The 400-mile IndyCar race July 7th at Pocono Raceway will be the first open-wheeled event at the 2.5-mile, triangular-shaped track since 1989.
Pocono Raceway's triangular design, known as "The Tricky Triangle," makes it truly unique. Pocono is the America's only professional race circuit with three turns, three different radii and three variant degrees of banking.
But it is not just the shape that makes it distinct. In 2010, Pocono Raceway became host to the first sporting event completely powered by renewable energy and it is the world's largest solar-powered sports facility.
The family-owned Raceway situated in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania developed a 25-acre, three megawatt solar farm that provides the energy needs of the Raceway as well as adding electricity to the local power grid. As of April, Pocono Raceway's solar farm has produced 10.2 million kilowatt hours. The carbon offset created from the system is equivalent to the emissions of 106,000 propane barbecue grills. The current system of panels is projected to last another 25 to 30 years before needing to be replaced.
"Pennsylvania's famed Pocono Raceway will once again play host to a major IndyCar event that is expected to draw thousands of spectators to the region," said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker. "Beyond the excitement of competition itself, hosting the race will undoubtedly deliver a significant economic boost to the Pocono Mountains."
The Pocono Raceway has an annual estimated economic impact of more than $400 million to all of eastern Pennsylvania, with more than 100,000 fans in attendance at each annual race.
