LONG POND, Pa. (Jan. 23, 2017) – Following unprecedented collaboration between NASCAR, drivers and teams, media partners and race track owners, changes in race formats were announced today during a press conference in Charlotte, N.C.
Race stages will now be utilized at all race tracks and through all three series’ – The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR XFINITY Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – beginning in 2017.
“We are excited to be part of such collaboration and enhance both the race and fan experience,” said Pocono Raceway President & CEO Brandon Igdalsky. “This new format will now create three winning moments instead of one and should lead to some incredible racing. The drivers are excited about the change and this is what fans have asked for. The breaks between stages also provides our tremendous broadcast partners a commercial window that should mean less green-flag interruptions and natural breaks for fans in the stands.”
Both NASCAR weekends at Pocono Raceway will follow the same format with three race stages.
The Pocono 400 and the Pennsylvania 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races will run two 40-lap stages and then one 80-lap stage. Points will be awarded for top-10 finishers in the first two stages with full field points following the conclusion of the 80-lap stage.
The Pocono Green 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on June 10 and the Pocono Mountains 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be run with three stages.
Pocono Raceway Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races (June 11 and July 30)
Two 40-lap stages. Points awarded to top-10 and one playoff bonus point
Final 80-lap stage. Full field points awarded and five playoff bonus points
Pocono Raceway is home to the Worry-Free Weather Guarantee that ensures fans that purchased Sunday tickets in advance directly from Pocono Raceway will be reimbursed the face value if weather postpones the race and they are unable to make the re-scheduled event. Additional information can be found at www.poconoraceway.com/guarantee.
Pocono Raceway will host seven major events in 2017, including two NASCAR and one Verizon IndyCar Series weekend. Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.poconoraceway.com, by calling 1-800-RACEWAY or in person at the Pocono Raceway Ticket Office.
This is the most stupid thing I have ever heard,NASCAR is racing not a every weekend all-star event …I hope fans like myself will stop watching NASCAR and stop going to races …I’m done with this sport…On to dirt racing …..Rest in peace nascar
This new format is not good for Pocono. With all these added breaks in the race, you’ll never get one in before the rain comes, as it does each year.