Pocono Raceway
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates
Pocono Raceway (formerly known as the Pocono International Raceway in early years) is a Template:Convert tri-oval track in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania. The track has held a variety of events since its opening in 1969, including NASCAR, IndyCar Series, and IMSA GT Championship races. The facility is owned by Mattco, Inc. and led by track chief executive officer Nick Igdalsky.
After over a decade of planning and construction delays, Pocono Raceway opened in 1969 under the control of David Montgomery. Montgomery quickly left any involvement with the speedway after him and investor Joseph Mattioli disagreed with the facility's future plans, with Mattioli taking over control of the venue. Under Mattioli's tenure, the main tri-oval opened two years after the venue's initial opening. Pocono Raceway initially faced heavy financial turmoil throughout much of the 1970s, but was able to recover starting in the mid-1980s with the success of its NASCAR races. Pocono Raceway received major expansion and upgrades in the 1990s and 2000s with the addition of seating and renovation of various amenities at the track.
DescriptionEdit
ConfigurationsEdit
Pocono Raceway's main track in its current form is measured at Template:Convert, with 14° of banking on the track's first turn, 8° of banking on the track's second turn, and 6° of banking on the track's third turn.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Compared to other NASCAR oval tracks, the track is the only one on the schedule that has three turns.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> All turns are based on turns from other racetracks; track designer Rodger Ward designed the first turn after Trenton Speedway, the second turn after Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the third turn after the Milwaukee Mile.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In addition to the tri-oval, the venue features various infield road course layouts; according to current Pocono Raceway CEO Nick Igdalsky, there are 44 possible configurations.<ref name=":13244923412">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
AmenitiesEdit
Pocono Raceway is located in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, and is served by Interstate 80 and Pennsylvania Route 115.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although the venue does not release official seating capacity figures due to its private ownership,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Frontstretch estimated a seating capacity of 76,812 in 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Track historyEdit
Planning and constructionEdit
In 1957, Racing, Inc. was formed by disgruntled fans in Pennsylvania who criticized the lack of racing amenities in the state. After searching around 30 tracts of land,<ref name=":13244923624" /> on April 6, 1962, the Pocono Record reported that Racing, Inc., led by David Montgomery, began purchasing tracts of land in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, totaling over Template:Convert at a price "in excess of $114,000" (adjusted for inflation, $Template:Inflation) in hopes of building a multi-million dollar racing facility then known as the "Pocono Mountains International Raceway".<ref name=":132449236">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> The following month, the company began issuing common stock; further plans were also released by Montgomery within the month, with proposals of 110,000 grandstand seats being made.<ref name=":1324492362">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> The following month, the track layout was revealed to be a Template:Convert oval.<ref name=":1324492363">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In January 1963, the first events on an improvised circuit of the track was held; the event was deemed a success by organizers, with plans to host future improvised races "every two to three weeks".<ref name=":1324492364">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
Persistent delaysEdit
Developers of the track began clearing land on November 9, 1964. By this point, Montgomery stated to the Record that the track layout had changed to a new "top secret" design.<ref name=":1324492365">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In April 1965, the Record reported that plans expanded for the multi-layout complex to include a Template:Convert oval, which was slated to host the complex's first race.<ref name=":1324492366">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Two months later, the secret design was revealed to be a tri-oval shaped layout; additional plans for a Template:Convert road course layout using parts of the oval, a Template:Convert dragstrip, and a Template:Convert road course layout using portions of both ovals were made.<ref name=":1324492367">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Groundbreaking on the now-named Pocono International Raceway (PIR) took place on July 8, 1965,<ref name=":1324492368">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":1324492369">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> with plans to open the facility on September 5.<ref name=":13244923610">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> However, the opening was delayed until the spring of 1966 due to constant rain.<ref name=":13244923611">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923612">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
