NASCAR Cup

Pocono: Sterling Marlin preview

Marlin Due for Problem-Free Race at Pocono LONG POND, Pa. (June 6, 2007)-- Driving the No. 14 Pep Boys Chevrolet, Sterling Marlin will be looking for a reversal in Sunday's Nextel Cup event at Pocono Raceway.In both of his visits to the ...

Published: Jun 7, 2007, 3:33 PM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Marlin Due for Problem-Free Race at Pocono

LONG POND, Pa. (June 6, 2007)-- Driving the No. 14 Pep Boys Chevrolet, Sterling Marlin will be looking for a reversal in Sunday's Nextel Cup event at Pocono Raceway.In both of his visits to the Pennsylvania track last year, the Ginn Racing driver experienced problems-- first with an engine failure (June race) and then with brake issues (July race).

"To get good finishes at Pocono, you have to have everything at its best," said Marlin, who has 16 career top 10s at the 2.5-mile tri-oval. "I've seen a lot of good runs go downhill fast there because of transmission failures, faulty batteries and engines. To be successful, not only does your race car have to be stout and the driver on top of his game, but all of the other components have to be top notch too."

"Problem free races are important each week," continued Marlin, who was credited with 2nd and 30th-place finishes at Pocono after last season's issues. "But Pocono is infamous for those mechanical problems."

With its long straightaway of 3,740 feet, Pocono Raceway has a history of chewing up brakes in Nextel Cup events. That, coupled with transmission and engine problems, can make for a long day.

"We had good race cars last year," noted Marlin. "We were passing people, but when the engine broke and the brake problem hit, that pretty much halted our move to the front. The two Pocono races last year were awfully frustrating-- hopefully we can turn things around this trip."

Marlin is coming off a 16th-place run in Monday's rain-delayed Cup event at Dover International Speedway, his third top-20 finish in the last five races.

"Top 20s aren't what we're aiming for each week, but consistency is a step in the right direction," said Marlin. "I expect our Pep Boys Chevy to be quick off the truck. I have a feeling that things will work out for us differently this time around at Pocono."

-credit: gr

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Pocono: Kurt Busch preview

Next article Pocono: Scott Riggs preview

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

How levelling the playing field isn’t antithetical to the principles of F1

Formula 1

How levelling the playing field isn’t antithetical to the principles of F1

The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Portuguese GP

1 h

The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago

When will Mercedes become F1 world champions in 2026?

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Singapore GP

2 h

When will Mercedes become F1 world champions in 2026?

Jesse Love barely holds off Sam Mayer for NASCAR O'Reilly win at Phoenix

NASCAR O'Reilly

NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly

Phoenix II

7 h

Jesse Love barely holds off Sam Mayer for NASCAR O'Reilly win at Phoenix

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts