NASCAR at Pocono Raceway 2026: Your Complete Weekend Guide
NASCAR is coming back to Pocono Raceway on June 12 through 14, 2026, and if you are planning to be there, this is the guide you need. The Tricky Triangle, one of the most unique tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, delivers a weekend of racing that draws tens of thousands of fans to the Pocono Mountains every summer. Whether this is your first NASCAR weekend or your twentieth, there is a lot to know about making the most of three days in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.
Our team at Pocono Pads has been hosting race weekend guests for years. We know the traffic patterns, the best places to eat after the race, and how to turn a race weekend into a full Pocono vacation. Here is everything you need to plan your 2026 NASCAR trip.
What Is the NASCAR Schedule at Pocono Raceway in 2026?
Pocono Pads properties put you within minutes of the Poconos' best summer experiences — lakefront access, hiking trailheads, and water park shuttles are all nearby depending on which property you choose. Browse our summer availability at poconopads.com.
The 2026 NASCAR weekend at Pocono Raceway is a three-day event:
Friday, June 12: ARCA Menards Series race at 3:00 PM. This is the opener and features up-and-coming drivers on the same 2.5-mile triangular track. It is a great warm-up for the main events and the atmosphere is more relaxed. Friday is also when most fans arrive and set up camp.
Saturday, June 13: NASCAR Xfinity Series (O'Reilly Auto Parts Series) race at 4:00 PM. The Xfinity Series races are competitive and often feature wild finishes. Saturday also typically includes qualifying sessions earlier in the day.
Sunday, June 14: NASCAR Cup Series race at 3:00 PM. This is the main event, the Cup Series race at Pocono is one of the marquee stops on the schedule. The Tricky Triangle's unique three-turn layout produces unpredictable racing with long straightaways and a different turn configuration than any other track in the series.
Ticket prices start at $65 for general admission, and kids 12 and under get in free. Premium seating, pit passes, and VIP experiences are available at higher price points. Buy tickets through poconoraceway.com, they typically sell out the grandstand sections closest to the start/finish line, so book early if you want prime seats.
Where to Stay for NASCAR at Pocono Raceway
This is the question we hear the most, and it is where we can offer genuine local expertise. Pocono Raceway is located in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, in a relatively rural stretch of the Poconos. The nearest town of any size is Blakeslee, about 10 minutes away, and the larger commercial areas of Tannersville, Mount Pocono, and Stroudsburg are 20 to 40 minutes east.
Hotels in the immediate area are limited and book up months in advance for race weekend. The Holiday Inn Express in Blakeslee, the Comfort Inn in Mount Pocono, and the Chateau Resort in Tannersville are the closest options, but they fill fast and rates spike significantly, often 2x to 3x normal prices.
This is exactly where a vacation rental makes more sense than a hotel. Instead of cramming your group into two or three hotel rooms at inflated rates, you can rent a full cabin with multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, a hot tub, and enough space for everyone to spread out. For a group of 6 to 16 fans, the per-person cost of a cabin rental is almost always lower than hotel rooms, and the experience is dramatically better.
Our properties at Pocono Pads are well-positioned for Pocono Raceway:
The Green Monster sleeps 16 and is located near Camelback, about 25 minutes from the Raceway. Six bedrooms, three bathrooms, an indoor slide, and a bar area. For a large group of race fans, this is the ultimate base camp. Come back from the track, fire up the grill, and spend the evening at the bar reliving the race.
Cozy 5BR sleeps 12 and has a pool, hot tub, fire pit, and game room. After a long, hot day at the Raceway, jumping in the pool is about as good as it gets.
Spring Getaway sleeps 16 with a bunkroom, jacuzzi, and fire pit. Great for groups that want plenty of sleeping space and a place to gather in the evening.
Rustic and Modern sleeps 10 with a hot tub and fire pit, ideal for a mid-sized group that wants a comfortable, modern cabin experience.
Lakefront House sleeps 12 with a sauna and jacuzzi. If you want to combine race weekend with some lake time, this property puts you near the water.
How Early Should You Book for NASCAR Weekend?
Book now. Seriously. Race weekend is one of the highest-demand periods on the entire Poconos rental calendar. Properties that sleep 10 or more start filling up three to four months in advance. If you are reading this in June and the race is days away, check our availability at poconopadsmgmt.com immediately, we may still have openings, but they go fast.
For future reference, the best time to book for Pocono Raceway weekend is January through March. That gives you the widest selection of properties and the best rates.
What Is the Traffic Like on Race Weekend?
