If you are in the Southern California area, include “visit the Petersen Automotive Museum” on your must-do list and do it soon. Earlier this year, I had the good fortune of being at The Ultimate Driving Museum’s grand opening of its current exhibit, ALPINA: 60 Years of Excellence. This past weekend, 2,345 miles west, I got to see another new BMW exhibit open: The Ultimate Racing Machine: 50 Years of the BMW 3 Series in Motorsports at the Petersen Automotive Museum. And it, too, is incredible.

The E30M3 and E36M3 welcoming committee lets you know you’re in the right place.

While the ALPINA exhibit opening was christened with many ALPINA and BMW team members present, a handful of us got to see the new Petersen exhibit with a very special personal tour from Tom Plucinsky, Head, BMW Group Classic USA.

Guests had a bonus unique experience walking the exhibit with Tom Plucinsky, Head, BMW Classic Group USA.

How often do you get to see a BMW E46 M3 GTR street car? Or an M4 DTM car?  Or the E36 M3 GT that won its class at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona? In one room.  All seven generations of the BMW 3 series are represented in racing guise plus three streetcar examples. The exhibit is now open in the Petersen’s vaunted Vault. There will be some rotation—that elusive unicorn E46 M3 GTR streetcar departs around the mid-point—so you might want to even plan to make some repeat visits.  In fact, there are other current exhibits at the Petersen that include BMWs, too, so all the more reason to walk through the many museum floors.

An E21 streetcar greets you at the entrance to the exhibit.

For the opening, we were greeted by an E21 streetcar, seemingly fresh off the factory floor. Inside, the E21 was represented by a 1978 320i Group B with its M12/7 2.0 liter inline-4 producing 340 horsepower.

This isn’t your standard E21; its fiberglass body was shaped in the Pininfarina wind tunnel.

Fast forward 12 years and we see the E30 M3 represented by a 1990 Group A DTM example with its S14 2.5 liter inline-4 generating 370 horsepower.

What exhibit would be complete without the E30 M3?

The six cylinder engines arrived next, represented here by a 1995 E36 M3 GT with its 3.4 liter S50. This 425 horsepower thirty-year-old car won its class at the 1997 Rolex 24 of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1997 and 1998.

This specific example won at Daytona and Sebring in 1997.

Two E46 M3 GTRs stare each other down looking over a P60 4.0 liter V-8 resting comfortably in its own crate. This rare sight includes one of the three street GTRs and the unique Stars and Stripes liveried racecar. The streetcar boasted 350 horsepower while the racecar eclipsed 500.

The E46 M3 GTR racecar and streetcar in the same room makes this a unique exhibit already.

The E92 M3 GT continued using V-8 power, now with the P65. This example has been seen at a number of historic events but in 2011, it swept all three American LeMans Series Championships.

This car could give current cars a run for their money today.

With the next generation, BMW gave the 3-Series cars four doors and created the 4-Series to carry the (mostly) two-door torch forward.  BMW M Motorsport chose the more aerodynamic 4-Series for its racing platform. Most of us in the U.S. are familiar with the shape of the M4 in street or race form. In this exhibit, the M4 is represented by the 2020 M4 DTM raced in Europe. Instead of its 3.0-liter twin turbo inline-6 engine, the DTM car used the P48 turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 producing 630 horsepower.

This isn’t your typical M4. The DTM examples actually ran an inline-4 engine!

The seventh generation of the 3-series is represented in this exhibit with a 2024 G82 M4 GT4. Since most of the GT4 cars are busy with race season, the example we see in the exhibit is on loan from the BMW Performance Center. Unlike most of the other cars in the exhibit, you can actually get behind the wheel of this one; it’s used as part of some of the programs at the Performance Centers. Not bad, especially considering the GT4 produces 550 horsepower from its S58 turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-6.

This is unique in the exhibit; you can actually drive this actual car at the BMW Performance Centers.

Seeing the cars all grouped in one room is special, but to hear the history and stories of each car from Plucinsky—responsible for restoring most of them and curating the exhibit—raised the bar considerably. “We approached the Petersen about doing a 50-year BMW exhibit for the 3-Series,” Plucinsky says. “We each threw around some ideas and they wanted to do one that focused on racing and we were all for it. We had space for ten cars. This fit perfectly for our seven generations and a few street cars. It’s special having the GTR here. It’s one of three and a multi-generational car so many people know. If you played Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, that was the car you started with. So many people know it but so few have seen it in person.”

