A comeback at Pocono
NASCAR has confirmed that the O'Reilly Series will make its way back to Pocono Raceway in June 2026, bringing the series to the iconic 2.5‑mile triangle for the first time since 2024. The race will be part of a packed summer schedule and is expected to draw a large contingent of fans to the Pennsylvania venue.
Qualifying for the event will be decided by a single‑lap run, with the fastest time determining each driver’s spot on the grid. The metric system that ranks lap times will be applied to ensure a clear ordering, and the resulting lineup will be based exclusively on those best‑lap performances.
The pole position for the 2026 race will be contested by a field that includes veteran names such as Patrick Emerling, Natalie Decker and William Byron, among a host of other competitors. In 2025, Chase Elliott secured the pole at Pocono, setting a benchmark for the upcoming season.
The complete list of drivers slated to compete reads like a who’s who of the series, featuring Carson Ware, Joey Gase, Carson Kvapil, Josh Bilicki, Cole Custer, Ryan Ellis, Lavar Scott, Nick Sanchez, Nick Leitz, Dexter Bean, Harrison Burton, Kyle Sieg, Leland Honeyman Jr., Patrick Staropoli, Jeb Burton, Blaine Perkins, Brennan Poole, Rajah Caruth, Jeremy Clements, Anthony Alfredo, Dean Thompson, Ryan Sieg, Sheldon Creed, Jesse Love, Parker Retzlaff, Taylor Gray, Austin Hill, Sammy Smith, Sam Mayer, Connor Zilisch, Corey Day, Brandon Jones, William Sawalich, Brent Crews and Justin Allgaier. Their participation underscores the depth of talent that NASCAR continues to attract to the O'Reilly Series.
Beyond the on‑track action, the event will be held in the heart of the United States, with Pocono Raceway situated in Pennsylvania and the surrounding region also encompassing parts of Tennessee. The race will be broadcast to viewers across the country, bringing the excitement of stock car racing to a national audience.