Dear Race Fans,
Since Monday, we have received many phone calls, tweets, posts and emails regarding our updated re-entry policy. Sitting at home last night, I wanted to clarify the policy and why we came to this decision.
The updated policy reads as: “For the safety and security of our fans, re-entry back into Pocono Raceway is restricted.”
- The key word to understand here is re-entry is restricted. This is not a zero-tolerance policy. There will be situations and circumstances which will arise which will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Gate Supervisors at the Grandstand Gate Check-Ins throughout our race weekend. If you have a situation during race weekend where you need to exit the ticketed areas, our friendly Gate Supervisors will be there to discuss it with you.
- This policy update is something we did not develop overnight. I sat through meetings with the Department of Homeland Security and other local/national agencies regarding our events. Their insight and suggestions lead to us instituting an update to our existing re-entry policy. Although there is no imminent threat to Pocono Raceway, given the times we live in and the fact so many individuals attend our outdoor sporting events, this policy has been updated to ensure all fans will be safe.
- This is the norm for most major sporting venues including the NFL, MLB, NHL, SEC Conference and the Big 10 Conference.
- This policy is not meant to penalize you, our fan. Rather it is meant to provide you a safe environment to enjoy the great racing action and the whole Pocono Experience.
The one thing we do ask is for your patience as the updated re-entry policy is put into action this weekend. We know many questions and circumstance will arise and, again, this is why the language of the updated re-entry policy says “restricted” and not “prohibited.” We will be handling every situation on a case-by-case basis.
I want you, your family and your friends to enjoy your time with us at “The Tricky Triangle,” as you have for so many years. We have been in family run business for 40-plus years now and the overall fan experience continues to improve every year. We firmly believe this policy update will not hurt your experience at our venue. It is in place to ensure fans can come to Pocono Raceway, enjoy all the activities and return home safely.
I look forward to seeing you this weekend.
Sincerely,
Brandon Igdalsky
Pocono Raceway
President/CEO
George Webster |
1. I hope the procedures required to allow the enforcement of this new policy does not produce congestion at the entry points.
2. I believe that the parking area to the south of the track (behind the main grandstands) is located outside to spectator admission gates. Does this mean that guests will not be allowed to go back to their cars to get things they may have left behind (e.g. rain coat, sun screen, seat cushion, etc.)?
3. I assume that this only applies on a given day at a time — and that people can go home at night and come back the next day and be re-admitted. Perhaps you should have clarified this point …
Kathy Bernhard |
I was there yesterday and this means you DON’T get to go to ur car and then get back in.
Rich |
Pocono Raceway is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for double-sided video screens, but you can’t keep the10 porta-potties used by thousands of fans sanitary and filled with toilet paper?? TP was gone and potties were filling up by 7:45am. Long lines because they just decided to cut out the re-entry rule. Let me ask you CEO Brandon Igdalsky, if you’ve taken a 2 hour ride with your kids to get to your destination, what is one of the first things your kids would say. I need to go to the bathroom or I’m going to piss in my pants now because I can’t go in and out of the track? This was an idiotic idea that had no merit and was never posted in the Fan Rules. Also it was completely unsanitary; the porta-potties, people urinating between cars, fans asking other fans for toilet paper? This rule better be dropped by the next race or this 31 year fan’s tradition of going to Pocono Raceway will come to an end.
YOU CAN CALL THIS PHONE NUMBER (different number then for ticket sales) AND ASK TO SPEAK TO A POCONO EXECUTIVE REGARDING THE RE-ENTRY RULE CHANGE. (570) 646-2300. I got through and the spoke to someone for about 20 minutes and the answer to all the questions was “This rule was changed for the safety of all are fans.” I asked him what made this rule “safer” and he had no reply. He also didn’t have an explanation as far as why there was only 10 porta-potties that were unsanitary and had no toilet paper.
Anthony Palombo |
Brandon & the team at Pocono. I hope you sincerely take some time to reconsider this before tomorrow or the August race. I have been coming to the track since I was a newborn in the mid 80’s to now and have always enjoyed the privilege & liberty Pocono/Nascar present at the facility to fans knowing the long daily schedules to go in and out of the facility with ease.
