Wait, before we dive into the results, let’s get one thing straight. If you’re checking your calendar and realized it's January 17, 2026, and you’re wondering who just took the checkered flag at the "Tricky Triangle" in Long Pond, Pennsylvania... well, nobody did.
Actually, it’s currently freezing in the Poconos.
Pocono Raceway is a beast of a track, but it doesn't host races in the dead of winter. If there were cars on the track today, they’d probably be snowplows or some very brave (and cold) locals doing a charity drive. The NASCAR Cup Series season hasn’t even officially kicked off yet—we’re still a few weeks away from the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1st and the Daytona 500 on February 15th.
So, if you’re seeing "who won the Pocono race today" trending or just had a brain fart, you’re likely thinking of the most recent high-stakes drama that happened at that 2.5-mile triangle.
Who Won the Last Major Pocono Race?
The last time the engines actually roared at Pocono was back in June 2025. It was a wild weekend. If you’re looking for the reigning king of the mountain, that would be Chase Briscoe.
👉 See also: Dodgers Black Heritage Night 2025: Why It Matters More Than the Jersey
Honestly, that race was a nail-biter. Briscoe, driving the No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing, put on a masterclass in fuel management. He led a massive 72 out of 160 laps. But leading laps is one thing; making it to the end without running dry is another.
He was being hunted down by Denny Hamlin—who, let’s be real, basically owns Pocono with seven career wins there—and Ryan Blaney. Briscoe held them off by a measly 0.682 seconds. It was his first win with JGR, and it basically saved his season.
The Top Finishers from the 2025 Great American Getaway 400:
- Chase Briscoe (The winner who actually figured out the fuel mileage)
- Denny Hamlin (Always the bridesmaid at Pocono lately)
- Ryan Blaney (Strong, but just didn't have the gap)
- Chris Buescher
- Chase Elliott
It’s easy to get the dates mixed up, especially with how the NASCAR schedule shifts around. For 2026, the series isn't heading back to Pennsylvania until June 14, 2026. That’s when the Great American Getaway 400 returns.
What Happened in the Xfinity Series?
Maybe you weren't thinking of the Cup guys. The Saturday race at Pocono in 2025 was arguably even more of a headline-grabber because of who was on the pit box.
✨ Don't miss: College Football Top 10: What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Rankings
Connor Zilisch won the Xfinity race.
The kid is a phenom. But the real story? Dale Earnhardt Jr. was his crew chief for the day. Yeah, you read that right. Dale Jr. stepped in for a suspended Mardy Lindley and actually called the shots. Watching Zilisch hold off Jesse Love while Dale Jr. was in his ear was peak racing television. Zilisch took the lead with only three laps to go.
It was his first oval win.
Why the Confusion?
People search for race winners in January because the "Silly Season" (NASCAR's version of the transfer portal) is in full swing. We’re all itching for racing to start. Right now, teams are in Charlotte prepping cars.
🔗 Read more: Cleveland Guardians vs Atlanta Braves Matches: Why This Interleague Rivalry Hits Different
Drivers are switching teams. Sponsors are unveiling new paint schemes. Hendrick Motorsports just dropped their 2026 looks a few weeks ago. We're all just waiting for the roar to return.
How to Keep Track of the 2026 Schedule
If you want to be ready for when a race is actually happening today, here is what the upcoming 2026 schedule looks like for the start of the year:
- February 1: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (The short track chaos)
- February 12: The Duels at Daytona
- February 15: The Daytona 500 (The Big One)
- June 14: The actual date you’ll find out who won the Pocono race in 2026.
Basically, if it’s January, the only "racing" happening in the Poconos is probably skiers going down Camelback Mountain.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there isn't a race today, here is what you should actually do to stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official NASCAR site and download the 2026 schedule to your phone. It prevents this exact "wait, is there a race today?" confusion.
- Check the "The Chase" updates: NASCAR is bringing back "The Chase" branding for the 2026 postseason. It's a bit of a throwback to the 2004-2013 era, and you'll want to read up on the point reset rules before the season starts.
- Watch the 2025 Replays: If you're missing the Tricky Triangle, NASCAR usually keeps the full race replays on their YouTube channel. Re-watching Briscoe's fuel-save win is a great way to kill a Saturday afternoon in January.
- Buy Tickets Early: Pocono tickets for the June 12-14, 2026 weekend went on sale last October. If you're planning to go, the infield camping usually sells out way before the snow melts.
There you go. No winner today, but plenty of history to chew on while we wait for February.