Pocono raceway founder 'Doc' Mattioli laid to rest

LAKE HARMONY, Pa. - Watching as Dr. Joseph Mattioli's American flag-draped casket was lifted into a waiting hearse, NASCAR president Mike Helton reflected on the legacy of the late Pocono Raceway founder.

"He's iconic, and maybe even the last of the pioneers that put NASCAR on the map and kept it there," Helton said. "I think the character and contributions of Doc will last forever."

Those sentiments were shared by the family, friends, fans and racing dignitaries (including NASCAR chairman Brian France) jammed into St. Peter the Fisherman Roman Catholic Church here on a sunny but frigid Monday afternoon. The quaint little lakeside chapel was filled to capacity, making it necessary to stream a live feed of the service into an adjacent building for the overflow crowd.

Words of encouragement had been pouring in since Dr. Mattioli passed away on Thursday following a lengthy illness. An estimated 2,000 mourners attended a viewing on Sunday night at the Pocono Community Church in Mount Pocono, Pa.

Brandon Igdalsky, the grandson to whom Dr. Mattioli had turned over the titles of track president and CEO in recent years, was visibly moved by that turnout as well as the number of people who took part in Monday's 61-car motorcade. The procession from the viewing to the funeral, led by the track's red pace car, took nearly 50 minutes to cover a 23-mile route - creating a midday traffic jam usually only seen here during blizzards and race weekends.

"We all knew Doc touched many lives, but we are blown away by the amount of people who have come to pay their respects to the man we all loved so much," Igdalsky said. "I think he would have been overwhelmed, as much as our family has been."

Igdalsky opened Monday's service with a eulogy including letters from twin daughters Madison and McKenzie, who stood by his side.

"Difficult and stubborn are among the many words I've read describing my grandfather," Igdalsky said, drawing a chuckle from the congregation. "He was a man who simply wanted to be called 'Doc,' a man with a booming voice and a hearty laugh.

"I've been asked if I have a best memory of him and I don't," Igdalsky said. "I have a lifetime of memories, including getting fired by him three times - and I deserved every one of them."