Home Sweet Home: Pocono Raceway Preview

This week is very special!  Ever since I can remember I have dreamed about racing on the track I literally grew up on.  This week, all of those dreams become reality.

My Grandparents, Dr’s. Joe and Rose Mattioli have owned and operated Pocono Raceway since the early 1960’s.  I started working at the track during summer vacations at the age of 12.  That means that this 2010 season will mark my 20th year working in some capacity at Pocono Raceway. Through those 20 years I have done just about every job there is at the track. At first it was digging drainage ditches, pumping sewage and painting.  Next was the hospitality department and then sales and marketing assistant. 2 years ago I had the honor of being named the Senior Vice President of the track that has always been more than a place to work, it has been home. 

For years I would be awakened by the sound of engines revving around the track, but not in an annoying way.  To me, that was the sound of home, the sound I grew up loving!

All the while I worked at Pocono I had this itch, an itch that kept growing stronger as I grew stronger.

Previously I could release my competitive urges in school sports like football or wrestling.  But once high school ended I sought out a new release for the competitive fire that seems as though it will always burn deep within my soul.  I just happened to find that new release in a familiar place, my Pocono home. 

I first got in a Formula 2000 open wheel racecar at the age of 16 with the Bertil Roos Racing School.  My brother and I toyed with the racing school about once each year until I graduated college in 1999.  Once back home I decided to give amateur racing a shot in the SCCA and in the Bertil Roos Series. I knew I could keep a decent pace but I never expected to win my first race by over 20 seconds.  That was the only incentive I needed. From there I did dozens more F2000 races and 2 ½ years of short track racing at the historic South Boston Speedway.   In 2009 I had the privilege of racing in the Grand Am series co-driving a car with my cousin Chase. Chase is also a fellow ARCA competitor.

Now it has all come down to this week.  The week that I have dreamt about since I was a young boy is right before me and now a reality!  This week I get to race in the ARCA Series at my home, Pocono Raceway!

Drivers are always supposed to thank their sponsors but I don’t feel as if that is enough in my situation. I owe ModSpace much more than a mention in this article or in interviews.  I am in debt to Charles Paquin and his entire ModSpace team for allowing me to live my dream!

Most people think I will have a ‘home field’ advantage. Truth be known, I have run thousands of laps on the road courses but only about 10 laps on the 2.5 mile Tri-oval in a stock car.  Those 10 laps were 10 years ago with the Stock Car Racing Experience.  A stock car racing school based at Pocono.  Just like every other track I will visit this year, I will have to learn my home track fast and under fire during practice. 

My hopes for this weekend are for a solid top 10 finish in my new #14 ModSpace, Andy Belmont Racing Ford.  But more importantly, I hope to be able to take a step back from both work and racing and enjoy in the reality that was once my dream.

See you all at Pocono!