Alivia Mattioli is a freshman at Elon University studying business marketing and sport and event management. Her late uncle, Joseph "Doc" Mattioli supported the Business of NASCAR course at Elon University. In the following post, she reflects on Doc's life and contributions.
Joseph “Doc” Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway, passed away on Jan. 26, 2012 following a lengthy illness. Doc lived a life full of true love, adventure and success. He was born on April 14, 1925 in Old Forge, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph R. and Mary Mattioli-Nolf. Doc served our country during World War II as a Navy medic. He met his wife Rose at Temple University while studying under his G.I. bill to become a dentist and Rose a podiatrist. Dr. Rose said Doc was “the freshest guy” she had ever met. Doc and Rose began their lives together when they secretly eloped while in college. Dr.’s Joseph and Rose started their family in 1951 when they welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Looie, into the world. Looie is their eldest child followed by Joseph III and Michelle.
Doc’s thriving dentistry practice in Philadelphia kept him busy working 12 - 14 hours a day and only giving him time to spend with his family during lunch and dinner breaks. He became unhappy with his dentistry practice after a health scare and promised himself “I would never do anything in my life that I didn’t love to do.” In the 1960’s while in the Poconos, Doc met Leroy Dengler who wanted to be partners with him in a race track. A few weeks later Doc invested in a spinach farm located in the Poconos. Doc wasn’t interested in building a racetrack on this land, but after receiving advice from Bill France, Sr., the founder of NASCAR, and Tony Hullman, owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he decided that the racing industry was growing at a faster rate than any other business he was involved in at the time. That land, comprising the spinach farm, is now home to Pocono Raceway, one of the last family owned tracks in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit. Pocono Raceway, also known as The Tricky Triangle, has held 68 successful NASCAR Events run by the family.
Doc touched the lives of those around him through his philanthropy, love for motorsports and selfless ability to lend a caring ear. He shared his success with his community through his generous contributions. Doc felt strongly about the beautification of Stroudsburg, Pa. and donated $1 million to East Stroudsburg University, Lehigh Valley Medical Center donating $1 million and $1.5 million to Pocono Medical Center. He also supported the Business of NASCAR class at Elon University.
Doc had a love for his track, but a greater love for his wife and family. Doc is survived by his wife Rose; daughters Looie McNally and Michelle Mattioli-Kulick; son Joseph Mattioli III; seven grandchildren, Brandon Igdalsky and his wife, Suzanne; Nicholas Igdalsky and his wife, Brandy; Ashley Igdalsky, Joseph Mattioli IV, Chase Mattioli, Michael Kulick and Elizabeth Kulick; three great grandchildren, Madison, Mackenzie and Payton Igdalsky. He is also survived by a half-brother, John Mattioli.
On Jan. 30, 2012, following a mass celebrating his life, Joseph Mattioli took his final lap around the newly paved Pocono Raceway. He will always be remembered as a true legend of NASCAR and for doing business “his way” at The Tricky Triangle.
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