My plan Saturday morning is to show up at the track bright and early at 8am to get my tickets, get to the garage with the pit paddock pass & to try and get autographs on some cars/sim gear/etc…. After the P2 ends at 9:50, it would be nice to run back to my car, put some items away, relax and head back in for “happy hour/P3” at 11:30. Then likely head home thereafter. Same case can be made for Sunday too and the near legendary status “beer runs” that fans make. Also, it’s nice to get away from the loud noise of the track at times too in the lot.
You are the most fan friendly & conscience track I have been to through all the years. I strongly urge you to reconsider this stance, “restricted” or not.
Caroline Thorp |
While I am sure most people are aware of the current world we live in and the safety concerns it brings, I am sure the majority of your All-American fan base would prefer to have the freedoms allowed by your sport in place than to be frightened into restricting a 40 year long tradition. I am unsure why a change to your policy after no record of incident was instituted when, as you state, There is no imminent threat and for 40 years there has not been any problems. The beauty of your sport is the loose relaxed nature and a feeling of American Comraderie garnered by the fans who attend. While it may seem silly that a no re-entry policy could garner such a strong opposition, there is a point that seems to be missed here. It is my firm belief that this change is the first step to you becoming exactly like the other professional sports (NFL, NBA, etc) in their lack of caring for the fans and what makes us happy and willing to spend a decent sum of money on tickets. The difference between a NASCAR fan and all other sports is we represent all that is America…The Land of the Free, Respecting the Flag, Honoring our Armed Forces, Praying before the Race…It seems to be a dying breed these days and I don’t want to see that go away. On a personal note, I bring my young children to the race each year and arrive very early and leave rather late. We have been able to do this because we have ahd the freedom to take our children back to the car when they need a little down time or a quick nap without having to worry we can not return for the end of the race. I am so very disappointed that , yet again, something we have grown to love has changed for the worse in the name of protecting us. We all want to be safe but I truly believe your security staff has done an outstanding job in that past and really don’t see a real need for this type of change. I think this will ultimately hurt the family fun you have always reached in the past. I have a very bad taste in my mouth over this. Thank you for listening….
Chris |
I agree with caroline. I have a father with serious issues right now with migraines and breathing(COPD) issues. We are used to return to our car between practices,qualifying and races. This May be the last race we attend due to these new policies. I am sincerly sorry that you have given to unfounded fears just as the other sports have. Yous search coolers and all other things brought into the track at your checkpoints so what exactly is the need for updating your procedures. Maybe it is to make more money for your concession stands, being that when we return to our car we can get more soda, food or water. please reconsider this policy before you lose loyal, dedicated fans.
Curt |
I’d like to add my agreement to the above comments. And add that NASCAR is not like the other major sports! With the others, the entire event only lasts a couple of hours. NASCAR events are ALL-DAY experiences. Us fans have to consider our entire day when we decide what to bring with us. And we bring in a lot of stuff! Despite living a little more than an hour from the track, my family arrives by 6:00 at the latest. This allows us to get a parking space that is close to the entrance. My wife and I both suffer from chronic back and knee problems and I have COPD as well. Under the old policy we could shop for souvenirs, return to the car to rest, and then go in to see the practices and races. With this new policy, we can no longer do this. We’ll be forced to carry our bags with our scanners, cameras, binoculars, and other items, our seat cushions, and coolers into the shopping area. Afterwards, we’ll have to manage shopping bags as well. I’m picturing it being extremely difficult to juggle and keep up with all of these items while trying to shop, and pay for our items. I can also see this creating other issues because we’ll be forced to put something down at some point. This will actually create more opportunities for theft. I’ve been to NHRA and Indy Car races and experienced their souvenir tents before. I can see fans bumping into each other and log jams getting created as we try to shop while being loaded down like pack mules. We’ve been going to races there for 15 years, but we’re thinking about going elsewhere now. Dover isn’t too far away. The NHRA is in Englishtown this weekend – it’s even closer than Dover is to me. We usually skip taking a summer vacation so that we can go to all of the races at Pocono in the summer. Maybe next year we’ll skip Pocono and plan a vacation by going to another track or event.