In May 1966, a Template:Convert United States Auto Club (USAC) Indy-car race was announced to inaugurate the facility on August 28 of that year;<ref name=":13244923613">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> however, after further rain and a self-described "tight money situation" according to Montgomery, the race and the track's opening was postponed,<ref name=":13244923615">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923616">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> with the latter being delayed until the spring of 1967.<ref name=":13244923614">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> A $176,219 (adjusted for inflation, $Template:Inflation) lien was filed by construction contractor Schartz and Baker in December 1966 due to alleged unpaid dues,<ref name=":13244923617">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> placing doubts on the project's financial stability;<ref name=":13244923618">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Montgomery refuted the claim in January,<ref name=":13244923619">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> and four months later, Racing, Inc. filed a lawsuit against Schartz and Baker for filing the lien "without basis".<ref name=":13244923620">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> The lien was dismissed on August 23, 1967,<ref name=":13244923621">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> and the lawsuit was settled on May 25, 1968, with both ending in victories for Racing, Inc.<ref name=":13244923622">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> The legal battles with Schartz and Baker halted all construction for nearly two years; construction did not resume until early July.<ref name=":13244923623">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Two months later, track officials announced a 200-lap "preview race" on the Template:Convert oval for October 20 featuring supermodifieds;<ref name=":13244923624">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923625">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> however, after three postponements due to weather, the track's opening was delayed until the spring of 1969.<ref name=":13244923626">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923627">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923628">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
Early yearsEdit
PIR officially opened on May 4, 1969, for a supermodified program won by Jim Shampine on the venue's Template:Convert oval.<ref name=":13244923629">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> During the program, the venue experienced its first fatality after Troy Ruttman Jr. crashed during the feature event, suffering a fractured skull.<ref name=":13244923630">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> The venue's short road course layout, now measured at Template:Convert, opened approximately four months later.<ref name=":13244923672">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In February 1970, USAC agreed to host their second attempt at an event at the speedway, this time with a Template:Convert race on the venue's Template:Convert tri-oval. Along with the USAC race, the deal also promised a 500-mile race with "late model stock[s]".<ref name=":13244923673">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> According to PIR board member and eventual future long-time track CEO Joseph Mattioli, PIR did not make a profit in both 1969 and 1970, with Mattioli and Montgomery disagreeing over how to expand the facility.<ref name=":1324492361228">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
Six months after USAC's announcement, Montgomery resigned from his position as CEO of the track,<ref name=":13244923674">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> with Mattioli, a former Philadelphia dentist who helped paid off much the facility's finances in its construction phase,<ref name=":1324492361210">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> being named as his replacement by the start of 1971.<ref name=":13244923678">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In late October, paving of the tri-oval was completed,<ref name=":13244923677">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> with testing runs conducted on November 2 by Jim McElreath, Jim Hurtubise, and Al Loquasto.<ref name=":13244923675">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923676">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> To accommodate the newly built track, seating capacity was increased from 10,000 to "more than 69,000" according to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Bill Simmons.<ref name=":13244923692">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> According to a June 1971 interview given by Mattoli, the entire facility cost $6 million (adjusted for inflation, $Template:Inflation).<ref name=":13244923679">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
An official ribbon cutting ceremony for the tri-oval was held on June 19, 1971.<ref name=":132449236710">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":132449236711">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> It held its first race on July 3, with Mark Donohue winning the 500-mile USAC-sanctioned event.<ref name=":13244923692" /><ref name=":132449236123">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> PIR held its first major stock car race later that year on September 25, with Butch Hartman winning a 500-mile USAC-sanctioned event.<ref name=":132449236122">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In 1973, parts of the Template:Convert road course layout were repaved by April, including the second and third turns of the main speedway.<ref name=":132449236124">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":132449236125">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Two months later, the venue's 2.8-mile road course held its first race.<ref name=":132449236128">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":132449236129">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> After USAC's stock car racing contract expired in 1973, the facility was in heavy financial turmoil, with Mattioli considering selling off the track. He was convinced otherwise by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who was able to convince Mattioli by giving him a business card with an inspirational quote from American politician Adlai Stevenson II.<ref name=":13244923654">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923655">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> The venue later hosted its first NASCAR Cup Series event the following year on August 4, with Richard Petty winning the event.<ref name=":132449236126">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":132449236127">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In 1978, the tri-oval's second turn was repaved twice in the same year after complaints were raised by drivers about the bumpiness of the track surface.<ref name=":1324492361211">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
