Over the years I have participated in the Dover vs. Pocono Celebrity Softball game as a player and as a coach. I have enjoyed being part of the games with racers such as Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Todd Bodine, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick and others. However, I think age has caught up to me and I have declined invitation to participate. But that is no reason for readers not to head on out to the game and enjoy the fun.
As part of their annual Team Dover vs. Team Pocono Celebrity Softball Game, Dover International Speedway and Pocono Raceway will go head-to-head for the fourth time on Tuesday, May 3, at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium, home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks, in Wilmington, Del.
This event will feature NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Austin Dillon and Kasey Kahne, along with Todd Bodine, two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion and current Fox Sports 1 analyst. The rosters from each team will be rounded out with members of national and local motorsports media, as well as other local media personalities.
“The Monster Mile” has won two of the three games against the “The Tricky Triangle.”
Access to the celebrity softball game is free with a ticket to the May 3 matchup between the Blue Rocks and the visiting Frederick Keys. Reserve Box seats are $6 and Box/Upper Box seats are $7. Any fan who comes to the ticket window wearing NASCAR gear will also receive those special discounted prices. All children 12 and younger will receive free admission to the Blue Rocks’ Fun Zone. For tickets to this special event, please call 1-302-888-BLUE or visit www.BlueRocks.com, using the promo codes POCONO and DOVER.
Gates for the softball game will open at 3:30 p.m. with the event beginning at 4:00 p.m. Following the softball game, time permitting, Dillon and Kahne will throw out the first pitch for that evening’s 6:35 p.m. baseball game.
Throughout the softball and baseball games, both tracks will be promoting and giving away tickets to their respective NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races being held on Sunday, May 15 (Dover) and Sunday, June 5 (Pocono).
NASCAR returns to Dover International Speedway May 13-15, 2016 and includes the Camping World Truck Series race on Friday, May 13, the NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash race on Saturday, May 14 and the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, May 15.
Three weeks later, Pocono Raceway will host their Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 race weekend from June 3-5, 2016. In addition to Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the race weekend includes the General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 150 ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards race on Friday, June 3, and the inaugural running of the NASCAR XFINITY Series race at ‘The Tricky Triangle’ on Saturday, June 4.
* * *In conjunction with the recent National Pet Day, Pocono Raceway has announced the creation of the Pocono Raceway Bark Park, the first dog park at a national motorsports facility.
The Pocono Raceway Bark Park will be housed in the infield at Pocono Raceway, near the Infield Fan Center along Earnhardt Road. The 100-feet by 100-feet facility will be open to all dogs in the infield and feature a secure gate, obstacles and size-appropriate exercise areas.
“We know our fans like to travel with their dogs and we wanted to be the first to provide a fun and safe atmosphere for them,” said track president Brandon Igdalsky.
The Pocono Raceway Bark Park is free of charge and open to all fans who have secured an infield camping spot.
Fans who have purchased an infield camping spot can buy a limited-edition Pocono Raceway dog tag. The dog tag will allow fans an extra two hours of access and entry into the “Best in Show” contest. The “Best in Show” contest will be held at the Pocono Raceway Bark Park with the winning dog announced during the Infield Block Party Saturday night of each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend and having a photo taken with Pocono Raceway’s beloved mascot Tricky The Fox.
In addition, Pocono Raceway is giving away a free dog house and $200 gift card for dog food to a lucky canine owner. To register for your chance to win, please visit www.poconoraceway.com/barkpark. The deadline to enter is July 31 with the winner announced shortly thereafter.
To purchase your dog tag and camping spot, please call 1-800-RACEWAY.
* * *Readers can win tickets to see NASCAR Racing at the Monster Mile. The Camping World Trucks, Xfinity Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup will be racing on the weekend of Friday, May 13th through Sunday, May 15th. WNPV-1440 AM (Lansdale) and Dover International Speedway are offering tickets to winners. All you have to do is go online to WNPV1440.com/Dover and fill out the entry. See the contest page for more information. WNPV-1440AM continues to be the local NASCAR station.
* * *Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kasey Kahne will make pre-race appearances at Pocono Raceway’s Tricky Triangle Club on Sunday, June 5, prior to the Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400.
The Tricky Triangle Club is a ticket add-on that will feature question-and-answer sessions with Earnhardt Jr. and Kahne, lunch, beverages, Sunday Pit Tour Pass, four adult beverages (for those ages 21 and older), special guest appearances, souvenir welcome bag, official race program and more.
A pre-race question and answer session will highlight the driver appearances. Tickets to The Tricky Triangle Club require an Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 Sunday Grandstand ticket.
For more information in the Tricky Triangle Club, please visit www.poconoraceway.com/ttc or call 1-800-RACEWAY.
Pocono Raceway has announced that GEICO will be the Official RV and Recreational Insurance sponsor of ‘The Tricky Triangle.’
The multi-year deal aligns Pocono Raceway with GEICO and adds to the insurance companies’ motorsports offering.
As part of the agreement, GEICO will have branded naming rights to GEICO RV and Camping Registration, GEICO Motorcycle Parking and GEICO Family Camping.
In addition, GEICO will have a large presence during race weekends at Pocono Raceway and will rely on its street team to identify the best campsite and present the “Golden Gecko” to the winner.
Contact Ernie Saxton at Esaxton144@aol.com.