james petrini |
this was a great point and I would like to add that I attend the world of outlaw events in Mechanicsville,Pennsylvania’s Williams grove speedway no re entry issues there with even a bigger foreign presence and diverse crowd and a full house and just a handful of security officers, as a vet of both wars I can get tickets through our unit at no cost but refuse to go because of the bull s*** I refuse to let the goat humpers and homeland security restrict what I believe in freedom!!! god bless america
Kimberly West |
After coming to the track for the last 20+ years I cant believe yet another change that goes against the fans. Years ago it was that the fan fair was not open to the public without a ticket, which after going to 6 different tracks a year, this is the only track that does it that way. Then you guys changed it so people could get into the fan fair and haulers without a ticket. GOOD CHANGE. Today we get to the track…..and it goes downhill from there. We park in handicap due to my husband having a total knee replacement We get to the gate, like we have for NUMEROUS years, and are told we have to walk all the way out and around to get tickets, and oh by the way once you enter you cannot exit to go back to your car. WTH? Really Pocono? Thank goodness for a friendly man named Brian that was volunteering his time. He took us by cart over to get the tickets and back to our car. I ended up sitting in my car for HOURS because GOD FORBID I go into the track and have to go back to my car. Finally when it was time to go in, I had to find Brian and he had to get me into the gate, because after getting our tickets a worker scanned the ticket, which shouldn’t have happened. OK I get that safety is a big concern. I appreciate the concern for the fans but not being allowed to go back to your car once you are in the gate is a bunch of crap. I really hope you will consider this before the race on Sunday and in August. If it stays as such we will more than likely NOT BE BACK. I also suffer from severe hip pain and cannot stand that long and really don’t want to sit on the hard chairs for 6+ hours in a day. I make it for the race but that is with resting before hand.
Joel price |
I did not learn this until one of the pocono staff brought it to my attention I asked him so if it rains your telling me I can’t come back he said that’s correct, my response was that’s BULL SHIT. I’ve been coming here for a long time and have gone to many other tracks and I will tell you your the only track to try this and to try and keep people from returning to the track after going to there car will not work after all the money they have spent. I hope you do reconsider this rule and save everyone some aggravation.
Jamie Kruger |
I would just like to say your reentry policy sucks. I come to raceweekend with my to young boys every year. At some point we go to the car to drop things off and getour lunches. It is a long day not to take a break. Not to mmention I have come to your track during storms where people were killed. I have gone to my car to stay safe from storms. I have also been so soaked I have had to go home and change during a rain delay. We paid for the tickets we should be able to come and go as we please. I know you are trying to compare nascar to other sports but its not like them it is a way longer day then the sports you have listed. Also the part about keeping people safe isn’t that why you check bags everytime someone enters. Very upset and becauseI have already promised my children we would go this will probably be my last visit to pocono racewayi
Blaine |
They say other sports venues do this, this is not a NBA, NFL game which lasts say 3-4hrs. There’s something usually going on at a NASCAR race along time before the race starts. It’s a
It’s a 5hr ride for me to Pocono, I usually get there, go into the track, go to the haulers,go watch practice(going on Saturday) then go back to my car for a little rest. Don’t like this new rule and there will be plenty of other people that won’t like it either. Also, this will be my last trip to Pocono.
Tony Cooper |
This is an odd rule. I’ve always come to the track very early so that I can get the most out of the experience. This will put a damper on tail gating and will drive up sales at the concession stands… I hope that wasn’t the true reason for this… I am already ticketed for Sunday. My experience will determine if I return this year and following seasons.