Financial troubles in midst of CART–USAC splitEdit
In 1979, the track suffered numerous financial blows. After numerous car owners in USAC split to create their own racing league named Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) the year prior,<ref name=":1324492361212">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> the USAC-sanctioned 1979 Pocono 500 faced numerous issues, including Schaefer Beer ending their title sponsorship of the race after eight years,<ref name=":1324492361213">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> numerous CART-affiliated drivers boycotting the event,<ref name=":1324492361215">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> and the 1970s energy crisis all caused economic downturn for the event.<ref name=":1324492361214">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In addition, the inaugural major drag races at the venue scheduled for May 18–20<ref name=":1324492361217">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":1324492361218">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> were cancelled; a dispute began between the raceway and the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), the event's sanctioning body, for refunds.<ref name=":1324492361216">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In August, PIR sued CART in an antitrust suit for $6.3 million (adjusted for inflation, $Template:Inflation).<ref name=":1324492361219">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
The following year, in response to venue's financial hit in 1979, the venue was leased out by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a year to help the track's financial situation.<ref name=":1324492361220">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In February 1981, The Morning Call reported that Mattioli was considering selling the track, with himself admitting that he was negotiating with three separate groups interested in purchasing the venue.<ref name=":1324492361221">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> After a chaotic 1981 Pocono 500 that saw another CART boycott,<ref name=":1324492361222">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> another lawsuit was filed by the venue against the organization; this time for $9 million.<ref name=":1324492361223">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In 1982, despite the track being still up for sale,<ref name=":1324492361224">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Mattioli admitted in April that they were "looking for recapitalization possibilities" in efforts to retain racing, adding a second annual Cup Series weekend.<ref name=":1324492361225">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> The following month, CART settled with PIR out of court, agreeing on a five-year contract.<ref name=":1324492361226">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> The following year, now out of their financial troubles with the success of their events, Mattioli stated to The Citizens' Voice that "we certainly aren't thinking of selling the facility at this time".<ref name=":1324492361227">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> He later stated in a 1995 Scranton Times interview that the addition of a second Cup Series event saved the facility, stating, "I've been quoted on more than one occasion that Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr. saved our ass."<ref name=":132449236206">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
Financial recovery, 1990s venue expansionEdit
In 1984, the tri-oval's frontstretch and pit road was repaved alongside the construction of a new victory lane.<ref name=":1324492361229">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Two years later, 14 pit road suites and the repaving of the tri-oval's first and second turns was completed.<ref name=":1324492361230">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":1324492361231">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> By 1987, the venue's financial state was recovering; Citizens' Voice reporter John Zimich wrote that with increased attendance and sponsor deals, "Pocono has survived a great deal of adversity and the future certainly looks bright".<ref name=":1324492361232">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> However, in the following couple years, the track received considerable criticism from open-wheel drivers for an unsafe and bumpy track surface.<ref name=":1324492361233">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":1324492361234">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":1324492361235">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> As a result of the complaints, the future of open-wheel racing at the venue was put into jeopardy.<ref name=":1324492361236">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Although a contract was signed for the race to run until 1990,<ref name=":1324492361237">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> after further safety complaints in 1989,<ref name=":1324492361238">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> the Pocono 500 was removed from the CART schedule starting in 1990.<ref name=":1324492361239">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> However, in a conflicting statement, Mattioli stated that the event's departure was instead due to its lack of profitability.<ref name=":132449236202">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
