Pocono race not moving to LVMS

Friday, July 23, 1999 | 10:35 a.m.

Pocono Raceway owner Dr. Joseph Mattioli on Thursday categorically denied he was considering selling his 2.5-mile track to racing magnate Bruton Smith.

Mattioli attempted to end renewed speculation that Smith would purchase the track in Long Pond, Pa., and move one of its two NASCAR Winston Cup dates to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which Smith's Speedway Motorsports, Inc., also owns.

"It's mine, I built it, I love it and I want to keep it," Mattioli said of his unique, three-turn track. "If someone came into the garage area with a wheelbarrow with a billion dollars, I wouldn't sell it."

The Sun reported in June that Smith had dispatched former LVMS chairman Richie Clyne, now a consultant at the Speedway, to Pocono in an attempt to broker a deal between Mattioli and Smith.

Mattioli would neither confirm nor deny that Smith or any of his representatives had approached him about purchasing the facility. He did acknowledge that Clyne was in the area recently "to attend a car show," but refused to say whether the subject of the sale of the raceway was brought up.

Mattioli said he has been hearing rumors for years that Smith or some other party was on the verge of buying Pocono Raceway.

"It has been going on for a long time," Mattioli said.

"I've told everybody the same thing, but nobody seems to want to listen.

"I just sit back and laugh when I hear all this stuff. This (track) is my life.

"People think that money is the end of all things, but it is not; I don't need any more money and I don't want any more money."

Mattioli said that he will leave the raceway in a trust for his grandchildren when he and his wife die, and would like to see them keep Pocono Raceway in the family.

Mattioli did, however, say that he once told NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. that he would give him the first opportunity to buy the track if he ever did decide to sell.

"I made a deal with (France), back in the 70s," Mattioli said. "He said if I ever did sell the track that he would like the first crack at it. We shook hands and as far as I'm concerned, that still stands."

Rumors of Smith's interest in Pocono Raceway heated up recently when Clyne visited the Pocono area.

Smith was asked last month if he had interest in purchasing the raceway in order to move its Winston Cup dates to Las Vegas and Texas Motor Speedway, and he offered only a weak denial.

"I had not heard that rumor," Smith said.

When asked if there was any truth to it, Smith replied, "I have never been to Pocono."

Smith has said since he purchased Las Vegas Motor Speedway last December that the Speedway would eventually host a second Winston Cup race in addition to its existing March race, but would not say how the track would secure a coveted second date.

NASCAR president Bill France Jr. told the Sun in January that Las Vegas was not being considered for a second date, despite the fact the first two races have been overwhelming successes.

"There are other (tracks) that have one race and would like to have a second one," France said at the time.

"Los Angeles is a lot bigger market than Vegas is and (California Speedway) would like a second date. Phoenix (International Raceway) has been sitting there for 10 years waiting for a second race.

"If we could add a couple (races), we're selective on where we go versus going back to places a second time."

One other option Smith has if he is determined to bring a second Winston Cup race to Las Vegas is moving the race at his Sears Point Raceway in Northern California.

Smith has been trying for three years to get local officials to approve expansion and improvement plans at the track, but keeps running into red tape. NASCAR officials also have been critical of the sub-standard facilities at Sears Point.

Smith was asked this week how long he and NASCAR were willing to hold off on making improvements at Sears Point before they would consider moving the race.

"I wish I had that answer," Smith said.

"I'm sure that whatever that time (frame) is, it's shortened every day."