Hamlin, Kahn and Sadler to run truck race at Pocono
LONG POND - Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler are not new names to race fans at Pocono Raceway. In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Hamlin is a four time winner, Kahne has won once and Sadler is a constant front runner at Pocono's 2.5 mile "Tricky Triangle." What is new is they will be running in the inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at Pocono, the Pocono Mountains 125, on Saturday July 31 in addition to their Sprint Cup Series duties.
Hamlin has 10 NCWTS career starts with one top 5 and four top 10 finishes. He will be driving the No. 15 truck for Billy Ballew Motorsports. Kahne, who has not raced in the truck series since 2004, is a perfect two for two, winning both of the races he entered. Kahne will be at the wheel of the No. 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports entry. Sadler will be driving the No. 2 truck, owned by Delana Harvick. He has one top 5 and two top 10's in 10 career Camping World Truck Series starts.
Hamlin, Kahne and Sadler will face stiff challenges from four time NCWTS Champion, Ron Hornaday; local favorite and 2006 truck series Champion, Todd Bodine; Mike Skinner, Austin Dillon and all the regulars of the Camping World Truck Series.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will first turn a wheel on Pocono Raceway's 2.5 mile super speedway at 8:00AM on Friday July 30, for a two hour practice session. ARCA Racing Series practice, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, ARCA qualifying and Sprint Cup qualifying will follow the Camping World Truck Series practice. The final Truck Series practice is scheduled from 5:30-7:00 p.m. and will follow Sprint Cup Series qualifying.
On Saturday July 31, a 9 a.m., Sprint Cup Series practice session precedes Camping World Truck Series qualifying that is scheduled for 10 o'clock. The final Sprint Cup Series practice will be held from 11:20 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.. Driver introduction for the Pocono Mountains 125 is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. with the start of the Pocono Mountains 125 set for 1 p.m. The Weis Markets 125, ARCA Racing Series event will follow the conclusion of the Camping World Truck Series Event.
Grandstand gates will open at 9 a.m. Sunday, August 1 with pre-race ceremonies beginning at 11 a.m. all leading up to the 1 p.m. start of the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Event.
Friday grandstand tickets are $10, Saturday grandstand tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the gate.) Children 12 and under are admitted free to the grandstands on Friday and Saturday with a paying adult. Sunday Grandstand tickets start at $45.
