POCONO RACEWAY
NEWS/RUMORS
Pocono Raceway Business Offices
(570) 646-2300
(570) 646-2010 fax
Pocono Raceway Ticket Office
1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929)
Official Pocono Souvenirs
570-646-3034
Hotel Accommodations
1-800-POCONOS (1-800-762-6667)
Pocono Raceway
PO Box 500
Long Pond, PA. 18334-0500
Track Specs:
Superspeedway: 2.5 mile tri-oval
Banking: turn 1: 14 degrees; turn 2: 8 degrees; turn 3: 6 degrees;
Straights: Front - 3740 feet; Long Pond(between turns 1 and 2) - 3055 feet; North(between turns 2 and 3) - 1780 feet
Grandstand Seating: 100,000
Turn One is modeled after the now defunct Trenton Speedway
Turn Two is like Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Turn Three is similar to The Milwaukee Mile
Websites:
Pococo Raceway
ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide: Pocono Raceway
Pocono's Best
- Police search for stabbing suspect at Pocono 500: Police are still seeking witnesses of an apparent attempted homicide outside the Pocono International Raceway this weekend. Michael Gualtieri, 43, of Long Island was stabbed in a parking area outside the raceway Sunday, Pocono Mountain Regional Police said. He was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest to repair damage to his heart caused by the chest wound, and police said last night he remained in critical condition. Police said they have executed a search warrant in the case, but did not identify a suspect or release any further information. In addition to the stabbing, police said they dealt with a series of other problems inside or outside the raceway Sunday, including reports of car accidents, fights and public intoxication.(Allentown Morning Call)(8-8-2008)
- Man Critical after Pocono Raceway Stabbing: A 43-year-old man is in critical condition today after being stabbed in the heart at Pocono International Raceway on Sunday, police said. Michael Gualtiere, of Seaford, on Long Island, N.Y., was treated at the infield care center at the raceway around 7 p.m. and flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital Center where he remains in critical condition after surgery, according to Pocono Mountain Regional Police. Police said they are executing a search warrant on a vehicle involved in the incident and they have identified a person of interest. Police believe the public is not at risk and the investigation is ongoing.(Pocono Record)(8-5-2008)
- McCain's wife to participate in track activities Sunday at Pocono: U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign announced that Mrs. Cindy McCain will participate in the Sprint Cup Series on Sunday, August 3rd at Pocono Raceway in Pocono, Pennsylvania at 10:45am/et.(Pocono Raceway PR)(8-2-2008)
- Kiefer Sutherland named Grand Marshal at Pocono: Actor Kiefer Sutherland will serve as grand marshal of the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway and will give the "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines" command. Sutherland will star in the movie "Mirrors," along with Paula Patton and Amy Smart. The movie will be also featured on J.J. Yeley's #96 DLP HDTV Toyota Camry during the race. In "Mirrors," which opens in theatres everywhere Aug. 15, Sutherland portrays a troubled ex-cop who must save his family from an unspeakable evil that is using mirrors as a gateway into their home. The movie will be shown nationwide in a digital format at select theatres on DLP Cinema projectors. DLP leads the cinema movement from film to digital movie theatres powered by DLP Cinema Technology with over 6,700 screens in more than 40 countries. In addition to "Mirrors," Sutherland has starred in "The Lost Boys," "A Few Good Men," "Stand By Me," "Young Guns" and "A Time To Kill." In addition to his incredible movie career, which includes more than 50 films, Sutherland stars as Jack Bauer in the popular FOX show, "24." He won an Emmy for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" in 2006 for his work on the show. "This will be a pretty cool weekend for everyone at DLP and Hall of Fame Racing," Yeley said. "It's exciting to have 'Mirrors' on the DLP Toyota and we're going to show Kiefer a good time. I'm a big fan of his work and I'm looking forward to meeting him and seeing the movie." Brandon Igdalsky, President of Pocono Raceway, said he is looking forward to hosting Sutherland at beautiful and scenic Pocono Raceway. "We are very proud to have Kiefer Sutherland as a guest of Pocono Raceway for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500," Igdalsky said. "He is a terrific actor and we look forward to seeing 'Mirrors' when it comes out in theatres on Aug. 15." The Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 begins at 2pm/et with live, high-definition coverage provided by ESPN beginning with its pre-race show at 1pm/et. The race will also be broadcast live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio Channel 128 and MRN Radio. Tickets are still available for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 online at www.poconoraceway.com or by phone at 1-800-RACEWAY. Use Promocode: REDCROSS and 10% of your ticket price will be donated back to the American Red Cross, in addition, you will receive a FREE pre-race pit/paddock pass and souvenir program with collectible die-cast car (while supplies last).(Pocono Raceway PR)(7-30-2008)
- Pocono race renamed Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500: Brandon Igdalsky, President of Pocono Raceway, Tom Foley, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Chapter, and Bob Owens, Senior Vice President of Sunoco, today announced the details for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500, to take place August 1-3. A partnership of Sunoco, Pocono Raceway and the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter was formed to provide much-needed funds to help people throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania recover from devastating disaster. Through this partnership, Pocono Raceway is also donating a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and merchandise, as well as providing other revenue-generating efforts to benefit the Red Cross SEPA Chapter's Red Cross House. "This is the first time since 1997 Pocono Raceway has changed the name of the race - Pocono Raceway admires and respects the work of the Red Cross and wanted to help support its mission and the great work they do for families in Pennsylvania," stated Brandon Igdalsky.
