Pocono Raceway, NMPA Partner For Spirit Award

LONG POND, PA (Jan. 15, 2016) – Pocono Raceway and the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) have partnered for the annual presentation of the NMPA Pocono Spirit Award, it was announced today.

Pocono Raceway President & CEO Brandon Igdalsky has renewed the 2.5-mile raceway’s long-time sponsorship of the award.

“This is a great way for us to recognize and honor those who go above and beyond,” said Igdalsky. “My grandfather, ‘Doc’ Mattioli used to be a part of these awards and we are excited to reengage. What I love about these awards is that they focus heavily on strong character and people who really support racing.”

The NMPA Pocono Spirit Awards will be presented quarterly following a vote of the NMPA Membership with an overall winner announced in January at the organization’s annual awards banquet. The honor is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to have Pocono Raceway return as sponsor of this award,” said Brian Nelson, former President of the NMPA.  “Pocono and the Mattioli family have shown that they are true citizens of our sport, and that they desire to recognize off-track contributions made by people within our racing community.”

Pocono Raceway will host seven national motorsports events during the 2016 racing season, including a NASCAR XFINITY Series race for the first time on June 4. The Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race is set for June 5, the Pennsylvania 400 NSCS race on July 31 and the ABC Supply 500 Verizon IndyCar Series race on August 21. The Pocono Mountains 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck race is scheduled for July 30 and two ARCA Series Presented by Menards races with a 200-mile event on June 3 and the ModSpace 150 on July 29 offered as well.

Tickets for all races are now on sale at poconoraceway.com or by calling 1-800-RACEWAY.