What’s up with the Pocono Patch?

While Pocono Raceway hasn't undergone a major resurfacing in years, drivers have the Pocono Patch to deal with this weekend. The "patch" is actually 3800' of asphalt that was replaced from the exit of turn 2 and completely through turn 3 onto the front stretch.

The repairs were brought about after the August NASCAR race when track owner Dr. Joe Mattioli was walking the track and visually inspecting the surface. A series of cracks in the pavement prompted the repairs, much to the drivers liking this weekend as the Pocono Patch gives a new racing surface with traction to spare.

Two time Pocono winner Denny Hamlin loved the patch.

"Even with that little patch in Turn 3, everybody is fighting for that one lane of new asphalt," he said. "Nobody is running the bottom and everyone is running that one lane and 43 cars are not going to fit on it."