History of Pocono Raceway in Timeline

Pocono Raceway, located in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, is a 2.5-mile tri-oval racetrack. Opened in 1969, it has hosted various racing series including NASCAR, IndyCar, and IMSA GT Championship races. The track is owned by Mattco, Inc. and is currently managed by CEO Nick Igdalsky.

1957: Formation of Racing, Inc.

In 1957, Racing, Inc. was formed by fans in Pennsylvania who were critical of the state's racing amenities.

April 6, 1962: Racing, Inc. Begins Land Purchase

On April 6, 1962, Racing, Inc., led by David Montgomery, began purchasing land in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, for the "Pocono Mountains International Raceway".

January 1963: First Events on Improvised Circuit

In January 1963, Pocono held the first events on an improvised circuit of the track. Organizers deemed the event a success and planned future races.

November 9, 1964: Land Clearing Begins

On November 9, 1964, developers began clearing land for Pocono Raceway, with Montgomery announcing a "top secret" track design change to the Record.

April 1965: Plans Expand for Multi-Layout Complex

In April 1965, reports in the Record stated that plans for the Pocono complex had expanded to include a 3⁄4-mile oval, slated to host the complex's first race.

July 8, 1965: Groundbreaking for Pocono International Raceway

On July 8, 1965, groundbreaking took place for the Pocono International Raceway (PIR) with plans to open the facility on September 5. However, the opening was delayed until the spring of 1966 due to rain.

May 1966: Inaugural Indy-Car Race Announced, Then Postponed

In May 1966, a 300 mi USAC Indy-car race was announced to inaugurate the Pocono facility on August 28 of that year. However, it was postponed due to rain and financial issues.

December 1966: Construction Lien Filed

In December 1966, a lien of $176,219 was filed by construction contractor Schartz and Baker due to alleged unpaid dues, casting doubts on the project's financial stability.

1966: Opening Delayed Due to Rain

Due to constant rain, the opening of the Pocono International Raceway was delayed until the spring of 1966.

August 23, 1967: Construction Lien Dismissed

On August 23, 1967, the lien filed by Schartz and Baker was dismissed, which was a victory for Racing, Inc.

May 25, 1968: Lawsuit Settled in Favor of Racing, Inc.

On May 25, 1968, the lawsuit between Racing, Inc. and Schartz and Baker was settled in favor of Racing, Inc.

May 4, 1969: Pocono International Raceway Officially Opens

On May 4, 1969, Pocono International Raceway officially opened with a supermodified program, but also experienced its first fatality with Troy Ruttman Jr.'s crash.

1969: Pocono Raceway Opens and Experiences Management Disputes

After more than a decade of planning and construction delays, Pocono Raceway officially opened in 1969, initially under the control of David Montgomery. Later in 1969, Montgomery left due to disagreements with Joseph Mattioli, who then assumed control. The tri-oval opened two years after the initial opening.

1969: Track Opening Delayed Again

Due to weather postponements, the track's opening was delayed until the spring of 1969.

1969: Pocono Raceway Opening

In 1969, Pocono Raceway, a 2.5-mile tri-oval track in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, opened. Since 1969, the track has hosted various events, including NASCAR, IndyCar Series, and IMSA GT Championship races.

February 1970: USAC Agrees to Host a 500-mile Race

In February 1970, USAC agreed to host a 500-mile race at the speedway's 2.5-mile tri-oval. The deal also included a 500-mile race with "late model stocks".

June 1971: Cost of Entire Facility

According to a June 1971 interview with Joseph Mattioli, the entire Pocono International Raceway facility cost $6 million.

June 19, 1971: Tri-Oval Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On June 19, 1971, an official ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the tri-oval at Pocono International Raceway.

1973: Road Course Repaving and First Race

In 1973, parts of the 1.8 mi road course layout were repaved and the venue's 2.8-mile road course held its first race. Also in 1973, the facility was in heavy financial turmoil and Mattioli considered selling the track.

1978: Second Turn Repaved Twice

In 1978, the second turn of Pocono International Raceway's tri-oval was repaved twice due to driver complaints about the bumpiness of the track surface.

1979: Financial Blows and Lawsuit

In 1979, Pocono International Raceway faced financial issues including the Schaefer Beer sponsorship ending, CART boycotts, and the energy crisis. A dispute with the IHRA led to the cancellation of drag races. A $6.3 million antitrust suit was filed against CART in August of 1979.

1979: Financial Hit

In 1979, the Pocono International Raceway experienced a financial hit. The following year, the venue was leased out by Indianapolis Motor Speedway to help the track's financial situation.

February 1981: Possible Track Sale

In February 1981, it was reported that Mattioli was considering selling the Pocono International Raceway, negotiating with three separate groups.

1982: Recapitalization Efforts and Second Cup Series Weekend Added

In April 1982, Mattioli said Pocono was looking for recapitalization possibilities to retain racing, and they added a second annual Cup Series weekend.

