(LONG POND, PA) Racing at Pocono Raceway is as unpredictable as the weather in the Pocono Mountains.  Last week, the Camping World Truck Series showed that “the tricky triangle” provides one of the most action packed races of the season in that series.  This week, it was time for the Xfinity Series to return to action and make it’s debut at the 2.5 mile, three turn triangle.

When we left off at Kentucky in June, Justin Vaughn led the championship standings but his #7 team cut back their schedule.

Sam Maxwell sped to the pole and was joined by Michael Atkins, Jr. on the front row.  Maxwell jumped to the early lead before Ty Hester took the lead and then the #01 of Atkins took the lead as the two raced hard.  The green flag stayed out for 21 laps before the first of two caution flags flew, that shook up the field through a round of green flag pit stops.

Jim Foose remained on the track under the caution to take the lead, which he held for three laps, on the restart Sam Maxwell made a charge at Foose going into turn 1 but could not complete the pass before making a run on the inside going into turn 2 that moved the #68 to the lead.  Foose touched the side of Maxwell’s Ford and smacked the wall off turn 2 collecting several drivers in the race’s biggest crash and bringing out the second caution of the event.

Maxwell would cruise to the win under yellow with Zack Calloway in second, Robby Baskins third, John Kennedy fourth and Shawn Musick fifth.

Foose took the championship lead and now holds a 34 point lead over Robby Baskins as the Xfinity Series heads to Iowa Speedway next week.