Pennsylvania 500, Pocono RacewayPosted by Henry Jones on July 2nd, 2019 Kurt Busch dominated at the beginning, surged back to the lead late and raced to his second win of the season in the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. The "Chase for the Cup'' began at New Hampshire International Speedway on Sept. 18. Busch passed second-place finisher Rusty Wallace coming out of Turn 3 with 17 laps left and held on to the lead even as four cautions came out before the end, which forced three extra laps and the green-white checkered flag Soon after the first Indy Car race at Pocono, the Schaefer 500 in 1971, Hurricane Agnes hit the area. The ensuing economic crunch and energy crisis threatened Pocono Raceway's and many other tracks didn't survive. Pocono Raceway owners Joe and Rose Mattioli considered selling out. "We were almost bankrupt two or three times but were too dumb to realize it," Joe Mattioli said. "We were on the verge of selling the track when we received a telephone call from Bill France Sr., who asked us to meet with him in New York.”
"Had it not been for Bill France Sr., Annie B. and Bill Jr., Pocono Raceway would not be here today." Since getting that second Cup date in 1982, the track has continued to grow. The Mattiolis welcome nearly 100,000 ticket holders to their home in the Pocono’s twice each year. On the track, Bill Elliott, Rusty Wallace, the late Tim Richmond and Darrell Waltrip are among the track's standouts. For More Info,Click Here Like it? Share it! |