Pocono News Section

A Real Party at Pocono Raceway

A Real Party at Pocono Raceway - Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 7:08PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Sunday, Aug 3, 2008 @ 07:08pm EST
LONG POND, MONROE COUNTY- The Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 attracts tens of thousands of NASCAR fans to Long Pond every August. This year was no different and there were even some high profile faces in the crowd this year.

There are lots of different things to see and do at this year's race. And a lot of it happened well before the big race even began. Big and little Mike Amorese of New Jersey are trying to catch a glimpse of NASCAR's elite at a last minute drivers' meeting.

"We try to catch the right angle, see if see a few of them before they break up and go back to their trailers," said Mike.

There were also more traditional activities - including drinking beer and booze, bar-b-queing and tenting.

Jaecob Mcginn of Kulpmont said, "We're just camping out… Jimmie Johnson is my favorite driver because he wins a lot of races."

A. J. Califano and most of his buddies are new to a real live NASCAR race. "Fans, roar of the engines and the ladies," is why he said he was at the race.

Speaking of ladies - she could be the next first lady. Cindy McCain strolled through the pit and placed herself in this pace car Corvette making one and a half laps around the track.

"This is my first time to the Poconos and a real treat for me. I enjoy racing, racings a big part of my family for a long time," said McCain.

And the time it took - this group of guys to bolt down some chairs to the roof of their RV was well worth it. They built this platform to get a nice view of the track.

Tom Wall from Langhorn said, "We do the competitive thing. We set up flags according to their standing, so the flag gets the number one spot. We switch for time trials."

But their next door neighbor tried to steal the show. Kayla is a 6-year-old Caphucin. Jim Corbett of Seaford, New York, said, "The most unusual thing besides you wearing a suit, we have a monkey next door to us."

And this family tried something new this year - watching the race from a flat screen built into their RV.

Toni Diamond of Mt. Holly, NJ said, "The people who don't want to go on the camper watch it from the TV built into the motor home."

Diamond's niece Jen Smith felt right at home on a hammock. "Relaxing, it’s a beautiful day, NASCAR's about to come on."

But not everyone's here to see which driver takes home the top prize. Stevie West of Elizabethville said, "I’m not a race fan. I just came here to party."

And what a party the infield can be…