Nazareth Speedway (formerly Pennsylvania International Raceway) was a motor racing circuit in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania which operated from 1987-2004. The track is often associated with local drivers Mario and Michael Andretti.
Track history[]
The site had hosted motor racing events since the 1910's, and was renovated to 1.125 miles and reopened as Nazareth National Speedway in 1966. After closing in 1984, the track was purchased by Roger Penske in 1986. It was renovated and paved, and reopened as Pennsylvania International Raceway in 1987. It was the first racing oval to feature a warm-up lane to enter and exit the pits, designed in part by driver Rick Mears. In 1993, the track was renamed Nazareth Speedway. In 1997, the facilty underwent improvements, including a new retaining wall, catch fence, and new grandstands.
When the track re-opened in 1987 after the 1987 fire, it was a slightly reconfigured 1-mile oval (1.62 km). However, designers and participants were aware that it actually measured shorter than one mile. The banking varied between 2.7° and 6.0°. The back straight is 1200ft (400m) and the home straight is 800ft (260m). Indycar participants often took advantage of the inaccurate measurement for fuel strategy, knowing that they were running a shorter distance than advertised. In 1998, for fairness and accuracy, the track was remeasured by the CART sactioning body, and was advertised as 0.946 miles (1.52 km) in length. The race, which had been 200 laps, was increased to 225 laps for time value purposes.
Although the Nazareth Speedway hosted a Busch Series and an Indy Racing League race in 2004, the facility was closed after the 2004 season, and the races were all moved up to Watkins Glen International, which is host to an IRL race since 2005, plus a re-visiting by the Busch Series after a several year absence. The track is now up for sale, and may be resurrected if a strong buyer is found. Currently there is an offer to convert it into a multi-purpose indoor arena. Although the track closed in 2004, it is still featured in the EA Sports video game NASCAR 06: Total Team Control which is based on the 2005 NASCAR season.
Race Winners[]
NASCAR Nationwide Series[]
| Year | Driver | Started | Car # | Owner | Make |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Rick Mast | 12 | 22 | Alan Dillard, Jr. | Buick |
| 1989 | Bobby Hillin, Jr. | 2 | 81 | Ted Conder | Buick |
| 1990 | Jimmy Hensley | 2 | 25 | Dick Moroso | Oldsmobile |
| 1991 | Chuck Bown | 2 | 63 | Hubert Hensley | Pontiac |
| 1992 | Todd Bodine | 19 | 34 | Frank Cicci | Chevrolet |
| 1993 | Robert Pressley | 11 | 59 | Daniel Welch | Chevrolet |
| 1994 | Ricky Craven | 9 | 2 | Ricky Craven | Chevrolet |
| 1995 | Tim Fedewa | 2 | 55 | Ray DeWitt | Ford |
| 1996 | Randy LaJoie | 3 | 74 | Bill Baumgardner | Chevrolet |
| 1997 | Elliott Sadler | 1 | 29 | Gary Bechtel | Chevrolet |
| 1998 | Tim Fedewa | 2 | 33 | Bill Baumgardner | Chevrolet |
| 1999 | Matt Kenseth | 7 | 17 | Robbie Reiser | Chevrolet |
| 2000 | Ron Hornaday, Jr. | 4 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet |
| 2001 | Greg Biffle | 7 | 60 | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford |
| 2002 | Jason Keller | 2 | 57 | Keith Barnwell | Ford |
| 2003 | Ron Hornaday, Jr. | 3 | 2 | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet |
| 2004 | Martin Truex, Jr. | 20 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet |
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series[]
| Year | Driver | Started | Car # | Owner | Make |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Jack Sprague | 2 | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet |
| 1997 | Jack Sprague | 3 | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet |
| 1998 | Ron Hornaday, Jr. | 10 | 16 | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet |
| 1999 | Greg Biffle | 1 | 50 | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford |
| 2000 | Dennis Setzer | 19 | 1 | Bob Keselowski | Dodge |
| 2001 | Greg Biffle | 2 | 99 | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford |