Updated

Updated · The Morning Call · Jun 13

Pocono Great American Getaway 400 Moves to 1 p.m. Start as Weather Threatens Sunday Race

Updated

Updated · The Morning Call · Jun 13

Pocono Great American Getaway 400 Moves to 1 p.m. Start as Weather Threatens Sunday Race

Q: Can Denny Hamlin convert his pole position into a win before the looming storms hit Pocono?

Yes — Hamlin has a strong chance, but the weather makes it far from certain. The two-hour move-up to a 1 p.m. ET start is designed to give NASCAR the best chance to complete the full 160 laps before thunderstorms expected later Sunday at Pocono. Forecasts call for storms becoming likely in the afternoon, with rain chances around 70%, so the earlier green flag materially improves Hamlin’s opportunity to turn pole into a win. On performance, the case is strong. Hamlin starts from the best spot after winning the pole in 54.686 seconds at 164.576 mph. He has six career poles at Pocono, seven wins there, and arrives in top form after winning his last two races from the pole. Few drivers have a better record at the Tricky Triangle, where track position, clean air and strategy often matter as much as outright speed. But Pocono rarely rewards speed alone. Its three distinct corners force setup compromises, and races there often swing on fuel mileage, pit timing and changing track conditions. Hamlin himself noted that passing should be easier early while the track is hot; if cloud cover cools the surface before weather arrives, track position could become even more important. So the ingredients are there for Hamlin to capitalize quickly: elite Pocono history, the pole, recent momentum and an earlier start. The biggest threat may be less the field than whether strategy and the timing of the storms interrupt the race before he can finish the job.

3 articles · Updated · The Morning Call · Jun 13

Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race at Pocono Raceway will start at 1 p.m., two hours earlier than scheduled, after officials advanced the Great American Getaway 400 because of expected bad weather.
NASCAR, Pocono Raceway and Amazon Prime Video said the change is meant to give fans the best chance to see the full race experience despite the forecast.
Amazon Prime Video’s pre-race coverage now begins at noon, while the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM Radio will also carry the event live.
Track operations are unchanged: parking lots still open at 6 a.m. and gates at 8 a.m.
Pocono dealt with weather disruption last year as well, when the race won by Chase Briscoe was delayed two hours before the start.