Draft:1982 Pocono Bobtail 500 - Great American Truck Race

In 1982, Pocono International Raceway hosted the Great American Truck Race series on Sunday, August 29, 1982. The race was the Bobtail 500, or more commonly known as the "Fleet Sales 500". Pocono Peterbilt sponsored this race as a way to improve sales for their latest model 359's. Important to note, Pocono Peterbilt made specifically a top of the line, Peterbilt 359 with the new Big Cam III Cummins, El Dorado Seats, and a big bunk 63" Sleeper, to showcase at the race; this truck was the Pace Truck at the beginning of the Bobtail 500.

The race went on to be another action packed race, as Charlie Baker out of New Oxford, Pennsylvania came out with the win while racing in his 1974 Kenworth with a 600 Cummins. The average speed was 100.786 mph.

The 1982 Fleet Sales Bobtail 500 in Pocono has gone on to become the most popular race in Great American Truck Racing history, and helped set a foothold for Peterbilt as the best selling trucks in the era.

Pocono International Raceway went on to host another GATR race in 1983.