Pocono Raceway underwent heavy renovations throughout the 1990s. In 1990, the venue underwent a beautification project, with the renovations including the addition of a concrete wall in the first and second turns, the planting of 500 trees and additional flowers outside the tri-oval's perimeter, and the improvement of the track's sewer system.<ref name=":132449236203">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In the next two years, the track added two new grandstands, adding a 5,000-seat and a 5,100-seat grandstand in 1991 and 1992, respectively.<ref name=":132449236204">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":132449236205">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In 1994, Mattioli began efforts to buy out minority shareholders in the company in a last-ditch effort to amass funds for further expansion after the venue was denied from separating from the Tunkhannock Township to become its own borough.<ref name=":1324492342">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In an interview from the same year, he expressed hopes of expanding the track complex to include a dual hotel and convention center building, a water park, and the addition of 20,000 seats to the racetrack.<ref name=":13244923422">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> The following year, a $5 million, three-year improvement project was completed,<ref name=":13244923423">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> which revamped the garages and added various amenities.<ref name=":13244923424">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In 1996, the tri-oval was fully repaved; the first complete pave of the main track since its opening.<ref name=":13244923425">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> That same year, Mattioli denied rumors of selling the facility to racetrack owner Bruton Smith,<ref name=":13244923427">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> stating in the Times Leader, "The raceway is in trust to my grandchildren, and that's written in stone."<ref name=":13244923426">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Seating additions of 15,000 and 17,000 seats were constructed in 1997<ref name=":13244923428">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> and 1999, respectively, with the latter expansion also including a $7 million garage area renovation.<ref name=":13244923429">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> According to Mattioli in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, from 1990 to 2000, he spent an average of $3 million annually in expanding the venue's amenities.<ref name=":132449234211">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Sometime during these renovations, the original Template:Convert oval was removed from the venue's layouts.<ref name=":132449234210">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
2000s to present dayEdit
In 2004, SAFER barriers were installed around the outside perimeter of the tri-oval in the safety push after Dale Earnhardt's death at the 2001 Daytona 500.<ref name=":132449234212">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":132449234213">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> That same year, Pocono Raceway officials expressed interest for applying for a slots license to open a casino,<ref name=":132449234214">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> unveiling design plans for a $300 million, Template:Convert complex in January 2005.<ref name=":132449234215">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> However, the idea was scrapped in December after Mattioli realized that due to Pennsylvania laws, he and his family would have no control over running the facility, which he opposed.<ref name=":132449234216">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In 2006, in lieu of a casino, officials announced plans to build a $50 million, 250-unit "gated community" resort.<ref name=":132449234217">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Construction on the resort started the following year<ref name=":1324492343">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> after initial delays,<ref name=":132449234">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> with the first 56 units of the resort opening in September 2009.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Also in 2007, Mattioli's grandson, Brandon Igdalsky, was appointed as Pocono Raceway's president.<ref name=":1324492344">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> After cracks began to appear in the third turn of the tri-oval, the turn was repaved in 2008 in time for that year's Pennsylvania 500.<ref name=":1324492345">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In 2009, groundbreaking began on a Template:Convert solar panel farm to completely power the track with alternative energy;<ref name=":1324492347">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> the farm was completed the following year.<ref name=":1324492346">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In response to safety concerns following a crash featuring NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne's car almost going outside the track's barriers at the 2010 Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500,<ref name=":13244923432">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923433">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> "more than" Template:Convert of SAFER barriers and Template:Convert of catchfence was installed from turn one to turn three.<ref name=":13244923434">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
Post-Mattioli eraEdit
Template:Multiple image On August 5, 2011, Mattioli announced his retirement as CEO of Pocono Raceway, with Brandon replacing Mattioli as CEO.<ref name=":1324492348">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Two months into Brandon's tenure, track officials announced the first complete repaving of the track since 1996;<ref name=":13244923434" /> the repave was completed in time for the 2012 Pocono 400.<ref name=":13244923435">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In September 2012, track officials announced the return of major open-wheel racing with the IndyCar Series scheduling a race for their 2013 season.<ref name=":132449236292">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Upgrades to the track's infield road course and the removal of curbing on the tri-oval's second turn to remove curbing were made in 2013 and 2014, respectively.<ref name=":13244923436">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923437">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In 2015, the venue experienced its second fatality after IndyCar driver Justin Wilson was hit in the head by a flying nose cone.