PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY NEWS/RUMORS
Phone:
PIR Ticket Office Phone Room 1-866-408-RACE (7223).
PIR Administration Office (623) 463-5400
(623) 463-5501 (Fax)
Office address:
125 S. Avondale Blvd., Suite 200
Avondale, AZ 85323
Track address:
7602 S. Avondale Blvd.
Avondale, AZ 85323
Track Specs:
Degree of Banking: Turns 1-2: 11 degrees; Turns 3-4: 9 degrees
Frontstretch: Length: 1,179 feet, Banking: None
Backstretch: Length: 1,551 feet, Banking: None
Pit Road: Length: 1,140
Grandstand seating: ~67,000, plus 46 suites
Websites:
phoenixraceway.com
ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide: Phoenix International Raceway
Only Three: Only three drivers HAD started all 22 Nextel Cup races at Phoenix International Raceway:
#44-Dale Jarrett, 1 win
#01-Mark Martin, 1 win
#21-Ken Schrader, 0 wins.
For the Nov 11, 2007 race, Martin and Schrader were not entered and Jarrett failed to qualify.(11-11-2007)
WWE Hall of Famer named Honorary Race Official at PIR: Sgt. Slaughter, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) legend and the former United States Marine who earned his famous ring name during service to his country, has been named an Honorary Race Official for the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil at Phoenix International Raceway. The WWE Hall of Famer will attend the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 as part of a promotional partnership between Phoenix International Raceway and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for WrestleMania XXVI, which will be held in Arizona in March 2010. Sgt. Slaughter will appear on the pre-race ceremonies stage with PIR President Bryan R. Sperber to welcome NASCAR fans, drivers, and teams to the Valley of the Sun for the Semi-Final Showdown in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. In addition to his time on the pre-race stage, Slaughter will act as the honorary pace car driver before Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series Able Body Labor 200. Tickets for the November NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix can be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com or over the phone at 1-866-408-RACE (7223).(PIR)(11-13-2009)
Tyrese Gibson to perform national anthem at PIR Cup race: Actor, model, and R&B star Tyrese Gibson will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, November 15. Tyrese will replace Brian McKnight, who was previously scheduled for the performance, but had a last-minute scheduling conflict. In 1994, Tyrese Gibson's star was born when he was featured in a memorable Coca-Cola commercial. Riding the heat of the commercial, Tyrese landed guest appearances on the hit TV shows "Martin" and "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper," and became the face of Tommy Hilfiger at the age of 17. He signed a record deal with RCA Records and completed his first self-titled debut album in 1998, which featured the smash hit "Sweet Lady." His platinum-selling debut earned him a Grammy nomination and the American Music Award for "Best New Artist." Over the summer, Tyrese starred in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," which brought back all of the key elements from the first film, including director Michael Bay and producer Steven Spielberg. In 2010, Tyrese can be seen in "Legion," a Sony Screen Gems horror film co-starring Dennis Quaid. For tickets to the November NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway – with prices as low as $25 for Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 – can be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com or over the phone at 1-866-408-RACE (7223).(PIR)(11-11-2009)
Sen. McCain named Grand Marshal at Phoenix: Arizona Senator John McCain will act as the Grand Marshal for the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, November 15. The role will mark a return to Phoenix International Raceway for the Grand Canyon State's senior senator, who also appeared as Grand Marshal before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the track in April 2006. As Grand Marshal, McCain will appear on the pre-race ceremonies stage with Phoenix International Raceway president Bryan R. Sperber to welcome NASCAR fans, drivers, and teams to the Valley of the Sun for the Semi-Final Showdown in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Following driver introductions, McCain will deliver the familiar "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!" command to the 43 starters in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series field. Tickets for the November NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway - with prices as low as $25 - can be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com or over the phone at 1-866-408-RACE (7223).(Phoenix Raceway PR)(10-30-3009)
Seats remain for Phoenix Sprint Cup race: The thrill of NASCAR action at Phoenix International Raceway is just three weeks away, and tickets are available for each night of racing in the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil event weekend. Great seats remain for select grandstand areas and can be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com or over the phone at 1-866-408-RACE (7223). For added convenience, the Phoenix International Raceway Ticket Office will be open seven days a week leading up to the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil event weekend, giving race fans more time to buy tickets in person in the days before the green flag. The PIR Ticket Office will open for special hours on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, and again on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Normal weekday ticket office hours in the weeks leading up to the event are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.(Phoenix International Raceway)(10-24-2009)
