Stenhouse Jr. Looks to Rebound at Pocono

Last weekend, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished last after he lost a tire and made hard contact with the wall on Lap 62. The 39th-place finish ended a seven race streak of Stenhouse finishing inside the top-15.

Stenhouse now comes to Pocono, a track where he has secured one race victory in his career back in 2008 when he found victory lane in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. Despite that win at the Tricky Triangle, it hasn’t been all roses for him at the Pennsylvania track.

“Pocono has been a difficult track for us overall,” Stenhouse said. “This year, though, I feel like our Fords are much stronger so I’m looking forward to this weekend. After our misfortunes last week, it is important for us to have a strong run this weekend.”

Stenhouse qualified his No. 17 Little Hug Fruit Barrel Ford Fusion in the 23rd spot, his worst starting spot since Martinsville Speedway in April where he qualified 24th. He hasn’t shown the speed he’s wanted to this weekend after being 28th fastest in first practice and 23rd in second practice. so despite the disappointing starting spot, consistency is there for the team and that has to be a positive note for The Olive Branch, MS native will be looking to work his way through the pack early in the race, and could employ pit strategy to make up positions.

In eight Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono, Stenhouse has a best finish of 15th twice, both of which have come in the June races back in 2014 and 2016.

Stenhouse currently sits 14th in points after his maiden win at Talladega Superspeedway win in the spring. With five playoff points already in the bank, he will look to add more cushion prior to the playoffs in the fall by virtue of winning stages.