Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and the state legislature honored Pocono Raceway for its 45 years as a sports and entertainment venue and its economic contributions at a ceremony March 10 at the State Capital Building.

Resolutions stated the importance of the relationship between Pocono Raceway and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

“I am proud to announce that in 2013 Pocono Raceway generated $257.5 million in income and created 2,752 jobs," Pocono Raceway president and CEO Brandon Igdalsky said. "Pocono Raceway has been operating since 1968, with INDYCAR races starting in 1971 and NASCAR races beginning in 1974. Racing has changed a lot since then in terms of the marketplace and what fans want and expect from each race.  Fortunately, Pocono Raceway has been strategically partnering with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to ensure that our asset in Long Pond is maximized as much as possible."

The IndyCar Series, which returned to the 2.5-mile racetrack in 2013, returns July 5-6 with 500 miles of exciting racing. GET TICKETS 

"I want to thank Governor Corbett and the Pennsylvania Legislature for taking steps to ensure that not only Pocono Raceway, but Pennsylvania in general, is a great place to visit," Igdalsky added.  "They are making investments in infrastructure and providing for opportunities for our facility to flourish. Our fans benefit from the transportation funding package, which provides for safer roads and bridges to get to our track. Charities benefit from a change in the local option small games of chance law that allows our track to host 50/50 raffles for their causes. Our fans also benefit from our partnerships with the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Office of Tourism, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Lottery as we work to promote all that Pennsylvania has to offer to our race fans.

"I am happy about how far we’ve come and where we’re going, and can’t wait to see what else Pocono Raceway can do for Pennsylvania citizens in the coming years."

The economic impact analysis, prepared by East Stroudsburg University, showed that 55 percent of spectators come from out of state or another country and visit for three to five days. The Raceway generated more than $15 million in state tax revenue and another $15 million for the local economy in 2013.