<ref name="IndyWilsonCrash">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the following two years, additional SAFER barriers were installed, with it completely surrounding the outside perimeter of the track.<ref name=":1324492349">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923410">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In August 2017, Brandon resigned from his position to take a job in NASCAR, with Brandon's younger brother, Nick, named as CEO of the track.<ref name=":13244923411">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In 2019, following safety concerns after the death of Wilson alongside a crash at the 2018 ABC Supply 500 that paralyzed driver Robert Wickens,<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> IndyCar dropped the track from its schedule starting in 2020.<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Two years later, NASCAR later dropped one of its two races from its schedule starting in 2022.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
EventsEdit
Racing eventsEdit
NASCAREdit
.jpg){kind=link}
Pocono Raceway hosts one annual NASCAR weekend, highlighted with a NASCAR Cup Series race known as The Great American Getaway 400.<ref name=":1324492361225" /><ref name=":0" /> The facility also hosts the NASCAR Xfinity Series' Explore the Pocono Mountains 225<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the third-tier NASCAR Truck Series' CRC Brakleen 175 as support races.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2020, NASCAR ran its first multi-series tripleheader, with all three races running on the same day as a result of a Truck Series race being delayed due to rain.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Open-wheel racingEdit
Template:See alsoThe first major open-wheel races at Pocono Raceway were run in 1971 on tri-oval as the track layout's first event, with the Template:Convert event being sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC).<ref name=":13244923692" /> In 1982, control of the event was handed over to Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) after the organization had split from USAC three years prior.<ref name=":1324492361212" /><ref name=":1324492361226" /> Seven years later, after numerous safety complaints, the event was dropped by CART starting in 1990.<ref name=":1324492361238" /><ref name=":1324492361239" /> After a 22-year absence, open-wheel racing returned with the IndyCar Series in 2013.<ref name=":132449236292" /> However, after further safety complaints in the wake of the fatal crash of Justin Wilson<ref name=":1" /> and a crash that paralyzed driver Robert Wickens,<ref name=":2" /> the series stopped racing at the facility after 2019.<ref name=":3" />
Other racing eventsEdit
- From 1975 to 1976, Pocono Raceway held an annual Trans-Am Series race.<ref name=":13244923656">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923657">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
- From 1981 to 1985, Pocono Raceway held an annual IMSA GT Championship race.<ref name=":13244923652">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":13244923653">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
Non-racing eventsEdit
- In 1972, Pocono Raceway held Concert 10, a two-day rock music festival that had a estimated attendance of 200,000.<ref name=":1324492361240">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref name=":1324492361241">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>
- Since 2022, Pocono Raceway has hosted the Elements Music Festival, an EDM music and arts festival.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lap recordsEdit
As of July 2022, the fastest official race lap records at Pocono Raceway are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-oval: 4.023 km (1971–present)<ref name="pocono_rcircuits">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref><ref name="pocono_msportmagazine">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |
CitationClass=web
}}</ref> | ||||
| IndyCar | 0:40.9009 | Ryan Briscoe | Dallara DW12 | 2014 Pocono IndyCar 500 | ||
| Indy Lights | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Gabby Chaves | Dallara IPS | 2013 Pocono Indy Lights round | |
| NASCAR Cup | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Kyle Busch | Toyota Camry | 2017 Overton's 400 | |
| NASCAR Xfinity | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Christopher Bell | Toyota GR Supra NASCAR | 2019 Pocono Green 250 | |
| NASCAR Truck | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Sheldon Creed | Chevrolet Silverado | 2021 CRC Brakleen 150 | |
| Road Course: 4.023 km (1985–present)<ref name="pocono_rcircuits" /> | ||||||
| IMSA GTP | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Al Holbert | Porsche 962 | 1985 Grand Prix at Pocono | |
| IMSA GTO | 1:23.080<ref name="pocono_imsa_1985" /> | Craig Carter | Chevrolet Camaro | 1985 Grand Prix at Pocono | ||
| IMSA GTP Lights | 1:24.940<ref name="pocono_imsa_1985" /> | Kelly Marsh | Argo JM16 | 1985 Grand Prix at Pocono | ||
| IMSA GTU | 1:30.030<ref name="pocono_imsa_1985" /> | Bob Earl | Pontiac Fiero | 1985 Grand Prix at Pocono | ||
| Road Course: 4.506 km (1973–1984)<ref name="pocono_rcircuits" /><ref name="pocono_msportmagazine" /> | ||||||
| F5000 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Danny OngaisTemplate:Efn Vern SchuppanTemplate:Efn |
Lola T332CTemplate:Efn Eagle 755Template:Efn |
1976 Pocono F5000 round | |
| IMSA GTP | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Sarel van der Merwe | March 84G | 1984 Grand Prix at Pocono | |
| IMSA GTX | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Jim Adams | Lola T600 | 1981 Kenwood Stereo 500 | |
| IMSA GTO | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
David Hobbs | BMW 320i Turbo | 1977 Pocono Carquest Twin Grand Prix | |
| Trans-Am | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Al Holbert | Porsche 934 | 1976 Pocono Trans-Am round | |
| IMSA GTU | 1:36.280<ref name="pocono_imsa_1984" /> | Elliott Forbes-Robinson | Porsche 924 Carrera | 1984 Grand Prix at Pocono | ||
| Short Road Course: 2.897 km (1969–1984)<ref name="pocono_rcircuits" /><ref name="pocono_msportmagazine" /> | ||||||
| F5000 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Eppie Wietzes | Lola T330 | 1973 Pocono F5000 round | |