Pocono Raceway will operate at 100 percent fan capacity for its NASCAR doubleheader weekend at the end of June.
The Long Pond track made the announcement Tuesday after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said statewide COVID-19 mitigation orders, except for masking, will be lifted beginning May 31.
Wolf said the masking order will be lifted when 70 percent of Pennsylvania adults are fully vaccinated.
“We are thrilled and appreciative of today’s announcement from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf,” Pocono Raceway officials said in a statement. “As we have been doing, the Raceway will continue to follow the protocols and guidance set forth by our state and the sanctioning body of NASCAR at the time of our events. Our staff is working through this incredible opportunity to be one of the largest outdoor sporting events this summer and kindly ask ticket holders for continued patience.”
Additional announcements, information and details will be revealed in the coming days and weeks, the raceway’s statement said.
Last year, Pocono made history when, for the first time in NASCAR’s modern era (since 1972), Cup Series races were held on consecutive days. However, fans were not able to attend because of coronavirus pandemic protocols.
This year’s doubleheader starts Friday, June 25, with the ARCA Series General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, June 26, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is at noon, followed by the first of two NASCAR Cup Series races at 3 p.m.
Capping the weekend Sunday, June 27, is the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pocono Green 225 at noon and the Cup Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 350 at 3:30 p.m. The name of the second race recently came about as part of a partnership between the raceway and the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.
For ticket information, visit poconoraceway.com or call 800-RACEWAY. Adult ticket prices start at $10 for Friday and $45 for Saturday or Sunday. Kids ages 12 and under can attend all NASCAR events at Pocono Raceway for free.
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
