LONG POND -- Pocono Raceway announced today changes to their two 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race weekends.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying for the Pocono 400 and the Pennsylvania 400 will occur on Friday, June 7th, and Friday, August 2nd, respectively.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania 125 ARCA Racing Series moves from a traditional Saturday race event to Friday, August 2nd.

�??We are excited with the changes to the 2013 race weekend schedules,�?� said Pocono Raceway�??s President and CEO, Brandon Igdalsky. �??Our fans were outspoken regarding the return of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying back to its traditional Friday slot. Additionally, our jam-packed August Pennsylvania 400 race weekend will now include three straight days of races with the ARCA Racing Series race moving to Friday; the Pocono Mountains 125, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and two Sprint Cup practice sessions on Saturday and the Pennsylvania 400 on Sunday. The changes, done in cooperation with NASCAR and the ARCA Racing Series, should be a great benefit for race fans attending our Raceway this summer.�?�

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying at Pocono Raceway was held on Saturdays the last two season.