Department of Military Affairs - Pocono Raceway

Honoring Our Heroes

Since 1980, Pocono Raceway has been at the forefront of honoring the men and women who serve our country. Our efforts to honor our active and retired service members don’t just stop with our military discount. The mission of our Military Affairs office is to recognize, honor, and thank those who serve, with special focus on their families who are all too often forgotten for their sacrifice. Through our efforts, we hope to become the sporting venue most beloved by, and appreciative of, active and retired members of the armed services.

Tickets for Our Heroes and Families

Pocono Raceway with the support of our partners and community champions are proud to host service members from all branches to the track for each year as our way to Recognize, Honor and Thank them for their service and sacrifice.

We are proud to not only host our heroes, but their families as well. We know it takes an entire household to keep this country safe and the family members are all too often forgotten for their sacrifice. We are proud to host and honor these heroes and their families as guests of Pocono Raceway and the Mattioli Family.

Military Discounts and Fundraising Efforts

Any active serving, Veteran or family member with a valid military ID can purchase discounted tickets.

Click Here to purchase discounted tickets

Through the support of our corporate partners, event discounts and special promotional codes are established as their way to say “Thank you for your Service”. We welcome these conversations and ideas around ways that we can help support your military service organization and fundraising efforts.

In addition, Pocono has developed a Volunteer event staff program. This program assists area Military booster clubs raise funds for their units programs and Annual Banquets. The success of this program for one branch of the military, as a fund raising event is significant enough to pay for their Annual Awards Banquet. We welcome the participation from all branches in this volunteer staff support program.

Assistance for Veterans

Pocono Raceway searches for foundations and support groups to partner with in an effort to help deserving veterans who need assistance. For over 5 years, we have presented a veteran in need with the keys to a new, mortgage free home during one of our NASCAR race weekends.

Our partners have included: PA Wounded Warriors, Segs4Vets, VAREP, Keystone Wound Warriors, AUSA and Military Warriors Support Foundation and FTD Brakes to name a few. Through these partnerships, Pocono has been able to develop programs that Recognize, Honor and Salute our Heroes and to date, has been honored to present the keys to a Mortgage free home to four Veterans in need during our NASCAR Race weekends.

DEP Ceremony Recognizing Those Who Volunteer To Serve

In recognition of our young Warriors who have volunteered to serve and in coordination with the Recruiting services from all branches, Pocono Raceway continues to conduct a DEP (Deferred Enlistment Program) / Oath of Enlistment ceremony prior to each and every event as part of our Pre Race Ceremonies. Over the years, more than 9,000 New Recruits have received the Oath of Enlistment as (part of or) a participant in this ceremony. Pocono has been proud and honored to have General Officers from all branches Including The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff conduct the Ceremony for these Young Heroes. This Ceremony has become a Tradition at Pocono.

” Salute to the Armed Services”

For years, the Theme of Pocono Raceway’s Pre Race Ceremonies has been “A Salute to the Armed Services”, featuring “The Best of the Best” of our Men and Woman who Serve.

Over the years, Pocono has been the Host to Military performances by the West Point Band, National Guard Band, Marine Corp Silent Drill Team, Air Force Drill Team, Army Golden Knights and Navy Leap Frogs to name a few. Pocono Raceway remains at the forefront featuring and recognizing the Best the Military has to offer. Highlights include: The use of Humvees for Driver introductions and display of our 50 state flags during introductions. Our National Anthem package has included Color Guards from all branches including “The Old Guard” the Army’s Official Ceremonial Unit and Escort to the President and the Marine Corp Color Guard from Marine Headquarters, Washington D.C. In addition, Pre Race Ceremonies have included: Quilts of Valor and Warrior of the Quarter presentations, USO Liberty Bells, Canon Salutes and POW / MIA Chair dedication Ceremonies’. Our goal is to continue to bring to our patriotic race fans the Best Pre Race entertainment our Armed Services has to offer.

Gold Star Families

Pocono Raceway invites Gold Star Families and the Families of the Fallen brave men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. At each event, we show our appreciation to the sacrifices made for us by treating Gold Star Families and the Families of the Fallen to a day at the races.

Aviation Support and Flyover

Pocono Raceway secured the first flyby in NASCAR history in 1984. Since then, one of the primary functions of Pocono Raceway’s Military Affairs Office has been to secure a flyover and aviation support for each NASCAR and IndyCar race. We have built relationships with bases all over the country, and have secured flybys from squadrons as famous as the, First Fighter Wing demonstration teams like the US Army Golden Knights and US Navy Leap Frogs, and impressive airplanes like the B-2 Stealth Bomber, C5A Galaxy and CV22 Osprey.

Display Space

As part of our mission to promote Recruiting Services and to THANK those who serve, Pocono provides prime recruiting display booth locations to all branches of the Armed services. Recruiting has historically used these locations to not only attract new recruits, but, to display their branches current assets.