Pocono Raceway makes two track changes for NASCAR weekend

Pocono Raceway has altered the text on the wall in turn three to honor Kevin Harvick as he prepares for his final NASCAR Cup Series race at the track.

Before the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season began, 2014 champion Kevin Harvick announced that it would be his 23rd and final season in the sport.

The 47-year-old Bakersfield, California native plans to retire and make a full-time move to the Fox broadcast booth, joining Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer.

JR Motorsports Xfinity Series driver Josh Berry is set to replace Harvick behind the wheel of the No. 4 Ford at Stewart-Haas Racing next year. Harvick has competed for Stewart-Haas Racing since 2014.

To honor Kevin Harvick ahead of this Sunday afternoon’s HighPoint.com 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway, the facility made a few changes.

Because the track is a three-turn track as opposed to a traditional four-turn oval, the Tricky Triangle has “WHAT TURN 4?” written on the turn three wall, alongside the “TURN 3 POCONO” text.

Now instead of just “WHAT TURN 4?”, the text reads “WHAT TURN 4EVER” as a nod to Harvick’s No. 4. Additionally, “4EVER” is now written at the start/finish line.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where the Cup Series raced on Monday, did something similar, changing the turn four text to “HARVICK 4”.

Notably, it was the “4EVER” patch on Harvick’s fire suit in a preseason photo shoot which heated up the rumor that he would be retiring, and he confirmed the rumor shortly thereafter.

FanDuel Sportsbook, which is now offering fans an instant $100 just for betting $5, lists Harvick’s odds to win Sunday’s 160-lap race around the three-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Long Pond, Pennsylvania track at +1600.

Odds and availability are subject to change, so be sure to lock in your $100 now before it’s too late!

The HighPoint.com 400 is set to be broadcast live on USA Network from Pocono Raceway beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 23. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss it!