LONG POND, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It’s not every day you get to see your hometown represented in one of the top-ranked motorsports organizations in the world.
But now, thanks to partnerships in the Poconos and even our news station, part of NEPA will be spotlighted on the racetrack for all to see.
At Pocono Raceway, the energy is electrifying as fans and drivers are getting ready for three series. The Craftsman Truck Series Friday, the Xfinity Series Saturday, and the big NASCAR Cup Series Sunday.
Many people have their favorite driver they cheer on, but one car in Saturday's Xfinity Race is getting our region extra pumped. No. 99 decked out in Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau designs and even has our 28/22 news logo.
The roar of an engine in Long Pond can only mean one thing.
“NASCAR’s back in the Poconos, we’re kicking off summer!” said the president of the Pocono Raceway, Ben May.
It’s all part of the stock car experience, giving people the chance to get behind the wheel, but ahead of the Xfinity Series Race Saturday, this is just giving us a taste of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau sponsoring the no. 99 Chevrolet with Viking Motorsports driven by Matt Dibenedetto.
NASCAR fans descend upon the Tricky Triangle“One thing led to another and then to another, and we had an opportunity to develop one of our own cars and then also have one within the race,” said President/CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Chris Barrett.
Also showcasing a 28/22 News logo, Barrett says it’s the partnerships that helped bring this vision to life.
“It’s just really humbling and gratifying to be able to see PTN kind of start from very humble beginnings to where it is right now,” said Barrett.
Camaraderie that Pocono Raceway President Ben May says continues to drive in visitors to NEPA.
“It goes to show that this community, we’re together, right? And I’m not saying we haven’t always been, but we are more so than ever, and it’s showing,” explained May.
With millions of people tuning into the sport, Pocono Raceway and PMVB take the wheel, putting our area on the map. Not just across the country, but globally.
Coming off a series in Mexico City, NASCAR is drawing in more international attention.
Here at the Tricky Triangle, around 60% of fans come from out of state, with guests from all 50 states set to attend.
“That’s tens of millions of dollars every year that’s coming into this market, that are providing for folks who work within this market, and it’s a critical economic benefit to our region,” said Barrett.
Sights and sounds at the track are an experience to remember, and never forget in the Pocono Mountains.
“I think post-pandemic people really figured it out. They came and visited, and they’re like, ‘oh wait this place is a little quiet, we didn’t know it existed, it’s awesome, we’re coming back,’ and you’ve seen that more and more and more,” said May.
Gates are opening at noon, and the paddock in the infield will soon be flooded with fans looking forward to another NASCAR weekend at the Tricky Triangle.