Wikipedia

Phoenix Raceway

(Redirected from Copper World Classic)

Phoenix Raceway is a 1-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona, near Phoenix. The motorsport track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually including the final championship race since 2020. Phoenix Raceway has also hosted the CART, IndyCar Series, USAC and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The raceway is currently owned and operated by NASCAR.

Phoenix Raceway

Phoenix Raceway as of 2019
Location7602 Jimmie Johnson Drive
Avondale, Arizona 85323
United States
Time zoneUTC-07:00
Coordinates33°22′29.1″N 112°18′40.14″W / 33.374750°N 112.3111500°W / 33.374750; -112.3111500
Capacity42,000[1]
OwnerNASCAR (2019–present)
International Speedway Corporation (1997–2019)
OperatorNASCAR (1997–present)
Opened1964
Former namesPhoenix International Raceway (1964–1973, 1976–2017)
FasTrack International Speedway (January 1973–August 1976)
Jeff Gordon Raceway (November 15, 2015)
ISM Raceway (2018–January 2020)
Major eventsCurrent:
NASCAR Cup Series
NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race (2020–present)
Shriners Children's 500 (2005–present)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race (2020–present)
United Rentals 200 (2005–present)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race (1995–present)
ARCA Menards Series
General Tire 150 (2020–present)
ARCA Menards Series West (1977–1996, 1998–2015, 2019–present)
Former:
IndyCar Series
Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix (1964–2005, 2016–2018)
NASCAR Mexico Series
Toyota 120 (2013–2015)
CART
Circle K/Fiesta Bowl 200 (1964–1986)
Websitehttps://www.phoenixraceway.com/
Dogleg Oval (1964–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.000[2] miles (1.609[2] km)
Turns4
BankingStart / Finish Straightaway: 3°
Dogleg: 10–11°
Straightaway from Dogleg to Turn 1: 10°
Turn 1: 8°
Turn 2: 8–9° (Progressive)
Backstretch: 3°
Turns 3 & 4: 10–11° (Progressive)
Race lap record0:19.7379 [182.392 mph (293.531 km/h) (Brazil Tony Kanaan, Dallara DW12, 2016, IndyCar Series)
Road Course (1991–2011)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.510 miles (2.430 km)
Turns12
Race lap record0:50.695 (Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio II, Eagle MkIII, 1992, IMSA GTP)
Exterior Road course (1964–1990)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.000 miles (3.219 km)
Turns7
Long Road course (1964–1990)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.700 miles (4.345 km)
Turns14
Race lap record1:44.400 (United States Dave MacDonald, Cooper Monaco King Cobra, 1964, Group 4)
Short Road course (1964–1990)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.400 miles (2.253 km)
Turns7

Phoenix Raceway is home to two annual NASCAR race weekends, one of 13 facilities on the NASCAR schedule to host more than one race weekend a year. It first joined the NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 1988 as a late season event and was given a spring date in 2005. The track has hosted races for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since its inaugural 1995 season and the NASCAR Xfinity Series since 1999.[3]

NASCAR Championship Weekend for the top three series has been held at Phoenix since 2020, the first year since NASCAR inaugurated the weekend that Homestead-Miami Speedway did not host. The track will hold the championship races through at least the 2025 season.[4]

History

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Phoenix International Raceway was built in 1964 around the Estrella Mountains on the outskirts of Avondale. Because of the terrain and the incorporation of a road course and drag strip, designers had to build a "dogleg" into the backstretch. The original road course was 2.700 mi (4.345 km) in length and ran both inside and outside of the main oval track.[5] The hillsides adjacent to the track also offer a unique vantage point to watch races from. "Monument Hill", located alongside turns 3 and 4 (now turns 1 and 2 due to the track's 2018 reconfiguration), is a favorite among race fans because of the unique view and lower ticket prices. At the top of this hill lies a USGS bench marker known as Gila and Salt River Meridian, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Long before Phoenix Raceway existed, this spot was the original land survey point for all of what later became the state of Arizona.[6]

 
Phoenix Raceway in 1989

Phoenix International Raceway was built with the goal of being the western home of open wheel racing. Sports cars and USAC began racing at the track in 1964, and the track quickly became a favorite of drivers and soon replaced the old track at the Arizona State Fairgrounds.[5]

In 1973, the track was purchased by FasTrack International, Inc. and renamed FasTrack International Speedway.[7] The name was reverted to Phoenix International Raceway in August 1976 when USAC team owner Bob Fletcher bought the speedway.[8]

In 1977, the first Copper World Classic was held, a marque event for USAC midget and Silver Crown cars.[9]

NASCAR began racing at Phoenix International Raceway in 1978.