Bianca Buda didn’t want to miss capturing the E46 M3 GTR streetcar.

While this exhibit is based here in the U.S., the cars represent international racing history. “We didn’t want to just show cars people have already seen in the U.S.,” Plucinsky continues. “We wanted to show a broader range of cars—some factory owned and some privately owned. It’s great to have the E21 and M4 DTM cars here. So many BMW fans have never seen these in person.  That DTM car never raced here but is a really trick piece of technology and unique looking car.”

Tom Plucinsky getting ready to hit the track at the Rolex Reunion in the E92 M3 GT.

It’s difficult for Plucinsky to pick a favorite among the exhibit cars. “My favorite? I have a soft spot for all of our race cars,” he says. “But I’d say I have a really soft spot for the GTR racecar because I was a part of that restoration for that. A lot of my hard work and labor went into that. But for a car I’d drive, it would be the E92 M3 GT.” He owns an E92 M3, but with this GT, it goes further. “I enjoy driving that one but it also has extra history for me because I was responsible for the PR when it raced, so I knew the car from day one, from its birth. I was there when it won Sebring, won the Championship.  It’s the gem of the group for me. Those cars mean a lot for me.”

Guests this past weekend got to see some of the cars with the hood off, but there were also engines in their crates for all to see.

There is certainly something for everyone in this concise yet comprehensive exhibit. “We wanted a way to represent 50 years of the 3-Series in a different way than will be done at concours events around the country and world,” Plucinsky added. “The Petersen has a diverse group of people through its doors so having a car from each generation is important. Some will gravitate to one model while others will appreciate another. The exhibit itself is great, too; I love what they’ve done with the graphics on the wall, how they show some of the cars in action with others that we weren’t able to include here.”

Bill Auberlen’s name is one of the ones that adorns the side of the E46 M3 GTR.

As you walk through the exhibit, you might see Bill Auberlen’s name on a few of them. The winningest driver in American Sportscar racing has indeed won many of his races driving some of these actual cars. He is currently racing this season in World Challenge in SRO with the Random Vandals team in GT3 Pro. He’s getting ready for his next race at VIR but is planning on making it to this exhibit as soon as his schedule allows.

Yep, it’s an M4, and an amazing one.

“I started with BMW with the E36 but the E36 four-door was kind of my deal,” Auberlen says. “I’ve been through every one of those cars but earlier this year was the first time I drove that modern M4 DTM car at the Brian Redman Targa 66 event at Homestead. It is pure exhilaration!  I was awestruck at its capabilities. That DTM has a tiny four cylinder with big power—it’s insane and the downforce is mega!”

The E92 M3 GT remains one of Auberlen’s favorite BMW racecars.

That’s not the only car that receives his accolades. “On the other end of the spectrum is the E92 M3 GT,” he adds. “It’s perfect balance, my all-time favorite. I contend that if we brought that car out today with just a few updates, it could still run right up front. It did lap times back then that are exactly the same times that cars are running at Sebring today. Cars have gotten heavier with electronics, ABS, and more, so that E92 was a very lightweight car. Its balance and center of gravity and weight distribution were amazing with the transmission in the back and engine tucked way down. When you drove that car, it had huge grip, but as the tires wore, you would not notice any balance shift. It stayed perfect every race. I drove that car at Homestead, too, and still could not believe how good that car drives.”

The E92 M3 GT remains a fan favorite.

That must have been a fantastic weekend at Homestead because Auberlen drove a lot of racecars! “I drove the M6 GTLM, the M8 GTLM, the Z4 GTLM, the E92 M3, the E46 M3 GTR and the M4 DTM over that weekend,” he recalls. “You can certainly feel the difference in every aspect of these cars with some normally aspirated, some with turbos, some with tiny engines and others with larger ones, some with more aero and others with more power. Tom [Plucinsky] has maintained these cars so well, we could bring all the modern drivers in and plug them right into these.”

The M4 DTM pays hommage to the TurboMeister Hommage.

