Weather could become one of the biggest storylines of NASCAR’s weekend at Pocono Raceway.
The forecast currently shows thunderstorm chances on both Friday and Sunday, while Saturday is shaping up to be the best weather day of the weekend. That could have implications for everything from the ARCA Menards Series opener to Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at the Tricky Triangle.
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Here’s everything fans need to know before the action begins.
Friday Forecast Could Impact ARCA Action
Friday’s weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-80s with roughly a 50% chance of rain.
Some forecasts also indicate the potential for stronger thunderstorms during the afternoon hours, which is worth monitoring since all ARCA Menards Series track activity is scheduled for Friday.
Friday NASCAR Schedule at Pocono Raceway
ARCA Menards Series
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3 p.m. ET — Pocono ARCA 150 (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
The ARCA Menards Series gets the first opportunity to tackle Pocono’s unique three-turn layout before NASCAR’s national series take over the track Saturday.
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Saturday Looks Like the Best Weather Day
Saturday currently carries the most favorable forecast of the weekend.
Forecasters are calling for mostly sunny skies, temperatures near 81 degrees, and only a minimal chance of rain. If conditions hold, teams should have ideal weather for practice, qualifying, and race action.
Saturday NASCAR Schedule at Pocono Raceway
NASCAR O’Reilly Series
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10:30 a.m. ET — Practice (CW App)
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11:35 a.m. ET — Qualifying (CW App)
NASCAR Cup Series
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1 p.m. ET — Practice (Prime Video, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
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2:10 p.m. ET — Qualifying (Prime Video, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
NASCAR O’Reilly Series Race
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4 p.m. ET — MillerTech Battery 250 presented by KOA (The CW, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday’s sessions will give Cup teams their first chance to dial in setups for one of NASCAR’s most unique tracks.
Sunday Forecast Bears Watching
Sunday is the day that could create the most concern for NASCAR fans.
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Current forecasts call for partly cloudy skies during the morning before thunderstorms become likely during the afternoon. Rain chances are currently around 70%, with some forecasts mentioning the potential for severe thunderstorms.
That weather window overlaps directly with the weekend’s marquee event.
Sunday NASCAR Schedule at Pocono Raceway
NASCAR Cup Series
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3 p.m. ET — Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA (Prime Video, HBO Max, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
NASCAR has become increasingly proactive when weather threatens race weekends, but any schedule changes would be announced closer to race day if conditions warrant.
Why Weather Matters at Pocono
Pocono Raceway is unlike any other track on the NASCAR schedule.
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Nicknamed “The Tricky Triangle,” the 2.5-mile speedway features three distinctly different corners inspired by three different racetracks. Teams are forced to compromise on setup, which makes changing track conditions even more significant.
Temperature swings, cloud cover, and rain can dramatically affect grip levels and strategy. A weather delay can completely alter the complexion of a race, particularly at a track where fuel mileage and long-run speed often determine the winner.
For now, Saturday appears poised to deliver near-perfect racing conditions. The biggest question heading into the weekend is whether Sunday’s forecasted storms remain on schedule or stay away long enough for NASCAR’s biggest race of the weekend to run uninterrupted.
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