Darci |
Boy, you guys have really screwed the pooch with this one. Exactly what part of a race weekend even remotely resembles any other major sporting event? I paid rather dearly, in my opinion, for tickets including pit/paddock access… where things such as coolers are prohibited. So, in order to make use of those passes, I must leave my cooler in my vehicle. Which I am now no longer allowed to retrieve prior to the race. This forcing me to choose between paying absolutely ridiculous prices at the concessions for terrible and unhealthy food or forego using the passes. This reeks of a money grab and I hope that this decision was not fueled by greed under the guise of “security”… despite the fact that all bags are searched prior to entry. I could go on and on about this but it seems others have already voiced many of my same feelings. What I can guarantee though, is that I won’t ever be returning to this track.
Scott |
They would even post my comment. No more tailgate lunches! I agree, I won’t be back!
Kathy Bernhard |
I didn’t find out about this until coming to the track on Friday. I park in handicap lot and usually walk around the haulers and make purchases and like to return to the car to drop things off and rest for alittle while before going into the track. This new policy sucks and I can tell u that I will not be back if this policy is not changed. We live in the area and we will just go to Dover for both races there.
Over the years I have always bragged to other fans that I have met that Pocono was the most fan friendly track that we have ever been to. Well that is no longer true with this new policy.
The suggestion I can make is that the haulers not be behind a fence and allow fans to shop and enjoy the fan activities then they can go back to their car and drop purchases off, relax, tailgate etc. this is how it is at Dover, Charlotte, Richmond, New Hampshire.
Pocono is the only track I do the pit pass. On race day we would arrive early go to the pits, haulers and then go back to the car and tailgate and rest before the race and now ur telling me we can no longer do that…well my friend yesterday is the last time I will be at pocono unless this is changed. The money is in the fans I am very disappointed. I sure hope this new policy is reconsidered or u will have a lot of empty seats just like other tracks.
Jen |
My husband and I have been coming up to pocono for the past 15 years and recently with my son for the past 6. Needless to say I had my tickets ahead of time so no one told us about the re-entry policy. We had bought many items and went to our car to put them away, when we came back they told us we weren’t able to re-enter. I spent 100.00 on these tickets and I got nothing out of it. I am truely heartbroken that this track has done such a dis-service to its loyal fans… I know for myself I will not be returning unless the rules are changed. I know my lousy 4 tickets don’t mean much to a major corporation like yours but there is always word of mouth. Not only did I not get to spend the day at your track I am also out 100.00….. Thanks
Chris |
I guess we won’t be buying 300-400 dollars of merchandise this year because we can’t put it back in the car. Also we’ll need a large gym bag to carry all kinds of different clothes into the track due to changing weather conditions in the Poconos. And where can we change our clothes. Maybe by our seats?
Scott |
Wow, we were not notified of this policy until we were leaving to put our merchandise in our car. Well for over 20 years I have brought my family to Pocono for a race. This is by far the worst rule and experience I had ever had at a race track. My new annual trip will be Dover or Bristol. I will not be returning until this policy is removed. We used to have a tailgate lunch at noon and spend the day there. Today it lasted 3 hours and no tailgate lunch. I returned home to have a cook out at the house to spread the news to all my racing friends. Now that people is a bunch of B.S!
Mark Sabo |
I agree with Scott. I’ve been coming to Pocono for over 25 years. To me on Friday it was explained to me by 3 separate workers that it was zero tolerance even after I asked for an escort so I could carry my merchandise to the car so I wouldnt aggravate my back from a prior injury. I had a cooler to carry at the end of the race and had to over exert myself due to the lack of compassion with this rule. If safety was a concern why couldn’t someone Walk with me to the car as the facility was not crowded. I am highly disappointed as fan safety also includes individuals. Remember the Lightning event? Does someone need to fall down the grandstand because of too much to carry or are they trying to help the economy from preventing us to boycott the vendors? Highly disappointing!
Cynthia Nichols |
Very unhappy that this policy wasn’t stated when I purchased tickets. I purchased hospitality tickets with the expectation I would be able to return to my trailer and relax before the race. I believe those camping should be free to go back and forth. It is an extreme inconvenience that should be mentioned when someone spends a lot of money for hospitality, camping and premium tickets.
