Phoenix International Raceway and its parent company, International Speedway Corp., are making robust capital improvements to the facilities surrounding the track located in the Arizona desert just outside of Phoenix.
Phoenix International Raceway to get $178 million makeover
The remodel will see PIR construct a new grandstand and relocate the start/finish to just before its infamous dog-leg turn.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The renovations will include the construction of a new 45,000-seat grandstand that will see PIR do away with its bench-style seats and install stadium-style seats throughout and improved in-seat Wi-Fi capability. This grandstand will be located on what is now PIR’s backstretch, but will be re-positioned as the frontstretch with the start/finish line moving being moved to what is now Turn 2. The current frontstretch grandstand will be demolished and turned into RV parking.
The new start/finish will be now be right before the track’s dog-leg kink, which typically features drivers attempting dive-bomb passes. Outside of this shift, the one-mile track itself will not be modified in any way. The track was originally built in 1964, and most recently was reconfigured and repaved in 2011.
“When our project is completed, we will have a venue that delivers amazing fan experiences to go along with our reputation for great racing action,” PIR president Bryan R. Sperber said. “By shifting the start/finish line to Phoenix Raceway’s famed dog leg, fans will be perfectly positioned to watch one of the most exciting turns in motorsports.”
Additionally, a fan zone will be built inside Turn 1 that will place fans inside the Cup Series garage where they can see up close the drivers, crews, and cars. Also nearby will be victory lane and an access tunnel that takes fans outside to the midway carnival area outside the track.
Total capacity will remain around 50,000, which includes seating in the grandstands, suites, the RV lot that will overlook the track, and general admission located on “Rattlesnake Hill.”
The project is projected to cost $178 million and scheduled to be completed by November 2018, in advance for PIR’s traditional fall NASCAR weekend. The face lift will not interfere with the track hosting two NASCAR national series race weekends and an IndyCar race in the spring.
ISC recently completed a $400 million renovation of Daytona International Speedway, the site of NASCAR’s signature race, the Daytona 500.
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