LONG POND, Pa. — As the NASCAR Cup Series descends on Pocono Raceway for the only doubleheader on the schedule, most in attendance will be unaware that the 2.5-mile track once had a three-quarter-mile asphalt oval in its infield.
The track opened in May of 1969, nearly two years before the first event was run on the larger sister track, with Jim Shampine winning the inaugural event.
Pocono’s infield short track was best known as the longtime home of the Race of Champions for NASCAR modifieds and the 41st annual Race of Champions was the final race at the track on Sept. 15, 1991. At that time, the prestigious event was part of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule.
A 54-car field took the green flag for the 250-lap event with a crowd of more than 30,000 on hand.
Satch Worley, driving the only Chrysler-powered machine in the field, snatched the lead during the final laps and drove to his first NASCAR modified victory, earning a record $26,400 for his afternoon’s work.
Rick Fuller finished second with Jamie Tomaino finishing third. Greg Sacks and Tom Baldwin rounded out the top five.
Eventual Modified Tour champion Mike Stefanik finished sixth.
The race was slowed by 16 yellow flags for 57 laps and Worley averaged 67.743 mph. Jan Leaty was the fast qualifier with a best lap of 24.595 seconds.
One hundred and 25 street stocks vied for 57 starting spots in a 40-lap companion race that was won by Brad Smales.
The track was destroyed during the winter following the event and various new buildings were built in its place, including a Goodyear Tire center to support NASCAR teams during the track’s then twice-a-year Cup Series weekends.
The finish:
Showing driver, car, laps completed and money won: 1. Satch Worley, Mystic River Marina Dodge, 250 laps, $26,400; 2. Rick Fuller, McBetts Racing Engines/Westerly Pontiac, 250, $7,650; 3. Jamie Tomaino, Danny’s Market Pontiac, 250, $5,525; 4. Greg Sacks, Spearpoint Auto Chevrolet, 250, $3,500; 5. Tom Baldwin, USA Trucking Chevrolet, 250, $3,400; 6. Mike Stefanik, ADAP/Auto Palace Pontiac, 250, $2,900; 7. Tim Arre, Lawson Products/Loctite Chevrolet, 250, $2,500; a. Wayne Anderson, Sayville Ford Chevrolet, 250, $2,175; 9. Jeff Fuller, Vulcan Industries Chevrolet, 250, $2,125; 10. Jan Leaty, Mr. Auto Parts Chevrolet, 250, $2,200; 11. Charlie Rudolph, Brigham Concrete/ADAP Pontiac, 250, $1,300; 12. Tony Ferrante, Ferrante Racing Enterprises Chevrolet, 250, $1,700; 13. George Ross, Gallagher Racing Enterprises Chevrolet, 250, $1,180; 14. John Preston, Preston a. Preston Lumber Chevrolet, 250, $1,570; 15. Sege Fidanza, Fidanza Racing Enterprises Chevrolet, 250, $1,160; 16. George Brunnhoelzl, Oval Speed Unlimited Pontiac, 250, $1,650; 17. Don Howe, Southampton Lumber Chevrolet, 250, $1,140; 18. Carl Pasteryak, Coors Light Pontiac, 2.49, $1,530; 19. Tom Bolles, Bolles Jeep Eagle, 249, $1,520; 20. Lee Sherwood, Gary’s UPull-lt Chevrolet, 2.47, $1,100: 21. Robin Vollmoeller, Gershow Recycling Buick, 246, $1,000; 22. Frank Kunkel, Otto & Son Chevrolet, 244, $850; 23. Tim Contarlno, Iron Man Welding Chevrolet, 235, $750; 2.4. Man Ricco, Ricco Racing Enterprises Chevrolet, 235, $850; 25. S. Evonsion, Stateline Oil/Cliff Nelson Chevrolet, 234, $150, mechanical; 26. Ed Brunnhoelzl, Pete’s Towing Service Chevrolet, 129, $500; 27. Steve Park, Keeper Corporation Pontiac, 227, $875, engine; 28. Doug Heveron, VP Racing Fuel/Beech Bluff Auto Chevrolet, 222, $860; 29. Reggie Ruggiero, Bel-Ray Oil/T.J. Toyota Chevrolet, 219, $850, accident; 30; Tim Deroln, Start-Finish Productions Chevrolet, 217, $445; 31. George Kent, Spearpoint Auto Chevrolet, 298, $840; 32. Tony Siscone, Balas Racing Enterprises Chevrolet, 198, $435, rear end; 33. Kenny Woolley, DePonte Construction Chevrolet, 190, $430; 34. Roger Hill, Start-Davis Racing Enterprises Chevrolet, 187, $425, accident; 35. AI Ermmarino, Little Vincent’s Pizza Buick., 185, $420, engine; 36. Tim Connolly, Lew Parks Racing Enterprises Chevrolet, 185, $410,37. Bob Park, Sunset Fuel Company Pontiac, 170, $800, valve; 38. Ron Shephard, Mark’s Auto Sales Pontiac, 151, $400, engine; 39. Paul Spencer, Harmon/Zanolin Racing Chevrolet, 128, $400, steering; 40. Peter Thatch, Thatch Racing Enterprises Chevrolet, 124, $400, suspension; 41. Jerry Miller, Eberhardt Plymouth, 122, $400, oil leak; 42. Bllly Zacharias, Mark’s Auto Sales Chevrolet, 106, $400, engine; 43. Daryl Lewis, Lewis Racing Enterprises Chevrolet. 99, $400, engine; 44. Kenny Troyer. Diamond Chain Saw Pontiac, 91, $400, cooling; 45. Danny Watts, Dan & Son Backhoe Chevrolet, 78, $800, clutch; 48. Greg Tomaino, Stuart Hatteras Watercraft Pontiac, 83, $400, accident; 47. Ken Heagy, Heagy Racing Enterprises Chevrolet, 58, $400, suspension; 48. Dan Jivanelli, Bengston’s Fuel Service Chevrolet, 57, $400, accident; 41. Tim Mrowka, R&K Auto Body Chevrolet, 16, $400, transmission; 50. Frank Sattler, True Value Hardware Chevrolet, 13, $400, steering; 51. Lenny Boyd, USA Trucking Chevrolet, 2, $400, suspension; 52. Robert Hendrickson, Hendrickson Racing Enterprises Chevrolet, 2, $400, engine.