Then 1979 saw the inaugural CART race, the Arizona 150, which was won by Gordon Johncock driving a Penske PC6/78.

However, it was not until 1988 when NASCAR's premier series, now the NASCAR Cup Series, began racing at the track. Following the announcement of NASCAR being added to the track schedule, Phoenix International Raceway built a 3-story suite building outside of turn 1 and increased grandstand capacity to 30,000. A year prior, the track's main grandstand was struck by lightning and burned to the ground, reconstruction was finished in time for the first NASCAR cup race. That first race was won by Alan Kulwicki where in his celebration he performed the first "Polish Victory Lap".[9]

 
Phoenix Raceway infield in 2004

In 1991, the old 2.700 mi (4.345 km) road course was removed and replaced by a 1.510 mi (2.430 km) infield road course. In 1996 the grandstand capacity was increased to 65,000. International Speedway Corporation (ISC) officially took ownership of Phoenix Raceway from Emmett "Buddy" Jobe in April 1997. Racing at Phoenix International Raceway began to dramatically change in 2003. Turn 2 was reconstructed by pushing back the outside wall to make racing safer. The wall originally came to an end where the old road course crossed the oval track. At the same time, an access tunnel was built under turn 4. Previously, vehicles had to use crossover gates and pedestrians used a crossover bridge. In 2004, NASCAR announced it would give a second annual race weekend to Phoenix International Raceway starting with the 2005 season. Following the announcement, the track installed lights to allow the newly scheduled NASCAR race to be run in the evening. The addition of a second NASCAR racing weekend had dramatic effects on the economy of the state of Arizona. A study at Arizona State University estimated that Phoenix International Raceway brings in nearly $473 million annually to the state. 2005 would also become the last year that a major open-wheel racing series would race at PIR, until it was recently announced that the track will return to the schedule for the 2016 IndyCar season. Despite the 2006 departure from the schedule, the track was still used by IndyCar for testing purposes.[9]

In 2006, the Allison Grandstand was expanded from turn 1 to turn 2, increasing the reserved seating to 76,800. Included with the expansion is "Octane", an exclusive lounge on top of the grandstands overlooking turn 1. In 2008 Phoenix International Raceway added the SPEED Cantina, a one-of-a-kind at-track sports bar and grill, outside turn 2. In early 2010, some of the grandstands along the backstretch were removed to allow additional room for recreational vehicles, thus the seating capacity dropped to around 67,000.[9]

On June 11, 2015, Phoenix International Raceway announced the track would be renamed to Jeff Gordon Raceway for the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 in tribute to Gordon, who was contesting his last NASCAR season as a full-time driver in 2015.[10]

On January 30, 2017, Phoenix International Raceway and ISC announced a $178 million renovation called the Phoenix Raceway Project Powered by DC Solar. The project was completed in October 2018, just in time for their November race weekend.[11] It was also noted that the facility would be referred to as Phoenix Raceway moving forward, signaling the removal of International from the track's name.[12]

New amenities after it was completed:[13]

  • Grandstand seating capacity will be 45,000.
  • upgraded Club, 32 renovated suites and 19 new suites.
  • New escalators and elevators, in addition to the existing elevators that will be upgraded.
  • New souvenir areas, a new First Aid and EMS location, a new Guest Services area, as well as multiple new restrooms, including ADA restrooms.
  • New Fanzone located in the infield.
  • New DC solar fan midway.
    • New Busch Garage, new Corporate Hospitality, and new Guest Services and Ticketing buildings.
  • Technology upgrades planned for the Phoenix Raceway Project Powered by DC Solar include flat screen TVs throughout common areas, a new PA system and free Wi-Fi available throughout all common areas including the DC Solar Fan Midway, Infield and in-seat Wi-Fi.

