Pocono confirms it will host an Xfinity race next year
Race will be one of three at track next June, highlighted by a Sprint Cup race.
POCONO RACEWAY has confirmed it will host a NASCAR Xfinity series race next year. The Daily News, citing Motorsport.com, reported last Thursday that Pocono was expected to add an Xfinity race next year.
The Xfinity race will be part of a busy June 3-5 weekend schedule at Pocono: Xfinity and ARCA series races are scheduled for Saturday, June 4, with the Sprint Cup race Sunday.
The July 31 Cup race will be preceded by Camping World Truck Series and ARCA races on Saturday, July 30.
Brandon Igdalsky, Pocono's president and CEO, yesterday described the Xfinity race as "a great natural fit," since Xfinity is owned by the Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp.
"We've been using a few Comcast companies here - their ticketing company, (plus) their sales and marketing (staff)," he said. "We're making a point to do more business with Pennsylvania companies, big and small."
Igdalsky said adding an Xfinity race to Pocono's racing schedule does not rule out IndyCar returning next year.
"We're still working with IndyCar to put this deal together," he said.
Asked whether Pocono has requested a lower sanctioning fee from IndyCar, Igdalsky replied, "I never said that. We haven't gotten the response from fans we want to make IndyCar a viable event."
While IndyCar has provided compelling racing the past three years at Pocono, attendance for the races has been disappointing.
F1 driver chosen
The new, U.S-based Formula One team has chosen Romain Grosjean as its driver for next season. Grosjean, 29, has competed in 78 F1 races. This year, driving for the Lotus F1 team, he is ninth in points.
The Frenchman finished second in the U.S. Grand Prix two years ago in Austin, Texas. Grosjean is known for providing technical expertise with F1 cars.
Gene Haas, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing in NASCAR, is the founder and chairman of the Haas F1 team.