Pocono Raceway is one of a very few NASCAR tracks not owned by either Speedway Motorsports, Inc. or International Speedway Corporation. It is operated by the Igdalsky siblings Brandon, Nicholas, and sister Ashley, and cousins Joseph IV and Chase Mattioli, all of whom are third-generation members of the family-owned Mattco Inc, started by Joseph II and Rose Mattioli.
Outside of the NASCAR races, the track is used throughout the year by Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and motorcycle clubs as well as racing schools and an IndyCarrace. The triangular oval also has three separate infield sections of racetrack – North Course, East Course and South Course. Each of these infield sections use a separate portion of the tri-oval to complete the track. During regular non-race weekends, multiple clubs can use the track by running on different infield sections. Also some of the infield sections can be run in either direction, or multiple infield sections can be put together – such as running the North Course and the South Course and using the tri-oval to connect the two.
Entry list
(R) denotes rookie driver.
(i) denotes driver who is ineligible for series driver points.
The first practice session was held on Friday, July 7, at 1:00 PM EST. The session would last for 55 minutes.[2]Brad Keselowski of Team Penske would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 28.806 and an average speed of 132.222 mph (212.791 km/h).[3]
The second and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Friday, July 7, at 3:00 PM EST. The session would last for 55 minutes.[2]Kyle Benjamin of Joe Gibbs Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 52.722 and an average speed of 170.707 mph (274.726 km/h).[4]
Qualifying was held on Saturday, June 10, at 9:35 AM EST.[2] Since Pocono Raceway is at least 2 miles (3.2 km) in length, the qualifying system was a single car, single lap, two round system where in the first round, everyone would set a time to determine positions 13–40. Then, the fastest 12 qualifiers would move on to the second round to determine positions 1–12.[5]
Kyle Benjamin of Joe Gibbs Racing would win the pole, setting a time of 52.070 and an average speed of 172.844 miles per hour (278.165 km/h) in the second round.[6]