Let us be honest: traffic on race day is significant. Pocono Raceway can hold over 70,000 fans, and the road infrastructure around Long Pond is rural two-lane highways. Route 115 and Long Pond Road are the main arteries, and they get congested for two to three hours before and after the Cup Series race on Sunday.
Our advice for navigating race weekend traffic:
Arrive early. Gates typically open several hours before the first race of the day. Get to the track early, find your parking spot, and enjoy the pre-race atmosphere, the fan zone, vendor booths, and tailgating scene are all part of the experience.
Stay late. Do not rush to the exits after the checkered flag. Hang out at the track, explore the merchandise tents, and let the initial surge of traffic clear. Leaving 45 minutes to an hour after the race ends can cut your exit time dramatically.
Use alternate routes. If you are staying south of the Raceway (toward Tannersville or Mount Pocono), local routes through Blakeslee and Tobyhanna can avoid some of the worst bottlenecks on Route 115. Ask our team for specific route suggestions when you check in.
Plan for Friday and Saturday traffic to be lighter. The ARCA and Xfinity races draw smaller crowds, and the traffic impact is much more manageable.
For a hassle-free summer escape, Pocono Pads Management handles all the details — so you show up to a clean, stocked, and ready home every time. Our guest support team is available throughout your stay if you need anything at all.
What Else Is There to Do During NASCAR Weekend?
The race takes up a chunk of each day, but you will have mornings and evenings free. Here is how to fill them.
Pre-race mornings: Hit a local diner for breakfast. Pocono Diner and Callie's Candy Kitchen in Mountainhome are both quick stops near the Camelback area. Fuel up on pancakes and coffee before heading to the track.
Post-race evenings: Grill at the cabin. This is the single best piece of advice we can give for race weekend. Stock the kitchen before the weekend, buy burgers and steaks, and fire up the grill when you get back from the track. The cabin atmosphere after a race, cold beers, hot food, the hot tub, and replaying the key moments, is what turns a NASCAR trip into a genuine vacation.
Non-race day activities: If some members of your group are not into racing (or if you arrive Thursday and want to fill the day), the Poconos have plenty to offer. Whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River is a 30-minute drive from the Raceway. Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark is open and offers a full day of slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers. Jim Thorpe is about 25 minutes south and has shopping, restaurants, and scenic train rides. Lake Wallenpaupack is about 45 minutes northeast for boating and fishing.
What Should You Bring to Pocono Raceway?
Sunscreen and hats, the grandstands are mostly exposed, and June sun at the track is no joke.
Ear protection, NASCAR is loud. Bring earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, especially for kids.
A cooler, Pocono Raceway allows fans to bring in one soft-sided cooler (14 by 14 by 14 inches maximum). You can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. This saves a significant amount of money versus buying everything at concession stands.
Cash, some vendors and parking lots still operate on cash only.
Comfortable shoes, you will be walking and standing on pavement for hours. Leave the flip-flops at the cabin.
A clear bag, many tracks have moved to clear bag policies. Check poconoraceway.com for the latest entry requirements before you go.
Rain gear, June weather in the Poconos is unpredictable. Pack a light rain jacket or poncho. Races can be delayed by weather, and there is limited covered seating in the general admission areas.
Is Pocono Raceway Good for First-Time NASCAR Fans?
Absolutely. Pocono Raceway's unique triangular layout makes it one of the most interesting tracks in the series, the three turns are all different shapes and speeds, which creates passing opportunities and dramatic racing that even newcomers can appreciate. The atmosphere is welcoming and family-friendly. The fan zone has interactive exhibits, driver appearances, and merchandise for every team. And the setting, surrounded by Pennsylvania mountains and forests, makes it one of the most scenic tracks on the circuit.
If you are on the fence about attending, start with Saturday's Xfinity race. It is shorter, less crowded, and gives you a taste of the race-day experience without the full commitment of the Cup Series Sunday.
People Also Ask
Q: What are the best lakes to visit in the Pocono Mountains in summer?
A: Lake Wallenpaupack, Lake Harmony, and Pocono Lake are the top three for summer activities — swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and boat rentals are all available. Pocono Pads has lakeside and lake-access properties near several of these, so guests can step out the back door and be on the water in minutes. Browse lake property options at poconopads.com to find one that fits your group.
Ready to lock in your NASCAR weekend plans? Check availability at poconopads.com and reserve a cabin that fits your crew. Race weekend is one of the best times to experience the Poconos, combine the racing with everything else the mountains have to offer, and you have got yourself a vacation that goes way beyond the checkered flag.
