The Sprint Cup Series stops in Long Pond, Pa., for the Pocono 500 and the Pennsylvania 500.
Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide | 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
Overview
Pocono Raceway is unlike any other track on the NASCAR circuit. Its triangular shape (think clothes hanger) provides a unique challenge for competitors. Each turn has a different degree of banking and a different radius, and each of the three straights is a different length.
Despite its size (2½ miles), it doesn't carry the speeds of Daytona or Talladega because it is very flat. Drivers do approach 200 mph heading into Turn 1, however. Kasey Kahne holds the track qualifying record with a speed of 172.533 mph.
The first stop in northeastern Pennsylvania is the Pocono 500 on June 7. Two months later, on Aug. 2, the circuit comes back around for the Pennsylvania 500.
Denny Hamlin dominated Pocono in 2006, winning the pole and the race at Pocono both times through as a rookie. In 2007, Jeff Gordon was the only driver to finish in the top five both times, winning in June. Kahne won the 2008 version of the Pocono 500, and Carl Edwards did his trademark backflip after winning the Pennsylvania 500 later last season.
The track is located close enough to New York City that a trip to the Big Apple or Philly on race weekend is not out of the question. So catching a Yankees, Mets or Phillies tilt is certainly a possibility if you're planning to make a weekend trip or extend it by a day (or three). Pocono Raceway also is located within easy driving distance of some of the nation's top outlet stores.
Address
Long Pond Road
Long Pond, Pa., 18334
poconoraceway.com
More track news is available through jayski.com.
City Guide: New York City
Notable events
Pennsylvania 500 NASCAR Weekend
Friday, July 31, 2009
ARCA RE/MAX Series Practice & Qualifying
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice
• Weis Markets NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying, 3:40 p.m.
Gates open at 8 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice
• ARCA RE/MAX Series Pennsylvania 200, 1 p.m.
Gates open at 8 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009
• Pennsylvania 500, 2 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Gates open at 9 a.m.
Tickets
Ticket office: 800-722-3929 (800-RACEWAY)
Online: Buy tickets | Seating chart
Pit passes: Available; call the track ticket office for further information.
Fan hospitality: Call the track ticket office or visit the track Web site.
Special packages: Call the track ticket office or visit the track Web site.
Track specs
Track length: 2.5 miles
Banking: Turn 1 -- 14 degrees; Turn 2 -- 8 degrees;
Turn 3 -- 6 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,740 feet
Backstretch: 3,055 feet
Shortstretch: 1,780 feet
Race length: 500 miles
Grandstand seating capacity: N/A
Opened: 1974
Carry-in items
Coolers: Allowed (12-inch by 12-inch limit).
Glass containers: Not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages: Limited to 12x12 cooler.
Cameras/binoculars: Allowed.
Souvenirs and displays
Merchandise: Driver and NASCAR merchandise haulers on site.
Scanners: Scanners available for rent on site.
Autographs
Check local newspapers and TV; drivers rarely available on race day.
Pit area guidelines
Shirts: Required; must cover shoulder area Friday and Saturday.
Shoes: Required; no open-toe shoes allowed Friday and Saturday.
Shorts/capri pants: Not allowed Friday and Saturday.
Alcoholic beverages: Not allowed any day.
(Note: Pit admission at designated times Friday, Saturday and Sunday.)
Camping
RV reserved and unreserved: Available.
Call the track ticket office for details or visit the track Web site.
Associated driving schools
Stock Car Racing Experience
and Team ProKart Racing
877-786-2522
Web site
Bertil Roos Racing School
800-722-3669
Web site
Getting there
Located on Route 115, 3 miles south of I-80 at Exit 284 (old Exit 43)
in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Parking
Free day-time parking: Available.
Handicapped parking: Available; permit required.
• Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide
• 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
