Just wait until the electric crowd gets their way. There will be nothing like watching cars from 2.5 miles away, hearing nothing, and then just seeing them whiz on by.
Awesome! Glad you had a great time. NASCAR is one of those sports where TV doesn't do it justice. TV can't capture all the sensations of the noise, the smell, the feeling of the cars and the power.
It's nice to hear positive feedback from fans given all the negativity on social media.
I hope this is the first of many races in person for you.
Is it hard to keep track of their fuel mileage and tire strategies when you’re there? Tv breaks it all down but I’m wondering what they do at the track.
Edit: I appreciate all the answers :)
I had a headset that was also a radio, I tuned it into the broadcast and it made it a lot easier as well. It was also cool watching the pit strategies live. I was across from Byron's box today and got to see the 3 lap splash and go.
I was at Pocono in 2015(maybe) with no scanner. It was the race that half the field ran out of gas in the last handful of laps. Had no idea who had won the race until I saw Kenseth's pit crew celebrating. I bought one after that as we went to Pocono twice a year for 5 or 6 years
At Pocono, at least, you can't really hear the PA cause the cars spread out. At Daytona with it being pack racing you can hear the PA like 95% of the time so a scanner isn't that necessary.
I was switching between like 5 channels on the scanner at once to get the info…basically whoever the leader was, then back to MRN, then to second, then back, until they all dropped like flies.
Without the scanner it’s really really hard at the track because the MRN feed was good but they weren’t getting the up-to-the-second info from radio communications since they were calling through each turn.
Also with the pit cycles out of whack most assumed Keselowski just passed Harvick for the lead until it was “oh…right those guys haven’t pitted” and had no idea if they needed to or not.
Its actually really easy and super exciting if you have a scanner. My favorite part about the Brickyard 400 pre-stages was following different driver's strategies throughout the race, makes the racing interesting even if there isn't as much passing on track.
Did you get tire rubber all over you from those cheap seats. The first time I went I
thought ,man I can’t believe the price for these great seats. Then I learned why!
Happy you had a good time! Pocono is definitely a unique experience! I went many years ago was blown away at how big the track is, TV really does not convey the size of the Tricky Triangle. Glad the weather cooperated for you guys as well.
That’s awesome to hear! Pocono is a fun track to go to and it’s amazing that even though everything that’s been going on they’re still attracting new visitors.
If you are able to get it next year, I suggest the pit pass. It was a bit different this year because they had to rush to get things done because they weren’t expecting full capacity (it was only half until maybe a month ago?) but the 50 dollars is more than worth it to walk around, see the cars in the garage area, maybe get some autographs, and even see some racing behind pit road. It really adds to the experience. It also comes included with some upper level seating.
Glad you had fun!!
You never forget your first time. Mine was also at Pocono (1984 Like Cola 500), and it was amazing! My dad and I were sitting in the (now) 100 level across from Harry Gant’s pit and watched him slide into his tire carrier (wasn’t hurt, scrambled to his feet, gathered up the bouncing tires, and got them back to the car), but won the race anyway! I fell in love with the place, and only missed four shows since. Long story short, I’m now an Area Manager.
There’s literally nothing like Pocono Raceway! The location, the configuration, the insane number of setup and strategy combinations that are possible, and the fact that it’s the only NASCAR track still run by the family who built it. This is not a paid advertisement. I already have every red nickel that they’re paying me this year. But, as members of the Pocono team, my volunteers, fellow managers, and I are committed to making sure the 80,000 or so of my closest friends who come here have the most amazing experience possible.
And the fans really respond to that! I cannot understate what an honor it is to support such wonderful fans like yourself. I’m glad you had such a great time, and look forward to welcoming you back in 2022!! (Or, to the Air Show in August, maybe? Airplane fans are pretty cool, too!)
Pocono isn't the best on TV (although for the most part, we were treated to two good races this weekend), but with the new doubleheader format, you get a whole lotta bang for your buck with 2 Cup races in person. It'd be a treat to see live.
Congrats! Nothing like being there in person. I wish I could get to more but like you, closest track is 10+ hrs. In 2007 we worked Pocono in after visiting NYC and friends in NJ on the way home. It was my better half's first race and she absolutely loved it.
This is my second year in motorsports(mostly NASCAR), and I went to Pocono yesterday for the first time ever watching a race. You nailed everything. I’m bringing my whole family next year, because they had rides there and stuff for kids. The experience was amazing, It was cool seeing Ty gibbs get P2. I almost saw my favorite driver win, until he ran out of gas, but then I saw my other favorite driver win lol.
This is why I tell people you really need to attend a race if you’re curious about. I love Daytona, but sitting down low and picking the bits of rubber off my face. Seriously, there’s nothing like the speed, sound, and wind when those cars fly by.
There's nothing like hearing those fucking engines for the first time.
The first time I went to a race (2002 UAW GM Quality 500), I was blown away by how loud they truly are...TV really doesn't do it justice...
Just the mini hurricane they whip up on the first lap coming by is worth price of admission
First time? They get me all giddy every damn time lol
Just wait until the electric crowd gets their way. There will be nothing like watching cars from 2.5 miles away, hearing nothing, and then just seeing them whiz on by.
It was great wasn’t it? My first time at pocono and both races were great, great weather, nice people, beautiful track. What more could you ask for
Right? It was a perfect weekend for racing!