Phoenix teams with Richard Petty to create kart track: Phoenix International Raceway has teamed up with the legendary Richard Petty on a joint venture to create the first-ever high performance kart track within a NASCAR facility. This experiential innovation will put race fans behind the wheel and into the action at the brand new Richard Petty Raceway - located on PIR's Midway - beginning this November for the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 weekend. The 1/16th-mile Richard Petty Raceway will be located just inside Gate 4 at PIR, providing fans the chance to test their racing mettle for just $20 a session. The permanent one-of-a-kind venue will allow first-hand entertainment for fans 16 and older. The raceway's structure will include a pit and garage area, as well as grandstand seating where each driver's "fans" can gather and show support - just as they would for the Chase for the Sprint Cup competitors on PIR's one-mile oval. Each race at Richard Petty Raceway can include five competitors. At 20 feet wide and featuring a flagman's tower, tire barriers, and a layout quite similar to that of the main Phoenix International Raceway oval, Richard Petty Raceway is designed to give NASCAR fans yet another exciting racing surface - with the added thrill of participation in 9hp high-performance karts, provided by Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE). Competitors will put on firesuits and helmets and receive detailed instruction from RPDE professionals prior to racing.(PIR PR)(9-29-2009)
Texas and Phoenix swap Spring race dates:Texas Motor Speedway will have a slight shift in its 2010 NASCAR schedule as the Samsung 500 race week will be run April 15-18, moving the Sprint Cup Series race from the seventh to the eighth event of the season as a result of a date swap with Phoenix International Raceway.TMS officials agreed to the move to accommodate NASCAR and network television partner, FOX, because the Samsung 500 on its traditional April date would have been pitted directly against the final round of the The Masters on television. Phoenix transitions into that slot without a conflict since it will play host to a Saturday evening race.(Texas Motor Speedway PR)(8-27-2009)
- Phoenix offers $25 Reserved seats for November Cup race: Phoenix International Raceway is offering a $25 reserved seat to fans for the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil on November 15 – an unprecedented value to watch the semifinal race in NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup. Beyond the hard-charging Sprint Cup action of the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, fans can secure three full nights of NASCAR action for a mere $47 by purchasing the NASCAR Extreme Value Ticket Package. PIR is offering a $15 reserved seat to its Nationwide Series race on Saturday, November 14 and a $7 reserved seat for the Lucas Oil 150 in the Camping World Truck Series on Friday, November 13. PIR kicks off the November race weekend with grassroots USAC racing as part of the famed Copper World Classic on Thursday, November 12. Tickets for the November NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway are available now by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or visiting www.phoenixraceway.com.(PIR)(7-13-2009)
- New emergency texting available to race patrons: International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has partnered with InStadiumSolutions to implement a text-message based communication system at all of its 12 motorsports facilities. The service was introduced last weekend during the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Darlington Raceway. The system allows fans to communicate with the racetrack's command post if assistance is needed inside the facility. The technology was tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November during the final weekend of the NASCAR season. Instructions will be posted throughout each racetrack and will be broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Besides Darlington and Homestead-Miami, ISC owns and/or operates Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, Richmond, Auto Club Speedway, Kansas, Phoenix, Chicago, Martinsville and Watkins Glen. The Fan Text Messaging Service is also being used by several professional and college teams, as well as at events such as the Super Bowl, BCS National Championship and World Baseball Classic.(Associated Press)(5-14-2009)