Additional changes to the track after the project was completed:

  • Removal of the former front stretch grandstands.
  • Moving of the start / finish line to the area between the old turns 1/2 and the dogleg, thus flipping the turn numbering.
  • Reconfiguration of pit road to include:
    • Moving the pit entrance down the new backstretch (former front straightaway) and the exit to just past the new start / finish line.
    • Extending pit road stalls around the new turn 4 (former turn 1) and to just past the new start / finish line. The majority of the pit stalls will be on a curve and prior to the start / finish line.
    • Tightening of the radius of pit road through the new turn 4 (former turn 1)

In September 2017, PIR formed a partnership with Ingenuity Sun Media (ISM Connect) to rename the track to ISM Raceway starting in 2018.[14] On June 22, 2018 IndyCar announced it will not return to ISM in 2019 due to mediocre races and poor attendance.[15]

On January 28, 2019, it was revealed on ISC's 2018 annual report that the raceway's track seating was reduced from 51,000 to 42,000.[1]

On March 26, 2019, it was announced that starting in 2020, the track will become the host of the NASCAR Championship Weekend.[16]

On January 3, 2020, the track mutually agreed to terminate the naming rights agreement with ISM Connect and its name reverted to Phoenix Raceway.[17]

Movies and television

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Phoenix was only mentioned in the episode Drive, Lady, Drive on the TV show CHiPs even though they used Riverside International Raceway as the stand in and racing footage from Ontario, Daytona and Atlanta were used. Phoenix was also in the movie Days of Thunder starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

Track renovation and length

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  •  
    Road course before renovation in 2011
  •  
    Oval track before renovation in 2011
  •  
    Track after renovation in 2011
  •  
    Track after renovation in 2019

The raceway was originally constructed with a 2.700 mi (4.345 km) road course that ran on both the inside and the outside of the main tri-oval. In 1991 the track was reconfigured with the 1.510 mi (2.430 km) interior layout. Phoenix Raceway currently has an estimated grandstand seating capacity of around 51,000. Lights were installed around the track in 2004 following the addition of a second annual NASCAR race weekend.

In November 2010, ISC and the Avondale City Council announced plans for a $100 million long-term development for Phoenix International Raceway. $15 million would go towards repaving the track for the first time since 1990 and building a new media center. The plans also include a reconfiguration of the track.[18] The front stretch was widened from 52 to 62 ft (16 to 19 m), the pit stalls were changed from asphalt to concrete, the dogleg (between Turn 2 and Turn 3) was moved outward by 95 ft (29 m), tightening the turn radius of the dogleg from 800 to 500 ft (240 to 150 m). Along with the other changes, progressive banking was added to the turns: Turns 1 and 2, which had 11 degrees of banking, changed to 10 degrees on the bottom and 11 degrees on the top. Turns 3 and 4, which had 9 degrees of banking, changed to 8 degrees on the bottom and 9 on the top. Project leader Bill Braniff, Senior Director of Construction for North American Testing Corporation (NATC), a subsidiary of Phoenix International Raceway's parent company International Speedway Corporation, said "All of the changes – including the adjustment of the dog-leg – will be put in place in order to present additional opportunities for drivers to race side-by-side. We’re very confident that we’ll have multi-groove racing at Phoenix from Day 1 because of the variable banking that will be implemented.”[19][20] The infield road course was also sealed off and removed from use, making Phoenix International Raceway an oval-only facility.[19] The reconfiguration project was completed by mid-August 2011, and on August 29–30, five drivers tested the new track, describing the new dogleg and backstretch as a "rollercoaster" as now when they enter it dips, then rises on exit and dips down going into turn 3, due to the elevation changes. On October 4–5, several NASCAR Cup Series teams tested the oval which was open to the public. Over $7 million went towards connecting the track property to the Avondale water and sewer systems. Work began following the 2011 Subway Fresh Fit 500.[18] The reconfiguration in 2011 increased the banking slightly, removed the road course entirely and removed the grass and curbing inside of the dogleg, giving sanctioning bodies the option of whether or not to allow drivers to shortcut the dogleg and run on the now-paved apron that replaced the grass.

