Pocono's NASCAR and IndyCar race dates in 2014 have been set

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FROM KEITH GROLLER

The 2014 race dates for Pocono Raceway have been set and they're almost identical to the dates of this past summer.

The two NASCAR Sprint Cup series will again have its races on the firt weekend of June and August.

The Pocono 400 is set for the weekend of June 6-8 and the GoBowling.com 400 is scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 1-3.

The IndyCar series returns for the second straight year on the weekend of July 5-6.

In addition, the Raceway will add a couple of events -- the Tough Mudder Poconos April 19-20 and the Warrior Dash on Aug. 23.

“The past year was incredible,”  Brandon Igdalsky, Pocono Raceway President and CEO, said in a release. “Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson, dominated and took the checkers in our June race. Local favorite Marco Andretti set a new track record as he earned the pole for the INDYCAR race in July, but during the race, Scott Dixon came out of nowhere to capture the first open-wheel victory at Pocono since 1989.

"Then the thrilling duel, at the end of the GoBowling.com 400 in August, between teammates Jeff Gordon and eventual race winner Kasey Kahne, capped off our exciting 2013 racing season. 

“We are so excited about how our 2014 schedule is shaping up. We’re not only bringing back some of the best motorsports races in the country; we’re also adding great events like the Tough Mudder and theWarrior Dash. As we shift gears and give fans more events to enjoy, our goal is to turn Pocono Raceway from the motorsports venue it currently is into one of America’s premier sports and entertainment facilities.”

Tickets for the 2014 NASCAR and INDYCAR race weekends at Pocono Raceway, which will include the same supporting series events as 2013, will go on sale October 1, 2013. Fans can visit www.poconoraceway.comor call 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929).