FOX News broadcaster Mike Joy has agreed to and replied to a fan's post on X regarding how inconvenient it has been to attend the race at Pocono due to traffic caused by the lack of ramp access.

To put it simply, fans have to be stuck in long traffic queues due to limited access to get on the interstate. The reason for a lack of ramps to the I-80 is a simple reality: race tracks can't vote. Local business owners were said to oppose the idea because race-day congestion on nearby roads translated into more shoppers passing through their communities.

One fan commented, "I love Pocono Raceway and would be so upset if they ever were removed, but they really don’t have the infrastructure for a cup race parking wise and around the track. Still in traffic."

Mike Joy came on X and responded, “Beginning in the 1970's, Pocono asked state of PA for temporary (race weekend only) ramps on/off I-80 at Stoney Hollow Rd 1.5 mi N, or Long Pond Rd 4.2 mi E. Still waiting..,” taking a jab at the state government.

The raceway relies heavily on large grass parking lots and access roads such as Route 115, which can become very congested when thousands of fans arrive or leave at the same time.

The lack of action by local authorities is shocking. Especially when you note the substantial economic value that the weekend brings in. The 2026 Great American Getaway 400 set a new record for itself as it witnessed its fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series sellout at the venue. Not just that, even the 3,300 camping spots were all sold out for the sixth year in a row.

The speedway now attracts visitors from all 50 states and around a dozen countries. That is why many call it NASCAR’s strongest destination in the Northeast.

Even the estimates that were cited by Pennsylvania officials show the weekend’s effect is massive. It is estimated that the Commonwealth generates between $75 million and $100 million annually in economic impact from the weekend, whether through hotels, restaurants, transportation, or other local businesses in the region.

Tourism remains a major pillar of the Pennsylvania economy, and the lack of access to facilities, as pointed out by Joy, should establish itself as a major concern for state officials.

Governor Josh Shapiro and Pocono Raceway Celebrate Continued Growth

Despite Joy’s frustration regarding the highway access issue, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has been among the strongest supporters of the raceway in recent years. Even when he spoke during the sold-out race weekend, Shapiro directly praised the economic impact of the venue and how it was able to bring in fans from around the country.

This was also evident in a social media post released by the track where Pocono Raceway president Ben May pointed out the venue’s fan-focused approach and how it attracted fans. He explained that the track’s administrative body tried to make the event more about the fans, bringing with it the loyalty of the Northeast fan base.

Another interesting and unique fact brought out by May was that races at Pocono and New Hampshire often draw strong crowds because they provide one of the few opportunities for fans in the region to watch NASCAR’s top drivers compete in person.

This exact contrast is what makes Joy’s statements stand out even more. Even though Pennsylvania gets a lot from NASCAR events, the infrastructure requests have remained unresolved for years.

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Uday Jakhar

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason