Pocono Raceway Receives NMPA’s Joe Littlejohn Award

Nick Igdalsky (right) of Pocono Raceway with National Motorsports Press Ass'n President Kelly Crandall. (Seth Eggert photo)

CONCORD, N.C. – Pocono Raceway was named the 2023 recipient of the National Motorsports Press Ass'n Joe Littlejohn Award over the weekend, as chosen and announced by the organization’s president, Kelly Crandall.

Pocono Raceway was chosen for its service to the NMPA. The unique triangle-shaped facility in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania has been the presenting sponsor of the Pocono Spirit Award and recently extended their agreement by five years.

The presentation was made Sunday during the annual NMPA awards luncheon at Great Wolf Lodge.

Ben May, the track president, along with Nick Igdalsky, the CEO, and the Mattioli family have long been supporters of the NMPA. Both May and Igdalsky have attended the annual convention and participated in presenting awards.

“It’s impossible to try to do anything with the Spirit Award and not think about the support of Pocono Raceway,” Crandall said. “Not only are they the presenting sponsor of the award, but they are just as enthusiastic about its meaning and presentation as the organization. I’ll never forget the 2022 convention when Ben May told me that Pocono Raceway was committed to the award going forward and in fact, would do it for a lifetime.

“Having great partners is vital to the success of the NMPA and Pocono Raceway is one of them. I hope this recognition expressed how much they mean to the organization.”

Drs. Joe and Rose Mattioli, the co-founders of Pocono Raceway, were previously presented the Joe Littlejohn Award in 1998.

The Joe Littlejohn Award is presented each year to a person, persons, or organization in recognition of outstanding service to the NMPA. It is chosen annually by the sitting president.

The award is named for Littlejohn, the former Spartanburg, S.C., track owner who was also a competitor in the sport.

Littlejohn is credited with two career NASCAR starts, but raced extensively before the formation of the sanctioning body.