As children all over the world have drummed into them at school, there are 5 types of triangle – Equilateral, Isosceles, Scalene, Acute, Obtuse and TRICKY.
Nestled deep in the Quaker state, the 3 individual turns of Pocono make a unique challenge for drivers and engineers alike. A ‘Tricky Triangle’, if you will.
The Foyt-esque folklore of such a configuration being that you can only optimise your car for 1 of the corners, so different cars will have varying strengths and weaknesses around the lap. However, in the simulation-age, everyone arrives at the same conclusion pretty quickly and the result is a 190mph train of cars all excelling and sucking in the same places.
Obscure funfanfact: The races title sponsor, ABC (ABC Supply 500), also sponsor 2 cars in the field. I have never actually seen them, but I am assured they exist and circulate the track at the same time as the other cars.
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After an incomprehensibly long in-season break of 20 days sans IndyCar (The worst since the great drought of late April) there will be a flurry of 3 races in 14 days. Then, sadly, just a SINGLE race will remain of the 2019 NTT Data IndyCar season before our champion is crowned and committed to the Wikipedia page. Thankfully, 2020 silly season has been in full swing with a papaya grenade launched into the midfield driver market thanks to the arrival/non-hostile takeover of Arrow McSchmidt. But anyway, 2019:
The Championship:
4 Drivers remain in very realistic contention of glory, 2 of which are Young® & American®. Season-long points leader, 2017 Champion JJNewJive, is left hanging by a thread (that’s 16 points in IndyCar terms – I still don’t understand the scoring system after all these years) after a disastrous final lap lunge on RHR in Lexington, Ohio (which still netted him 17 points – I DON’T UNDERSTAND!!!!). Luckily for him, his nearest rival, AlexANDER Rossi, was having one of his semi-regular ‘quiet afternoons’ and only reduced the gap by 13 points.
Not far behind are newly qualified Formula One flag waver, Simon Pagenaud 
, and the INEVITABLE Scott Dixon 
. Pagenaud has upgraded his performance of the last 2 seasons of anonymity and replaced it with more anonymity with a smattering of isolated domination. One such occasion being the Indy500 which netted him a useful double points bonus, which frankly, has been the only thing (bar Toronto) keeping him in contention. However, he was won on a natural terrain road-course, a Superspeedway and a street circuit in 2019. 2/3 of those make up 3/4 of the remaining races, so he’s still a credible threat.
Scott Dixon scored 93 points less than Pagenaud over the month of May, yet is only 15 behind in the overall standings. At only 62 points behind Newgarden, you’d be a fool to write off Dixon stealthing his way to another championship. But, with 2 of the final 4 races being ovals, you have to wonder how much help he’ll get out of his young punty team-mate, Relix Frozenquest, in taking points away from his rivals.
Last Time @ Pocono:
From what I recall of the actual green flag race, it was dominated by Alexander Rossi while the rest of the field circulated in awe. Indeed, BAH (Butterball Andretti Honda) in general had a strong showing with all 3 finishing cars in the top 7. Yes, EVEN Marco Andretti! 
Sadly, the race will forever be etched into the memory due to the gruesome accident of Robert Wickens in the early going. That crash, added to the tragic loss of Justin Wilson in 2015 makes this weekend a difficult and unpalatable prospect for some drivers and fans alike. That the series future at the track hangs in the balance - no race confirmed for 2020 onwards and only a dusting of spectators visible in the stands each year – may come as a relief for some.
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So, without further a due, let us ‘bring the-championship shaping-action’ and BLAST OFF into 500 enthralling miles of POCONO!
Your Weather:
http://www.racecastweather.com/
see also:
https://www.accuweat...r=poconoraceway
Your Entry List/ Spotter Guide:
https://digbza2f4g9q...0190812T203457Z
Your Schedule:
Saturday: Qualifications 1230 – 1345 ET (1730 BST)
Sunday: RACE 1445 – 1745 ET (1945 BST)