Renovations in 2018 reconfigured the pit road and infield areas, and moved the start/finish line to just coming out of what was turn 2 (now turn 4), before the dogleg.

The owner of the track and NASCAR specified the oval length as exactly one mile. However, after a 2016 INDYCAR Test in the West, INDYCAR measured the track as 1.022 mi (1.645 km).[21] That was the first IndyCar race after the renovation in 2011, in which the dogleg was extended outwards. In 2019 the oval track was rebuilt again and the start / finish line was relocated. The length of the oval was not changed. Before the renovation in 2011, the racetrack was also accepted by USAC, CART and IndyCar with a length of exactly one mile.

Lap records

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As of November 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Phoenix Raceway are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Dogleg Oval: 1.645 km (2011–present)[22][23]
IndyCar 0:19.7379 Tony Kanaan Dallara DW12 2016 Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix
Indy Lights 0:22.5541[24] Kyle Kaiser Dallara IL-15 2016 Indy Lights Grand Prix of Phoenix
NASCAR Cup 0:26.450[25] Denny Hamlin Toyota Camry 2019 Bluegreen Vacations 500
NASCAR Truck 0:26.774[26] Zane Smith Chevrolet Silverado 2020 Lucas Oil 150
NASCAR Xfinity 0:27.234[27] Justin Allgaier Chevrolet Camaro 2018 DC Solar 200
ARCA Menards 0:27.313[28] Connor Zilisch Chevrolet Camaro SS 2024 Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100
Dogleg Oval: 1.609 km (1964–2010)[22]
IRL 0:20.791[29] Arie Luyendyk Reynard 95I 1996 Dura Lube 200
CART 0:21.240[30] Emerson Fittipaldi Penske PC-24 1995 Slick 50 200
Indy Lights 0:23.227[31] Greg Moore Lola T93/20 1995 Phoenix Indy Lights round
Road Course: 2.430 km (1991–2011)[22][23]
IMSA GTP 0:50.695[32] Juan Manuel Fangio II Eagle MkIII 1992 Checker Grand Prix
LMP900 0:54.795[33] James Weaver Riley & Scott Mk III 2002 United Auto 200
IMSA GTP Lights 0:56.262[32] Dan Marvin Spice SE91P 1992 Checker Grand Prix
WSC 0:56.675[34] Fermin Velez Ferrari 333 SP 1995 Exxon World Sports Car Championships
Daytona Prototype 0:57.159[35] Max Angelelli Riley MkXI 2004 Phoenix 250
LMP675 0:57.418[33] Marino Franchitti Lola B2K/40 2002 United Auto 200
Barber Pro 0:58.201[36] Nicolas Rondet Reynard 98E 2001 Phoenix Barber Pro round
IMSA GTS 0:58.473[37] Darin Brassfield Oldsmobile Cutlass 1993 Checker Grand Prix
Grand-Am GTS 1:00.011[38] Tommy Riggins Ford Mustang 2003 AJ's Fine Foods 250
IMSA GTS-1 1:00.376[34] Charles Morgan Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1995 Exxon World Sports Car Championships
GT1 (GTS) 1:00.434[33] Chris Bingham Saleen S7-R 2002 United Auto 200
American GT (AGT) 1:00.435[33] Doug Goad Chevrolet Corvette 2002 United Auto 200
Grand-Am GTO 1:01.122[39] Terry Borcheller Saleen Mustang 2000 Phoenix Sun Automotive 200
GT 1:01.338[35] Bill Auberlen BMW M3 (E46) 2004 Phoenix 250
IMSA GTO 1:01.818[37] Joe Pezza Oldsmobile Cutlass 1993 Checker Grand Prix
Grand-Am GTU 1:01.900[39] Bill Auberlen BMW M3 (E36) 2000 Phoenix Sun Automotive 200
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:03.904[35] David Murry Porsche 911 (996) GT3 Cup 2004 Phoenix 250
IMSA Supercar 1:08.921[40] Shawn Hendricks Nissan 300ZX Turbo Stillen 1993 Checker Grand Prix
Long Road Course: 4.345 km (1964–1990)[22][23]
Group 4 1:44.400[41] Dave MacDonald Cooper Monaco King Cobra 1964 Phoenix National Open
Group 3 1:53.000[42] Ernie Kesling Shelby Cobra 1965 Phoenix National Races

