What’s Happening?

NASCAR is back in Pennsylvania this weekend as the series circus tackles the “Tricky Triangle” that is Pocono Raceway. Here is everything you need to know about NASCAR at Pocono.

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• Pocono Raceway has been a staple of the NASCAR schedule since 1974, but the track was initially built for IndyCar. With three turns, each modeled after a different classic IndyCar venue, connected by three straightaways, all different lengths, Pocono is one of the most unique racing venues in the world. However, IndyCar has been in and out of the facility, while NASCAR has been a consistent show.
• The Truck and Xfinity Series join the Cup Series to make the second tripleheader weekend in three weeks. Both lower-tier series did not come to the venue until the 2010s.
• Fans in the area always show up and show out at Pocono. This makes for a fun race weekend, and seeing how the race will play out will be fun.

Weekend TV Schedule (All Times ET)

Friday, July 12th – Truck Series RACE

• 2:00-3:30 PM – Truck Series Practice/Qualifying on FS2
• 5:30 PM – Truck Series CRC Brackleen 175 on FS1

Saturday, July 13th – Truck Series RACE

• 10:00-11:30 AM – Xfinity Series Practice/Qualifying on USA
• 11:30 AM-12:00 PM – Cup Series Victory Lane Review on USA
• 12:00-2:00 PM – Cup Series Practice/Qualifying on USA
• 2:00-2:30 PM – Cup Series Victory Lane Review on USA
• 2:30-3:00 PM – Xfinity Series Countdown to Green on USA
• 3:00 PM – Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 on USA

Sunday, July 14th – Cup Series RACE

• 2:00-2:30 PM – Cup Series Countdown to Green on USA
• 2:30 PM – Cup Series The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VISITPA.com on USA

Race Facts

Pocono Raceway

• Year Built: 1969 (Partial); 1971 (Full Track)
• Length: 2.5 Miles
• Shape: Triangle
• Banking: 14 Degrees (Turn One), 8 Degrees (Turn Two), 6 Degrees (Turn Three)
• Surface: Asphalt
• Lights?: No
• Rain Tires?: No

Truck Series

• Race Length: 70 Laps (175 Miles)
• Stages: 15 Laps (Stages 1 and 2), 40 Laps (Stage 3)
• Purse: $757,128
• 2023 Winner: Kyle Busch
• Former Pocono Winners in the Field: Ross Chastain (2019)

Xfinity Series

• Race Length: 90 Laps (225 Miles)
• Stages: 20 Laps (Stages 1 and 2), 50 Laps (Stage 3)
• Purse: $1,439,558
• 2023 Winner: Austin Hill
• Former Pocono Winners in the Field: Cole Custer (2019)

Cup Series

• Race Length: 160 Laps (400 Miles)
• Stages: 30 Laps (Stage 1), 65 Laps (Stages 2 and 3)
• Purse: $7,776,907
• 2023 Winner: Denny Hamlin
• Former Pocono Winners in the Field: Denny Hamlin (7 Wins), Kyle Busch (4 Wins), Martin Truex Jr. (2 Wins), Chase Elliott (2022), Alex Bowman (June 2021), Ryan Blaney (June 2017), Chris Buecher (August 2016), Joey Logano (June 2012), and Brad Keselowski (August 2011)

Entry Lists

Truck Series

A total of 36 trucks are entered for 36 spots at Pocono, meaning no trucks will go home. Notable entrants include Connor Mosack (No. 7), Sage Karam (No. 21), Mason Maggio (No. 22), Steven Mallozzi (No. 27), Bryan Dauzat (No. 28), Ross Chastain (No. 45), Luke Fenhaus (No. 66), Justin Carroll (No. 90), and Zane Smith (No. 91).

Xfinity Series

A total of 38 cars are entered for 38 spots at Pocono, meaning no drivers will go home. Notable entrants include Thomas Annunziata (No. 4), Daniel Dye (No. 10), Josh Berry (No. 15), William Byron (No. 17), Taylor Gray (No. 19), Corey Heim (No. 26), Stephen Mallozzi (No. 35), Dawson Cram (No. 74), and Josh Bilicki (No. 92). The No. 6 JD Motorsports car fielded for Garrett Smithley has withdrawn from the event, meaning all 38 cars entered will race on Sunday.

Cup Series

A total of 37 cars are on the entry list for 40 spots in the NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono, meaning no cars will go home. “All-Star Car” entrants include Cody Ware (No. 15) and A.J. Allmendinger (No. 16). The lone open entry is the NY Racing No. 44 car with J.J. Yeley driving.

Qualifying Order

Truck Series

Xfinity Series

*The No. 6 JD Motorsports entry for Garrett Smithley has withdrawn from the race.

Cup Series

What to Watch For

Truck Series

The Truck Series race at Pocono in 2023 was a tale of two halves as Zane Smith won each of the first two stages before crashing out as Corey Heim took charge just after the halfway point. Former boss, Kyle Busch, passed Heim on the last lap to take home his 64th Truck Series win. Heim looks to be a threat again this weekend, and Taylor Gray could be a dark horse as he came home third in 2023.

Xfinity Series

The Xfinity Series race at Pocono in 2023 came down to fuel mileage as the dominant car of the day, Josh Berry, fell back late, handing Austin Hill the win. Chevrolet led 89 of 92 laps in this race in 2023, and that makes them the ones to watch. Could it be another RCR vs JRM battle?

Cup Series

The Cup Series race at Pocono was known for the finish, as Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson had possibly their most intense run-in. Overall, it was a story of Chevrolet (89 laps led) vs Toyota (48 Laps Led), and Denny Hamlin is set to be a favorite once again. Martin Truex Jr. should be a factor too, as he led 20 laps in 2023.

This article will be updated as the week progresses and more information about the weekend is revealed.