Pocono Raceway, located in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, is a 2.5-mile (4.02 km) triangular oval unlike any other in motorsport. Opened in 1971, it has become a fixture on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar and has also hosted IndyCar and IMSA races.
Track Specs
- Length: 2.5 miles (4.02 km)
- Banking: Turn 1 – 14°, Turn 2 – 8°, Turn 3 – 6°
- Straights: Frontstretch 3,740 ft (1,140 m); Long Pond straight 3,055 ft (931 m); North straight 1,780 ft (543 m)
- Surface: Asphalt
- Opened: 1971
Driving Tips
- Corner Variety: Each turn requires a different approach. A car set up for Turn 1 may struggle in Turn 3. Balance is always a compromise.
- Drafting: The long straights create big runs, especially in stock cars and IndyCars. Slipstream management is key.
- Tunnel Turn: Turn 2 is the trickiest section. Precision and stability are crucial to carrying speed without overdriving.
- Pit Road: Pocono’s pit lane entry can be treacherous under green. Clean cycles often decide strategy races.
Pocono in iRacing captures the complexity of its real-world counterpart. It rewards adaptability and rhythm while punishing overdriving.