"It is a tremendous privilege to have the famed Pennsylvania 500 named in our honor this year," said Red Cross SEPA Chapter CEO Tom Foley. "Sunoco has been a valued corporate partner to the Red Cross for many years, and through their generosity and the generosity of Pocono Raceway and the Mattioli family, we hope to use this event to generate much-needed funds for Red Cross House."
"Sunoco is pleased to support this important initiative," said Bob Owens, Senior Vice President of Sunoco, Inc. "Whether it's providing local disaster relief, offering skills training in the areas of health and safety, or running blood drives, the Red Cross provides valuable services to the community. We know NASCAR fans will join us in this effort and support the work of the Red Cross."
As part of this partnership, Pocono Raceway is donating ten percent of the ticket revenue generated by online ticket buyers who use the Red Cross promo code, REDCROSS. As an added incentive, those race fans purchasing the first 1,500 Sunday, August 3, 2008 reserved grandstand seat tickets, using the Red Cross promo code, will receive a free pre-race Pit/Paddock Pass ($50 value) and Souvenir Program Book and Commemorative Die Cast Car ($15 Value) with each ticket purchased. So ORDER NOW. Tickets can be purchased at www.poconoraceway.com.
In addition, Pocono Raceway will also feature a donation collection on its website, as well as provide the SEPA Chapter with the opportunity to collect donations at the race. Pocono Raceway is also donating to the SEPA Chapter a portion of the proceeds from the Official Starting Line-Up t-shirt, Pocono Raceway's largest grossing concession item. The Red Cross will receive a percent of the proceeds from the walker fees for the Track Walk, hosted by the NASCAR Foundation, on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. Fans can register to participate in the Track Walk at www.nascar.com/foundation. NASCAR Foundation is also hosting an online auction, on www.nascar.com/foundation, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Auction items include autographed Sunoco Victory flags, a Sunoco Racing fuel can, a Pace Car ride for two people before the start of the race on Sunday, A parade lap for one with the celebrity Grand Marshal, autographed race helmet and a Super VIP experience to include 4 skybox tickets valued at $2,000, food and beverage, pit pass, and all three-day access, VIP garage tour given by a Track Ambassador, ability to stand on stage and meet the drivers during the official driver introductions.
Sunoco will be providing marketing and promotional support to the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 with signage at 750 Sunoco retail locations near the track. Sunoco will also highlight the event on their new website, www.gosunoco.com, and provide a link to the Pocono Raceway's ticket sales site in order to encourage fans to enter the promo code and help raise money for the Red Cross. In addition to marketing efforts, Pocono Raceway and Sunoco will provide an exciting day at the races for 200 Red Cross Club members and victims of area disasters who have stayed at the Chapter's Red Cross House. These participants will receive free tickets and transportation to the Pennsylvania ARCA 200, the ARCA RE/MAX Series 80 lap race on Saturday, August 2, 2008. A corporate partner of the Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter for many years, Sunoco also provides free gasoline for the Chapter's emergency response vehicles to help reduce the cost of local disaster relief operations. Proceeds will benefit SEPA Chapter's Red Cross House, a short-term residence in West Philadelphia where hundreds of local families every year begin their recovery from fires, floods and other disasters affecting their lives.(Pocono Raceway PR)(7-1-2008)
- Long Pond Road section renamed for owners of Pocono Raceway: Part of the old Long Pond Road has a new name. This week the General Assembly voted to designate the portion of Long Pond Road fronting Pocono Raceway as Dr. Joseph Mattioli and Dr. Rose Mattioli Drive in honor of the Mattioli family, owners and operators of the track. Dr. Joseph Mattioli and Dr. Rose Mattioli Drive runs from the intersection at Route 115 east to the intersection of Stony Hollow Road. There are no homes on the 1˝-mile span, so no one will need to give the post office an address change. Soon, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will install signs — they'll have be to long ones — at each end of Dr. Joseph Mattioli and Dr. Rose Mattioli Drive. The Mattioli's have owned and operated Pocono Raceway since 1968. Pocono Raceway is one of only three family-owned racetracks [Indy is one, but Dover, while not owned by ISC or SMI, is owned by a Corp, not a family] left on the Sprint Cup Series circuit. The raceway has hosted two NASCAR series races, the Pocono 500 and the Pennsylvania 500, every season since 1982.(Pocono Record)(6-12-2008)
- Fireworks at Pocono: The skies will be lighting up above Pocono Raceway, as a dazzling aerial fireworks display will take place on Saturday evening, June 7. The fireworks display is being provided solely for race fans staying in Pocono's infield or other on-grounds camping locations. The 30-minute sky lighting spectacular begins at 9:30pm/et.
