Philadelphia, PA - The first race at Pocono Raceway was over 50 years ago, in 1968. Although the raceway has had a turbulent past, it is now one of the most fun and exciting ways to spend an evening in Philly. If you have never spent the day at the Pocono Raceway, then you are certainly missing an important aspect of the Philadelphia experience.
A Day Out At The Pocono Raceway
These days, the Bass Pro Shops Night Race is one of the hottest racing events of the year, and fans are placing bets online both at the raceway and at home. However, it is obviously much more fun to be at the raceway itself. There is nothing quite like the smell of exhaust and the roar of engines to make you feel like you are really getting in on the action.
Racing at Pocono
Pocono is a superspeedway that is shaped like a triangle, hence its nickname of “The Tricky Triangle.” The racetrack has featured the Indy Car race, the IndyCar Series, and two different NASCAR Cup Series races. The fastest speed ever reached at Pocono was 232.54 miles per hour by a Nissan GTR at Racemotive Roll-Racing.
There are currently about eight different races held at Pocono, some of which are held over a weekend. These weekend races give fans the option to camp on the Pocono grounds and soak in the fun and exciting atmosphere for a few days.
The Creature Comforts Of The Raceway
Another of the highlights of spending the day at Pocono is the amazing food everywhere you look. The midway area behind the Pocono grandstand is completely dedicated to food carts and kiosks serving up classics such as burgers, hot dogs, chicken, BBQ, pizza, and sausages, along with all the classic desserts you would find at a state fair. Pre-Race Pit and Paddock Pass holders can also enjoy the newly renovated cafeteria, which has even more options to choose from.
Unfortunately, there are not many vegetarian, vegan or healthy options available, so if you or someone in your group has a certain dietary restriction, you may want to eat before you visit the raceway or get in touch with management and ask to bring your own food in. As more and more people opt for plant-based meals, hopefully the raceway managers will take note and introduce a greater diversity of dining options.
Visitors can also take advantage of the beverage carts which are located around the raceway that serve up both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.
Spending A Day At The Races
If you are not yet a diehard racing fan or if you have never been to a raceway, you should take it slowly and first try a day at the races before jumping into a full weekend of camping. Arriving at the racetrack early will help you to get a sense of the atmosphere and to scope out the best seats for viewing. You may also want to join friends for a tailgate beforehand to ramp up and get ready for the action.
The cheapest seats available still have really good viewing, so you can rest assured that, regardless of what you paid for your ticket, you are going to enjoy yourself. Once you are situated with your lunch and a few drinks, let yourself get into the action and embrace the wild, smelly and loud chaos of the races.
If you like to place bets while watching, you can do so from the comfort of your seat, thanks to the technology of online sports betting platforms. Those who are new to racing may need to speak with a few regulars to fully understand what is happening, who the favorites are, and how a winner is determined, but once you understand the basics, you will be able to sit back and enjoy the action.
Special Events At Pocono
There is always something happening at Pocono, regardless of the season. Outside of the NASCAR season, Pocono is used by Stock Car Experience, Bertil Roos Driving School, and the Sports Car Club of America to train drivers on how to drive at incredible speed under difficult conditions.
Pocono also hosts large concerts and events of all kinds, including festivals, military shows, concerts, and races. It is hardly surprising that this venue is continually booked out because it is such a well-maintained and conveniently located raceway.
