Amidst the wrecks and dangerous collisions that frequent a NASCAR event, yesterday at Pocono Raceway we can add lightning as a legitimate threat.  After a rain shortened race at the Pennsylvania racetrack, lightning struck in the parking lot and killed one person and injured nine according to officials from the race track.

There were multiple reports that there was one lightning strike that hit multiple people while others said it may have been multiple strikes.  The injured were evacuated to local hospitals, two in critical condition.

Racetrack President, Brandon Igdalsky, announced a short time later that one of those who was taken to the hospital had died.

Igdalsky said,

“Unfortunately, a member of our raceway family here, a fan, has passed away,”

The race at Pocono Racetrack had been called off after 98 laps had been completed of 160 planned. The Racetrack began to release messages via Twitter and through announcements that it was time for the more than 85,000 in attendance to seek shelter “as severe lightning and heavy winds are in our area.”

Jeff Gordon, the driver who officially is listed as the race winner, told reporters that he heard multiple loud cracks from the Pit.

Gordon said,

“You could tell it was very close. I mean, that’s the thing that’s going to take away from the victory, is the fact that somebody was affected by that.”

NASCAR Spokesman David Higdon said in a statement,

“We are deeply saddened that a fan has died and others were injured by lightning strikes following today’s race at Pocono. Our thoughts are with them as well as those affected by this unfortunate accident.”

Five fans were taken to local hospitals in moderate to minor condition.  One fan remained in critical condition.

NASCAR Race At Pocono Raceway Hit By Lightning, 1 Dead is a post from: The Inquisitr

Joey Logano pulled past Mark Martin in the final laps Sunday at Pocono Raceway to become the first Sprint Cup driver to win from the pole position this season.

Logano won the race after Pocono moved from a 500-mile to 400-mile Cup race for the 2012 season.

The victory is only the second of Logano’s career in Cup racing since his rain-shortened win at New Hampshire.

The 22-year-old had the best car all weekend, posting the fastest practice time on Friday and taking the pole on Saturday.

Finishing in the top five were Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin.

For the young racer the victory couldn’t have come at a better time, his four-year contract with Joe Gibbs Racing is about to expire and he has been under extended pressure to pull off some wins.

Speaking in victory lane Joey told reporters of his added pressure and attacks from critics:

“I hope it shuts them all up. It means a whole lot.”

Martin who took the lead with eight laps left was one of Logano’s earliest supporters and ultimately the 54-year-old lost his lead with only three laps remaining in the race. After the race in which Logano bumped Martin out-of-the-way he proclaimed:

“I’d call that a bump-and-run. It has been acceptable in this racing for a long time. It’s not how I would have done it. Certainly, had I had a fast enough car, he would have gotten a return.”

Logano has performed far better in the second-tier Nationwide Series where he has 13 career wins including four this season.

For Martin the 2 1/2 mile track at Pocono is one of the races that has still evaded him, in 51 career Cup races he has finished second seven times and has yet to win on the track.

Joey Logano Claims Pocono Victory From The Pole Position is a post from: The Inquisitr

Joey Logano celebrated on Saturday after capturing the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway as well as topping the track record, thanks to a track repave.

Fox News reports that 36 drivers in total broke the track record, but Logano just happened to be the fastest in his Number 20 Toyota, which turned a lap of 179.598 mph, going around the 2 1/2 mile track in 50.112 seconds.

What did the race car driver have to say of his win? The Home Depot-sponsored driver stated that after his run, he thought:

“I thought, ‘That ain’t going to be good enough to get a pole. The track was dirty. I felt I left a tenth (of a second) and a half on the table.”

But apparently he didn’t, and remarked that, “It’s cool to get a pole here. A new track record, too.”

Saturday’s pole was Joey Logano’s fourth of his career, his second at Pocono. He has one career victory so far, and has struggled in the 2012 season, sitting only 16th in points after 13 seasons, according to Sporting News. He is coming off of two straight top-10 finishes, and is optimistic about Sunday’s race. Logano stated:

“My guys did a good job focusing on getting the car handling right. My car is fast in qualifying trim and in race trim, so I’m really excited.”

The previous track record was set by Kasey Kahne, then-driver of the number 9 car, owned by Evernham Motorsports. Kahne’s previous record of 172.533 was set on June 11, 2004. He now races for Hendrick Motorsports in the number 5, and will start 10th on Sunday. Kahne qualified with a speed of 177.823 mph.

Joey Logano Wins Pole, Sets Pocono Track Record is a post from: The Inquisitr