More infield activities include the "Kids Inflatable Fun Zone" which runs Friday to Sunday from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Also on Friday and Saturday evening beginning at 8:30pm it will be "FREE Family Movie Nights." Friday's presentation will be Herbie Fully Loaded and on Saturday the feature will be Disney/Pixar's Cars. The movies will be shown in the Infield Fan Fair Area near Tunnel Road. Parking lots will open Sunday at 5:00am with grandstand gates opening at 9:00am. Pre-race activities get underway at 11:30am. Driver introduction is set for 1:30pm, leading up to the much anticipated 2:00pm start of the Pocono 500. Children 12 and under, accompanied by a paying adult, are admitted free to the grandstands on Friday and Saturday. Children 12 and under, accompanied by a paying adult, are admitted free to the infield. Good seating for Sunday's Pocono 500 are still available by calling the Raceway Ticket Office at 1-800-RACEWAY or at www.poconoraceway.com Fans purchasing tickets via our website can take advantage of the new "print at home" option. Tickets are also available at Pocono Raceway's gate #8 Ticket booth, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.(Pocono Raceway PR)(6-5-2008)
- Pocono Raceway NOT for sale: Rose Mattioli has told The Associated Press that her family has no plans to sell raceway. The NASCAR track currently has two Sprint Cup races. Mattioli said Tuesday that Pocono Raceway was entrusted to their grandchildren and they will continue to help run the 2 1/2-mile triangle track. Speedway Motorsports Inc. purchased Kentucky Speedway last week and there was speculation SMI owner Bruton Smith had his eye on Pocono. If he bought that track, he could have moved one or both its dates to any of his speedways.(Associated Press)(5-28-2008)
- NASCAR testing at Pocono Tues/Wed: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing will be held at Pocono Raceway on Tuesday and Wednesday. The test, which is open to the public, is now scheduled to be run on Tuesday from 12:30 to 7pm/et and Wednesday from 9am to 5pm/et. Grandstand gates will be open to spectators one hour prior to the start time of the test each day. Fans who are not current ticket holders for either of Pocono Raceway’s 2008 Sprint Cup Series or ARCA Series events will be able to purchase test tickets for $5 each by calling the Pocono Raceway Ticket Office at 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929), online at poconoraceway.com or tickets can be purchased at the Pocono Raceway Gate 8 Ticket Booth each day of the testing. 2008 Pocono NASCAR ticket holders will be eligible to receive up to four (free tickets to the test session. A mail-in coupon for the test and additional information was sent to all ticket holders who purchase their NASCAR race tickets prior to May 9. Tickets for the Pocono 500 weekend, June 6-8, and the Pennsylvania 500 weekend, August 1-3, are still available. For more test day information or to order race tickets, call the Raceway ticket office toll-free at 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929) or online at www.poconoraceway.com.(Pocono Record)(5-26-2008)
- New Pocono Raceway Book: Pocono Raceway announced the release of "Pocono Raceway", a publication by author, Gene A. Card. The "Pocono Raceway" book is a collection of photographs from various sources, including Pocono Raceway's archives, producing a pictorial history chronicling the raceway. The "Pocono Raceway" publication promises to bring back fond memories to the long time Pocono fans that have attended events at the track since its early years while also giving new fans an insight to the past history of the legendary raceway. The book will peak the interest of not only stock car racing fans, but also modified, motorcycle, and Indy Car fans as well.