- Phoenix & Coca-Cola Enhance Recycling for race weekend: Phoenix International Raceway will continue its long-standing recycling program for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 weekend April 16-18, taking the program to new levels with an enhanced effort in collaboration with Coca-Cola Recycling. PIR will get an early start celebrating Earth Day (April 22) during the upcoming NASCAR weekend in the Valley of the Sun by accepting all recyclable materials from race fans and campers, including glass, plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard. Each campsite in reserved and infield areas will receive a recycling bag upon move-in and - once filled with recyclable materials - Coca-Cola Recycling will pick up those bags daily and replace them. Recyclables will also be collected in suites, grandstands, fan and corporate hospitality areas, the media center, on the fan Midway, and within the infield. With the help of Coca-Cola Recycling, PIR's recycling initiative includes almost 1000 recycling barrels around the grounds. Material collected at the track will be picked up by Environmental Events Management Group (EEMG), a California-based event cleaning and recycling company.(PIR PR)(4-16-2009)
- Arizona Governor Proclaims PIR "Zoomtown USA": Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has officially declared Phoenix International Raceway as "Zoomtown U.S.A." for the NASCAR event weekend of April 16-18. The NASCAR event weekend at "Zoomtown U.S.A." will be highlighted by the first official night race of the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season, the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ on Saturday, April 18. In an official proclamation dated April 3, 2009 from the Office of the Governor, Brewer made mention of the rich tradition of NASCAR racing within the Valley of the Sun and the State of Arizona, celebrated NASCAR and Phoenix International Raceway's impact on Arizona's economy, and gave an advance welcome to several hundred thousand guests and millions of television viewers who will witness the thrilling NASCAR action at "Zoomtown U.S.A." this month.(PIR PR)(4-14-2009)
- Park 'n Ride Program Available at Phoenix Phoenix International Raceway is encouraging race fans to make their trip to the track a smooth one on Saturday, April 18. Following its success for previous PIR events, the Subway Fresh Fit 500 Park 'N Ride will be available for fans to make an easy trip to the feature event of the track's April NASCAR event weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500. After much success in recent years, the Park 'N Ride program returns to Cricket Pavilion, located just two blocks north of I-10 on 83rd Avenue (Exit 135). All NASCAR fans heading to PIR are welcome to enter at the 83rd Avenue entrance and park on Pavilion grounds, from where shuttle bus service from First Student Charter of Phoenix will be provided to the Gate 7 area at the track. Parking and shuttle services to PIR will total just $7 per car. With the green flag dropping on the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at 5:30 p.m., "Park 'N Ride" services will be available for 12 hours - from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. - on Saturday, giving all NASCAR fans an easy way both to and from the track, before and after the race.(Phoenix Raceway PR)(4-12-2009)
- Kate and Kacey Coppola to perform national anthem at Phoenix: Big Machine Records recording artists Kate and Kacey Coppola will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the Subway Fresh Fit 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, April 18. Now residents of Nashville after a shared childhood in Denver, the identical twins first charmed country music listeners with their fresh harmonies and engaging spirit by reaching the semi-final round on CMT's reality contest, "Can You Duet?" Named as artists "to watch in 2009" by Country Weekly and featured in People Magazine's Country Special, Kate and Kacey will tour with country superstar Kenny Chesney for 11 shows this summer. Also gifted songwriters, Kate and Kacey - with Jamey Johnson - wrote the single "House with No Doors" for George Strait's latest album, Troubador.(PIR PR)(4-11-2009)
- Phoenix International Raceway unveils new website: With the green flag of its Subway Fresh Fit 500 NASCAR event weekend on the horizon, Phoenix International Raceway launched this week its newly-designed home on the Web at www.phoenixraceway.com. Phoenix International Raceway's fresh look online features an emphasis on sharp, sweeping imagery and enhanced distribution of key information for NASCAR fans. A wide range of elements featuring the true NASCAR experience at Phoenix International Raceway will allow viewers to immerse themselves in all things NASCAR throughout the year, at or away from the track. The new PhoenixRaceway.com is part of a redesign initiative by all International Speedway Corporation tracks with the intent of providing the latest and best in cutting-edge online technology.(Phoenix Raceway PR)(4-10-2009)
- New Menu at Phoenix: NASCAR fans at Phoenix International Raceway can now order items reflective of their favorite on-air personalities from SPEED, with menu offerings created by on-air stalwarts such as Jimmy Spencer, Kenny Wallace and Larry MacReynolds available from SPEED Cantina’s brand new menu. The new food selections will make their debut during the Subway Fresh Fit 500 weekend, scheduled for April 16-18, and will represent 11 members of the NASCAR on SPEED on-air talent roster. Split into sections celebrating two of NASCAR on SPEED’s top weekly programs, the menu features lists of “Trackside Appetizers” and “Raceday Entrées,” leaving NASCAR fans able to make an appetizing selection based on both their preferred taste and favorite television personality.
Fans at SPEED Cantina can prepare their palate with an appetizing array of Jimmy Spencer’s Na-cho Average Salad or John Roberts Jalapeño Poppers, and truly fulfill their hunger with a Hermanator Hot Dog – in honor of Kenny “Herman” Wallace – or an order of Larry Mac Tacos. Those in the mood for chicken wings have two options: bone-in Michael Waltrip Wings, or Wendy Wings, the boneless variety celebrating intrepid SPEED reporter Wendy Venturini. Rutledge Rings and Hermie Chips and Salsa pay homage to the zany SPEED duo of Wood and Sadler, respectively, and fans can also purchase entrées like a Steve Byrnes Burrito, a Krista Voda Chicken Wrap, or a Jeff Hammond Hamburger. Tickets for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 weekend at Phoenix International Raceway are available now by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or visiting www.phoenixraceway.com.(PIR PR)(4-8-2009)
- Arizona Attorney General named PIR honorary race official: Arizona Attorney General Samuel “Terry” Goddard has been selected as an Honorary Race Official for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, April 18, PIR President Bryan R. Sperber announced. As an Honorary Race Official, Goddard will participate in pre-race ceremonies for the first official night race of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, the Subway Fresh Fit 500. Goodard will welcome the drivers of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to Phoenix International Raceway on behalf of the State of Arizona at the start/finish line, just before the fifth running of the annual spring Sprint Cup Series event at Phoenix International Raceway. Tickets for the April 18 Subway Fresh Fit 500 and all other events throughout the NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway are still available at www.phoenixraceway.com or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223).(PIR PR)(4-6-2009)
- Michael Strahan named grand marshal of Phoenix Cup race: Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan – who holds the NFL’s record for most sacks in a single season – has been named Grand Marshal for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, April 18. Strahan, a Subway national spokesperson and a NFL analyst for FOX will utter the most famous words in racing, giving the command of: “Gentlemen, start your engines!”
“I really appreciate the opportunity to be part of such an exciting event with my friends at Subway,” said Strahan. “My old team won the big game in Phoenix back in 2008, so I am happy to be headed back to the desert for another great experience. I look forward to cheering on my new Subway teammate, Carl Edwards, at the Subway Fresh Fit 500.” Tickets for the April NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway are available now by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or visiting www.phoenixraceway.com.(PIR)(4-4-2009)
- Phoenix to offer "Hot Laps for the Troops": To benefit Phoenix International Raceway’s annual Salute to Military Families program just prior to the events of the April NASCAR weekend, the track is offering race enthusiasts the chance to visit PIR for a high-speed ride around the track at $50 per person, with the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. The annual promotion, Hot Laps for the Troops, will take place on Wednesday, April 15 and Saturday, April 18. All proceeds from “Hot Laps for the Troops” will benefit the Salute to Military Families program, helping to provide tickets and race day entertainment for the many men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Without the military’s support and commitment to the liberty and freedom of the American population, the entertainment of NASCAR racing at PIR and venues across the country would not be possible. Tickets are currently available online at phoenixraceway.com, by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223), or by visiting the Gate 3 ticket office at the track (for Saturday session laps only). To pay additional honor to the many current and past members of the American military forces, PIR has unveiled a limited edition “Stars and Stripes” logo hat in time for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500, while supplies last.
