HISTORY OF THE PHOENIX RACEWAY

Phoenix Raceway is a 1-mile dogleg-oval located in Avondale, just outside Phoenix, Arizona. Originally opened in 1964, the track was purchased by the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and has since evolved into one of NASCAR’s most important and distinctive venues. Over the decades, it has also hosted IndyCar, ARCA, NHRA, and various regional events, cementing its reputation as one of the most versatile racing facilities in the United States.

The NASCAR Cup Series made its debut at Phoenix on November 6, 1988, when Alan Kulwicki famously claimed his first career win. IndyCar had already made its mark at the venue in the 1960s, and the NASCAR Truck Series joined the schedule in 1995 with Mike Skinner taking the inaugural victory.

As NASCAR’s popularity in the Southwest grew, Phoenix Raceway earned two annual Cup dates – a spring race that anchors the western leg of the schedule and a fall event that plays a key role in the NASCAR Playoffs. The latter has become one of the most anticipated weekends of the season, often shaping the path to the championship.

The circuit’s distinctive dogleg on the backstretch, progressive banking, and multiple racing grooves make it a fan-favourite for close finishes and strategic battles. Permanent lights were added in 2011, enabling dramatic night racing. In 2024, fans witnessed one of the closest finishes in NASCAR history when Kyle Larson edged Chris Buescher by just 0.001 seconds at the spring race – the narrowest margin ever recorded at Phoenix.

Many legends have excelled here. Kevin Harvick holds a record nine NASCAR Cup Series wins at Phoenix, followed by stars like Jimmie Johnson (4), Joey Logano (3), and Kyle Larson (3). In recent years, Larson has been especially dominant, while Ross Chastain’s Playoff triumph in 2024 added new excitement to the track’s legacy.

The Xfinity and Truck Series have also delivered countless highlights. Jeff Green won the first Xfinity race in 1997, and Kyle Busch, a native of nearby Las Vegas, has taken multiple victories across both series. Rising stars such as Christopher Bell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Corey Heim have also earned breakthrough wins here. In the ARCA competition, Jason Jarrett won the first race in 2001, followed by notable names including Frank Kimmel, Alex Bowman, and Ty Gibbs.