Tailgating: Pocono

Pocono Raceway is unique in that all three corners are different from each other. The builders modeled each turn from a different track. The corners are connected by two long straightaways and one shorter straightaway.

Getting There

From New York: I-80 W to I-380 N to PA-940W/Pocono Summit Rd. To Long Pond Road/PA-4002

From Washington, D.C.: I-95N to I-495N / Capital Beltway. Merge onto I-270 Spur N (becomes I-270 N). I-270 N becomes US-40 W. US-40 W becomes US-15 N (crossing into Pennsylvania). Merge onto PA-581 E. PA-581 E / Harrisburg Expy becomes I-83 N. Merge onto I-81 N. Take I-80 E. Take PA-115. Follow signs to the track.

From Pittsburgh: Take I-80 to Pa-115 / Blakeslee. Look for signs to the track. From the North: Take I-81 to I-476 / Pennsylvania Turnpike to I-80. Take I-80 to Pa-115 (Blakeslee/ Lake Harmony / Brodheadsville).

What to Bring

Small coolers (12"x12") are permitted in the facility. Backpacks, fanny packs and plastic bags are also permitted. All coolers and bags are subject to search at time of entry into any Pocono Raceway gate. No glass containers of any kind are permitted.

I have had quite a few people e-mail me about the following problem with the grandstands: When people are standing (and they do the whole race), it's difficult to see the cars on the straightaway or in Turns 1 and 3. This is because the cars hug the wall, and the wall is very close to the grandstands. The angle just doesn't work. When we were there in the infield, we heard over the loudspeakers the announcers repeatedly asking for the fans in the grandstands to sit down.

Camping and Parking

Infield: If you plan on camping in the infield, take everything along you will need for the whole weekend, as there is nowhere to buy supplies inside or anywhere near the track and there are no passes out of the infield. If you have to leave, you must repay for admission. Access to the outside vendors (drivers merchandise trailers) on Pocono property is done via the infield tunnel, and you have to pay to get back in if you go out there.

There are many private campgrounds within 20 miles of the track. When you call campsites, ask about driving time because this track is pretty much in the middle of nowhere.

Parking: Most of the parking is on the frontstretch off Rt. 115, Andretti, Long Pond or Hulman Road. You may want to try the road over by infield parking. It's long but avoids the large majority of traffic. It'll take you to Rt. 380.