Nazareth


Track length: 1 mile

How To Get There

The track is located in Eastern Pennsylvania (Allentown/Bethlehem region) on Rt.191, approx 5 miles North of the Rt.191 exit off Rt.22.

From either East or West, the primary route is Interstate 78. If travelling from the East, Rte 22 intersects I-78 in New Jersey near the Pennsylvania border. Arriving from the West, Rte 22 intersects I-78 at the outskirts of Allentown, PA.

NOTE: Traffic law enforcement on qualifying and race days is especially vigorous. Rte 22 in New Jersey and immediately over the Pennsylvania border have reduced speed limits (25 and 40 mph zones). Observe them!

Where To Stay

There are many Holiday Inns/Comfort Inns in the Allentown/Bethlehem region.

History

In 1986, Roger Penske led a consortium including Mario Andretti and Danny Sullovan and bought the site of a 1.125 mile dirt track which had held Indycar races in 1968 and 1969 (won by Al Unser and Mario Andretti). He paved it, renamed it as the Pennsylvania International Speedway, and then reopened in for Indycar racing in 1987. The track is officially a one mile tri-oval, but actually measures 0.946 miles, with the resulting official speeds being somewhat fast.

Penske sold the track to the International Speedway Corporation in the 1990s, but dwindling crowds meant that it wasn't financially viable, and after an IRL race on the 29th August 2004, the circuit was closed.