Brennan Poole to make his first NASCAR Cup start of the year at Pocono

The Xfinity Series regular will be making his first start since the 2023 season this weekend

When NASCAR heads to Pocono Raceway this weekend, NY Racing Team will be there with the No. 44 Chevrolet in an open entry. The team has run six races so far this year and also attempted but failed to qualify for the Daytona 500.

They have utilized both J.J. Yeley and Derek Kraus as drivers this season, never placing higher than 32nd. But this weekend, the team will enlist the help of driver Brennan Poole. The 34-year-old is a regular in the Xfinity Series where he also drives the No. 44 Chevrolet, but that is with AlphaPrime Racing (no connection to NY Racing Team).

But on Sunday, Poole will make his first Cup start since Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October, 2023. This will be his 43rd career start in the top level of NASCAR and his first with NY Racing Team. Members 1st Federal Credit Union will back the effort as the primary sponsor.

Poole's best finish in the Cup Series came at Talladega in 2020, finishing ninth with Rick Ware Racing. He has two previous Cup starts at Pocono, both coming in 2020 with finishes of 29th and 27th.

"We’re doing the Pocono Raceway double this weekend with Members 1st FCU," said Poole in a social media post. "Super excited for this opportunity to race on Sunday again and I can’t wait to get behind the NY Racing Team Chevy! You won’t have any issues picking out our #44 on both Saturday and Sunday."