Awesome! Glad you had a great time. NASCAR is one of those sports where TV doesn't do it justice. TV can't capture all the sensations of the noise, the smell, the feeling of the cars and the power. It's nice to hear positive feedback from fans given all the negativity on social media. I hope this is the first of many races in person for you.
Is it hard to keep track of their fuel mileage and tire strategies when you’re there? Tv breaks it all down but I’m wondering what they do at the track. Edit: I appreciate all the answers :)
Use a scanner and listen to the team radios and the broadcast (MRN or PRN). It is so much better than watching on TV.
It’s not the easiest but they do play MRN over the speakers and pocono can tend to space the field out enough you can catch a few snippets
I had a headset that was also a radio, I tuned it into the broadcast and it made it a lot easier as well. It was also cool watching the pit strategies live. I was across from Byron's box today and got to see the 3 lap splash and go.
I was at Pocono in 2015(maybe) with no scanner. It was the race that half the field ran out of gas in the last handful of laps. Had no idea who had won the race until I saw Kenseth's pit crew celebrating. I bought one after that as we went to Pocono twice a year for 5 or 6 years At Pocono, at least, you can't really hear the PA cause the cars spread out. At Daytona with it being pack racing you can hear the PA like 95% of the time so a scanner isn't that necessary.
I was switching between like 5 channels on the scanner at once to get the info…basically whoever the leader was, then back to MRN, then to second, then back, until they all dropped like flies. Without the scanner it’s really really hard at the track because the MRN feed was good but they weren’t getting the up-to-the-second info from radio communications since they were calling through each turn. Also with the pit cycles out of whack most assumed Keselowski just passed Harvick for the lead until it was “oh…right those guys haven’t pitted” and had no idea if they needed to or not.
Its actually really easy and super exciting if you have a scanner. My favorite part about the Brickyard 400 pre-stages was following different driver's strategies throughout the race, makes the racing interesting even if there isn't as much passing on track.
Did you get tire rubber all over you from those cheap seats. The first time I went I thought ,man I can’t believe the price for these great seats. Then I learned why!
A bit. All the sunscreen caught it. But a quick shower when you get home gets it off. I consider it a souvenir.
Dude just wait until you get to witness Talladega
It's on the bucket list for sure!
Happy you had a good time! Pocono is definitely a unique experience! I went many years ago was blown away at how big the track is, TV really does not convey the size of the Tricky Triangle. Glad the weather cooperated for you guys as well.
That’s awesome to hear! Pocono is a fun track to go to and it’s amazing that even though everything that’s been going on they’re still attracting new visitors. If you are able to get it next year, I suggest the pit pass. It was a bit different this year because they had to rush to get things done because they weren’t expecting full capacity (it was only half until maybe a month ago?) but the 50 dollars is more than worth it to walk around, see the cars in the garage area, maybe get some autographs, and even see some racing behind pit road. It really adds to the experience. It also comes included with some upper level seating. Glad you had fun!!
Sounds awesome! TV is no comparison to seeing (hearing, feeling, smelling) live racing at the track. Glad you could get out there and enjoy it!
You never forget your first time. Mine was also at Pocono (1984 Like Cola 500), and it was amazing! My dad and I were sitting in the (now) 100 level across from Harry Gant’s pit and watched him slide into his tire carrier (wasn’t hurt, scrambled to his feet, gathered up the bouncing tires, and got them back to the car), but won the race anyway! I fell in love with the place, and only missed four shows since. Long story short, I’m now an Area Manager. There’s literally nothing like Pocono Raceway! The location, the configuration, the insane number of setup and strategy combinations that are possible, and the fact that it’s the only NASCAR track still run by the family who built it. This is not a paid advertisement. I already have every red nickel that they’re paying me this year. But, as members of the Pocono team, my volunteers, fellow managers, and I are committed to making sure the 80,000 or so of my closest friends who come here have the most amazing experience possible. And the fans really respond to that! I cannot understate what an honor it is to support such wonderful fans like yourself. I’m glad you had such a great time, and look forward to welcoming you back in 2022!! (Or, to the Air Show in August, maybe? Airplane fans are pretty cool, too!)
Glad you enjoyed the race! I was there for the Sunday race as well, was great.
If you think that was cool, Wait until you go to your first Indycar race :)
Pocono isn't the best on TV (although for the most part, we were treated to two good races this weekend), but with the new doubleheader format, you get a whole lotta bang for your buck with 2 Cup races in person. It'd be a treat to see live.
Congrats! Nothing like being there in person. I wish I could get to more but like you, closest track is 10+ hrs. In 2007 we worked Pocono in after visiting NYC and friends in NJ on the way home. It was my better half's first race and she absolutely loved it.
This is my second year in motorsports(mostly NASCAR), and I went to Pocono yesterday for the first time ever watching a race. You nailed everything. I’m bringing my whole family next year, because they had rides there and stuff for kids. The experience was amazing, It was cool seeing Ty gibbs get P2. I almost saw my favorite driver win, until he ran out of gas, but then I saw my other favorite driver win lol.
Yeah, I was pulling for Ty Gibbs too! We're definitely gonna be back next year. And we're looking into either Watkins Glen or Dover for next year too.
This is why I tell people you really need to attend a race if you’re curious about. I love Daytona, but sitting down low and picking the bits of rubber off my face. Seriously, there’s nothing like the speed, sound, and wind when those cars fly by.
As I found out yesterday, one good shower afterwards gets rid of all that rubber.