Joseph R. Mattioli III previously served as raceway's president and COO.
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NASCAR crew members wipe off race cars in the garage at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., prior to practice for a Sprint Cup Series race.
The son of Pocono Raceway founder Joseph “Doc” Mattioli is stepping down from the raceway’s board of directors and executive committee to pursue new endeavors, the track announced Monday.
Joseph R. Mattioli III has been involved with the track in Long Pond, Monroe County, ever since graduating Lehigh University in 1974. He previously served as the raceway’s president and chief operating officer.
The track said in a news release that he held those positions at a time when the family business was seeing “unprecedented success.” In 1995, he resigned from the day-to-day operations, but remained on the board and executive committee.
His departure comes almost a year to the day after his father died. “Doc” Mattioli, who lived in Easton after serving in World War II, succumbed to a long illness Jan. 26, 2012. He was 86.
“Doc” Mattioli resisted corporate offers to buy the track, which is the only remaining family-owned and run track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule.
It will remain under the family’s stewardship even with Joseph R. Mattioli’s departure. His mother, Rose Mattioli, still serves as chairwoman of the board of directors and the younger generation of the family now handles operations.
“My nephews, nieces and sons are the future of Pocono Raceway,” Joseph R. Mattioli said in a statement. “I have no doubt they will continue to provide leadership, meet the challenges and guide Pocono Raceway into the future as my dad’s legacy had always intended.”
Joseph Mattioli said in the statement his future plans include focusing more on nonprofit and veterans organizations. He also said he plans to develop Group 341, a consulting business he began in 2011.