Scott Mealy |
This is our first and last trip to this track. We go to Michigan, Bristol, Watkins Glen and there is no such poli y at these fine tracks. We were not informed of this policy prior to leaving our home 5 hours away. Nothing in your brochure and nothing on the website. Also, the lack of a traffic map for raceday on your website leaves us unsure about our route of travel [Check Michigan website, they have an excellent map] We will be informing all our family, friends, and co-workers about what a disapointment this trip has turned out. We will not be back.
Chris |
The most fun on Sunday will be seeing how Pocono Raceway deals with 60000 plus angry fans thanks to the new policy. Remember if it ain’t broke ,don’t fix it
Duane |
Here @ Pocono this morning. Because of the new policy this will be my families last trip as well. Staying in the Speedway is too much for younger kids. This is my 24th race at Pocono and unfortunately my last. I will switch to going to Michigan instead. Lousy job considering what the fans need and want Pocono. Oh and by the way Since I didn’t want to be stuck em all day I didn’t spend my usual 200 bucks on souvenirs. I am sure they lost alot of Money on that. NASCAR should really review this policy.
Kerry |
Why in the world did you include the fan area in the ticketed area,if you would have left that alone your policy would have been fine.You would have stopped the beer runs and not ruined everyone’s experience,I like to spend time in the fan area early,take my stuff out I buy.I also bring a lot of gear in,who in the hell wants to lug that all around the fan area.I certainly am not letting my electronic stuff at my seat and then going in the fan area Just collect tickets where you did before between the fan area and bathrooms your policy will work
Kathy |
Just returned home from Pocono. I’m sure the vendors lost quite a bit of money today due to this new policy. Without being able to return to our vehicle to drop off purchases, I just didn’t enter the fan area until shortly before the driver introductions and didn’t buy any of the things I planned to. And I’m sure many others felt the same way since the trailer area looked to be emptier than in the past. I heard several reasons for this change. a) from a track worker: Homeland security request. Did they only request it of this track and no others? b)vendor complaints that fans were getting too drunk. They can still get just as drunk, if not more so by staying at their vehicles longer before entering the fan area. c)Sell more food at the concession stands. Not happening at those prices. d) two track officials flat out refused to even answer questions about the policy. Now I’m waiting for the ticket prices to jump up for next year. Probably won’t matter to me, since this may be my last visit to this track. Poor Doc is probably rolling over in his grave.
vicki woodruff |
Our first trip to Pocono from 6 1/2 hours away – stupid re-entry rule – we’ll just stick with Richmond, VA – thank you very much –
Bill Maricle |
I go to 5 or 6 races a year for the past 30 years and I have never seen a more rediculous rule. I usually buy alot of merchandise at the driver vendors and enjoy walking around in the morning prior to the race. But to my surprise yesterday morning I learned of this rule while trying to go to the vendors. Needless to say they lost some business this weekend because I refused to lug stuff around all day. Like others have stated here Nascar isn’t the NBA or NFL and I’m happy your trying to make it safe for us fans but you are doing this wrong. If you have to do this policy atleast put the vendors and fan zone outside of the gates.
Mark Taylor |
Just wanted to comment on your new policy of only one reentry . I’ll start by saying you gate attendant was very kind and courteous . He scanned our tickets and got us a reentry pass so we could shop and take our purchases back to our vehicle . Did he agree with your policy ??? No !!! At least make the vender area open for easy in and out , those teams did not bring all those trailers and merchandise for fans to buy things from to be restricted because fans don’t want to carry it around all day. I read some of the other comments and agree with them to especially on sat with so many differnt events going on! Please reconsider this policy , it was my g/fs first race and she had a great time , and honestly the preface/ post race was a big part of that!!!
Jeff |
I’m a long time spectator at Pocono Raceway. I was so disappointed this weekend!! That policy made it absolutely no safer what so ever. Way to many moments for me. $650 a year I’ll be saving from now on.