1984: Frontstretch and Pit Road Repaved

In 1984, the Pocono International Raceway's frontstretch and pit road were repaved, and a new victory lane was constructed.

1987: Financial Recovery

By 1987, the venue's financial state was recovering, with increased attendance and sponsor deals. Pocono had survived adversity and the future looked bright.

1989: Pocono 500 Removed from CART Schedule Starting in 1990

After further safety complaints in 1989, the Pocono 500 was removed from the CART schedule starting in 1990.

1990: Beautification Project and Renovations

In 1990, Pocono Raceway underwent a beautification project including a concrete wall, planting trees, and improving the sewer system.

1990: Pocono 500 Removed from CART Schedule

In 1990, the Pocono 500 was removed from the CART schedule.

1991: New Grandstand Added

In 1991, Pocono International Raceway added a new 5,000-seat grandstand.

1992: Another Grandstand Added

In 1992, Pocono International Raceway added a 5,100-seat grandstand.

1994: Expansion Efforts

In 1994, Mattioli sought to buy out minority shareholders for further expansion, hoping to add a hotel, convention center, water park, and 20,000 seats.

1995: Addition of Second Cup Series Event Saved the Facility

In 1995, Mattioli stated in an interview that the addition of a second Cup Series event saved the Pocono International Raceway facility.

1996: Tri-Oval Repaved

In 1996, the tri-oval was fully repaved for the first time since its opening. Mattioli also denied rumors of selling the facility.

1997: Seating Additions

In 1997, Pocono International Raceway constructed seating additions of 15,000 seats.

1999: Seating and Garage Renovations

In 1999, seating additions of 17,000 seats and a $7 million garage area renovation occurred at Pocono International Raceway.

2000: Continued Expansion

From 1990 to 2000, Mattioli spent an average of $3 million annually expanding the venue's amenities at Pocono International Raceway.

2004: SAFER barriers installed

In 2004, SAFER barriers were installed around the outside perimeter of the tri-oval at Pocono Raceway, following Dale Earnhardt's death at the 2001 Daytona 500. That same year, Pocono Raceway officials expressed interest in opening a casino.

January 2005: Casino design plans unveiled

In January 2005, Pocono Raceway officials unveiled design plans for a $300 million casino complex, spanning 200,000 square feet.

2006: Resort plans announced

In 2006, officials announced plans to build a $50 million, 250-unit "gated community" resort at Pocono Raceway in lieu of a casino.

2007: Resort Construction and President appointed

In 2007, Construction on the resort at Pocono Raceway started after initial delays. Also in 2007, Mattioli's grandson, Brandon Igdalsky, was appointed as Pocono Raceway's president.

2008: Third turn repaved

In 2008, the third turn of Pocono Raceway's tri-oval was repaved in time for that year's Pennsylvania 500 after cracks began to appear.

September 2009: Resort opens

In September 2009, the first 56 units of the "gated community" resort at Pocono Raceway opened, after construction started in 2007.

2010: SAFER barriers and catchfence installed

In 2010, following safety concerns at the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500, Pocono Raceway installed over 5,500 feet of SAFER barriers and 6,100 feet of catchfence from turn one to turn three.

August 5, 2011: Mattioli Retirement

On August 5, 2011, Mattioli announced his retirement as CEO of Pocono Raceway, with Brandon replacing Mattioli as CEO.

September 2012: IndyCar Series return announced

In September 2012, track officials announced the return of major open-wheel racing with the IndyCar Series scheduling a race for their 2013 season.

2013: IndyCar Series returns

After a 22-year absence, open-wheel racing returned to Pocono Raceway with the IndyCar Series in 2013.

2013: Infield road course upgrades

In 2013, Pocono Raceway upgraded the track's infield road course.

2014: Curbing removal

In 2014, Pocono Raceway removed curbing on the tri-oval's second turn.

2015: Second fatality at Pocono Raceway

In 2015, IndyCar driver Justin Wilson was fatally struck in the head by a flying tire at Pocono Raceway.

August 2017: Brandon Igdalsky resigns, Nick Igdalsky named CEO

In August 2017, Brandon Igdalsky resigned from his position at Pocono Raceway to take a job in NASCAR. Brandon's younger brother, Nick, was named as CEO of the track.

2019: IndyCar Series stops racing

After safety complaints, the IndyCar Series stopped racing at Pocono Raceway after 2019.

2019: IndyCar drops Pocono from schedule

In 2019, following safety concerns after the death of Justin Wilson alongside a crash at the 2018 ABC Supply 500 that paralyzed driver Robert Wickens, IndyCar dropped Pocono Raceway from its schedule starting in 2020.

2020: Short-lived Doubleheader format

In 2020, the two races at Pocono Raceway moved to a short-lived doubleheader format, with both races being ran on a single weekend with one race per day. Also 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.

2021: Estimated Seating Capacity

In 2021, Frontstretch estimated the seating capacity of Pocono Raceway to be 76,812, though the venue does not release official figures due to its private ownership.