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Xfinity Series visiting Pocono Raceway for first time in 2016

Pocono aerial view

LONG POND, PA - JUNE 8, 2014: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono 400 is held at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA on June 8, 2014 (2014 pixelcrisp)

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Pocono Raceway announced Tuesday the dates of its two NASCAR race weekends for 2016, which includes the first visit by the Xfinity Series to the 2.5-mile track in Long Pond, Pa.

The track revealed the Xfinity Series’ 250-mile race will support the Sprint Cup race the weekend of June 5. The same week was an off week for the series this year. Motorsport.com first reported on Sept. 23 that an Xfinity Pocono race would replace the series’ standalone race at Chicagoland Speedway.

Pocono’s second NASCAR weekend, which includes the Camping World Truck Series, will be held the weekend of July 29.

“We are thrilled to bring the NASCAR Xfinity Series to Pocono Raceway,” said Pocono Raceway President/CEO Brandon Igdalsky in a track release. “The fans have been asking for this to happen for several years and we are excited to share the good news with them today. Additionally, we look forward to working with everyone at Comcast, who are headquartered 90 miles south of us in Philadelphia, for next summer’s inaugural race.”

NASCAR has been visiting Pocono Raceway since 1974 and has had two Sprint Cup races at the facility every year since 1982.

“It’s a fast track, and I’ve always liked racing there,” said Brendan Gaughan in a release. “If you watch the current NASCAR Sprint Cup or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races and see them go six-wide into Turn One, it definitely makes for an exciting races for both the fans and the drivers.”

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