Pocono shortens both Cup races to 400 miles in 2012

Pocono 400 will be June 10, 2012; Pennsylvania 400 will be Aug. 5, 2012

Long Pond, PA (August 10, 2011) ― Pocono Raceway’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was in 1974, a second Sprint Cup Series race was added to the Pocono schedule in 1982. Sunday’s Good Sam RV Insurance 500 was the 68^thSprint Cup Series at Pocono Raceway. Each race was scheduled for 500 miles and each produced its share of drama and excitement.

Starting with the June 10, 2012 Pocono Sprint Cup Series race, the scheduled distance for both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races will be shortened to 400 miles. 

“The 400-mile distance will make NASCAR racing at Pocono even more exciting,” stated Raceway President and CEO Brandon Igdalsky. “Race strategies will change, fuel mileage calculations will be altered and I firmly believe that our fans will be treated to outstanding racing at the 400-mile distance.”

“NASCAR supports Pocono Raceway’s move to two 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 2012,” stated Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. “We believe this will be a good transition for the fans and competitors. It will provide the teams with a new type of strategy and should make for even more exciting competition at a unique facility that has a long-standing history in our sport.”

Eight weeks after the Pocono 400, the Pennsylvania 400 will be held Aug. 5. Both 400-mile races will have the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards as companion races. The August Pennsylvania 400 weekend will also feature a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Aug. 4.