LONG POND, Pa. — Pocono Raceway paints its signature black rocks outside the garage in gold lettering with a last name and race car number highlighted to honor some of NASCAR’s greats. Jimmie Johnson has one. So does Richard Petty, among others.

Denny Hamlin won his 44th career Cup pole Saturday, while William Byron and Bubba Wallace had issues in qualifying at Pocono Raceway and will start at the rear of the field. Hamlin won the pole with a lap of 172.

Denny Hamlin admits, “I’m on a run. I don’t know how else to say it. Everything is going really well on and off the track.” Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, was talking on Saturday afternoon after he claimed NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway (2 p.