The MillerTech Battery 250 presented by KOA puts the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on the famous Tricky Triangle this weekend. With the green flag set for 4:00 p.m. ET Saturday, June 13, 2026 (1:30 a.m. IST Sunday, June 14), anticipation crackles through the garage at Pocono Raceway. Brandon Jones sits on the pole for Joe Gibbs Racing, but a loaded field and the track’s three distinct corners promise plenty of drama over 100 laps.
Teams spent the afternoon fine-tuning cars that must handle Turn 1’s long radius, Turn 2’s tighter demands, and Turn 3’s commitment-heavy exit. The result? A front row of JGR Toyotas and a points leader itching for another victory lane visit.
Date, Time & Venue
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Green Flag: 4:00 p.m. ET (1:30 a.m. IST, June 14)
Track: Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pennsylvania
Layout: 2.5-mile tri-oval
Distance: 100 laps / 250 miles
Event: Race 17 of 33 in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Live Streaming & Telecast
The MillerTech Battery 250 airs live on The CW across the United States. Streaming options include the CW app and major live-TV platforms. Radio coverage comes via the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Broadcast Team:
Play-by-play: Dillon Welch
Analysts: Jamie McMurray, Parker Kligerman, Ross Chastain
For viewers in India and other international markets, check the NASCAR app or official highlights channels shortly after the checkered flag. The race typically runs approximately two hours.
Starting Lineup – Top 10
| Pos | Driver | No. | Team | Make |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Jones | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota |
| 2 | Taylor Gray | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota |
| 3 | William Byron (i) | 88 | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet |
| 4 | Justin Allgaier | 7 | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet |
| 5 | Sammy Smith | 8 | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet |
| 6 | Carson Kvapil | 9 | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet |
| 7 | Sam Mayer | 41 | Haas Factory Team | Chevrolet |
| 8 | Brent Crews | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota |
| 9 | Ryan Sieg | 39 | RSS Racing | Chevrolet |
| 10 | William Sawalich | 18 | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota |
Brandon Jones grabbed the pole with a lap of 54.686 seconds (164.576 mph), just 0.06 seconds clear of teammate Taylor Gray. Qualifying featured three separate crashes, a reminder of how thin the margin is on this 2.5-mile layout.
Track Report & Weather Forecast
Pocono Raceway’s tri-oval remains one of the most unique challenges in stock car racing. Drivers must master three completely different corner styles in a single lap while managing tire wear and aero balance at speeds over 160 mph on the straights. The track rewards precise throttle control and clean air more than raw horsepower.
Weather for race time: High near 85°F with light winds shifting 2–7 mph. Rain chance sits around 19% through the evening — low enough that teams expect a mostly clean race. Skies stay partly cloudy, giving fans comfortable conditions in the grandstands.
Key Storylines & Driver Battles
Justin Allgaier enters as the driver to beat. The JR Motorsports veteran has collected four wins already in 2026 and leads most major statistical categories. Starting fourth, he has clear track position and the experience to navigate late-race restarts.
Joe Gibbs Racing showed massive speed in qualifying. Jones and Gray occupy the front row, while Brent Crews and William Sawalich also start inside the top 10. The organization clearly has the cars to win on this track.
Connor Zilisch starts 14th in the No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet but remains a live threat. The young driver has flashed winning pace multiple times this season and knows how to survive the chaos that often erupts at Pocono.
Other names to watch: Jesse Love (strong practice pace), Sammy Smith, and part-timer William Byron, who brings Cup-level experience to the No. 88.
Fantasy Team Tips & DFS Picks
Core plays: Justin Allgaier and Connor Zilisch offer the highest floor-and-ceiling combination. Both have the cars and recent form to lead laps and contend for the win.
Value options: Taylor Gray and Sammy Smith sit inside the top five and carry lower salaries on most platforms. Brent Crews offers upside as a rookie with JGR equipment.
Contrarian angle: William Byron starting third gives DFS players a high-upside, lower-owned option who can run up front all afternoon.
Focus on drivers who excel in clean air and on long runs. Pocono punishes aggressive moves that lead to contact, so steady, smart racers usually rise in the final stage.
Race Prediction & Analysis
The Tricky Triangle has a way of producing surprise winners, but the smart money leans toward experience this weekend. Justin Allgaier has the strongest overall package and starts high enough to control his destiny. Connor Zilisch and the JGR cars will push hard, especially if stage cautions bunch the field.
Predicted Top 5:
1. Justin Allgaier
2. Connor Zilisch
3. Brandon Jones
4. Taylor Gray
5. Jesse Love
Expect multiple lead changes and at least one late caution. The driver who manages traffic best through the three distinct corners will hoist the trophy.
Records & Milestones
This marks the 11th running of the MillerTech Battery 250 at Pocono. The event has become a staple on the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule, showcasing the series’ rising stars alongside occasional Cup regulars. Austin Hill remains the only full-time series driver with a previous victory at the track in recent seasons, adding extra motivation for the rest of the field.
