On a weekend that went nearly perfectly, Pocono Raceway served as the launching point for questions that probably don’t make the Mattioli family happy, or at least make them feel unappreciated.
Most of the talk was centered on three things: Is the track for sale, why are the two races there both 500 miles, and why is Pocono even on the schedule?
Let’s take those one at a time.
First, the track is not for sale. It won’t be for sale. It CAN’T be for sale. It is held in trust for the grandchildren of Rose and Joe Mattioli, and as such, cannot be sold outright. They had a name for this in Regency England: the property is “entailed.”
Rose and Joe Mattioli care about their track. It has been their livelihood for far too long to grow tired of it, and it is their legacy to future generations. In fact, the operation of the track has been passed to a third generation of the family. Does that sound like it’s ready to be sold?
Second question: Why are both races 500 miles? This is a guess, but it’s because nearly every race since 1974 at Pocono has been 500 miles. Why change now? Darlington went through this, and so did Rockingham. Dover used to be 500 miles. Pocono is a unique track, with three corners that vex crew chiefs over generations.
Like Indianapolis, 500 miles is a true test of man and machine. Mostly, the drivers and cars pass the test, but when they don’t, it’s usually in a highly entertaining way. The 2.5-mile track deserves 500 miles.
I will say that the schedule makers don’t do Pocono any favors, and 500 miles twice in the span of about six weeks is a touch much, but that’s not Pocono’s fault. Given the season in the mountains — normally it’s winter and July — there’s a smaller window than a warm-weather track would have, but a couple of weeks might make a difference.
Third question: Look at a map of the United States. Find Pocono. Overlay it with population density figures and what do you see? Within an hour’s drive of the place —and on race morning that usually means the top of Long Pond Road! — you’ll find access to about one third of the total population of the United States.
New York is not far, and neither is Philadelphia. The heavily populated Northeast corridor is within reach. Washington, D.C. is not out of the sphere of influence. Don’t try to drive from D.C. to Pocono, however, if you have a deadline. I’ve done it, and it isn’t fun.
Here’s what I think: Pocono is not easy. It isn’t easy to get to, there’s not a whole lot of the amenities that the folks doing the complaining like to have near the track, and the facilities are not what they are used to. There’s your source.
Having attended races at Pocono since 1988 — the first year I worked for Ye Ed at NSSN — I think that’s part of the charm. It’s different, and on the whole, anything different in NASCAR is good.
You can drive into Kansas Speedway and by the time you’ve cleared the infield tunnel you’d swear you were at Chicagoland. Same goes for the Texas-Las Vegas-Atlanta trio at SMI. You have to read the wall to remember where you are…unless it’s raining, and then you know it’s Atlanta! Apologies to Ed Clark; I couldn’t resist.
Different is good in this day of cookie-cutter tracks. Pocono has character. Where else do the deer that roam around the track carry transponders for timing and scoring? Where else can you go about nature’s business in the World’s Longest Toilet (cleverly named Long John)?
Here’s the deal: as long as Rose and Joe Mattioli have anything to do with it, there will be two races at Pocono, they’ll be 500 miles in length and hey, take a book, commune with Nature and get off the high horse.
Pocono is here to stay.