Pocono Raceway solar project

Pocono solar project biggest in sports

LONG POND, Pa. — Pocono Raceway has flipped the switch on a solar energy system that leaders say will make the NASCAR track the world's largest solar-powered sports facility.

It will be partly up and running this weekend and provide power to the raceway for Sunday's Pennsyl­vania 500. It would be the first track to run on solar energy.

Track leaders say the 25-acre installation is so large that it's visible from space. Track president Brandon Igdalsky says the roughly $16 million project will provide enough power for more than 1,000 homes beyond what's needed for the raceway.

Igdalsky says the system should be finished in the next week.

Times wires