As much as Auberlen might have had a favorite car he raced in competition, the DTM might have captured his attention. “It’s almost like a prototype with that teeny four cylinder you almost cannot see under the plenum. You can shift into third with no traction control and light up the wheels down the straight away,” he exclaims. “Makes me wish I would have raced those in Europe!”

Each car in the exhibit captured plenty of attention.

While Auberlen is still looking forward to seeing his old cars and more in this exhibit, our small group being toured by Plucinsky certainly enjoyed it. Kartik Chandar brought his son Vikram and left enthralled. “It’s an amazing, amazing collection,” the older Chandar says. “If you’re a motorsport enthusiast or a racing enthusiast or a BMW enthusiast, everything you would want to see if right here.  I am huge 3-Series fan myself, starting with the E30 M3 for me, so it’s incredible to see them all here like this.”

The E30 M3 was the first introduction to BMW for many fans.

He’s not kidding about being a 3-Series fan; Chandar has an E30 M3, an E36 M3, and E46 M3 and an E92. “These cars are great, but hearing the stories from Tom made it even better,” Chandar adds. “Seeing the GTR [street car] here is a highlight. You just don’t get to see that. Same with the DTM car. I have a soft spot for the E30 M3, as that was the first one I acquired, but I really love that DTM car. I wish it came to the US. It’s like Formula 1 technology in a touring car.”

Kartik Chandar and his son Vikram listen intently to Tom Plucinsky.

His son was still beaming as the afternoon wound down. “This was a super fun day,” Vikram says. “I liked the E30 M3 most but it was really cool when I got to sit in the E92 M3! I’m glad I brought my dad to this!”

Bianca Buda is ready to hit the track!

Bianca Buda and her boyfriend, Taylor Mabra, also attended and enjojyed the bonus benefits of Plucinsky’s tour. “We’re both BMW enthusiasts and own four of them between us—a 325 E30, a 330i E46, a Z4, and an F30 320i,” they say concurrently. “This collection is one of a kind. We’ve been to the Petersen a few times but never down here to the Vault. This was definitely a great experience. These cars are so different and unique in their own ways. Can’t go wrong with BMWs!”

Tags: 3 Series 50th anniversary Peterson Museum

NASCAR’s recent visit to Mexico changed the perception some drivers had of the country and delivered two races full of excitement — something that has been lacking at times in Formula 1 events at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Despite a thrilling weekend a great enthusiasm from the fans, the future of the event remains uncertain for 2026.

Ben Kennedy, great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France and senior NASCAR executive, made it clear that the decision will have to wait, but he has set a deadline for it. This comes after completing the first year of the contract with OCESA, the company organizing the event in Mexico, with whom there is reportedly a three-year agreement—though that will need to be confirmed in the coming months.

“We had a full contract with an extension option, and I will make a decision in one or two months,” said the executive in Mexico.

There’s also the question of Montreal, another potential location for an international race that NASCAR has been looking at for years. It would also be easier to organize, logistically speaking.

Difficult to move Mexico’s date

General view

Photo by: Jam Media / Getty Images

One of the main challenges is the schedule. The Mexico event took place after Michigan and just before Pocono, which meant a long haul over land. Rescheduling the race to be closer to the border is not easy, but it’s something NASCAR is working on.

In addition, available dates at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez are limited. Besides the two already confirmed international events—Formula E in January and Formula 1 in October—there’s speculation that IndyCar is ready to take a slot in early 2026. On top of that, concerts are frequently held in various parts of the circuit, reducing scheduling options even further.

“We’re working on planning the 2026 calendar,” said Kennedy. “As I said, we really want to reconnect with our partners and talk about what the future could look like. We’ve learned a lot, a lot of great things happened this weekend. We held a worship service and met with fans to hear their reactions. We’re very hopeful that we’re shaping the future.”

He also highlighted key aspects of this visit, including the passion of the fans:

“I spent a lot of time in the stadium section because it was electrifying the entire weekend. As I said, you could see the cars go through the stadium, and every time someone made a pass or had contact, you could hear the fans over the sound of the engines.”

“I loved the post-race show that OCESA put on. The podium was a bit different from what we’re used to, but I think it’s a unique aspect—something that sets us apart from other events as well.”

