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LONG POND, Pa. -- Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Pocono Raceway founder and chairman of the board, passed away Thursday at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, surrounded by his family, following a lengthy illness. He was 86.
"Doc," as he was known to friends and associates, was one of the most respected and admired men in automobile racing. He founded Pocono Raceway in the early 1960s and has been at the helm of Pocono ever since. Under his leadership, the track grew in stature and has hosted 68 Cup Series events. His passion and drive helped Pocono succeed when other tracks fell by the wayside. Pocono is the only remaining family-owned and run track on the Cup schedule.
Mattioli was always concerned that race fans and race car drivers and their families were treated with the utmost respect and constantly upgraded procedures and raceway facilities to meet that goal. He kept his fingers on the pulse of stock-car racing and read everything printed concerning the sport. He was in the office daily, until this past fall, and oversaw all aspects of the track's operations.
At age 83, Mattioli spearheaded an ambitious solar-energy project. He built a three-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy system on 25 acres at the raceway. It is the world's largest solar-powered sports facility, making Pocono a leader in the renewable energy and environmental fields.
Mattioli also was well respected in the community. In 2009, he received the Philanthropic Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his generous and continuous contributions to local civic organizations, hospitals, schools and charities. He served on the board of directors of numerous organizations and was dedicated to improving the quality of life in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Mattioli served in the Pacific during World War II as a Navy medic. Using the G.I. Bill, he enrolled in the dentistry program at Temple University (where he met his soon to be wife, Rose.) Upon graduation, he developed his dental practice into a very lucrative business by working 12 to 14 hour days, six and sometimes seven days a week. He then began investing in and developing properties in Philadelphia and northeastern Pennsylvania where he became involved in the start-up of Pocono Raceway.
Dr. Mattioli is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dr. Rose Mattioli, daughters Louie and Michele and son Joseph Mattioli III, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His passing leaves a void in the NASCAR community and especially to his family and extended Pocono Raceway family.
"The entire NASCAR family is saddened by the loss of a true icon in our sport, Dr. Joe Mattioli," NASCAR chairman Brian France said. "Doc's relationship with my family reaches three generations, all the way back to my grandfather. His passion for the sport will live on in the hearts of his family and our fans. His contributions to our sport are wide-spread. We have lost a great leader -- and a great person. NASCAR offers its deepest condolences to his wife, Rose, and the entire Mattioli family."
Service srrangements for Mattioli are incomplete at this time.
Related:
Caraviello: More things change, more Pocono stays the same
Cutting-edge Pocono reinvents itself on and off the track
"Doc," as he was known to friends and associates, was one of the most respected and admired men in automobile racing. He founded Pocono Raceway in the early 1960s and has been at the helm of Pocono ever since. Under his leadership, the track grew in stature and has hosted 68 Cup Series events. His passion and drive helped Pocono succeed when other tracks fell by the wayside. Pocono is the only remaining family-owned and run track on the Cup schedule.
Dr. Joseph Mattioli
At age 83, Mattioli spearheaded an ambitious solar-energy project. He built a three-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy system on 25 acres at the raceway. It is the world's largest solar-powered sports facility, making Pocono a leader in the renewable energy and environmental fields.
Mattioli also was well respected in the community. In 2009, he received the Philanthropic Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his generous and continuous contributions to local civic organizations, hospitals, schools and charities. He served on the board of directors of numerous organizations and was dedicated to improving the quality of life in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Mattioli served in the Pacific during World War II as a Navy medic. Using the G.I. Bill, he enrolled in the dentistry program at Temple University (where he met his soon to be wife, Rose.) Upon graduation, he developed his dental practice into a very lucrative business by working 12 to 14 hour days, six and sometimes seven days a week. He then began investing in and developing properties in Philadelphia and northeastern Pennsylvania where he became involved in the start-up of Pocono Raceway.
Dr. Mattioli is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dr. Rose Mattioli, daughters Louie and Michele and son Joseph Mattioli III, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His passing leaves a void in the NASCAR community and especially to his family and extended Pocono Raceway family.
"The entire NASCAR family is saddened by the loss of a true icon in our sport, Dr. Joe Mattioli," NASCAR chairman Brian France said. "Doc's relationship with my family reaches three generations, all the way back to my grandfather. His passion for the sport will live on in the hearts of his family and our fans. His contributions to our sport are wide-spread. We have lost a great leader -- and a great person. NASCAR offers its deepest condolences to his wife, Rose, and the entire Mattioli family."
Service srrangements for Mattioli are incomplete at this time.
Related:
Caraviello: More things change, more Pocono stays the same
Cutting-edge Pocono reinvents itself on and off the track
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