Trick or treat?
Whenever the Cup Series rolls into Pocono, drivers are presented with a challenge. It's the Bermuda Triangle of tracks, a three-sided maze that resides in the sleepy hillsides of Long Pond, Pa.
At first glance, the track looks like anything but a racing hub. It's rigid and unusual, a world away from the ovals that make up most of NASCAR's courses. And that shape that has earned the track the dubious sobriquet "The Tricky Triangle."
Last year's race at the track was especially frantic. Chase Elliott was awarded the checkered flag after Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch were disqualified due to unapproved material cloaking the front fascia of their cars.
Elliott would love a return to fortune in 2023. He is on the outside looking in at playoff contention despite driving one of the fastest cars in all of NASCAR. But his chances took a big hit Saturday when he spun in qualifying.
DISASTER for Chase Elliott!
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 22, 2023
He spins in qualifying and will start near the rear of the field. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/6NVjLttMxC
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Here's what you need to know about Elliott's place in the starting lineup Sunday and who will be on the pole.
Who won the pole for Pocono in 2023?
William Byron took the pole for Sunday's race as he posted the fastest lap time in qualifying. He outpaced Martin Truex Jr., who will join him in the front row. It's the 11th career pole and third of the season for Byron.
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NASCAR at Pocono starting lineup 2023
Leading the field for Sunday's race are William Byron and Martin Truex Jr.
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 2 | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 3 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 4 | Kevin Harvick | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 5 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 6 | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 7 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 9 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 10 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 11 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 12 | Corey LaJoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 13 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 14 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 15 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 16 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 17 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 18 | Chris Buescher | 17 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 19 | Justin Haley | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 20 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 21 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 22 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 23 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 24 | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 25 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 26 | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 27 | Aric Almirola | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 28 | J.J. Yeley | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 29 | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 30 | B.J. McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports |
| 31 | Cole Custer | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 32 | Noah Gragson | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 33 | Ty Dillon | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 34 | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 35 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 36 | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
