Speeds expected to be up at Pocono after repave

Expect the track record at newly repaved Pocono Raceway to fall when the Sprint Cup Series returns in June, according to the drivers involved in this week's Goodyear tire testing at the 2.5-mile tri-oval. But it's not necessarily the same reason why Michigan International Speedway proved lightning quick when cars had the chance to check out that facility's new asphalt surface. At Michigan, cars reached 215 mph at the end of the straightaways, carrying more straight line speed. On Wednesday, #1-Jamie McMurray was making the biggest gains in speed in Pocono's three long, flat corners. #5-Kasey Kahne was running consistent lap speeds more than 2 mph faster than Kahne's Cup qualifying record of 172.533 mph set in June 2004. And that was without all the little tricks used to squeeze every ounce of speed out of the car in qualifying trim. A lot of that had to do with optimal weather conditions during the tire test. Cool temperatures make more horsepower, and the thermometer was struggling to break the 50-degree mark on Wednesday. Plus, the new surface has a tremendous amount of grip, according to Kahne. NASCAR.com