A news release from Pocono Raceway:

Dr. Joseph Mattioli

Long Pond, PA -- Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Pocono Raceway Founder and Chairman of the Board, passed away today at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, surrounded by his loving family, following a lengthy illness. He was 86. "Doc" as he was known to friends and associates, was one of the most respected and admired men in automobile racing. He founded Pocono Raceway in the early 1960’s and has been at the helm of Pocono ever since. Under his leadership, the track grew in stature and has hosted 68 very successful NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Events. His passion and drive helped Pocono Raceway succeed when other tracks fell by the wayside. Pocono Raceway is the only remaining family owned and run track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. He was always concerned that race fans and race car drivers and their families were treated with the upmost respect and constantly upgraded procedures and Raceway facilities to meet that goal.

He kept his fingers on the pulse of stock car racing and read everything printed concerning the sport. He was in the office daily, until last fall, and oversaw all aspects of the Pocono Raceway operations. At age 83, Dr. Mattioli spearheaded an ambitious solar energy project. He built a three megawatt photovoltaic solar energy system on 25 acres at Pocono Raceway. It is the world’s largest solar-powered sports facility, making Pocono Raceway a leader in the renewable energy and environmental fields.

Dr. Mattioli was also well respected in the community. In 2009, he received the Philanthropic Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his generous and continuous contributions to local civic organizations, hospitals, schools and charities. He served on the board of directors of numerous organizations and was dedicated to improving the quality of life in Northeastern Pennsylvania. 

He served in the Pacific during World War Two as a Navy medic. Using the G.I. bill, he enrolled in the dentistry program at Temple University (where he met his soon to be wife, Rose.) Upon graduation, he developed his dental practice into a very lucrative business by working 12 to 14 hour days, six and sometimes seven days a week. He then began investing in and developing properties in Philadelphia and Northeastern Pennsylvania where he became involved in the start up of Pocono Raceway. 

Dr. Mattioli is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dr. Rose, daughters Louie and Michele and son Joseph Mattioli III, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His passing leaves a void in the NASCAR community and especially to his family and extended "Pocono Raceway" family.

      

Service Arrangements for Dr. Joseph Mattioli are incomplete at this time.

Daytona 500 Rules Packaged Released

By Sam Atwell

When the teams left the Daytona International Speedway most teams were happy with the results they saw on the track.  They just didn't know what changes NASCAR would make to the rules for the Daytona 500.  On Friday NASCAR released the updated rules package to be used for this year's race in Daytona.
The rules package includes:

• The same restrictor plate that teams used on the final day of testing (29/32nds of an inch)
• The rear bumper (bigger) is moved two inches closer to the ground
• The front grille opening of 50"
• Radiator pressure release valve set at 25 psi

The most surprising change is the new rule regarding the bumper.  The new larger bumper is going to discourage the two-car drafting we have seen in the last few races at Daytona and Talladega by limiting the amount of air into the front grille that helps keep the engines cool.
Teams now have the task of preparing cars with the new information as we move closer to the official start of the 2012 racing season.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2012

The 2012 class of Hall of Fame inductees will be set in place tonight at ceremonies at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. This class includes two championship drivers, a championship crew chief, a record setting modified driver and a legendary owner. Let's take a brief look at the class of 2012.

Cale Yarborough - Born William Caleb Yarborough was the first driver to win three consecutive Cup series championships from 1976 through 1978. In 1976 he won nine races, nine more in ‘77 and 10 races in ‘78. He won the Daytona 500 four times and finished his career with 83 wins.

Darrell Waltrip - Waltrip is a three-time Cup series champion picking up his titles in 1981, 1982 and 1985. He won the Daytona 500 in 1989.  Waltrip finished his career with 84 wins, 59 poles.

Dale Inman - Inman enters the Hall of Fame as crew chief for Hall of Fame member Richard Petty. Inman was crew chief for Petty for all seven of his championships, recorded an eighth championship in 1984. Inman finished his career with a record 193 wins.

Richie Evans - Evans made his mark in Modified racing by winning nine NASCAR Modified titles in 13 years. From 1978 to 1985 Evans ruled the modified tour by winning eight championships in a row. Evans was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in1998.

Glen Wood - Wood was the founding member and driver for Wood Brothers racing. During his driving career Glen Wood picked up four wins. He is best known as owner of the 21 team, along with his brothers, and has competed in NASCAR’s top series since 1950 picking up 98 victories, including the 2011 Daytona 500 with driver Trevor Bayne.

Daytona Test Is Over

The Daytona test is over.  What did we learn from the three-day test at the speedway?  One of the things we learned is that it is great to have cars back at the track.  Even though the NASCAR off-season is one of the shortest in sports, I still missed racing action.  I have my NASCAR fix and it should do until next month.

One of the other things we learned is that Sprint Cup cars in a large pack flying around a super speedway is a good thing.  It is good for the drivers and it was good for the fans.  Fans didn't care for the two-car tango that had become the norm at the two restrictor plate tracks.  The two-car tandems did create the fastest speeds of the week at over 205 mph, but NASCAR is trying to discourage the two-car tandem racing.

We also saw NASCAR flirting with and be kind of comfortable with the over 200 mph speeds. It even surprised some of the drivers that they were allowed to run nearly 207 mph at points during the testing.  Even though NASCAR seemed comfortable they still made changes to the aero package to lower the top speeds.  NASCAR officials were more comfortable with speeds near 200 mph and that may be their target for Speedweeks 2012.

There will be lots of data evaluation by the teams and NASCAR and teams will be waiting on the final word from NASCAR on what the rules will be for the Daytona 500 this year.  The upcoming weeks will be full of adjustments, refinements, corrections and lots of man hours as teams prepare for the beginning of the Sprint Cup season.

Daytona Testing Video

Video from today's testing session Daytona International Speedway

Changes For Today's Testing Session

By Sam Atwell

After Friday's testing session, where speeds reached 206 mph, NASCAR has issued some rule changes for today's sessions.

Changes implemented included the closing of the bottom of the radiator opening; reducing radiator pressures approximately four pounds and a return to the restrictor plate used in Thursday's test session.

"We're going to continue to work on aero packages and plate sizes and all types of things from now until the the day we sign back in here at Daytona." said Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton.

Today is the last day for testing at Daytona.

NASCAR Considers Changes For Daytona

By Sam Atwell

NASCAR has feared speeds over 200 mph at Daytona and Talladega, this afternoon speeds reached 206 mph during drafting practice at day two of preseason testing at Daytona International Speedway.

Kurt Busch posted the fastest lap in a two-car tandem with Regan Smith at 206.05 mph.  Teams also ran in the long, familiar, large packs with Kyle Busch turning the fastest lap at 205.81 mph.  The drivers were happy with the 200 mph speeds and some even shocked that the 200 mph barrier had been breached, and accepted by NASCAR.

 

Jeff Gordon

"It's embedded in our minds we can't go out there over 200 mph in race condition," said
four-time Sprint Cup Champion, Jeff Gordon.  "Somehow it's become accepted and I think that's a good thing. It's very comfortable. It's extremely comfortable."

After all the data is in from this week's testing there very well could be more rule changes before the 2012 Daytona 500.  NASCAR will evaluate and make decisions on the final rule package in the next few weeks.
Teams have one more day of testing at Daytona and then make the trek back to the race shop to digest, analyze and put all the information they gathered this week to use for the biggest race of the NASCAR season, the Daytona 500.