Sunday afternoon, June 14, the NASCAR Cup Series will roll into Pocono Raceway for the Great American Getaway 400, a 400‑mile showdown that will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
What makes this weekend distinct is the qualifying procedure that the series has adopted for 2025, opting for a single‑car, one‑lap format that places each driver on the track individually rather than in a multi‑car session.
The Formula Behind the Order
The order in which the 38 entries take to the 2.5‑mile triangular circuit is no longer set by random draw; instead, a two‑variable formula that blends owner‑team standings with the most recent race result will dictate the sequence, a change that was rolled out at the start of the season.
Since the previous event at Michigan International Speedway, three driver line‑ups have been shuffled, most notably the absence of the No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet from the Pocono entry list, while two non‑chartered machines have secured spots.
The No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet will be piloted by Casey Mears, and the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports entry will be driven by Daniel Dye; both cars have been locked into the race field, underscoring the growing influence of independent teams.
The new format has sparked conversation among fans and analysts alike, who wonder whether a single‑lap showdown will preserve the drama of traditional qualifying while also rewarding teams that have performed well in the latest race.
Regardless of the debate, the excitement is palpable as the field prepares to tackle Pocono’s unique challenges, and the broadcast partnership with Amazon Prime Video promises a wide audience for what promises to be a pivotal moment in the championship.