Pocono 400 2013: Start Time, Lineup, TV Schedule and More

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is at Pocono Raceway this weekend for the Party in the Poconos 400, and here's important information to know as the race gets closer.

Jimmie Johnson will sit on the pole after rain washed out Friday's qualifying, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). The starting positions were set based on points. 

If recent history matters, Johnson lucked out by getting the top spot after Joey Logano won the race last year when he started in the lead. 

The 43-car field will cover 400 miles over 160 laps, which was changed prior to last year's race.

NASCAR on TNT has an inside look at some of the preparations being done for the race.

Now let's check out the important information for this weekend's race.

Race: Party in the Poconos 400

Track: Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pennsylvania

Date: Sunday, June 9, 2013

Time: 1 p.m. EDT (coverage starts at 12 p.m. EDT)

Television: TNT

Pole winner: Johnson

Here is the lineup for the drivers (courtesy of PoconoRaceway.com):

Position	Car	Driver
1	48	Jimmie Johnson
2	99	Carl Edwards
3	15	Clint Bowyer
4	20	Matt Kenseth
5	29	Kevin Harvick
6	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.
7	5	Kasey Kahne
8	18	Kyle Busch
9	27	Paul Menard
10	2	Brad Keselowski
11	24	Jeff Gordon
12	43	Aric Almirola
13	16	Greg Biffle
14	55	Mark Martin
15	56	Martin Truex Jr.
16	17	Rickey Stenhouse Jr.
17	11	Denny Hamlin
18	51	AJ Allmendinger
19	14	Tony Stewart
20	78	Kurt Busch
21	22	Joey Logano
22	1	Jamey McMurray
23	39	Ryan Newman
24	31	Jeff Burton
25	42	Juan Pablo Montoya
26	9	Marcos Ambrose
27	13	Casey Mears
28	34	David Ragan
29	47	Bobby Labonte
30	10	Danica Patrick
31	38	David Gilliland
32	7	Dave Blaney
33	30	David Stremme
34	83	David Reutimann
35	36	JJ Yeley
36	35	Josh Wise
37	33	Landon Cassill
38	32	Timmy Hill
39	93	Travis Kvapil
40	87	Joe Nemechek
41	98	Michael McDowell
42	19	Jason Leffler
43	44	Scott Riggs

Background Information

Defending champion Logano won the pole last year, but he will be at No. 21 for the start of this race. No driver has won this race in back-to-back years since 1997 and 1998 (Jeff Gordon). 

Speaking of Gordon, he will start 11th. He has fared well at Pocono and his most recent victory came in 2011. He started third in that race, and runner-up Kurt Busch won the pole. 

Greg Biffle is optimistic about the race, so keep an eye on him as the drivers get out on the track.

As the last two years have shown, starting near the top is key for this race. With the starting positions being determined by the points standings, there's a good chance that someone near the top will come away with the win.

Weather is not expected to be an issue, so they should be able to get this race in without having to worry about rain.

*All stats are courtesy of ESPN.com