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Coordinates: 33°22′29″N 112°18′40″W / 33.37475°N 112.31115°W / 33.37475; -112.31115
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'''Phenoix International Raceway''' is a 1-mile, low-banked [[tri-oval]] race track located in [[Avondale, Arizona]], near [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]. The [[motorsport]] track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two [[NASCAR]] race weekends and 1 [[IndyCar Series]] race weekend annually. Phoenix Raceway has also hosted the [[Champ Car|CART]], [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] and the [[WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]]. The raceway is currently owned and operated by [[International Speedway Corporation]].
'''ISM Raceway''' is a 1-mile, low-banked [[tri-oval]] race track located in [[Avondale, Arizona]], near [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]. The [[motorsport]] track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two [[NASCAR]] race weekends and 1 [[IndyCar Series]] race weekend annually. Phoenix Raceway has also hosted the [[Champ Car|CART]], [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] and the [[WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]]. The raceway is currently owned and operated by [[International Speedway Corporation]].


The raceway was originally constructed with a {{convert|2.5|mi}} [[road course]] that ran on both the inside and the outside of the main tri-oval. In 1991 the track was reconfigured with the current {{convert|1.51|mi}} interior layout. ISM 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.
The raceway was originally constructed with a {{convert|2.5|mi}} [[road course]] that ran on both the inside and the outside of the main tri-oval. In 1991 the track was reconfigured with the current {{convert|1.51|mi}} interior layout. ISM 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.

Revision as of 14:44, 11 February 2018

ISM Raceway
ISM Raceway in November 2011
Location7602 S Avondale Boulevard
Avondale, Arizona 85323
United States
Time zoneUTC−7
Capacity51,000[1]
Opened1964
Former namesPhoenix International Raceway (1964 - 2014, 2016- 2017)

Jeff Gordon Raceway (2015)

Phoenix Raceway (2017)
Major eventsMonster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Verizon IndyCar Series
NASCAR Xfinity Series
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Websitehttps://www.phoenixraceway.com/
Dogleg oval
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1 miles (1.6447 km)
Turns4
BankingTurns 1 & 2: 10–11°
Dogleg: 10–11°
Turn 3: 8°
Turn 4: 8–9°
Backstretch: 10°, 8°
Frontstretch: 3°
Race lap record18.8701 (194.975 MPH) (Hélio Castroneves, Penske Racing, 2017, IndyCar Series)
Road course (1991–2011)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.51 miles (2.43 km)
Turns13
Road course (1964–1991)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2 miles (3.2 km)

ISM 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 and 1 IndyCar Series race weekend annually. Phoenix Raceway has also hosted the CART, USAC and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The raceway is currently owned and operated by International Speedway Corporation.

The raceway was originally constructed with a 2.5 miles (4.0 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 current 1.51 miles (2.43 km) interior layout. ISM 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.

ISM 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.[2]

History

Phoenix 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 roadcourse was 2 miles (3.2 km) in length and ran both inside and outside of the main oval track.[3] The hillsides adjacent to the track also offer a unique vantage point to watch races from. "Monument Hill", located alongside turns 3 and 4, 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.[4]

Phoenix Raceway in 1989

Phoenix 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.[3] In 1977, the first Copper World Classic was held, a marque event for USAC midget and Silver Crown cars.[5]

NASCAR began racing at Phoenix Raceway in 1978. However, it was not until 1988 when NASCAR's premier series, now the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, began racing at the track. Following the announcement of NASCAR being added to the track schedule, Phoenix 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".[5]

Phoenix Raceway infield in 2004

In 1991, the old 2.5 miles (4.0 km) road course was removed and replaced by a 1.51 miles (2.43 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 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 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 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.[5]

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 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.[5]

In November 2010, ISC and the Avondale City Council announced plans for a $100 million long-term development for Phoenix 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.[6] The front stretch was widened from 52 feet to 62 feet (19 m), the pit stalls were changed from asphalt to concrete, the dogleg (between Turn 2 and Turn 3) was moved outward by 95 feet (29 m), tightening the turn radius of the dogleg from 800 feet to 500 feet (152 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 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.”[7][8] The infield road course was also sealed off and removed from use, making Phoenix Raceway an oval-only facility.[7] 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.[6]

On June 11, 2015, Phoenix 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.[9]

After a 2016 INDYCAR Test in the West, INDYCAR measured the track as 1.022 miles (1.645 km).

