Race Name: Explore the Pocono Mountains 250
Track: Pocono Raceway (2.5-mile triangular oval)
Distance: 100 laps / 250 miles
Stages: Stage 1 – Lap 25 Stage 2 – Lap 50 Final Stage – Lap 100
Start Time: 3:40 PM ET (Green flag)
TV Coverage: The CW Network
Radio: MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Weather Forecast: 80°F, partly cloudy, 13% chance of rain
Track Profile: Pocono Raceway – The Tricky Triangle
Pocono is one of the most unique tracks in NASCAR, featuring three distinct corners modeled after turns from Trenton, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee. Its long straightaways and flat banking demand precision braking, throttle control, and aerodynamic balance—making it a true test of driver skill and crew chief strategy.
Drivers to Watch
Justin Allgaier – No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet
2024 Finish: 2nd (led race-high 30 laps)
Pocono Stats: 3 top-5s, 5 top-10s in 9 starts
Outlook: Allgaier has led laps in 7 of his last 9 Pocono starts and is the current Xfinity Series points leader
Connor Zilisch – No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet
Rookie Sensation: 4 poles, 4 top-5s in 2025
Momentum: 3 straight top-5s entering Pocono
Note: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will serve as his crew chief this weekend due to a suspension for Mardy Lindley
Chase Elliott – No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Special Appearance: Second Xfinity start of 2025
Experience: Former Xfinity Series champion and Cup Series star
X-Factor: Brings elite road and oval skills to a one-off entry
Harrison Burton – No. 25 AM Racing Ford
Return to Xfinity: Full-time in 2025 after Cup stint
Pocono Xfinity Stats: 2 starts, 1 pole, best finish of 32nd
Motivation: Looking to rebound from past Pocono struggles
Jeb Burton – No. 27 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet
Pocono Stats: 4 starts, best finish of 8th (2021)
Notable Moment: Survived a dramatic flip in 2022
Consistency: Completed 83.8% of laps at Pocono
Entry List Highlights
38 cars entered – full field, no DNQs
Notables: Austin Hill (2023 winner), Sammy Smith, Carson Kvapil, Blaine Perkins, Sheldon Creed
Rookies to Watch: Zilisch, Kvapil, Perkins
🔧 Practice & Qualifying Schedule
Practice: Saturday, June 21 at 10:00 AM ET (split into two groups)
Qualifying: Saturday, June 21 at 11:05 AM ET (single-lap format)
Coverage: CW Network App (LIVE)
Race Outlook & Prediction
With Cole Custer (2024 winner) now in the Cup Series, the door is open for a new Pocono victor. Allgaier’s consistency, Zilisch’s momentum, and Elliott’s star power make this one of the most anticipated Xfinity races of the season. Expect strategy to play a major role, especially with tire wear and fuel mileage on the long Pocono straights.
Projected Winner: Justin Allgaier – poised to finally break through at Pocono after multiple near-misses.
Driver Odds
Justin Allgaier + 280
Chase Elliott + 350
Sam Mayer + 750
Austin Hill + 750
Connor Zilisch + 800
Sheldon Creed + 1000
Jesse Love + 1100
Taylor Gray + 1200
Sammy Smith + 1200
Brandon Jones + 1200
Carson Kvapil + 1500
Ryan Sieg + 2800
William Sawalich + 5000
Nicholas Sanchez + 5000
Christian Eckes + 5000
Justin Bonsignore + 6000
Harrison Burton + 10000
Daniel Dye + 10000
Dean Thompson + 12000
Parker Retzlaff + 25000
Jeb Burton + 25000
Anthony Alfredo + 30000
Matt DiBenedetto + 50000
Kyle Sieg + 50000
Josh Williams + 50000
Jeremy Clements + 50000
Brennan Poole + 50000
Ryan Ellis + 100000
Patrick Emerling + 100000
Mason Massey + 100000
Leland Honeyman Jr. + 100000
Kris Wright + 100000
Josh Bilicki + 100000
Garrett Smithley + 100000
Dawson Cram + 100000
Carson Ware + 100000
Blaine Perkins + 100000
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 20, 2025
