By Tammy Rae Benscoter
LONG POND, Pa (RacingWire) - News and notes from Saturday at Pocono Raceway.
Mother Nature Storms into Pocono
With rain threatening on the horizon, both the Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Teams rolled off of the grid. However, shortly after the trucks took the green flag for Saturday’s second annual Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service 125, the skies opened up and soaked the track.
Racing was halted as fans slopped through the puddles and ran for cover. A sixty percent chance of weather may also play villain on Sunday’s cup race, only time will tell. The current schedule for Sunday includes the completion of Saturday’s truck race, the ARCA race and the Sprint Cup Race.
Harvick earns track record
Kevin Harvick driver of the No. 2 Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Chevrolet earned his team KHI truck the pole position for Saturday’s Truck event. 
The bright yellow machine turned a lap of 162.664 mph to break the track record set by Elliott Sadler in the inaugural event. It just so happens, that Sadler drove the No. 2 machine in 2011. Harvick earned his second pole in 110 Truck series races. His first came at Gateway in July of 2010. Starting outside pole is Kyle ‘Rowdy’ Busch.
Keselowski plans to run cup race
Despite a practice spin, Brad Keselowski is prepared to run in Sunday’s race. Keselowski, who had been testing at Road Atlanta, is thankful his injuries were not severe after breaking through the wall. “And knowing that I had two or three seconds staring at the wall, knowing I was going to hit it as hard as you possibly could,” he said was a nightmare. The driver of the No. 2 Blue Deuce sustained injuries to his foot, and has made no provisions for a substitute on Sunday. He simply said “I’m not going to get out (of the car).” If Keselowski had his own way, he would also be competing at Iowa. Instead Sam Hornish will take the reigns of the Penske Racing machine in the Nationwide Series Race.
Joey Logano takes the pole for Sunday
Joey Logano was all smiles after taking his second pole position of the 2011 season. The Home Depot driver turned a lap of Logano currently sits 19th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings following his 25th place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last weekend. Logano is one of a few drivers that needs a win to be considered for the wild card in the Chase.
Carl Edwards takes center stage
The first silly season position has been filled. The formal announcement that Carl Edwards will remain with Roush Fenway Racing beyond 2012 was made earlier this week. Edwards, who remains atop the point standings going into Sunday’s event showed relief following his announcement. Contract details were not discussed.
Biffle joins with 811
Greg Biffle brings the 811 phone number to Pocono Raceway along side of his 3M Ford Fusion. Fans are encouraged to call 811 before digging in their backyard to ensure safety.
Its official
After 50 years at Pocono, owner Dr. Mattioli announced his official retirement from the everyday activities at the track. At the age of 87, Doc is please to be turning the reigns of his empire over to his three grandchildren; Brandon, Nicholas and Ashley Igdalsky. “I’ve had a hell of a good time doing all the things I wanted to do,” Doc said during Friday’s press conference which came as a surprise to some staff members. “Brandon is well trained; he knows this track as they say the proverbial back of your hand.” According to Doc, the track cannot be sold until he and his wife along with their three children have all passed. The track was placed in trust for his seven grandchildren.
News on Danica
No news is good news is the old adage. In a media center interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Friday, he once again confirmed reports that both parties are still taking, but he is not a part of negotiations to bring Danica Patrick to the Nationwide Series, and at this time there is no new news to report. Earnhardt believes Danica will help bring additional sponsorship dollars to his team should these negotiations become finalized.
New sponsor for RPM
Richard Petty Motorsports announced that TrimFit will join his list of sponsors on the No. 43 earlier this week. For A.J. Allmendinger, he couldn’t be more pleased.
“If you can bring in new people to the sport and get them excited, that’s what NASCAR is all about,” Allmendinger said. “Any of our sponsors, I try to get close too. Hopefully they enjoy being here and want to be here for a long time.”
Bodine explains the difference
Todd Bodine has been here before. He was a former Spring Cup Driver and he currently calls the Camping World Truck Series his home. So it comes as no surprise that he is the best person to describe the difference. According to Bodine, that difference is great.
“Running here in the cup car and trucks is totally different. It’s not even close to the same,” he continued. “The top end speed of the cars is so much faster, the let off points and how much break you use. It’s totally different. The trucks ride a little better. You can’t even compare the two.”
Jeff Gordon celebrated his 40th birthday on the Trackside stage at Pocono. But, the celebration came to a quick end after he spun the Driver to End Hunger Chevrolet during Sprint Cup Qualifying at Pocono.
Jimmie Johnson joined Dale Earnhardt Jr to announce their joint partnership at Watkins Glen. Looking for more seat time on a road course, Johnson who will be joined by his Hendrick Motorsports crew will use the Nationwide opportunity as practice. He would like nothing more that a Nationwide win to go with his efforts. The No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet will feature the new Jimmie Johnson console video game and its characters. Dale Earnhardt Jr is pleased to have such an established driver in the car. He looks at this as a marketing opportunity for future sponsors.
