NASCAR is preparing for this weekend’s Circuit of The Americas race. Fans’ excitement peaked; they were hungry for some real, hardcore racing action. However, the Governor of Pennsylvania’s mind is stuck in the future. Four months from now, the Cup Series grid will head to Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Penn State. The Great American Race 400 will be flagged off at the 2.5-mile oval racetrack. What is more, the government of Penn State will be its benefactor.

Last year, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, launched the Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway tourism campaign. Through NASCAR’s popularity, Pocono Raceway remains crucial in offering national and international exposure to the Commonwealth. So Shapiro extended his support, with a generous sprinkling of gratitude.

An ode to NASCAR from Penn State

Last year, two Cup rivals put up a jaw-dropping show in Pocono. Ryan Blaney became the unlikely driver to beat Pocono master Denny Hamlin. Leading 44 laps, he held off Hamlin during the last seven laps in a dominating fashion. That was a solid incentive for VISITPA.com to renew its partnership with Pocono for the second consecutive year.

Besides, the race boosted numbers – a 2024 report details how Pennsylvania’s tourism industry generated $76.7 billion in economic impact, supported 486,871 jobs, and welcomed 192.4 million visitors. Those numbers point out the influence racing can have on a community. Kudos to Pennsylvania!

Paying tribute to this re-energized partnership with NASCAR, Josh Shapiro poured his heartfelt gratitude on X. Sharing Pocono Raceway’s announcement that the PA government is its entitlement sponsor again, Shapiro wrote some heartwarming words. “No one does @NASCAR better than Pennsylvania. The Great American Getaway 400 is back at @PoconoRaceway this year — and I’m excited to head back to the Tricky Triangle for another great race.”

What Josh Shapiro emphasized more was the wide-ranging impact that the NASCAR Cup Series race has on Penn State. In 2025, Amazon Prime Video will broadcast the race, expected to reach 195 countries in more than 29 languages. Shapiro continued: “But this race is more than just a sporting event — it’s an opportunity to promote everything our Commonwealth has to offer and make sure Pennsylvania is front and center as a top destination for travelers.”

Pocono Raceway President Ben May also regaled at the renewed partnership. “More than 60 percent of our fans travel from out of state or internationally, and we are thrilled that Governor Shapiro and his Administration have once again chosen Pocono and NASCAR to showcase why Pennsylvania is The Great American Getaway.”

Moreover, people will be flocking to see some fantastic drivers in action. One of them arches above the others with jaw-dropping stats.

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Look out for the veteran

Pocono Raceway can be an eccentric racetrack. It resembles a superspeedway because of its size and speed. But then again, it is also like a road course with three wildly different corners. It is truly a Tricky Triangle: Turn 1 is modeled after the now-defunct Trenton Speedway; Turn 2 after Indianapolis Motor Speedway; and Turn 3 after the Milwaukee Mile.

However, Cup Series stars have tamed this venue – especially Denny Hamlin, who knows the tricks by heart. His jaw-dropping seven wins here make him the King of the Poconos, and he keeps showing up as an unbeatable contender each year.

With four more top-five finishes, Denny Hamlin would tie with NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin for most all-time (20). His 858 laps fall short of just Gordon’s stats, 1040. However, a couple of searing heartbreaks also accompany Hamlin’s gigantic numbers. In 2022, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver would have secured another victory if not for the No. 11 team’s penalty for putting on an extra tape.

Then, last year, Ryan Blaney emerged as an unexpected rival and beat the track’s best driver by 1.312 seconds. So it would hardly be surprising if Hamlin comes back in 2025 like a hungry lion eager for its 8th conquest.

As there are still four months left, we have a lot of time for the excitement to build up. The Governor of Pennsylvania is already stirring the hype – all we have to do is go along with it.