Pocono is known as the Tricky Triangle, and it may be even trickier this year, with a newly paved surface adding to the level of uncertainty around the car's set-up for all race teams. However, Team 48 may be better than anyone when it comes to learning quickly and making adjustments, so one has to like Jimmie Johnson's chances of ending up in Victory Lane for the second consecutive week. 

Johnson on the upcoming tests at Pocono and Michigan:

“I talked to Matt Kenseth. He was at the test and Jeff Gordon was there, too. There are different ways that we describe things and the expression that both Jeff and Matt had on their faces when they described the speed at Michigan; I know it’s going to be exciting. So, I’m looking forward to the test. Testing will be helpful for all the teams. And then we’ll see what it does. And it’s just going to be blistering fast. I’ll know more when I get there. I want to make sure I have plenty of coffee to be awake when I get on track (laughs).

“The speeds and the shapes of the tracks are different, of course. But any more, the airflow over the car is where we find the bulk of our grip. So the fact that the speeds at Pocono are very high and the same with the speeds at Michigan, there will be some things that cross over (between the two tracks). So, we will leave the Pocono test and race, and go to Michigan and, actually, it will probably be closer than it would if we came from a short track because the speeds in the way you set the car up due to the aerodynamics would be the same.”

Race Facts

• Two wins in 20 starts (2004 season sweep).
• Two poles (June 2003 and July 2008).
• Eight top-five finishes (40 percent) and 14 top-10s (70 percent).
• Average finish of 9.0.
• No DNFs (Did Not Finish).
• 3,880 of 3,889 laps completed (99.8 percent) and 518 laps led.
• Sprint Cup’s second-best driver rating (107.0 average out of a possible 150 points).

See Jimmie at Pocono!

Johnson will participate in his second annual question-and-answer session at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway this weekend. Although it’s open to everyone, this year’s event is all about family and offers activities for kids before Johnson’s arrival. Each fan who participates in the “JJ 48 Family Package” will receive a special No. 48 Lowe’s Build and Grow Car. The car is a wooden replica of Johnson’s winning No. 48 Lowe’s/Madagascar 3 racecar last Sunday at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. The special Madagascar 3 Build and Grow car kits are available for purchase in Lowe’s stores on a limited basis. Lowe’s also will feature FREE Madagascar 3, Kung Fu Panda and Shrek Build and Grow clinics in stores throughout the summer. Participating fans also will get a commemorative piece of the track’s former racing surface. For more information, visit www.poconoraceway.com/jj48.html. 

Broadcast Info

• Practice 1: Friday, 12:30 PM ET (SPEED)
• Practice 2: Friday,  3:30 PM ET (SPEED)
• Qualifying: Saturday, 11:00 AM ET (SPEED)
• Race: Sunday, Noon ET (TNT)