NASCAR TRACKS

Phoenix Raceway

Avondale, AZ
Phoenix Raceway Layout
Location:
Avondale, AZ
Founded:
1964
Spectator Capacity:
42,000
Surface:
Asphalt
Length:
1 mi
Turns:
4
Major Events:
Instacart 500, NASCAR Championship Race

TRACK BIOGRAPHY

Located in the suburb of Avondale, Phoenix Raceway was built in 1964. The backstretch features a dogleg design and originally served as the home for open-wheel racing in the southwest. NASCAR made its first journey to the desert in 1978, but the Cup Series did not take its first trip to Phoenix until 10 years later. With the Cup Series coming to town, Phoenix added more seats and a suite building outside of Turn 1. Alan Kulwicki won the inaugural Cup Series race.

Phoenix Raceway has undergone several changes throughout the years. In 2003, Turn 2 had the outside wall pushed further back to make for safer racing, and in 2005, the track added lights after NASCAR awarded the track a second race date. The biggest change to the track happened in 2017 with a $178 million renovation project that featured seating upgrades, suite renovations, new fan experience areas in the infield and a new midway outside of the track. The start/finish line was moved to just before the dogleg, pit road was reconfigured and more pit stalls were added.

Phoenix Raceway began hosting NASCAR Championship Weekend in 2020 with Chase Elliott winning the Cup Series title. The Cup Series and Xfinity Series also visit Phoenix in March.

TRACK PHOTOS

AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 08: A general view of the NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway on November 08, 2020 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 07: A general view of the track during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200 at Phoenix Raceway on November 07, 2020 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 08: <>during the NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway on November 08, 2020 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 14: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Offerpad Toyota, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Wurth Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Instacart 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 14, 2021 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) | Getty Images