The Pocono 5,000
Here's how goofy Pocono is: Denny Hamlin could run ahead of the field for the first 2.49 miles of today's race and still not get credit for leading a lap.
Does anyone get the same sense that the Pocono race goes on forever? (Beat writers refer to qualifying there as the 24 Hours of Pocono. That's what it feels like.) Any takers in my annual quest to complain all weekend that Pocono gets two races and Nashville, Memphis, North Wilkesboro and Rockingham get none?
Comments (5)
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You're not the only one who feels like it, myself included.
Posted on June 11, 2006 1:15 PM
No, I'm not a taker. Pocono is about 2 hours by car from NYC, one of the nation's largest population centers. I live in northern NJ, and this is the closest NASCAR ever comes to my area. If it weren't for Pocono, I'd never get to experience a live NASCAR event. I've been a ticket holder to the Pennsylvania 500 (the July Pocono race) for the past 6 years, and I'd be none too happy if that race were to fall off the schedule in favor of another race down south, which it seems to me is saturated with races and venues. NASCAR fans in the Northeast: Despite the 4 races we get a year, WE DO EXIST!!
PS ... my 4 NE races = 2 Pocono, 1 New Hampshire, and 1 Watkins Glen
Posted on June 12, 2006 3:35 PM
NYC, NYC ... hmmm... Nope, never heard of it.
Kidding. I understand the demographics, which is why Fontana has two races and the Rock has noe, but I'm sorry you get stuck with such bad racin', Bob. Pocono is my least favorite race of the year (and there are two races there in six weeks). And Watkins Glen isn't much better. (I prefer Sonoma to WG. Wouldn't Lime Rock be better?) New Hampshire, though, is a faster Martinsville, and that's a good thing.
So what's your take on the Staten Island track? Is that better for you? Worse? Would you trade a Pocono date for an SI date?
Posted on June 12, 2006 3:41 PM
You are so right. NASCAR cut out the tracks with real history instead of putting together some dollars to upgrade them and save all those townspeople their incomes. Not to mention preserve the history of stock car racing. Seems to me the France gang could crack out a six pack, put their feet on the railing, and come up with a dozen ideas on how to preserve the old tracks and still include the new. Rockinham is a genuine classic.
Posted on June 14, 2006 3:43 PM
No, Pocono doesn't feel like it goes on forever. There are several reasons why it has two dates and those other tracks you mention get none -
Pocono is a superspeedway.
It is in a better racing market.
It has much more room to race.
It has excellent history.
It sells out both dates every year.
It is a superior layout.
The Staten Island track is going nowhere because no one there wants it and NASCAR has run into the reality that the big markets don't want it - Fontana no longer sells out, Chicagoland sells well but gets no play in the area, Sears Point is largely ignored in the area despite selling well.
Get over it, John. Pocono earned two dates and deserves them more than some of these other tracks.
Posted on June 24, 2006 12:57 PM