The "Pocono Raceway" book is available at www.poconoraceway.com and www.shop-poconoraceway.com, as well as other fine book sellers. "Pocono Raceway" author, Gene A. Card, will be signing copies of the book the morning of the Pocono 500 on June 8, 2008 at the Pocono Raceway Souvenir Trailer located in the Fan Fair Area behind the grandstands near Gate 10. All fans in attendance are welcome to stop by to have their copy signed.(Pocono Raceway PR)(5-21-2008)
- Transportation Options for Pocono Raceway: So you're a NASCAR fan living in New York City or Northern New Jersey and planned on attending a Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway but are concerned about the high cost of gasoline. Or you fight city traffic on a daily basis and don't relish driving the 90 miles from mid town Manhattan to Pocono Raceway on a race weekend. Well, Pocono Raceway has partnered with Pocono Adventure Center and Martz Trailways to offer you an exciting option for your transportation to the June 8, 2008 Pocono 500 or the August 3, 2008 Pennsylvania 500, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Race fans who already have their race tickets can board the bus for only $79.95 round trip. Fans who do not have their race tickets can order tickets by calling the Pocono Raceway Ticket Office, toll free, at 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929). For more info go to poconoraceway.com.(Pocono Raceway)(5-2-2008)
- Crash damages fan store at Pocono: A Chevy Silverado slammed into the Pocono Raceway Fan Store on Route 115 in Long Pond and burst into flames Tuesday at about 6:15 p.m. A man in his 50s or 60s was driving north on Route 115 in the pickup when for unknown reasons his truck left the road, became airborne and hit the store, taking out a large chunk of wall. The truck ignited, but passing motorists stopped and were able to free the man and get him clear of the flames, according to Tunkhannock Township Fire Chief Ron Wieand. The driver, whose identity and condition are unknown, was flown to a hospital. The accident is under investigation.(Pocono Record)(4-17-2008)
- Mattioli makes ARCA debut: 18 year-old Chase Mattioli, the grandson of Pocono Raceway patriarchs, Dr. Joe and Dr. Rose Mattioli, finished 12th in his very first ARCA RE/MAX event, Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 at Salem Speedway. He was able to dodge a number of wrecks, with the aid of his crew chief, Dave McClure, and spotter Charlie Vest, part of Andy Hillenburg's Fast Track Racing Team. This spring Mattioli, an honor student, will graduate from Scranton Preparatory High School and plans to attend Fordham University this fall. In the meantime he plans to attempt to qualify for 9 other events this season, including 4 more ARCA RE/MAX races. ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran Justin Allgaier fought off Sprint Cup Series veteran Ken Schrader in the final laps Sunday to claim the win.(PR)(4-15-2008)
- Pocono Testing May 27-28...open to public: Pocono Raceway officials announced that ticket holders for Pocono Raceway's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends in 2008 will be able to attend a special 2-day NASCAR test at Pocono Raceway on May 27 and May 28, 2008 for no charge. This 2-day test will be the first opportunity NASCAR teams will have to test the new Sprint Cup Series race car (formerly known as the COT) at Pocono Raceway. Approximately 50 Sprint Cup Series teams are expected to attend, which shows the importance of this test. 2008 Pocono NASCAR ticket holders will be eligible to receive up to four (4) FREE tickets to the test session. A mail-in coupon for the test and additional information will be sent to all ticket holders who have purchased their NASCAR race tickets prior to May 9, 2008. Fans that are not current ticket holders for either of Pocono Raceway's 2008 Sprint Cup Series or the ARCA Re/Max Series events will be able to purchase test tickets for $5.00 each by calling the Pocono Raceway Ticket Office at 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929), or they can be purchased at Gate 8 on each day of the event. Tickets for the Pocono 500 weekend, June 6-8, 2008 and the Pennsylvania 500 weekend, August 1-3, 2008 are still available but are selling fast. For more information or to order race tickets, call toll-free 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929) or online at www.poconoraceway.com.(Pocono Raceway PR)(3-13-2008)
- Pocono Tickets available Online with Print at Home Option: Tickets for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series events at Pocono Raceway are now available online by visiting Pocono Raceway's website www.poconoraceway.com and clicking on Tickets. By ordering early, fans will be able to order improved seat locations with better ticket availability for Pocono Raceway's 2008 Sprint Cup Series events. For the first time ever, fans ordering tickets online will have the option to print their tickets at home thanks to Pocono Raceway's new ticketing operation. This option will eliminate the need to mail tickets and allow fans to instantaneously print their tickets upon placing their order. New Era Tickets, the full-service ticketing subsidiary of Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor, was recently selected as the exclusive ticketing partner for Pocono Raceway. As the exclusive ticket-insurance partner for New Era Tickets, World Access, a leading national insurance provider, will provide Pocono Raceway ticket-holders with an added benefit – the option to protect their ticket investment with “Event Ticket Protector” insurance. Event Ticket Protector insurance provides full reimbursement for the ticket purchase, plus taxes and shipping, if the ticket holder misses the race due to a covered reason. NASCAR fans will appreciate the Required to Work covered reason which provides cancellation coverage if a Sunday race is rescheduled for Monday (or later), causing the ticket holder to miss the race due to work obligations. For more information, contact the Pocono Raceway ticket office by calling toll free 1-800-RACEWAY.(Pocono Raceway PR)(1-3-2008)
