Pocono Raceway Owner DR. JOSEPH MATTIOLI on Friday announced that he and his wife ROSE are "resigning their positions and that their grandchildren will take over operations of the 2.5 mile track," according to Andrew Sederaseder of the Wilkes-Barre TIMES LEADER. Pocono President BRANDON IGDALSKY, Mattioli's grandson, will add CEO to his title. Another grandson, NICHOLAS, becomes COO & Exec VP, while Brandon and Nicholas' sister ASHLEY was named Secretary & Treasurer. The 86-year-old Mattioli said that "age was a factor but so too was his recognition that his grandchildren have learned the business and he feels comfortable and confident enough to hand over the reins." He said, "My wife and I felt that it's about time I got the hell out of here" (Wilkes-Barre TIMES LEADER, 8/6). The AP's Jenna Fryer noted "not much will really change" with the transition. Mattioli, who "fought back tears Friday as he talked about his decision" to step down from Pocono, said, "Brandon is well-trained, and he knows the track like the back of his hand. He's well prepared to do the things that have to be done" (AP, 8/5).
LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY: In Pennsylvania, Paul Sokoloski wrote, "Time will move on without the man who built NASCAR history here. But Joseph 'Doc' Mattioli will always be a part of Pocono Raceway" (Wilkes-Barre TIMES LEADER, 8/7). The POCONO RECORD's Michael Sadowski wrote Mattioli was a "pioneer in both the region and the motorsports scene." He "leaves behind 43 years of running one of the most successful business ventures in the history of the Poconos." Mattioli's duties "have waned in the past few years." Health issues "have relegated him to a wheelchair, and Igdalsky runs the day-to-day operations of Pocono Raceway." Sadowski noted Mattioli "consistently turned down offers to sell the track" (POCONO RECORD, 8/6).
