Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway Races
The Pocono Raceway offers an exciting superspeedway experience situated in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. Many come to the Long Pond vicinity to capture the excitement of the two annual NASCAR Cup Series races held there. It is here that a uniquely shaped track accommodates the likes of racing favorites, such as
Jeff Gordon
and
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Recent Pocono 500 Winners 2010 Denny Hamlin 2009 Tony Stewart 2008 Kasey Kahne 2007 Jeff Gordon 2006 Denny Hamlin Recent Pennsylvania 500 Winners 2010 Greg Biffle 2009 Denny Hamlin 2008 Carl Edwards 2007 Kurt Busch 2006 Denny Hamlin 
An interesting fact about the racetrack is that it is one of few NASCAR tracks not under the ownership of International Speedway Corporation or Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Instead, it is the Mattioli family, (who also owns South Boston Speedway in Virginia), that has cultivated the raceway to what it is today. The first race took place on a three-quarter mile track in 1968. In 1971 the first 500-mile Indy race place on the 2-½ mile track. The first NASCAR 500-mile race wowed the crowds in 1974. From 1977 to 1991, the raceway also hosted the Race of Champions, one of the most prestigious of all modified car races. Over the years, Pocono faced many ups and downs. Because of the many construction errors that led to a range of financial difficulties, bankruptcy threatened the owners on more than one occasion. Through perseverance and determination, the raceway survived and eventually began a rebuilding phase that involved new crash walls, upgraded pavement, and many fan-friendly elements. A 150-site motor home park was situated for participants to enjoy. An enhanced set of Press Rooms surfaced and a revamped Midway showcased beautiful blue spruces and gazebos.
Today, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is a major attraction of the raceway, which is also home to a variety of sports car and motorcycle clubs, and racing schools.
It is designed the shape of a triangle, which offers a 14-degree first turn, 8-degree second turn, and 6-degree third turn. The design of the raceway is considered rather unique because each turn is modeled after three distinct tracks. Turn One was built in the image of the now-defunct Trenton Speedway. Turn two resembles the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And the Milwaukee Mile served as inspiration for Turn Three. The overall design has been categorized as a tri-oval, but the appearance of the track is closer to a triangle. Many consider the track a true test of a driver and their crew.
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