Events

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Current
Former

NASCAR Cup Series stats

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Records

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(As of 10/4/24)

Most Wins 9 Kevin Harvick
Most Top 5s 20 Kevin Harvick
Most Top 10s 31 Kevin Harvick
Starts 42 Kevin Harvick
Poles 4 Ryan Newman
Most Laps Completed 13,095 Kevin Harvick
Most Laps Led 1722 Kevin Harvick
Avg. Start* 8.1 Rusty Wallace
Avg. Finish* 5.2 Alan Kulwicki
Closest Finish 0.01 Kevin Harvick

* from minimum 5 starts.

Race winners

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  • (*) Rain-shortened event
  • (**) Race extended due to green-white-checker finish
  • a April race extended to 375 laps (600 km)
  • b November 2011 races when track reconfigured to 1.022 miles
Season Date Winning Driver Make Distance Avg Speed Margin of Victory
1988 November 6 Alan Kulwicki Ford Thunderbird 312 mi 90.457 mph (145.576 km/h) 18.500 sec
1989 November 5 Bill Elliott Ford Thunderbird 312 mi 105.683 mph (170.080 km/h) 0.470 sec
1990 November 4 Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet Lumina 312 mi 96.786 mph (155.762 km/h) 0.670 sec
1991 November 3 Davey Allison Ford Thunderbird 312 mi 95.746 mph (154.088 km/h) 11.440 sec
1992 November 1 Davey Allison Ford Thunderbird 312 mi 103.885 mph (167.187 km/h) 3.220 sec
1993 October 31 Mark Martin Ford Thunderbird 312 mi 100.375 mph (161.538 km/h) 0.170 sec
1994 October 30 Terry Labonte Chevrolet Lumina 312 mi 107.463 mph (172.945 km/h) 3.090 sec
1995 October 29 Ricky Rudd Ford Thunderbird 312 mi 102.128 mph (164.359 km/h) 0.530 sec
1996 October 27 Bobby Hamilton Pontiac Grand Prix 312 mi 109.709 mph (176.560 km/h) 1.230 sec
1997 November 2 Dale Jarrett Ford Thunderbird 312 mi 110.824 mph (178.354 km/h) 2.105 sec
1998 October 25 Rusty Wallace Ford Taurus 257 mi* 100.375 mph (161.538 km/h) 0.170 sec
1999 November 7 Tony Stewart Pontiac Grand Prix 312 mi 118.132 mph (190.115 km/h) 2.081 sec
2000 November 5 Jeff Burton Ford Taurus 312 mi 105.041 mph (169.047 km/h) 0.854 sec
2001 October 28 Jeff Burton Ford Taurus 312 mi 102.613 mph (165.140 km/h) 2.645 sec
2002 November 10 Matt Kenseth Ford Taurus 312 mi 113.857 mph (183.235 km/h) 1.344 sec
2003 November 2 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 312 mi 93.984 mph (151.253 km/h) 0.735 sec
2004 November 7 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 315 mi** 94.848 mph (152.643 km/h) 1.431 sec
2005 April 23 Kurt Busch Ford Taurus 312 mi 102.707 mph (165.291 km/h) 2.315 sec
November 13 Kyle Busch Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 312 mi 102.641 mph (165.185 km/h) 0.609 sec
2006 April 22 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 312 mi 107.063 mph (172.301 km/h) 2.774 sec
November 13 96.131 mph (154.708 km/h) 0.250 sec
2007 April 21 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Impala SS 312 mi 107.71 mph (173.342 km/h) 0.697 sec
November 11 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Impala SS 312 mi 102.989 mph (165.745 km/h) 0.870 sec
2008 April 12 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Impala SS 312 mi 103.292 mph (166.232 km/h) 7.002 sec
