RacingNation.com
Home / IndyCar Series / Pocono Raceway To Be On 2019 Verizon IndyCar Series Schedule

Pocono Raceway To Be On 2019 Verizon IndyCar Series Schedule

Alexander Rossi leads the field at Pocono Raceway. © [Jamie Sheldrick / Spacesuit Media]

Alexander Rossi leads the field at Pocono Raceway. © [Jamie Sheldrick / Spacesuit Media]

By Joe Jennings

LONG POND, Pa. – Pocono Raceway officials confirmed this weekend that the Verizon IndyCar Series will be returning to the “Tricky Triangle” in 2019.  The date has not been set and will be announced when the full schedule is announced, thought to be sometime in September.

Open-wheel racing has been a popular stop at the Pocono Raceway since 1971.  Including this ABC Supply 500, USAC, CART and IndyCar have combined to run 25 500s.

USAC sanctioned 11 races with Mark Donohue winning the inaugural event in 1971.  A. J. Foyt has the most wins with four (1973, 1973, 1979 and 1981).  CART took over in 1982 and sanctioned eight races through 1989.  Thereafter, given the tussle between CART and the IRL, no open-wheel races were held for the next 24 years.

During the breach, NASCAR stepped in to fill the void and with the surge in popularity of stock-car racing, race attendance mushroomed and many forgot about the open-wheelers, particularly after the 1981 debacle, which saw a mix of rear-engine cars and dirt cars with the latter group added as field fillers.

The Verizon IndyCar Series picked up the baton in 2013 when the fans warmed to the return of the open-wheelers.  Scott Dixon drove to victory in 2013 and Will Power doubled in 2016 and 2017.

Overall, Team Penske has won 10 of the first 24 races.

While attendance hasn’t been the greatest, track management and IndyCar recognize it as a long-term investment and fully expect to succeed.

 

 

 

Share Button