More on Phoenix Raceway

Kyle Larson Admits Phoenix Struggles Despite Breaking Denny Hamlin’s Championship Dreams

Kyle Larson admits Phoenix wasn’t his strongest race but still outpaced his title rivals, noticably ending Denny Hamlin’s championship hopes.
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 08: Denny Hamlin ( 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Mavis Tire Toyota) and Kyle Larson ( 5 Hendrick Motorspor

Kyle Larson Reveals Why His Second NASCAR Cup Title Felt So Different

Kyle Larson reflects on his 2025 NASCAR Cup title journey, revealing how experience and calm defined his second championship.
Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson Breaks Down Strategy That Turned Desperation Into Championship

Kyle Larson reveals the bold two-tire calls, late-race chaos, and gutsy strategy that transformed a desperate night into a championship win.
NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Championship

5 Biggest Surprises and 5 Biggest Disappointments in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Season

Who were the biggest surprises and disappointments of the 2025 NASCAR Cup season? We give our five best (or worst) in each category
NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Championship

Denny Hamlin Hands Reality Check to Connor Zilisch After Phoenix Heartbreak

Both Denny Hamlin and Connor Zilisch suffered similar championship losses, but Hamlin handed Zilisch a brutal reality check.
Denny Hamlin Connor Zilisch

Denny Hamlin Reveals How a Heartwarming Fan Interaction Reframed His Championship Perspective

Denny Hamlin shares how a touching fan encounter reshaped his outlook after the 2025 championship heartbreak.
denny hamlin lost

Richard Childress’ 2025 Champion Responds to Fan Outrage Over NASCAR Format

Richard Childress Racing's latest Xfinity champion sparks fan debate, as NASCAR’s playoff format faces renewed scrutiny after Phoenix.
TALLADEGA, AL – APRIL 20: Team owner Richard Childress during qualifying for the GEICO 500 NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup S

Denny Hamlin Credits Carl Edwards for His Off-Track Mindset Amid Championship Heartbreak

Denny Hamlin credits Carl Edwards for helping him develop a healthier off-track outlook as he copes with not winning a championship.
denny-hamlin-carl-edwards-nascar

Fans React Loudly as Denny Hamlin Confirms No 36-Race Chase Format

Fans erupt as Denny Hamlin openly denounces NASCAR’s 36-race chase, sparking loud reactions across social media.
denny hamlin lost

Kyle Busch Plots Stronger Comeback In 2026 After RCR Makes Internal Shifts

Kyle Busch is gearing up for a stronger 2026 season as RCR undergoes key internal changes aimed at improving performance.
NASCAR: Cup Series-Practice and Qualifying

“Leave Me Alone”- Denny Hamlin Breaks Silence on Crew Chief Disconnect

Denny Hamlin reflects on a challenging NASCAR season, navigating highs, lows, and a crucial offseason reset.
denny hamlin phoenix loss

Denny Hamlin Dismisses 36-Race Championship Format With Scathing Dig at “Mediocre People”

Denny Hamlin opens up on his heartbreaking 2025 finale, playoff frustrations, and what could shape his NASCAR future.
Denny Hamlin

About Phoenix Raceway

article-image

USA Today via Reuters

Phoenix Raceway - Latest News, Winners, Qualifying, Track

Phoenix Raceway is a one-mile, tri-oval race track situated in Avondale, Arizona, close to Phoenix. The motorsport track opened in 1964 and presently hosts two NASCAR races yearly.

Phoenix Raceway has additionally facilitated the CART, IndyCar Series, USAC, and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The raceway is presently claimed and operated by NASCAR.

The raceway was initially built with a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) street course that ran on both within and the outside of the primary tri-oval. In 1991, the track was reconfigured with the current 1.51-mile (2.43 km) inside design.

Phoenix Raceway, at present, has an expected seating limit of around 51,000. Lights were introduced around the track in 2004 after the expansion of a second yearly NASCAR race.

History

Phoenix Raceway is home to two yearly NASCAR races, one of 13 tracks on the NASCAR timetable to have more than one race a year. It originally joined the NASCAR Cup Series plan for 1988 as a late-season occasion, and in 2005 the track was given a spring date.

The now-NASCAR Camping World Truck Series was included in 1995 and the now-NASCAR Xfinity Series started running there in 1999.

NASCAR reported that its final race would be run at Phoenix for 2020, denoting the first run-through since NASCAR inaugurated the weekend that Homestead-Miami Speedway would not be the host track. The track will likewise hold the title for the 2021 NASCAR Cup season.

Phoenix International Raceway was built in 1964 around the Estrella Mountains on the edges of Avondale. Due to the landscape and the fuse of a street course and drag strip, creators needed to assemble a "dogleg" into the backstretch.

The first road course was two miles (3.2 km) long and ran both inside and outside of the fundamental oval track. The slopes nearby the track likewise offer an exceptional vantage highlight. "Landmark Hill," situated close to turns 3 and 4, is a top choice among race fans on account of the novel view and lower ticket costs.

At the highest point of this slope lies a USGS seat marker known as Gila and Salt River Meridian, presently recorded on the National Register of Historic Places. Some time before Phoenix Raceway existed, this spot was the first land study point for all of what later turned into the territory of Arizona.

Phoenix International Raceway was built with the objective of being the western home of open wheel racing. Sports vehicles and USAC started dashing at the track in 1964, and the track immediately turned into a top pick of drivers and before long supplanted the old track at the Arizona State Fairgrounds.

In 1977, the main Copper World Classic was held, a marque occasion for USAC dwarf and Silver Crown vehicles.

2021 Race

Martin Truex Jr. got into the lead on a late restart during the Instacart 500 and cruised to his first victory of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.

The driver took the checkered flag ahead of the field by 1.698 seconds to snap a 29-race winless streak and earn his first Cup Series win at Phoenix Raceway.

Quick Facts

Location7602 S Avondale Boulevard Avondale, Arizona 85323 United States
OperatorNASCAR
Major EventsNASCAR Cup Series

Instacart 500 (Spring, 2005–present)

Season Finale 500 (Fall, 1988–present)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Call 811 Before You Dig 200 (Spring, 2005–present)

Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200 (Fall, 1999–present)

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Lucas Oil 150 (1995–present)

Length1.000 mi (1.609 km)
Most WinsKevin Harvick (9)
Most StartsMark Martin (34)
PolesRyan Newman (4)