Newgarden has pole at Pocono

pass and sealed his fourth victory of the season.

DiBenedetto was a career-best second, and Hamlin was immediately empathetic for the driver and crew chief Mike Wheeler, who won a Daytona 500 with Hamlin.

“I’m so sorry to Matt DiBenedetto, Mike Wheeler. I hate it. I know what a win would mean to that team,” Hamlin said as soon as he exited his car. “But I’ve got to give 110 percent.”

DiBenedetto was near tears standing next to his car.

“I wanted it to bad,” DiBenedetto said. “I’m sad. Congrats to Denny, raced hard and I’ve been a fan of his since I was a kid. To be racing door-to-door with him at Bristol in front of a great group of fans — I’m trying not to get emotional, but it’s been a tough week

IndyCar points leader Josef Newgarden will start on the pole for Sunday’s race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., after rain washed out qualifying.

The field was set on points, so Alexander Rossi starts second, followed by Simon Pagenaud and Scott Dixon. With four races left this season, Newgarden holds a 16-point advantage over Rossi in the championship standings. Pagenaud is 47 points back while Dixon, the reigning IndyCar champion, trails by 62.

Pagenaud is the only driver among the contenders to not score a podium finish at Pocono. Newgarden has two runner-up finishes (2015, 2017), and Dixon won in 2013.

Pocono will be the fourth of five oval races in IndyCar this season. Team Penske has held the edge on ovals, with Newgarden winning at Texas and Iowa, and Pagenaud won the Indianapolis 500.

Brian Lawdermilk / Getty Images Denny Hamlin was first to cross the finish line in the Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway.