Track drying efforts are underway after a severe thunderstorm rolled through Pocono Raceway prior to the start of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series The Great American Getaway 400. Currently, the sun is out, and NASCAR has set an expected green flag time of 4:30 PM ET for Sunday’s race.
The race was originally set to go green at around 2:30 PM ET.
While NASCAR hasn’t officially stated the predetermined race conclusion time for Sunday’s race, it is expected that the time will remain consistent with what the time has been set at for the rest of the race weekend at Pocono Raceway. If that is ultimately the case, the race will conclude at 8:25 PM ET.
If the race were to be shortened by the darkness time limit, the way the race would play out is as follows:
Clock strikes the time
Leader hits the line
Leader runs a lap
Leader sees white flag at the end of that first lap
Leader runs another lap
Leader sees checkered
So, time, leader hits line, two more laps.
In all, seven drivers will drop to the rear of the field prior to Sunday’s race.
Six drivers will go to the rear for unapproved adjustments, including Ty Dillon, Ryan Blaney (starter), Josh Berry (diffuser), Bubba Wallace (starter), William Byron (damage repair), and Cody Ware (damage repair).
Brennan Poole will drop to the rear after his No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet failed pre-race inspection multiple times. Additionally, Poole will have to perform a pass-through penalty after taking the green flag in Sunday’s race.
Here is the updated pre-race festivities schedule for Sunday’s race at Pocono Raceway:
- 3:50 PM ET: Driver Introductions
- 4:11 PM ET: National Anthem
- 4:19 PM ET: Command to Start Engines
- 4:30 PM ET: Green Flag
