
Chase Elliott wasn't even supposed to be running the NASCAR Xfinity Series race this weekend, but in a surprise announcement earlier in the week, Hendrick Motorsports revealed that the sport's Most Popular Driver would be taking part in the 100-lapper on Saturday.
Elliott, who is currently facing a 40+ race winless streak in the Cup Series, was happy to get behind the wheel of the No. 17 Chevrolet for just the second time this year. He also ran the Darlington race, finishing second. But at Pocono, he earned pole position in his first NXS pole since his 2014 title campaign. Elliott was quite fast, leading 38 laps and maintaining a spot near the front for the entire race.