ABC Supply 500
Nothing planned for your next RV holiday? The flag has dropped, and racing is underway at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA, for the ABC Supply 500.
Event information
Summer is an excellent time of the year for motorhome travels, but it’s not all that easy to come up with a destination. Fortunately, the ABC Supply 500, as part of the IndyCar Series, is right in the heart of summer for your travel convenience.
Make your way to the Tunkhannock township by Long Pond in Pennsylvania for an RV adventure, then park at the Pocono Raceway for three days of mind-blowing wheel-to-wheel action.
The ABC Supply 500 has been an IndyCar Series race since 1971, and after a 23-year hiatus, returned to the calendar in 2013. Since then, records have been smashed, and thousands of spectators have flocked to Pocono Raceway to see the drivers in action.
The most successful racing car driver to be a part of ABC Supply 500 was A. J. Foyt with four wins and Will Power has won three times under IndyCar sanctioning. Every year, fans wait in anticipation, hoping that someone will smash Juan Pablo Montoya’s record of the fastest 500-mile race in IndyCar history – completing it in under two and a half hours.
Adding to the excitement is the venue itself. Pocono Raceway is an established facility with camping, entertainment for families, and exciting activities involving racing. Those who use the ABC Supply 500 race as a holidaying opportunity will also get the chance to see what else Pennsylvania has to offer.
You can go hiking or fishing at Hickory Run State Park, hunting or swimming at Gouldsboro State Park, or take a day trip to Pocono Lake if the fancy takes you. The motorhome is screaming out for some attention, so dust it off, buy your tickets for the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway, and hit the road.
Tickets
Tickets for any IndyCar Series event are in hot demand, so as soon as you decide ABC Supply 500 is your event of choice, book your seats without delay. You can purchase all manner of ticket options in various price brackets, with or without camping. All tickets, including VIP and pit passes, are available on the Pocono Raceway website.
Explore ABC Supply 500 RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
The area of Long Pond and the Mount Pocono region are blessed with stunning scenery, but also steep terrain. Those at the wheel may like to allow extra time for the twists, turns, and curves of the mountain roads, as well as any road construction delays and congestion that may add time to your trip.
Apps such as ViaMichelin and 511PA can offer vital information on what you can expect to encounter, but clear signage from I-80 and State Route 115 will ensure you make it to 1234 Long Pond Road, Long Pond, without all too much drama as well.
Parking areas
Upon reaching Pocono Raceway, home of the ABC Supply 500, you will be able to enter through Gate 5 and Gate 7 into the grandstand parking area. The Drydene parking lot will be the best place for trailer parking, but you will not be able to park overnight in any of the day parking areas. Those who are camping on site will be required to register their RV at the entry gates before they make their way to the designated camping area outlined on their ticket information.
Public Transportation
Pocono Raceway officials try to cater to as many vehicle types as possible, which means parking your RV on site will not lend itself to too many issues, regardless of whether you are camping on the grounds or not. However, if you prefer to leave your motorhome at your accommodation, then a private ride service provider or taxi service can offer rides to and from Long Pond and Tunkhannock township daily.
Where to stay
Onsite
If you have booked your ABC Supply 500 tickets and are now looking for somewhere to stay with an RV, then you’re in luck. Pocono Raceway welcomes campers with open arms and plenty of camping spots to suit your needs.
You can get in touch with nature with primitive RV camping, or enjoy a life of luxury with electricity and water hook-ups. There are also reserved and unreserved spots available, with some of the best camping areas around turn three of the race track.
You can bring Fido along for the ride, as long as he is on a leash or in the Bark Park, and you can hook up to WiFi at selected spots too. RV-goers will also enjoy the in-field entertainment, track-wide shuttle service, and availability of sewage pumping, potable water, and ice for sale.
Nearby
If onsite camping isn’t your cup of tea, then you will be pleased to know that there are many other campgrounds in the area that are accessible with a large RV. It won’t be long until you spot an RV campground near Pocono Raceway, with some even within a short walking or driving distance. You can then enjoy what the entire area has to offer, not just what’s going on inside the racing facility.