Jim |
I have been coming to Pocono Raceway since 1977. Over the past few years I have enjoyed the many improvements made for the fans. One of the best policies to change was when a fan didn’t need to have a ticket to get into the “midway” a few years ago. I was very surprised and disappointed with the new re-entry rules especially in this day and age when all tickets can simply be scanned in or scanned out. This new policy will not stop me from attending but it will stop me from buying at the track. Also the parking team of idiots were just overmatched with the idea of parking cars one row at a time. I arrived before 7am Sunday and it was chaos and confusion with the red flag brigade. I still love to attend and I will attend all 3 weekends but I think some changes have to be considered. It won’t take much to lose the crowd again and that would be a shame since the raceway has worked so hard to get it back.
Bobby |
I have been coming to Pocono since 2002 never had any issues until Sunday. I went to the fan area at 8:30 as I always do went to leave and was told to back at 9:30. Who is going to sit in the grandstands for 3 1/2 hrs? The security guy gave me a break I had to be back at 11:30. If you have kids with you where are they going to the bathroom in a filthy porto john? This policy needs to be relooked at if not there will be a lot of empty seats next year. I am still deciding I may just go to Dover next year.
Mark |
I have been coming to the June race for 20 years, and if this “restricted” policy isn’t changed, I’ll will not renew for next year. I had a 1st time race attendee with me, and because of your new policy, I couldn’t show him the track and our seats before the race, when it’s calm and quiet. What I’ve always done in the past is get parked early, have breakfast, then go in to use the bathrooms inside the track, get my souvenirs, and SECURE them in my car. Furthermore, I noticed that there weren’t any port-a-johns near our parking lot at all. What are we supposed to do, hold it until we go in? Like I said before, either the policy is ammended, or I’ll save my money and go to my local track instead, where I car at least get out of the parking lot in less than 2 hours.
Rich |
Stop trying to convince us that this ridiculous change in policy was done in the name of safety. We are not stupid. We know that is was a money grab move by you. If you could keep us from carrying our coolers into the fan area and not returning to our vehicles for food, you hoped we would purchase more of the food and beverages from inside the track. Well it didn’t happen. Instead we stayed in the parking lot, had our tailgate breakfast and dinner, didn’t make the planned purchases at the trailers, and brought our coolers in just before the race started. You were also able to save money on bag-searchers since there were far fewer entry points to the track. Since I already have my tickets to the August race I’ll probably attend that one, but it will most likely be my last unless this stupidity is changed. Another thing – will these new video screens you’ve been promoting block more of the view across the track? Yet another fan
un-friendly change.
John |
I was planning a trip to bring the family down for a race. Not now! I bet you will be changing your tune as your numbers drop….
For our safety? What a bunch of idiots!!
Chris Brown |
While I applaud you for trying to put the fans first I think there is anotherr route you should consider. At Dover you can exit and re-enter whenever you want. The only thing they do is have the detector wands they wave around you as you enter the track. This seem much more reasonable than this current policy. I have been coming to the track for several years now and think it is a wonderful experience. But you have to remember that Friday and Saturday events are stretched over 8-10 hours and to be in the track thThat long is unreasonable, especially if you have small children. Please take this advice in the spirit it is offered. I would hate for attendence to suffer. I like BOTH NASCAR weekends and would hate for Pocono to lose one for a foolish re-entrance policy.
anthony bezzina |
I do understand the world today but it is taking away from the race experience and tailgating .I do understand once you enter the track area but cutting off the trucks kill the whole experience of cooking breakfast going to the trucks have lunch put all away before the race .Almost makes me jest want to watch from home instead of coming to the track if the fun is gone from tailgating. Not sure of a good answer for what you are trying to do but it should surely be re looked at.
Nick |
I will not be getting my ticket for the upcoming Indycar race this year. I was at Pocono last Sunday and was frustrated over this new “NO REENTRY” policy. Going to the race is not worth the putting up with restrictions. .
Mark |
Wow!
Glad I found this. Very disappointing!
I was planning to attend the ABC Supply
race on both Saturday and Sunday.
It is a long day, and nice to go back to the
car now and then.
Looks like I will be watching the race on SNBC instead this year.