The Great Pocono Raceway Airshow, May 2023
For the second year, Pocono Raceway (nicknamed “The Tricky Triangle” for its unique “tri-oval” racing layout) played host to an airshow. The venue proved ideal for an airshow with the grandstands on the main straight providing a perfect view for all spectators. At first blush, the show lineup seemed a bit short, but it ran basically the same length as typical sporting event would (about 2 and a half hours). With each successive performer following quickly after each other, the show was more taught than a typical airshow. Also, as host to major racing events, Pocono already had permanent facilities for spectators, as well as a large staff on hand to service the large crowd that turned out on a beautiful May weekend. The acts were all best-in-class, featuring 11-time US National Aerobatic Champion Rob Holland, the might F-22A Raptor, and the US Navy Blue Angels. I hope the concept of staging airshows at racing venues will catch on. It makes a great deal of sense to hold a large outdoor spectator event at a facility purpose-built for such things.
