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Photo Michael Jaworecki
- The VISITPA.COM-sponsored race is coming back to “The Tricky Triangle” on Sunday, June 22, as part of a NASCAR tripleheader weekend.
- Governor Shapiro understands the importance of the tourism industry to Pennsylvania’s economy, and included $64 million in funding in his proposed 2025-26 budget to prepare for America’s 250th birthday next year.
LONG POND, PA (February 27, 2025) – Governor Josh Shapiro announced today that his Administration is partnering with Pocono Raceway for the second year in a row as the race entitlement sponsor for the annual NASCAR Cup Series event. The 160-lap, 400-mile race will return as “The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA.COM” on Sunday, June 22.
Governor Shapiro unveiled “Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway” tourism campaign in 2024 to highlight all the Commonwealth has to offer visitors. Pocono Raceway has been a key driver in providing national and international exposure for the Commonwealth through NASCAR’s global popularity.
“Pennsylvania tourism is again taking the driver’s seat at the Pocono Raceway to host the NASCAR Cup Series races and sponsor this world-class sporting event,” Governor Shapiro said. “NASCAR fans from all over the country come to Pennsylvania to see some of the best drivers in the world take on the ‘Tricky Triangle’ and enjoy what our Commonwealth has to offer ― from top-tier sports and events, award-winning restaurants, incredible hikes and state parks, and the most important historic sites in the country that tell the story of our shared history.”
The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA.COM will be televised live on new NASCAR television partner, Amazon Prime Video, as well as with national radio broadcasters SiriusXM and MRN beginning at 2:30 PM ET. The race will be broadcast in 195 countries and in more than 29 languages.
The NASCAR weekend at Pocono Raceway, which also includes a CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race Friday, June 20, and Xfinity Series race Saturday, June 21, annually attracts fans from more than 50 states and 13 countries. The annual event has an estimated economic impact ranging from $75 to $100 million. For tickets and more information, please visit www.poconoraceway.com.
“Pocono Raceway has been a tourist destination in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since the first green flag dropped in 1971,” Pocono Raceway President Ben May said. “Today – 53 years later – more than 60 percent of our fans travel from out of state, including internationally. We are delighted Governor Shapiro and his Administration have again chosen Pocono Raceway and NASCAR to show generations of race fans why Pennsylvania is indeed ‘The Great American Getaway.’”
Pennsylvania continues to be a premier weekend getaway destination within convenient driving proximity to major cities along the East Coast, including New York City, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. Pennsylvania’s main streets and small towns; world-class restaurants and bars; distinguished historical sites; exhilarating outdoor recreation, and prominent events and sports can be experienced in a single weekend by nearly 72 million people who live within a four-hour drive of the thousands of getaways and experiences the state has to offer.
Tourism is a key priority in Governor Shapiro’s economic development strategy. A 2024 report released by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office details how Pennsylvania’s tourism industry generated $76.7 billion in economic impact, supported 486,871 jobs, contributed $4.7 billion in state and local taxes, and welcomed 192.4 million visitors in 2022. Visitor spending, which supports jobs, income, and business sales, generated $9.6 billion in government revenues. Overnight visitor spending increased by $4.8 billion, with more than 66 million trips resulting in $28 billion in spending.
