Pocono Race Shift
NASCAR's Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway moves to 1 p.m. due to weather forecast
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Pocono Raceway said the NASCAR Cup Series drivers meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m., adding another specific on-site milestone fans may want to plan around with the 1 p.m. start.
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The Racing Experts reported the National Weather Service is forecasting “a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m.” with a 50% chance of precipitation for Long Pond, Pennsylvania.
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Motorsport.com noted that before the adjustment, the race’s green flag was scheduled for 3:21 p.m. EST (with the event originally slated to start just after 3 p.m. EST).
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Motorsport.com also provided context on Pocono’s weather history, saying the race has been shortened by rain five times (including Chris Buescher’s first career win in 2016), postponed three more times, and the 2002 race ended early due to darkness.
NASCAR has moved Sunday's Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway up two hours, with the green flag now set for 1 p.m. ET. The original start time was just after 3 p.m. ET, according to Motorsport.com, but forecasts showing a 50% chance of storms after 2 p.m. forced a quick rethink.
NASCAR.com said the change was made to give "fans and competitors the best opportunity to see the full 400-mile event." Pre-race coverage on Amazon Prime Video begins at noon, with the drivers meeting set for 12:30 p.m. Parking and gates open at 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. as originally planned, but fans are urged to arrive early.
Storms Threatening to Arrive Right at Race Time
The National Weather Service forecast a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms for Long Pond, Pennsylvania, starting after 2 p.m., according to The Racing Experts. That window lined up almost exactly with the original 3:21 p.m. green flag. At the revised 1 p.m. start, the rain risk is just 5%, per Athlon Sports.
The math gets worse as the day goes on. Athlon Sports reported the rain chance climbs to 66% by 6 p.m. A race at Pocono runs about 160 laps over 400 miles on a 2.5-mile triangular track. If rain delays push things late, the track also has no lights — a problem that ended one race early in 2002, per Motorsport.com.
Amazon Prime Video Made the Time Shift Possible
NASCAR, Pocono Raceway, and Amazon Prime Video all had to agree to the move. Analysts say streaming made that easier. Unlike traditional TV networks, Prime Video does not have other live shows locked into the time slot before or after the race. Motorsport.com noted that the shift highlights streaming's flexibility compared to rigid cable schedules.
This race is one of five NASCAR Cup Series events airing exclusively on Prime Video in 2026. The race will also be heard on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM Radio.
Pocono's Long History of Rain-Shortened Races
Sunday's weather threat is nothing new for this track. Motorsport.com reported the summer race at Pocono has been shortened by rain five times and postponed three more times in its history going back to 1974. One of the most famous rain-shortened finishes came in 2016, when Chris Buescher claimed his first career Cup win.
Under NASCAR rules, a race becomes official once it reaches the halfway point — lap 80 of 160 — or the end of Stage 2 at lap 95. Athlon Sports noted that if rain looks likely, teams may skip pit stops to gain track position and secure an official finish rather than bet on better conditions later.
Denny Hamlin Chases History as the Betting Favorite
No driver has won more at Pocono than Denny Hamlin. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has seven wins at the track and was the runner-up in each of the last two seasons, per Tennessean. CBS Sports listed him as the betting favorite at +250 heading into Sunday. Points leader Tyler Reddick is further back at +700.
Pocono Raceway's official social media told fans directly: "Due to the change in schedule, we strongly recommend all guests adjust your arrival plan. Arrive early to avoid delays." With a 1 p.m. green flag and gates opening at 8 a.m., fans have a tight window — especially those traveling from far away on Sunday morning.
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