The NASCAR Cup Series The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA promotes vacationing in the Keystone State. One can’t help but read “getaway” in the non-travel sense—like a heist. Picture this: we outsmart the book and get away with the cash. As always, trust the data, but also trust your eyes. Here are the best bets for the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway.
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Race Winner — The Great American Getaway 400
Denny Hamlin +450
He can’t do it again. He can’t keep getting away with it. Oh, but he can at The Great American Getaway 400. He can at Pocono. Denny Hamlin owns Long Pond, Pennsylvania—call it Denn-sylvania. This is the site of his first Cup Series win in 2006, when he swept both Pocono races. He went back-to-back again in the fall of 2009 and spring 2010. His hot streak reignited after a 2019 win, followed by victories in 2020 and consecutive triumphs in 2022 and 2023. Add in a couple of runner-up finishes and a fourth-place result during that span, and his dominance is clear.
Hamlin’s reign will likely continue until Pocono is repaved. When the track was repaved in 2012, Hamlin’s performance dipped slightly. After several Pennsylvania seasons, the track returned to the worn-out surface that suits his driving style. It’s simple: Hamlin knows how to go fast at Pocono Raceway. In racing, that’s all that matters.
Driver Props — The Great American Getaway 400
Tyler Reddick vs. Christopher Bell — Tyler Reddick -105
Tyler Reddick may not match Hamlin’s dominance, but he’s poised for a strong run at The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono. He’s finished 11th or better in his last five races at the Tricky Triangle, driving for both Richard Childress Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing. Reddick may not be Hamlin, but he pilots the same Toyota equipment, and Toyotas excel at Pocono. The 23XI Racing Toyotas, led by a demanding team, are built for speed. Beating Hamlin, though, is no easy feat—his 2022 disqualification was a rare exception.
This pick sets up a Toyota-on-Toyota showdown. Christopher Bell has been formidable at Pocono, with the odds reflecting a near toss-up. Both teams bring speed, but Bell’s 2025 edge—bolstered by consistent top finishes—contrasts with his earlier-season wins at tracks unlike Pocono. Reddick, however, has the stronger Pocono track record, making him the slight favorite at the Tricky Triangle. With his season needing a boost after recent struggles, Reddick is primed to capitalize on Pocono’s unique challenges, where history outweighs current form.
