Ryan Blaney used speed and strategy to win the NASCAR race at Pocono Raceway Sunday (7/14).

The Great American Getaway 400 took place on the track known as the “Tricky Triangle.” It’s called that because there are only three turns and all three are different. It makes for a challenge for drivers and teams to be able race through all well with out wrecking. Supporting that were the six caution periods (not counting the two at the end of the first two stages of the race) in the race that included double digit cars being involved in accidents.

The race started with most believing the winner would likely be either Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr. or Ty Gibbs. The first two stages made it seem those predictions could be right as Martin Truex Jr. won stage one and Denny Hamlin won stage two.

However, during stage three Ryan Blaney’s strategy put him in position to change that idea. He had been hanging out in the top 10 most of the day. On lap 117 Ryan officially became the eight driver to lead the race. He would hold on to that lead for the final 44 laps to claim the win. Ryan’s first Cup Series win can on this track in 2017. This gives him two at the track and two for the 2024 Cup Series season. It is Ryan’s 12th career win in NASCAR’s top division.

Denny Hamlin made a charge to challenge Ryan for the win near the end of the race. However, he was only able to claim a runner-up finish. Alex Bowman took home the third-place finish. See the complete race results for the Great American Getaway 400 race here.

Following the race at Pocono, Chase Elliott moved up a spot to take over the lead in the point standings. Kyle Larson slipped back a spot to second. Tyler Reddick held stead in third-place. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings here.

With just five races remaining before the NASCAR Playoffs begin, the Cup Series heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway next for the Brickyard 400 Sunday, July 21st.

By: Buck Stevens