Kurt Busch has been appointed as the Grand Marshal for The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA.COM, the premier NASCAR Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway this Sunday. This role comes as he prepares for his 2026 induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, placing him in the spotlight at the iconic circuit, often referred to as ‘The Tricky Triangle.’
Busch will deliver the ceremonial command for drivers to start their engines, while Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is set to serve as Honorary Starter by waving the green flag to officially begin the race at 2 p.m. ET, which will be televised on Amazon Prime and featured on MRN and SiriusXM radio.
Pocono Raceway Honors a Racing Legend
The leadership at Pocono Raceway is marking this moment as a celebration of Kurt Busch’s NASCAR achievements. Reflecting on Busch’s historic tenure, Pocono Raceway President Ben May stated,
We’re honored to celebrate Kurt’s Hall-of-Fame career with our fans during The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA.com race weekend,
—Ben May, Pocono Raceway President. May also highlighted Busch’s local accomplishments with,
Pocono Raceway is proud to be a small part of that illustrious career with Kurt being a three-time race winner and two-time polesitter at ‘The Tricky Triangle.’
—Ben May, Pocono Raceway President.
Busch’s selection as Grand Marshal comes just two months after the May 20 announcement that he would be inducted alongside Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick into the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame. The official ceremony will be held in Charlotte, N.C., on January 23, 2026, commemorating his remarkable career.
A Storied Career in NASCAR
Over 23 seasons in the Cup Series, Busch secured 34 victories—highlighted by his 2017 Daytona 500 win and a 2004 championship. He also claimed 28 pole positions and became one of the rare drivers to earn at least four wins across all three NASCAR national divisions: Cup, Xfinity, and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. In 2014, he ventured into open-wheel cars, earning Rookie of the Year honors at the Indianapolis 500 with a sixth-place finish. Busch expanded his racing legacy by competing as only the fourth person to transition from NASCAR to the NHRA drag racing ranks.
At Pocono Raceway itself, his record includes three wins (2005, 2007, 2016) and two pole positions (2005, 2011). Busch amassed 21 top-ten finishes, with 14 of those inside the top five, over 41 career starts at the Pennsylvania track.
Special Events and Community Recognition
Kurt Busch’s Grand Marshal honor extends beyond track duties. This weekend, Pocono Raceway is recognizing his NASCAR legacy by painting “TY KURT” across the start/finish line. The Mattioli Foundation is also contributing $10,000 to Vet Tix, honoring Busch’s contributions and supporting veterans.
The race weekend features a full slate of NASCAR national series action. The schedule commences with the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series MillerTech Battery 200 on Friday at 5 p.m. Saturday features the Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 Xfinity Series race at 3:30 p.m., leading up to Sunday’s headline event, The Great American Getaway 400 Cup Series race.
Fan Engagement and Support for Veterans
Visit PA, the title sponsor, is enhancing the experience with interactive fan activities throughout the weekend. Attendees can enjoy the Fan Zone with activities like giveaways, games, and UTV rides around the infield campground. Fans also have opportunities to win tickets to top Pennsylvania destinations, including Hersheypark and Kalahari Resorts.
Demonstrating a commitment to supporting local service members, Visit PA has donated its race-day ticket package to Pennsylvania veterans, welcoming 125 service members to enjoy Sunday’s competition.
Anne Ryan, Deputy Secretary of Tourism, emphasized the spirit of community and celebration with the event, stating,
The Great American Getaway is all about the perfect summer road trip, so I can’t think of a better backdrop for Visit PA than Pocono Raceway – or a better Grand Marshal than Kurt Busch to come and cheer on the drivers at the ‘Tricky Triangle,’
—Anne Ryan, Deputy Secretary of Tourism.
This recognition of Kurt Busch as Grand Marshal at Pocono Raceway adds another chapter to his noteworthy racing journey while engaging fans and honoring veterans, underscoring the continuing significance of NASCAR’s presence in Pennsylvania and the legacy of its great competitors.
