Mattiolo says Pocono Raceway is not for sale

Rose Mattioli told The Associated Press on Tuesday that her family has no plans to sell the NASCAR track, which currently has two Sprint Cup races.

"It never was available; it never will be available," said Mattioli, who owns the track with her husband, Joseph. "My husband has stated that over and again. That's it."

Mattioli said that Pocono Raceway was entrusted to their grandchildren and they will continue to help run the 2 1/2-mile triangle track.

Speedway Motorsports Inc. purchased Kentucky Speedway last week and there was speculation SMI owner Bruton Smith had his eye on Pocono. If he bought that track, he could have moved one or both its dates to any of his speedways.

"They're always looking here," she said. "We get phone calls all the time."

The 81-year-old Smith told the AP he had not spoken with the Mattiolis about purchasing the track, which is outside New York City and Philadelphia.

Joseph Mattioli, the Pocono Raceway board chairman, brought NASCAR to the Poconos over a plate of fried chicken with Bill France in 1972.

In the mid-1970s, when the CART-USAC fight helped cause financial problems at the track, Mattioli wanted to sell until he received a call from France Sr. The two met in New York and France persuaded Mattioli to ride out the downturn and keep the track.

Rose Mattioli said she hoped there was NASCAR racing on the mountaintop for "as long as my husband and I live, as long as our grandkids live."