Pocono Raceway is a unique tri-oval track designed with three distinct, borrowed turn styles.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Unlike standard oval tracks, Pennsylvania's Pocono Raceway features a rare tri-oval layout with three turns modeled after different legendary speedways. This unconventional design, born from years of financial struggle and legal battles, has hosted everything from major NASCAR events to massive rock festivals, surviving through decades of dramatic transformation.

Located in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, the 2.500-mile track was the vision of a group of disgruntled racing fans who formed Racing, Inc. in 1957. After purchasing over 1,025 acres of land, the project faced significant delays, including constant rain and a major financial lien filed by a contractor in 1966. The facility finally opened its main tri-oval in 1971 under the leadership of Joseph Mattioli, a former dentist who took control after the original developer, David Montgomery, resigned. The track's unique geometry was the work of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rodger Ward, who designed the first turn after Trenton Speedway, the second after Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the third after the Milwaukee Mile.

The venue's history is defined by its resilience through financial instability. In the 1970s, the track struggled to turn a profit, leading Mattioli to consider selling the property. He was famously persuaded to stay by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who encouraged him to persevere. This decision proved vital, as the addition of a second annual NASCAR Cup Series weekend in the 1980s helped stabilize the raceway's finances. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the facility underwent extensive renovations, including the installation of SAFER barriers, the construction of new grandstands, and the creation of a 25-acre solar panel farm to power the entire complex.

Beyond racing, the venue has served as a versatile event space, hosting the massive 1972 Concert 10 rock festival and, more recently, the Elements Music Festival. Despite its successes, the track has faced significant challenges, including safety concerns that led to the departure of open-wheel racing series like CART and IndyCar. Today, the raceway remains a private, family-led enterprise, with its future secured in trust for the founder's grandchildren. It continues to host major NASCAR weekends, maintaining its status as a singular landmark in American motorsport history.

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