NASCAR’s uniqueness

Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota

Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images

When asked by Motorsport.com whether he believed there would still be room for NASCAR in 2026—given the large number of motorsport events Mexico will host and the added pressure of IndyCar tightening that calendar—he expressed confidence in NASCAR’s product, pointing out that it offers features its competitors do not and that it can still compete for the Mexican audience, even if all series end up running with shorter calendars.

“I’d say the beauty of our sport lies in the fact that we’re unique in many ways, and we try not to compare ourselves to other racing series,” Kennedy said, before highlighting that the show put on by the stock cars in Mexico was unlike anything recently seen at the modern track, which was remodeled in 2015 for Formula 1’s return.

“But if anyone watched today’s or yesterday’s event—whether a new fan or a long-time follower of the sport—they would understand that our racing style is very different. It’s bold, aggressive, with three or even four-wide racing heading into Turn 1, and lots of bumping and banging. That’s our DNA.”

Can I get your five-word movie review? 

Ben Hunt: Good for non-F1 fans.

Mark Mann-Bryans: Not good for anyone watching.

What were your thoughts on the racing scenes?

BH: A lot has been made of the technology. The director used similar techniques to what they used in Top Gun, but they’ve gone even further with this. We’ve heard about camera mounting points and techniques that could be used in future F1 broadcasts. The racing scenes were high quality – well shot. One criticism might be that there was too much racing, but overall, it looked good.

Emily Selleck: And we saw it in IMAX, which I think is the best way to enjoy it.

MMB: There’s no way to enjoy it.

What about the storylines surrounding the racing? 

MMB: Ben’s right – the racing looks amazing. The tech was impressive. Apple embedded iPhone-style cameras into the cars, which was only possible because of the incredible access that F1 gave them. Everyone worked collaboratively to make the film.

But I had issues. While the racing looked great, the story was unrealistic. Brad Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, returns after 30 years away and instantly becomes the hero. He crashes into cars on purpose, holds others up – if he were Max Verstappen, he’d already have 12 penalty points.

F1 Movie scene

I get that it’s Hollywood, but it doesn’t reflect real F1. And if this is how people are introduced to the sport, they’ll think it’s all cheating and fireballs.

ES: We asked producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joe Kosinski about that this morning. They said the film is for a general audience who don’t know anything about the sport. But if this is their introduction to F1, they’ll assume it’s a sport where cheating is the norm.

MMB: Overtaking from back to front in one lap, constant drama – it’s just not realistic.

What did you make of the storyline beyond the track? 

MMB: It’s quite weak. There’s a love story that doesn’t go anywhere. It’s all quite predictable. Someone who hadn’t even seen the trailers could correctly guess the storyline.

Honestly, this would’ve worked better as a 10-part Apple TV series. But because it had to be a summer blockbuster, they packed it into two and a half hours. There’s not much to love.

BH: I think it’s for a different audience. We’re being critical because we’re cynical Brits – and an Aussie. But like Netflix, maybe it’s just about dramatising reality for entertainment.

F1 Movie scene

MMB: But even then, the story just wasn’t strong. It’ll make money, it’ll be successful, but that doesn’t mean it’s good. Most people I spoke to last night felt the same. Brad Pitt was a bit wooden – maybe that’s down to the dialogue – but something was missing.

ES: One criticism that I don’t think stems from our cynicism as reporters is the way women are portrayed. You can tell Lewis Hamilton wanted to highlight diversity and we saw women in technical roles, but then they undercut that by making the technical director the love interest.

She designed a backmarker car, and suddenly it improves only after Brad Pitt’s feedback. A female pit crew member makes basic errors, and while it’s a good story arc, why do all the female characters have to show weakness?

MMB: That character didn’t even have a name. She was just “wheel gun girl”. It was reductive.

BH: There were lots of underdeveloped storylines. They focused on authenticity in the racing, which they nailed – thanks to Hamilton being an executive producer and offering genuine racing feedback.

But other story elements fell flat. The two drivers both lost their fathers at 13 – a potential emotional hook – but it wasn’t developed. Pitt’s character carries a playing card, but we never learn why.