November 9 313 mi** 104.725 mph (168.539 km/h) 0.295 sec
2009 April 18 Mark Martin Chevrolet Impala SS 312 mi 108.042 mph (173.877 km/h) 0.734 sec
November 15 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Impala SS 312 mi 110.486 mph (177.810 km/h) 1.033 sec
2010 April 10 Ryan Newman Chevrolet Impala SS 378 mi**a 99.732 mph (160.503 km/h) 0.130 sec
November 14 Carl Edwards Ford Fusion 312 mi 110.758 mph (178.248 km/h) 4.770 sec
2011 February 27 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Impala SS 312 mi 102.961 mph (165.700 km/h) 1.137 sec
November 13 Kasey Kahne Toyota Camry 318.844 mi 112.909 mph (181.709 km/h) 0.802 sec
2012 March 4 Denny Hamlin Toyota Camry 318.844 mi 110.085 mph (177.165 km/h) 7.315 sec
November 11 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Impala SS 326.018 mi** 111.182 mph (178.930 km/h) 0.580 sec
2013 March 3 Carl Edwards Ford Fusion 322.952 mi** 105.187 mph (169.282 km/h) 1.024 sec
November 10 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet SS 318.844 mi 105.733 mph (170.161 km/h) 1.796 sec
2014 March 2 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet SS 318.844 mi 109.229 mph (175.787 km/h) 0.489 sec
November 9 318.844 mi 99.991 mph (160.920 km/h) 1.636 sec
2015 March 15 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet SS 318.844 mi 105.753 mph (170.193 km/h) 1.153 sec
November 15 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet SS 223.818 mi* 106.512 mph (171.414 km/h) Under caution
2016 March 13 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet SS 313 mi** 113.212 mph (182.197 km/h) 0.010 sec
November 13 Joey Logano Ford Fusion 331.128 mi 102.866 mph (165.547 km/h) 0.802 sec
2017 March 19 Ryan Newman Chevrolet SS 320.908** mi 104.271 mph (167.808 km/h) 0.312 sec
November 12 Matt Kenseth Toyota Camry 318.844 mi 105.534 mph (169.841 km/h) 1.207 sec
2018 March 11 Kevin Harvick Ford Fusion 318.844 mi 108.073 mph (173.927 km/h) 0.774 sec
November 11 Kyle Busch Toyota Camry 318.844 mi 98.354 mph (158.285 km/h) 0.501 sec
2019 March 10 Kyle Busch Toyota Camry 318.844 mi 101.693 mph (163.659 km/h) 1.259 sec
November 10 Denny Hamlin Toyota Camry 318.884 mi 111.429 mph (179.328 km/h) 0.377 sec
2020 March 8 Joey Logano Ford Mustang 318.884 mi 94.407 mph (151.933 km/h) 0.276 sec
November 8 Chase Elliott Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 318.884 mi 112.096 mph (180.401 km/h) 2.740 sec
2021 March 14 Martin Truex Jr. Toyota Camry 318.884 mi 103.808 mph (167.063 km/h) 1.680 sec
November 7 Kyle Larson Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 318.884 mi 100.348 mph (161.494 km/h) 0.472 sec
2022 March 13 Chase Briscoe Ford Mustang 318.884 mi 100.339 mph (161.480 km/h) 0.771 sec
November 6 Joey Logano Ford Mustang 312 mi 104.757 mph (168.590 km/h)
2023 March 12 William Byron (racing driver) Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 317 mi 105.491 mph (169.771 km/h)
November 5 Ross Chastain Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 312 mi 108.827 mph (175.140 km/h)
2024 March 10 Christopher Bell Toyota Camry 312 mi 103.568 mph (166.677 km/h)
November 10 Joey Logano Ford Mustang 312 mi 106.203 mph (170.917 km/h)
Season Date Winning Driver Make Distance Avg Speed Margin of Victory

