The NASCAR Cup Series travels up to Pocono Raceway on June 13 for the Great American Getaway 400.
As the second half of the regular season begins, the focus on the points standings becomes clearer. Denny Hamlin cut into Tyler Reddick’s points lead last weekend after winning at Michigan.
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On the other end, four Fords sit among the five drivers at Nos. 15 through 19 in the standings. The Chase cutline could feature a battle between teammates, whether RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski and Ryan Preece or Penske’s Joey Logano and Austin Cindric.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono:
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
2 / 12
Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, speaks to the media during a press conference after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
Apr 26, 2026; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar (77) celebrates winning the Jack Links 500 NASCAR Cup Series race in Victory Lane at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
(Vasha Hunt, Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
Apr 26, 2026; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar (77) wears the ceremonial wreath presented by Miss Alabama Emma Terry after his victory at the Jack Links 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
(Vasha Hunt, Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
Apr 26, 2026; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar (77) celebrates winning the Jack Links 500 NASCAR Cup Series race in Victory Lane at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
(Vasha Hunt, Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images)
7 / 12
Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, places the winner sticker on his car after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
8 / 12
Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates with fans after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates with Miss Alabama Emma Terry in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver does Talladega burnout celebration half way out of car
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR predictions for Pocono Cup Series race: Here’s who wins the Great American Getaway 400
Mike Organ’s pick: Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Hocevar caused a big crash at Michigan last week and is poised to make big news this week at Pocono, even though he’s never finished in the top-10 at the tricky triangle.
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Nick Gray’s pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
At this point, how could you speculate on anyone else right now? Especially at Pocono, where Hamlin has been good throughout his career.
Tom Kreager’s pick: Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Blaney is going to make the Chase. But he is missing wins. And it’s hard to think the ‘stache isn’t going to find his way back in victory lane soon.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Pocono predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race
