The Pennsylvania Speedway is a one-mile tri-oval set amongst woodland, with majestic mountains in the background and the magnificent buildings of Mountwood University in the foreground. From the track you can see the green-domed building housing the impressive telescope.
The track was built in 1983 and although wider than most road or street circuits, it is still narrower than traditional ovals. Although drivers will not find this as challenging as some of the other circuits, being able to go at full speed on most of the track apart from the last corner, it will mean that they are using more tactical skills as each driver will have an equal advantage.
The track has a very long pit lane, longer than most of the other tracks and the track itself has recently been resurfaced, due to complaints about its deteriorating condition.
There are plenty of stands for viewing the racing action around the track, but in 1987 fire nearly completely destroyed them. Fans were busy watching the race, when officials noticed smoke coming from the top of the stands. The race was stopped and people were evacuated from the area. The fire quickly engulfed the stands but everyone escaped without harm. Fire engines were quickly on the scene, but by this time it was obvious that the stands would not be able to be saved. Afterwards, work began to construct new stands with additional safety features. The race that had been stopped was held again three months later.