Track records

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Record Date Driver Time Speed/Avg. Speed
IndyCar Series
Qualifying- 2 laps April 28, 2017 Hélio Castroneves 37.7538 194.905 mph (313.669 km/h)
Race March 19, 2005 Sam Hornish Jr. 1:30:24 137.753 mph (221.692 km/h) (before reconfiguration)
Indy Lights
Qualifying- 2 laps April 1, 2016 Kyle Kaiser 43.8334 167.872 mph (270.164 km/h)
Race April 2, 2016 Kyle Kaiser 36:57.9123 149.297 mph (240.270 km/h)
NASCAR Cup Series
Qualifying November 13, 2015 Jimmie Johnson 25.147 146.308 mph (235.460 km/h)
Race November 7, 1999 Tony Stewart 2:38:28 118.132 mph (190.115 km/h) (before reconfiguration)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Qualifying November 14, 2015 Kyle Busch 25.992 141.933 mph (228.419 km/h)
Race November 4, 2000 Jeff Burton 1:44:13 115.145 mph (185.308 km/h)
NASCAR Truck Series
Qualifying November 13, 2015 Erik Jones 26.179 137.515 mph (221.309 km/h)
Race November 7, 2002 Kevin Harvick 1:24:26 108.104 mph (173.977 km/h) (before reconfiguration)
ARCA Menards Series West
Qualifying November 12, 2011 Greg Pursley 26.894 136.804 mph (220.165 km/h)[43]
Race October 5, 2003 Scott Lynch 1:18:46 114.262 mph (183.887 km/h) (before reconfiguration)
CART
Qualifying April 1, 1995 Bryan Herta 19.019 181.952 mph (292.823 km/h) (before reconfiguration)
Race April 12, 1987 Roberto Guerrero 1:26:56 138.020 mph (222.122 km/h) (before reconfiguration)
USAC
Qualifying October 27, 1978 Danny Ongais 36.285 145.513 mph (234.180 km/h)
Race November 4, 1972 Bobby Unser 1:27:32 127.618 mph (205.381 km/h)
Source:[44]

NOTE: Calculations based on the 1.022 mile standard established in 2016 by INDYCAR.

Other events

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Phoenix Raceway hosts Arizona’s Goldeush, Decadence, and PHXLIGHTS festivals each year. In addition, the track hosts frequent headlining shows. Certain events have been held in the Raceway infield and pit lane; most are held in the area just behind the main grandstand, using the structure itself as a backdrop. American DJ Subtronics holds the record for the largest headlining EDM show at the venue (and in Arizona’s history), with an attendance figure of over 15,000 in April 2023.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Page, Scott (January 27, 2019). "International Speedway Corporation continues to reduce tack seating". Jayski's Silly Season Site. ESPN. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Home". Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  3. ^ "The best seat in NASCAR isn't really a seat at all". Nascar.com. August 12, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  4. ^ "Championship Weekend returns to Phoenix in 2025 with Cup Series on NBC Sports". Nascar.com. May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Phoenix Raceway". Autoracing.com. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  6. ^ Caraviello, David (April 12, 2008). "The best seat in NASCAR isn't really a seat at all". Nascar.com. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  7. ^ Radosta, John S. (February 25, 1973). "Three Auto Race Tracks Are Back in the Running". The New York Times. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  8. ^ Reynard, Calvin (August 29, 1976). "FasTrack Dead, Long Live PIR". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved November 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b c d "Timeline". Phoenixraceway.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  10. ^ Knight, Michael (June 11, 2015). "PIR to be renamed in honor of Jeff Gordon for fall race". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  11. ^ "NASCAR Official Home | Race results, schedule, standings, news, drivers".
  12. ^ Jeff Gluck [@jeff_gluck] (January 30, 2017). "More Phoenix tidbits: — Track using "Phoenix Raceway" in marketing now. — No more infield camping" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "New Amenities - Phoenix International Raceway". Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  14. ^ Knight, Michael (September 25, 2017). "Phoenix International Raceway to become ISM Raceway starting in 2018". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  15. ^ "Phoenix removed from IndyCar schedule for 2019".
  16. ^ Norman, Brad (March 26, 2019). "2020 NASCAR schedule unveiled, with plenty of changes | NASCAR.com". NASCAR.com. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  17. ^ Knight, Michael (January 3, 2020). "Call it Phoenix Raceway again -- ISM naming rights discontinued at Avondale track | AZCentral.com". AZCentral.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
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