PIT BOX: ARCA Menards Series returns to Pocono for the first time since 2023

After a two-year absence, the ARCA Menards Series will head back to the Pocono Mountains this weekend to tackle the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway (3 p.m. ET on FS1).

The shared history between the ARCA Menards Series and Pocono dates to 1969, when the facility hosted the platform for its first event in the infield. Pocono’s iconic three-turn layout opened two years later and eventually became a staple of United States open-wheel culture and the NASCAR Cup Series.

In 1983, the ARCA Menards Series contested Pocono’s large configuration for the first time, kickstarting a strong relationship that saw the platform visit the complex twice a year. The list of drivers who have ARCA Menards Series Pocono wins on their resumés includes Bob Schacht, Tim Steele, Frank Kimmel, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson.

With three distinct corners modeled after Trenton Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Milwaukee Mile, Pocono is one of the most challenging tracks ARCA Menards Series drivers will face all year. Track position will be imperative for Friday’s race as drivers seek to claim the first ARCA Menards Series checkered flag at Pocono since 2023.

Tickets to the Sunset Hill Shooting Range 150 can be purchased here. Below is everything to know ahead of the eighth race on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series schedule.

Sunset Hill Shooting Range 150 at Pocono Raceway

Venturini Motorsports is the most recent ARCA Menards Series program to find Victory Lane at Pocono Raceway, which they accomplished with Jesse Love.

The spiritual successor to Venturini, Nitro Motorsports will look to start its own tradition of success at Pocono this weekend with five cars in the field. Leading the charge for Nitro is ARCA Menards Series points leader Jake Bollman, who led his first laps of the 2026 season at Michigan International Speedway last weekend before settling for second.

Alongside the team’s other two full-time drivers in Thomas Annunziata and Isabella Robusto, Nitro is also bringing Jade Avedisian and Gavan Boschele to Pocono this weekend. Boschele has finished top five in all three of his national ARCA Menards Series starts this year, and Avedisian seeks to build off a top-10 finish at Kansas Speedway in April.

Nitro’s primary opposition for Friday’s Sunset Hill Shooting Range 150 will be Joe Gibbs Racing, which possesses two ARCA Menards Series Pocono victories with Riley Herbst and Ty Gibbs. Driving Gibbs’ No. 18 Toyota this weekend is Gio Ruggiero, who looks to earn his fourth victory in five ARCA Menards Series appearances this year.

Dystany Spurlock continues her odyssey into stock-car racing this weekend with her first visit to Pocono. A quiet-but-consistent day for Spurlock at Michigan last weekend saw her earn a lead-lap finish of 13th. She will look to improve upon that showing by figuring out how to tackle Pocono’s challenging, unorthodox configuration.

Other drivers set to compete at Pocono this weekend include Carson Brown, Isaac Kitzmiller, Lanie Buice, Andy Jankowiak, Ryan Vargas and Sean Corr.

The complete entry list for the Sunset Hill Shooting Range 150 will be released later this week.

RACING REFERENCE:

• Previous ARCA Menards Series races at Pocono
• ARCA Menards Series drivers at Pocono

RACE FACTS:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: Field limited to 30 starters, plus provisionals (EIRI). This event will be run under the 2026 ARCA Menards Series rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.

QUALIFYING: Starting lineup set by speeds in Timed Session qualifying, plus provisionals. No adjustments or repairs may be made on car after leaving pit stall to qualify. All cars must make a qualifying attempt, and all drivers must practice before they can qualify (EIRI).

RACE PIT STOP: Modified Live Pit Stop procedure. There will be a scheduled caution at or near lap 30. No adding or moving tires to or from pit box once race has started.

TIRE ALLOTMENT: Per ARCA Rulebook, the maximum tire use at track (total, ‘from home’ plus purchased at track) for this event is 12.