On January 30, 2017, Phoenix Raceway and ISC announced a $178 million renovation called the Phoenix Raceway Project Powered by DC Solar. The project will be completed by November 2018.[10] It was also noted that the facility would be referred to as Phoenix Raceway moving forward, signaling the removal of International from the tracks name.[11]

New amenities once completed:[12]

  • 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 will be:

  • Removal of the current front stretch grandstands.
  • Moving of the start / finish line to the area between the current turn 1 and the dogleg, thus flipping the turn numbering.
  • Reconfiguration of pit road to include:
    • Moving the pit entrance down the new backstretch (current front straightaway) and the exit to just past the new start / finish line.
    • Extending pit road stalls around the new turn 4 (current 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 (current 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.[13]

Racing events

Current events

Previous events

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series stats

Records

(As of 3/15/15)

Most Wins 8 Kevin Harvick
Most Top 5s 14 Jimmie Johnson
Most Top 10s 21 Mark Martin
Most Top 20s 32 Mark Martin
Starts 34 Mark Martin
Poles 4 Ryan Newman
Most Laps Completed 9530 Mark Martin
Most Laps Led 1202 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

  • (*) 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
2005 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
2006 November 13 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 312 mi 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
2007 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
2008 November 9 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Impala SS 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
2009 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
2010 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
2011 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
2012 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
2013 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
2014 November 9 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet SS 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
2015 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
2016 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
2017 November 12 Matt Kenseth Toyota Camry 318.844 mi 105.534 mph (169.841 km/h) 1.207 sec

Track records

Record Date Driver Time Speed/Avg. Speed
Verizon 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)
Monster Energy 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 Camping World 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)
NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
Qualifying November 12, 2011 Greg Pursley 26.894 136.804 mph (220.165 km/h)[14]
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:[15]

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

See also

References

  1. ^ "Phoenix International Raceway Track News, Records & Links". jayski.com. jayski.com. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "The best seat in NASCAR isn't really a seat at all". Nascar.com. August 12, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Phoenix Raceway". Autoracing.com. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  4. ^ Caraviello, David (April 12, 2008). "The best seat in NASCAR isn't really a seat at all". Nascar.com. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d "Timeline". Phoenixraceway.com. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  6. ^ a b Madrid, David. "PIR starts its engine on $100M expansion". azcentral.com. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
  7. ^ a b http://www.phoenixraceway.com/Articles/2011/02/Track-Repave.aspx
  8. ^ Montedonico, Ben (February 26, 2011). "A Layout Of The Phoenix International Raceway Reconfiguration". StockCar Spin. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  9. ^ Knight, Michael (June 11, 2015). "PIR to be renamed in honor of Jeff Gordon for fall race". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  10. ^ http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2017/1/30/phoenix-raceway-project-plans-news-finish-line.html
  11. ^ Jeff Gluck [@jeff_gluck] (January 30, 2017). "More Phoenix tidbits: — Track using "Phoenix Raceway" in marketing now. — No more infield camping" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ http://www.phoenixraceway.com/The-New-Phoenix-Raceway/New-Amenities.aspx
  13. ^ Knight, Michael (September 25, 2017). "Phoenix International Raceway to become ISM Raceway starting in 2018". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  14. ^ Green, Kevin (November 12, 2011). "Qualifying: Pursley Tops The Field". NASCAR Home Tracks. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  15. ^ "Race Results at Phoenix International Raceway". racing-reference.info. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
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