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Pocono News Section
Pennsylvania 500 Gets New Name
Pennsylvania 500 Gets New Name - Friday, August 1, 2008 at 3:38PM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Friday, Aug 1, 2008 @ 03:38pm EST
LONG POND, MONROE COUNTY- NASCAR cars are plastered with logos. So are the drivers and most of the tracks. They're all sponsored by big corporations. But that's not usually the case at Pocono Raceway.
"To give back to this area that has given us so much we felt that its the right thing to do to keep the Pocono and Pennsylvania 500 names alive," said Track President Brandon Igdalsky.
Igdalsky is the grandson of track founders Doctors Joseph and Rose Mattioli. Years ago they decided that a mega corporation would not rule this track and turned down any corporate sponsorships. Igdalsky said, "My grandparents have always felt real strongly about this area and as the next generation we do too."
But this year the family decided to share the name of the August race. They changed the Pennsylvania 500 to the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500. "It was something that we felt was the right time to do for the right cause," said Igdalsky.
A portion of online ticket sales will go to the Red Cross and the track is hosting several Red Cross activities like raffles and blood drive sign ups. Shawn James of the Red Cross said, "It really makes your heart feel good."
And it looks like the sponsorship is helping. Dolores Haggerty spotted the Red Cross Booth at the track and signed up to donate blood. She said, "I haven't in a long time but I think I will now."
Haggerty added while the new name is a mouthful, she wouldn't mind seeing more charity races at Pocono Raceway.
And track managers say it's a good possibility.
To learn how you can help the Red Cross through Pocono Raceway visit .
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