MMB: So many story strands went nowhere. I wrote a review for Autosport and said that creating a whole fake team – APX GP – with a team principal, technical director, mechanic, two drivers…that’s a lot to develop in two hours.

ES: So what you’re saying is: we want “F2?”

F1 Movie scene

Let’s end on a positive note. Any final takeaways?

BH: It’ll appeal to a wider audience. They’ve made it for the American fan, and test marketing suggests it’ll be a hit in the US. It’s good for the sport. Even negative reviews generate conversation. You’re seeing the F1 logo in cities, and the film is called F1: The Movie. That kind of visibility is valuable.

MMB: I agree. Whether it’s good or not, it’ll be big. It’s got Brad Pitt, a massive budget, and a summer release date. It doesn’t need to be great to be successful.

ES: It’s going to make money, no doubt. I’m curious to see what entertainment critics – who aren’t embedded in the world of F1 like we are – think of it.

Read Also:

What you will love about ‘F1: The Movie’

What you will hate about ‘F1: The Movie’

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

FloSports and NASCAR will contribute $50,000 to the purse for the Late Model Virginia Triple Crown, raising the overall champion purse to $20,000. FloRacing will now also be the presenting partner of the Virginia Triple Crown.

“We’re thrilled to partner with NASCAR to elevate the Virginia Triple Crown to a whole new level,” said Michael Rigsby, GM of FloRacing. “Late Model racing has long been a core focus for FloRacing, and this partnership lets us invest directly in the drivers, teams, and fans who make it so special. We can’t wait to showcase this incredible three-race showdown to a national audience.”

“The Virginia Triple Crown is a celebration of short track culture–where many of NASCAR’s top stars got their start,” said Joey Dennewitz, managing director, NASCAR Regional. “With the support of FloRacing, we’re amplifying the reach and prestige of each event, creating more excitement for fans and more opportunity for drivers. It’s exactly the kind of grassroots investment that strengthens the future of our sport.”

The new payout structure extends to the top 10 finishers in the Virginia Triple Crown standings, up from just three in previous years:

• 1st – $20,000
• 2nd – $10,000
• 3rd – $7,500
• 4th – $5,000
• 5th – $2,500
• 6th–10th – $1,000 each

All payouts will be distributed following the final leg of the crown – the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway on Sept. 27.

The Virginia Triple Crown presented by FloRacing is determined by average finish across three of the region’s crown jewel events:

• June 28 – Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200 at South Boston Speedway
• July 19 – Hampton Heat at Larry King Law’s Langley Speedway
• September 27 – ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway

To be eligible for the championship and prize money, drivers must compete in all three events.

For more information, visit nascar.com or floracing.com.

Robert Kubica claiming his maiden Le Mans 24 Hours victory proved popular amongst the Formula 1 paddock, with various members paying tribute to him on Sunday.

Kubica, who had three separate stints in F1, won the classic French enduro over the weekend whilst sharing the #83 Ferrari Hypercar with Phil Hanson and Yifei Ye.

It is the highlight in a career of ‘what ifs’ for Kubica, who was one of F1’s star drivers in the late 2000s before a near-fatal rallying accident in 2011 ended his four-year stay in the series.

Kubica has since floated across various categories, before finally finding his home in the World Endurance Championship in the 2020s with his Le Mans debut coming in 2021.

That was the year he very nearly claimed victory in the LMP2 class, only for himself, Ye and Louis Deletraz to retire from the lead on the final lap due to a throttle sensor issue.

But on his fifth trip to Le Mans, Kubica took overall victory during the same weekend when F1 hosted its Canadian race – the site of the Pole’s sole grand prix win, which came in 2008 and briefly took him to the top of the drivers’ standings.

“I’m very happy for him,” said Fernando Alonso, who won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2018 and 2019.

“We talked a few times about how special that race is and he deserves to experience that.

“He’s a legend of our sport, and now he’s even more after winning Le Mans in his career.

Fernando Alonso, Alpine, and Robert Kubica, Alfa Romeo test driver, in 2021

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

“You know some of the pain that he went through with the accident and things like that, I think today is a very happy day for motorsport. He probably should have won it a couple of years ago when he had the failure in LMP2.

“I’m so happy for him, I will call him tomorrow. I didn’t want to disturb today! He will be celebrating, but extremely happy. I’m proud of him.”

