Pocono 500

Lore & Background

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.

Reader's Guide

Pocono Raceway's main track in its current form is measured at 2.500 mi, with 14° of banking on the track's first turn, 8° of banking on its second turn, and 6° of banking on its third turn. Compared to other NASCAR tracks, the track is the only one on the schedule that has three turns. All turns are based on turns from other racetracks; track designer and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rodger Ward designed the first turn after Trenton Speedway, the second turn after Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the third turn after the Milwaukee Mile.

In addition to the tri-oval, the venue features various infield road course layouts according to current Pocono Raceway CEO Nick Igdalsky. Pocono Raceway is located in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, and is served by Interstate 80 and Pennsylvania Route 115. Although the venue does not release official seating capacity figures due to its private ownership, Frontstretch estimated a seating capacity of 76,812 in 2021.

Did You Know?

• Pocono Raceway opened on May 4, 1969, for a supermodified program won by Jim Shampine on the venue's 0.750 mi oval.
• The venue's short road course layout, measured at 1.800 mi, opened approximately four months after the main oval.