austin Cindric (#2 – Team Penske)
Cindric has one thing you want in a Pocono pick—experience here in other series. He won the Xfinity race in 2021 and was runner-up the year before. His 2025 Cup season has been decent: 1 win (Talladega), solid average finish, and strong performances at intermediate tracks.
He tends to qualify well and understands fuel-mileage strategy, which has decided more than a few Pocono races over the years. He may not light up the highlight reel, but he can be a stage points asset and surprise finisher.
Bryan’s Tip: Great pick if you want someone steady with just enough upside to sneak into the Top 5.
Final Fantasy Lineup Wrap Up: Top Picks and Strategy for the Great American Getaway 400
| Role | Driver | Why Pick Them |
|---|---|---|
| Main Driver | Tyler Reddick (#45) | Restart king, great Pocono momentum |
| Top 12 Pick | Denny Hamlin (#11) | 7 wins at Pocono, stage-point machine |
| Top 12 Pick | Kyle Larson (#5) | Dominant 2025 form, Top-5 lock |
| Underdog Pick | Erik Jones (#43) | Consistent Pocono finisher, underrated value |
| Underdog Pick | Kyle Busch (#8) | Pocono powerhouse with wild-card potential |
| Underdog Pick | Austin Cindric (#2) | Former Xfinity winner here, sneaky stage threat |
That’s it for this week’s fantasy breakdown! Set your rosters, check those qualifying results, and brace for 160 laps of fuel-mileage mayhem, restart chaos, and some of the weirdest racing angles NASCAR has to offer.
I’ll be back early next week with my full post-race wrap-up. Until then, may your stage points be plentiful and your restarts clean.
See you at The Tricky Triangle,
Bryan
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