After hosting its historic NASCAR Doubleheader weekend last year without fans, Pocono Raceway was hopeful fans could attend this year’s twinbill in June.
So Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement Monday that outdoor sporting venues can have fans at 20 percent capacity was welcome news for officials at the 2.5-mile triangular track in Long Pond.
In a statement, Pocono said it shares the fans’ excitement surrounding Monday’s news. If COVID-pandemic data continues to show signs of improving, the track hopes the percentage of fans allowed to attend will increase.
“The health and safety of our fans, and all involved in our event, will be a top priority,” the statement said. “We will work with the Wolf administration, health officials and NASCAR to ensure necessary guidance and protocols are met for our June 25-27 race weekend.”
The NASCAR Doubleheader weekend at Pocono starts Friday, June 25, with the ARCA Series General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 26, features the NASCAR Trucks Series race at noon and the NASCAR Cup Series 325-mile race at 3 p.m. On Sunday, June 27, it’s the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at noon, followed by the NASCAR Cup Series 350-mile race at 3:30 p.m.
During more than 30 years at The Times-Tribune, Scott has covered everything from high schools to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. His current beats include motor sports, local colleges, high school cross country and high school baseball. He also is a copy editor and page designer. His articles have won awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors, American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association, Eastern Motorsports Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists Keystone Pro Chapter and the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Keystone Press. He also has been honored by the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League and the Minor League Football Alliance. In 2016, he was presented the Media Service Award by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. A Long Island, New York, native, Scott graduated from the University of Scranton in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He lives in Peckville with his wife, Andrea, and daughters, Bridget and Emily. Contact him at swalsh@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5109; or @swalshTT on Twitter
