Nestled at the foot of the Estrella Mountains in Avondale, Arizona, Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) is the outstanding venue for auto racing and other motor sports in the Southwestern U.S. The track is a one-mile oval with a bend in the backstretch. PIR also offers a 2.5 mile road course. These facilities have been used not only for NASCAR but also for events including IRL (Indy Racing League), Rolex Sports Car Series, and the prestigious 'Copper World Classic.'
Phoenix International is the home of two events on the NASCAR Sprint Series 36-race calendar:
* On a Saturday in April, PIR hosts the Subway Fresh Fit 500. That race is preceded by a big event in the Nationwide Series, the Bashas' Supermarkets 200, on Friday.
* In the fall you can join in a long-weekend festival of motor sports as Phoenix International hosts the Lucas Oil 150 Camping World Truck Series, and the Nationwide Series' Arizona 200, all leading up to the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil, which comes right near the end of the Chase for the Cup.
Coast To Coast has your tickets for any or all of these NASCAR races.
The PIR opened in 1964. The first win on the oval course went to the legendary A.J. Foyt. Over the years, speed records on the track have been set and broken by the likes of Mario Andretti (first to average 120 miles per hour), Al and Bobby Unser, Rick Mears, Michael Andretti, and Bryan Herta (who pushed the mark over 180 mph). However, one of Phoenix International Raceway's most famous winners is best remembered for his career in Hollywood - actor Steve McQueen.
Continually being improved to enhance your racing experience, Phoenix International got a special upgrade in 2004 which required more than 1000 light fixtures and 70 miles of wiring; the result is a raceway that shines as brightly as 10,357 city blocks of lighting! The Subway Fresh 500 of 2005 inaugurated PIR racing under the lights.
Along with racing, the Phoenix area offers professional and college sporting events all year round, and Coast to Coast offers the tickets to see them. Be sure to enjoy the Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), or Phoenix Coyotes (NHL), as well as the Arizona State Sun Devils (NCAA).
