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Pocono Raceway has hosted two NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series events annually since 1982, and will do so in 2020. But with a major twist.



The 2.5-mile track will hold its two Cup Series races on consecutive days — June 27 and June 28 in 2020.



“Pocono Raceway will be a marquee, bucket-list event next year,” Pocono Raceway CEO Nick Igdalsky said. “We will be the first track to host two, points-paying Cup races in consecutive dates in NASCAR’s modern era (since 1972). Our family and staff remain committed to ensuring fans see the same value for their tickets as they have in years past.”



Pocono held its first Cup race in 1974. When it expanded to two in 1982, the first race was held in June and the second in either July or August. This season, Pocono races are on June 2 and July 28.



According to record available on racing-reference.info, no track has held consecutive Cup races in the pre-modern era of 1949-1971.



The plan for 2020 is for Pocono to continue to host the Xfinity Series, Truck Series and ARCA Series that same weekend. Start times and lengths for all the races haven’t been released.



“Nowhere else will fans be able to enjoy this volume of quality NASCAR racing in one weekend,” Pocono Raceway President Ben May said.



There will be no price increases for the 2020 Cup races from the 2019 rates. Tickets and camping spots for 2020 will go on sale in September. One-day infield access will be eliminated and camping will be expanded to Turn 1.



“The doubleheader weekend at Pocono, that’s a big piece to me,” reigning Cup champion Joey Logano said on NASCAR’s live broadcast of the schedule unveiling. “Logistics-wise for the race teams, how are we going to handle that weekend? Are we qualifying twice? Are we bringing a car for Saturday and a car for Sunday? Are we running the same car both times? I don’t know how that’s supposed to work. To me, that brings out four of five questions that comes along with that. How does that weekend go?



“But what a great weekend for the race fans, right? There’s a great opportunity for a race fan to go out and see two awesome Cup races back-to-back at Pocono. I love going up there — just a beautiful area, the racetrack’s a lot of fun. But to watch two races in one weekend, that gives everyone reason to go to that race.”



The Pocono doubleheader is part of major changes to the 2020 schedule, including Daytona no longer hosting a race the Fourth of July weekend.



“The fans and the industry as a whole have been vocal about the desire for sweeping changes to the schedule, and the 2020 slate is a reflection of our efforts to execute against that feedback,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer.

Pocono holding Cup doubleheader in 2020