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The Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 by Target is in the Poconos this weekend and with all those engines roaring around the track, the race will leave a big environmental footprint.
Thursday, 80 trees donated by NASCAR were planted in Monroe County to help reduce carbon emissions.
You won’t usually find NASCAR driver Ryan Newman out in Monroe County planting trees, but he and several others spent Thursday afternoon doing just that at the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area to help reduce the carbon footprint the race cars leave behind.
“It’s a great beautiful place. I love the Pocono area and I love what they’re doing just to offset the emissions of the race cars and make a difference,” said Newman.
Under its “Green Flag Tree Planting Program” started last year, NASCAR promised to plant 10 trees for every green flag dropped during the 2009 Pocono 500.
“We had seven caution flags plus the starts, we have 80 trees that we have donated to the Monroe County Conservation District,” said Pocono Raceway President Brandon Igdalsky.
Forty trees will be planted at Long Pond; the rest at the natural area.
“Something like this with the trees, especially in this economy, we wouldn’t be able to provide the funds for these ourselves so we’re very grateful to NASCAR,” said Tunkhannock Township Supervisor Chairperson Maureen Sterner.
This isn’t the only green initiative being promoted by the raceway. Track officials are encouraging fans to use public transportation when coming out to Long Pond.
“Just like car pooling, mass transit,” said Igdalsky.
Transportation is provided through a partnership between the raceway, Martz Trailways and Destination Pocono.
This year the park-and-ride locations have expanded to 11 pick-up locations, including bus service to and from Port Authority in New York City.
“They can come, they can enjoy themselves, they don’t have to worry about drinking and driving, and all that,” said Igdasky, “and fewer cars means less traffic and less traffic means less pollution.”
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