Kubica, now aged 40, also contested the 2019 F1 season with Williams before returning for two grands prix in 2021 to replace Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen who had COVID-19.

Although Kubica failed to score any points for Alfa Romeo, then team boss Frederic Vasseur, who is now at Ferrari, was still impressed by him and even more amazed by his Le Mans win.

“Yes, you know that I have a close relationship with Robert,” said Vasseur. “He stayed with me a couple of years at Alfa Romeo and before in F3 Formula Renault. And for me, he’s an extraterrestrial.

“What he’s doing is mega. To win in Le Mans in this situation, to be the leader of the car, to push the team, it’s something that I can’t imagine.

“Honestly, each time that I’m discussing with Robert, you know when he jumped into the car for Alfa when Kimi got the Covid, it was in Zandvoort.

“He had to jump into the car on Saturday morning. In Zandvoort, the pitlane is very small and he was not able to turn the wheel and to take the clutch. And he didn’t drive the car all year.

“And this race, he was fighting with Seb [Vettel] until the last corner. And this is just mega. I’m very, very pleased for Robert.

Robert Kubica, Test and Reserve Driver, Alfa Romeo Racing

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

“He had a chaotic career in motorsports, and when you see the level of effort that he put into his career, I’m very, very pleased for him to have this kind of present today.”

Kubica’s other career achievements include winning the 2013 WRC2 title, the European Le Mans Series LMP2 crown in 2021 and 2024, as well as WEC LMP2 honours in 2023.

Photos from 24 Hours of Le Mans – Race

The drivers who finished second and third at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez moved up in these power rankings.

The winner? Well, that was Shane van Gisbergen but he will need to put a few solid finishes together before he cracks this list.

Winner Shane van Gisbergen ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City

Christopher Bell (second) and Chase Elliott (third) should feel good about their performances heading into this weekend at Pocono.

Here are the power rankings following the Cup debut in Mexico City:

van Gisbergen takes the center of the podium in Mexico after his big win

Dropped out: Tyler Reddick (Last Week: 9)

On the verge: Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs, Joey Logano, Ryan Preece, Tyler Reddick

10. Chase Briscoe (LW: Not Ranked)

Briscoe didn’t win a fourth consecutive pole. But he’ll take the finish from Sunday, as he placed seventh in Mexico City. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was involved in an early incident and rallying for that result was a good sign that his team remains resilient.

9. Ross Chastain (LW: 6)

Chastain took the stage points in the first stage by finishing third. However, he ended up with a 16th-place finish on a day when his Trackhouse Racing teammate van Gisbergen won. 

8. Bubba Wallace (LW: 8)

Wallace has consistently improved on road courses. The 23XI Racing driver didn’t qualify well (25th) but he brought home a respectable 12th-place finish.

7. Chris Buescher (LW: 7)

Buescher is one of the more underrated road-course drivers in the series. He finished seventh in the second stage and after losing the track position to pit, drove his RFK Racing car to 12th at the finish.

6. Chase Elliott (LW: 10) 

Quite a solid day for the Hendrick Motorsports driver, as he finished third in Mexico City. He started 12th, got the car better during the weekend and survived some of the beating and banging on the restarts.

5. Denny Hamlin (LW: 2)

Hamlin didn’t race at Mexico City after the birth of his son earlier in the week. He is expected to return at Pocono.

4. Ryan Blaney (LW: 4)

Blaney didn’t have a winning car so he took the stage points. He finished second in the opening stage and fourth in the second stage. That — combined with a 14th-place finish — gave the Penske driver the fifth-highest point total on the day.

3. Kyle Larson (LW: 3)

Larson was an innocent bystander in getting collected in a wreck on Lap 7. He ended up 36th, making the trip to Mexico a frustrating one for the championship contender.

2. Christopher Bell (LW: 5)

Bell finished second in the second stage behind van Gisbergen, and that’s also where they ended up at the finish of the race. The JGR driver will carry momentum into Pocono.

1. William Byron (LW: 1)                                     

Byron’s ninth-place finish wasn’t great, but it was better than many of the other top drivers on this list. The Hendrick driver should be a threat for the win at Pocono.                

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.