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Sprint Cup drivers who performed well at Pocono Raceway 57 days ago in June were no doubt smiling as they prepared for this weekend's Pennsylvania 500 at the triangular-shaped track. Why? It's because history has shown that drivers who are successful in the 2.5-mile track's first race usually produce a repeat performance in its second. On average, six of the drivers who reaped a top-10 in Pocono's first race will do so again in its second, and when increased to the top 15, the driver list expands to nine. And if those drivers also clinched a top-10 or top-15 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, another flat 2.5-mile track, then a good performance in Pocono's second race is pretty much guaranteed. Included in that coveted list are some familiar names currently sitting atop the point standings: Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. Also in the mix are Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Of those 11 drivers, five -- Stewart, Johnson, Gordon, Martin and Busch -- emerge as the primary victory contenders.

Fresh off his second straight and third overall victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Johnson has won three of the past four races at the Brickyard, placed in the top 10 in the past four Pocono events, and in the top 15 in Pocono's second event the past four years. In the past four years, Johnson's best finish in the second Pocono race came last season when he placed third. He also possesses the track record for the best average finish, 9.6.

Points leader Stewart returns to Pocono as the victor of the track's June event this season. It was his first "regular season" victory as an owner/driver, having won the series All-Star event in May. Even though Stewart hasn't collected a victory in Pocono's second race during the past four years, his worst finish is seventh. He took sixth in 2007 and was nipping at winner Edwards' rear bumper last year. Stewart, who has five straight top-5s and hasn't finished outside the top 10 since May at Lowe's Motor Speedway, kept Johnson from owning four straight Indy victories with a 2007 win.

Martin, who finished second at Indy, hasn't won at Pocono in the past four years, but he is the track's all-time leader in three categories. The Arkansas native possesses the track record for the most top-5s (19), the most top-10s (31) and the most lead-lap finishes (37). The circuit's victory leader this year with four, Martin has competed in 45 races at the 2.5-mile Pocono track and has finished in the top 10 in three of the past four second Pocono events.

Gordon hasn't won since April, but has recorded six top-10s in the past seven races, including a fourth at Pocono in June. The track's all-time lap leader with 879 in 33 races, he hasn't finished outside the top 15 in the past four late summer Pocono races and he's placed in the top 10 in three of them. His worst finish at Pocono in the past four years occurred in the first 2006 race when he placed outside the top 25.

Kurt Busch experienced a dismal weekend at Indy, but for the Las Vegas native, that could have been an unkind fluke. Normally, Pocono's second race is one of Busch's best. He's won two of the past four August Pocono races. He finished second in 2006, but fell outside the top 25 last year. Busch's performance in the first Pocono race has been more sporadic. He finished second in 2006, 16th in 2007, eighth the following year, and outside the top 25 this season.

Naturally, there are those drivers who could pull an upset at Pocono. Those include David Reutimann, Juan Pablo Montoya and Marcos Ambrose, as a result of their performances this season. Montoya dominated Indy last weekend, leading three times for 116 of the 160 laps before being assessed a pit road speeding penalty on his final stop. He finished 11th and he has five top-10s in the past seven races. He also finished eighth in the June Pocono race. Reutimann placed third at Pocono in June, just two weeks after claiming his first career victory in the Coca-Cola 600. He finished eighth at Indy, but failed to place in the top 25 in last year's second Pocono event. Ambrose has had some strong runs this season, but has lacked consistency. The Aussie finished 22nd at Indy after placing 11th two weeks earlier at Chicagoland Speedway. However, he claimed sixth at Pocono in June and has produced five top-10s this season.

Pocono's unique design makes fuel mileage a critical role player in the track's races, but past performances at the facility and Indy provide insight into this event's successful front-runners.

Big bucks (SCC value 22.0 and up)

Seven drivers before him have swept both races at Pocono in a single season and I think Tony Stewart (25.3) could very easily make it eight. In the past eight outings, his average finish is a smoking-hot 3.3. He is money, baby. Right behind him, trying to take his momentum away will be Jimmie Johnson (24.4). If you're looking for a good performance at a lower price Ryan Newman (22.0) could score a top-5 and so could Carl Edwards (22.3).

Serious coin (SCC value 19.0 to 22.0)

Mark Martin (21.7) is clearly tops in this group. But there are a number of drivers who could be very helpful. You've got to believe Juan Pablo Montoya (21.6) blows into town feeling like the Indy performance will translate well this weekend. Kasey Kahne (21.7) has top-10 potential. So do David Reutimann (20.8) and Brian Vickers (20.7) and they'll be a little more cap friendly. Looking for a little more room? Marcos Ambrose (19.3) is worth a thought, especially if you think he can duplicate his sixth in June.

Budget boys (SCC value 13.0 to 19.0)

Once again Sam Hornish Jr. (15.3) could be a good floor. He's a little cheaper than last week because he crashed running near the lead pack at Indy, but his flat-track performance this year has been outstanding. His team brought a new car to Indy for Kevin Harvick (17.6) and he responded with a strong run and that should carry over to Pocono. Others who need to be considered include Reed Sorenson (17.3), who notched a top-15 at a nice price, Martin Truex Jr. (17.8) and Casey Mears (18.1). As good as Joey Logano (18.2) looked last week, you'll need to take a serious look at him. His problem is the fact his price has risen so sharply it's only .2 more than Ambrose, who should perform better.

Debit … not credit

Up on top, Denny Hamlin (22.4) concerns me. He's been pretty strong the past two months, but has suffered mechanical failures at both Pocono and Indy. I'm not quite sure where that puts him this weekend performance-wise. In the middle group, I broke my promise last week not to put Kyle Busch (20.9) on my team again until he put together a strong race from start to finish. Jeff Burton (20.1) is also a major question mark. Among the budget boys, I put Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the same category as Kyle Busch. He's beginning to run stronger, but needs to put a complete race together before we jump on that bandwagon. Junior's performance is getting better so don't be surprised if he jumps up one week and nails a top finish. But right now, there are guys just above and below him who might make safer picks.

Guru Garrow's gang

My preliminary Pocono team has Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Juan Pablo Montoya as my studs. With them, I have put the "budget brothers" Kevin Harvick and Sam Hornish Jr.

Mark Garrow covers fantasy racing for ESPN.com.