Denny Hamlin captured his third straight victory at Pocono Raceway this weekend, securing his 64th career win in the NASCAR Cup Series. The performance underscores his ability to thrive on intermediate tracks and adds momentum heading into the series' newest challenge.
The Coronado Challenge
Next up, NASCAR will debut a street circuit at the Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, a 16‑turn, 3.4‑mile layout that blends existing concrete with fresh asphalt. The course’s mix of tight hairpins and sweeping sweeps creates a technical playground that rewards drivers who excel on road‑course configurations.
The author notes that the track’s character favors those who enjoy technical challenges, often highlighting younger competitors who have logged extensive road‑course mileage. Statistics from Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and COTA serve as the baseline for projecting performance, with Tyler Reddick leading active Cup drivers in top‑10 finishes at those venues and Christopher Bell topping the list for top‑5 finishes.
Picks and Deadlines
Based on that data, the writer’s top picks for the Coronado event include Shane van Gisbergen, Tyler Reddick, and Chris Buescher. The final shortlist expands to Michael McDowell and Connor Zilisch, rounding out a quartet that blends experience with emerging talent.
Fantasy participants must lock in their initial selections by 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 20, and finalize any changes before 4 p.m. ET on race day, Sunday, June 21. Missing these windows could cost valuable points in the weekly showdown.