Pocono News Section

W-B Hotels Full for Race Weekend

W-B Hotels Full for Race Weekend - Friday, August 1, 2008 at 8:36PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Friday, Aug 1, 2008 @ 08:36pm EST
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County - Well over 100,000 people will be in Monroe County this weekend for the big NASCAR race. There are lots of dedicated race fans here for the weekend. That has hotels as far away as the Wilkes-Barre area booked solid.

If you're looking for last minute hotel options in Wilkes-Barre this weekend, well you may be out of luck. The Ramada Inn on Public Square isn't taking any more reservations for race weekend.

Thousands are here for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 on Sunday. And not everyone is camping out in Long Pond or staying in hotels and motels in the Poconos.

Almost all of the rooms at Genetti's Best Western in downtown Wilkes-Barre are taken. And the owner says many of his customers are here for the 500 mile race.

There aren't any vacancies this weekend here at the Woodlands either. Officials here say not everyone who reserved a room is a race fan. Some are here for the casino.

One thing is certain, Pennsylvania 500 fans don't waste any time. Gus Genetti, owner of Genetti's Best Western, says "As soon as they announce the date for next year, they get their reservations in."

Chris Langdon, from Ramada Inn on Public Square, says "People check out on Monday and they make a reservation for next year."