Getting around
Upon settling in at Pocono Raceway for the ABC Supply 500, you will quickly discover how well laid out everything is, and how close it all is for your convenience. You can jump aboard a shuttle to get from the grandstands to your camping area or enter the facility from one of six gate entrances. While you can’t use your golf cart, bicycle, or skateboard, you can see much of what you need on foot or by making use of those convenient shuttles.
What to pack
Clothing
The beauty of attending the ABC Supply 500 is not only that you get to enjoy some of the best automotive entertainment, but some stunning weather, too. The summery conditions in Long Pond allow you to pack shorts and t-shirts, and light, breathable supporter’s gear as well. August does lend itself to some rainfall, but it’s often short-lived. Bring a raincoat and umbrella just in case.
Gear
ABC Supply 500 is not only an event but an experience. What you bring with you to Pocono Raceway can ultimately detract or add to that experience. Don’t forget your camping and cooking equipment for an authentic experience and a small, glass-free cooler for use in the grandstands. Bring credit and debit cards, but feel free to withdraw cash from the ATMs in the vicinity of the entrance gates. It’s worth bringing or renting an electronic scanner so that you can hear as well as see what’s going on down at the track.
Health & Safety
Hight temperatures in August in Long Pond mean you are going to want to think sun smart on your visit to Pocono Raceway for the ABC Supply 500. Lather on the sunscreen, smear those lips with chapstick, and don’t forget your first aid kit, water bottles, sun hat, and sunglasses. Visitors can also enjoy the convenience of the many well-appointed restrooms. If you’re a smoker, then check before you light up. Smoking is not allowed in the grandstands, infield, and around crowded areas and buildings.
Where to eat
Cooking
Given the dry summer conditions, you won’t be able to use a barrel fire or open fire, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cook up a storm in your camper. All you need to do is stock up on supplies at one of the nearby convenience stores or supermarkets, check that you have enough gas on board, and cook on your RV kitchen appliances. You may not be able to enjoy an authentic s’more outside, but no one will go hungry.
Restaurants
The central location of the Pocono Raceway to several small townships means that your dining opportunities are nearly endless. You can drive to the nearby Tunkhannock township for pizza, or make your way to Kidder township for a delicious steak. On your hunt for quality dining establishments, make sure you switch on your GPS. It’s easy to get lost among the natural surroundings.
Vendors
If you don’t feel like wandering out of Pocono Raceway and risking missing any of the action of ABC Supply 500, then you don’t have to for a meal. Vendors at Pocono Raceway always go the extra mile to ensure they have sandwiches, hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, and more, to satisfy your hunger pangs. Guests will find a cafeteria and vendors in the midway, and almost all vendors accept debit and credit cards as well as cash by way of payment.
Safety
Security
With thousands of motor racing enthusiasts descending on Pocono Raceway for the ABC Supply 500, you can expect security to be strict. Your coolers, bags, and RVs may all be checked, and a “less is best” rule is worth adopting when you make your way through the main gates and into the grandstands. Leave as many of your possessions as possible in your RV to save any hassles with security, and lock your motorhome up tight.
Weather
August is an excellent month for travel in Pennsylvania. The sun usually is shining, the days are warm, and rainy days are kept to a minimum. You can, however, expect some fog, a few rainy days, and even some thunderstorms. However, average highs are around 80 degrees, and nighttime temperatures in Long Pond don’t often drop below 60 degrees.
Medical
Illness or injuries can strike at any time, and it can be quite a stressful occasion when you’re somewhere unfamiliar or new. If you find yourself needing medical assistance, then let the Pocono Raceway medical team deliver. There is a care center near Gate 12, a first aid site in the infield, and EMS throughout the raceway.
If you need someone to come to you, then use the Text Assist program by texting your location to the officials. In an emergency, phone 9-11 or make your way to the nearest hospital which is around 25 miles east along I-80.
