NASCAR Cup - Pocono

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania for the 2026 season. This 400-mile race takes competitors around the famous "Tricky Triangle" for 160 laps. Pocono Raceway offers one of the most distinctive challenges on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

The Tricky Triangle Circuit

Pocono Raceway stands apart from other NASCAR tracks with its unique tri-oval design. The 2.5-mile circuit features only three turns, each with different banking and characteristics. Turn 1 carries 14 degrees of banking with a 675-foot radius, modeled after Trenton Speedway. Turn 2, known as the "Tunnel Turn," has 8 degrees of banking and a 750-foot radius, similar to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Turn 3 features 6 degrees of banking with an 800-foot radius, inspired by the Milwaukee Mile.

The track includes the longest front stretch in NASCAR racing at 3,740 feet. The back straightaway measures 3,055 feet, while the short straightaway spans 1,780 feet. The asphalt surface varies from 60 to 100 feet in width around the circuit.

Race Weekend Format

The NASCAR Cup Series race headlines a tripleheader weekend at Pocono. The ARCA Menards Series competes on Friday, followed by the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series on Saturday. The Cup Series takes to the track on Sunday for the main event. Single-day tickets and weekend packages are available. Children 12 and under receive free admission for all three days when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

NASCAR Cup Series Competition

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series field will include 36 chartered entries. The race previously carried the name HighPoint.com 400. Pocono Raceway has hosted NASCAR Cup Series competition since 1974, when Richard Petty won the first major stock car race at the facility.

Technical Specifications

NASCAR has set engine output targets at 750 horsepower for tracks under 1.5 miles for the 2026 season. The short-track and road-course rules package applies at Pocono, featuring a three-inch rear spoiler and fewer diffuser strakes. The Cup Series mandates A-post flaps at every track, with a bright orange surface underneath the flap.

Pocono Raceway History

Pocono Raceway opened in 1969, with the first race taking place in 1971. Mark Donohue won the inaugural USAC Pocono 500. The Igdalsky and Mattioli families operate the facility through Mattco, Inc. NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. supported the track during its early financial difficulties, helping establish its reputation.

Major renovations began in 1990, including new crash walls and repaving. The designers created each turn to reflect different tracks across the United States, resulting in the distinctive triangular layout. Pocono Raceway earned recognition as the first privately-owned solar-powered sports facility in the world.

What Makes Pocono Unique

The three-turn layout creates distinct racing conditions. Each corner requires different approach strategies and speed profiles. The long straightaways allow for significant drafting opportunities and side-by-side racing. The varying banking through the turns tests driver skill and car setup. Teams must balance performance across three very different corners, making setup compromises necessary.

The facility seats approximately 76,812 spectators. The track's triangular shape provides unique viewing angles from different grandstand sections. Pocono Raceway's location in the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania adds to its distinctive character among NASCAR venues.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway promises challenging competition on one of stock car racing's most unusual circuits. The combination of three different corners, long straightaways, and varied banking creates opportunities for close racing and strategic battles throughout the 400-mile distance.