Each special edition hat - navy and embroidered with a red, white, and blue Phoenix International Raceway logo - costs $30 and can be purchased online at www.phoenixraceway.com/starsandstripes or during the event weekend at PIR souvenir locations or the PIR Midway display. In addition, the Stars and Stripes hat will serve as the “Official Uniform Hat” at PIR for the event weekend. To top the American celebration off, one lucky fan wearing the Stars and Stripes hat will be spotted by a PIR representative and given the opportunity to ride in the patriotic-themed Phoenix International Raceway pace car to open the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 on Saturday, April 18. All proceeds from the special edition hat will support the Salute to Military Families program.(PIR PR)(3-27-2009)
- Hotel Room deal at Phoenix: Race fans visiting the Phoenix-area to watch the Subway Fresh Fit 500 – or locals looking for an engine-revving weekend getaway – can book a hotel room now through the Greater Phoenix CVB’s “Spring Stimulus” package starting at just $69 a night. Combine that with a $25 ticket for a reserved seat to NASCAR’s first official night race of the Sprint Cup season and PIR patrons will be hard-pressed to find a better deal. Fans may choose from a list of nearly 50 hotel specials offered by the Greater Phoenix CVB through April 30 as part of their Spring Stimulus package. Starting at just $69 per night, and with hotel offerings ranging from luxury resorts to more basic service options, there are accommodations to fit any fan’s tastes and budget. Local hotel and restaurant specials offered by the Greater Phoenix CVB can be found online at VisitPhoenix.com/SpringStimulus. Tickets for the April NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway are available now by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or visiting www.phoenixraceway.com.(PIR PR)(3-26-2009)
Daytona & Phoenix decrease grandstand seating: Daytona International Speedway and Phoenix International Speedway have decreased their seating capacity by 9,000 in the last year. Spokesmen for both tracks said the changes were the result of improvements made to certain grandstand sections. Daytona’s seating capacity shrank from 168,000 to 159,000, the result of a frontstretch grandstand project that began in August, according to DIS spokesman Andrew Booth. The renovation project replaced lower aluminum seating in the DePalma and Oldfield grandstands (located near Turn 4) as well as the Seagrave, Keech and Lockhart grandstands (located near Turn 1) with chair seats with arm rests.
Phoenix’s capacity shrank from 76,000 to 67,000. The Phoenix changes, according to PIR spokesman Paul Corliss, came from the track’s replacing of temporary bleacher limited-view seating on the backstretch with high-end recreational vehicle and hospitality spots. “You’ll continue to see us evolve and expand or contract as necessary,” ISC spokesman Wes Harris said. “The nice thing is you can do other things that can make a lot of sense.” The changes were not announced, but track operator International Speedway Corp.’s annual financial filing lists the capacity for each of its tracks. None of ISC’s other tracks had seating capacity that changed by more than 2,000 seats.(SceneDaily)(1-31-2009)
- Phoenix offers $25 Ticket: Want to see a first-rate concert in the Phoenix area anytime soon? Prepare to shell out at least $25 – several times over. Looking for an old-fashioned night out … say, dinner and a movie? Again, you'll pay at least $25. Care to park the car at either event? Rarely does such a luxury come cheap – or without cost. With sights firmly set on giving race fans the “best value in NASCAR,” Phoenix International Raceway is offering a $25 Sprint Cup Series reserved seat and a $7 Nationwide Series reserved seat for the NASCAR event weekend scheduled for April 16-18. Combine the two and fans can attend the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™, Bashas' Supermarkets 200, and Sprint Cup Series qualifying on Gatorade Pole Day for just $32. Throw in free daily on-site parking with regular tram service – not to mention a wide array of musical entertainment and interactive fun from PIR's Midway – and fans in the Valley of the Sun have one of sports and entertainment's best deals at their fingertips. Tickets for the April NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway are available now by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or visiting www.phoenixraceway.com.(1-26-2009)
- PIR denies losing a race date: Phoenix International Raceway president Bryan R. Sperber and a NASCAR spokesman discounted a report this week in a Kansas City newspaper that said PIR's Subway Fresh Fit 500 could shift to Kansas Speedway in 2010 or 2011.(East Valley Tribune)(11-8-2008)
