Pocono Raceway President & CEO Brandon Igdalsky has “looked at how other tracks expanded its use outside racing and plans for Pocono to host more than motor sports,” according to Dan Gelston of the AP. Igdalsky said, "You look at the stadiums around the area and they're all running these different events. Why can't we do the same thing? Why can't we add more events and get more people in the door here and have some fun? We've got this large stadium. Let's use it." Igdalsky also “dismissed the idea that the market would be over-saturated with racing.” Pocono this weekend hosts its first IndyCar race since "for the first time in 24 years," and has NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races set for June 9 and Aug. 4. Igdalsky: "Do Eagles fans complain when they do three games in three weeks? It's not any different." Gelston wrote the Izod IndyCar Series' return to Pocono is “being celebrated as a nod to IndyCar's history and tradition.” Pocono's three corners “were designed in 1965 to model corners at Indianapolis, Milwaukee and now-defunct Trenton.” Igdalsky said, "This place was built by IndyCar for IndyCar. It's part of who we are." About 300 fans attended yesterday's test session, and Igdalsky said that enthusiasm in the area is "high for another race.” IndyCar driver Marco Andretti said, "I'm going to have a huge hometown crowd. I think I'll have to renegotiate my contract with dad to get more tickets for this race" (AP, 4/10).
