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Phoenix International Raceway, also called PIR for short, is a one mile tri-oval asphalt race track located in Avondale, Arizona. It opened in 1964, as the new home of major open-wheel racing in the Phoenix area, replacing the track at the Arizona State Fairgrounds as an automobile racing venue. Unfortunately, due to a change in focus by the track's current owners, ISC, the Phoenix area's long history of hosting Indy-style racing came to an abrupt end in 2005, when PIR failed to host an Indy Racing League event for the first time. Ironically, stock car racing's top series, NASCAR's Nextel Cup, didn't even run at PIR until 1988. Their inaugural race was won by the late Alan Kulwicki, who debuted his Polish Victory Lap here after taking the checkered flag.
PIR has a unique tri-oval shape, with a curve in middle of its backstretch between turns two and three, commonly referred to as "the dogleg". This exists because the original builders were constrained by both the rocky hills located on the property and their incorporation of an external road course and dragstrip into PIR's design. Once nearby Firebird International Raceway became a regular stop on drag racing tours, PIR's dragstrip was rarely used. The external road course, which was used mainly for private testing and as parking lot access roads during oval events, was later replaced by the current infield road circuit. Prior to construction of a tunnel under turn four in 2004-05, the only access to the PIR's infield during events was via crossovers, where the old external road course and dragstrip intersected the oval. Once the tunnel was built, the crossovers were permanently sealed off.
The other notable feature of PIR is the presence of the "Hillside", a fan-favorite viewing area located on Monument Hill just outside of turn four. At the top of this hill lies a USGS bench marker. Long before PIR existed, this spot was the original land survey point for all of what later became the state of Arizona. The original surveyors chose this location to begin their work because it is the nearest high ground from the confluence of the Salt River and the Gila River, and offered a great view after only a gentle climb.
In 2005, the track hosted a second NASCAR Nextel Cup race event, replacing the spring race formerly held at Darlington Raceway, in South Carolina. The track currently hosts the annual Subway Fresh Fit 500, considered one of NASCAR's top annual races.
In a poll conducted by Sports Illustrated, 12 percent of NASCAR drivers voted PIR as their favorite track. That was enough for a second place tie with Atlanta Motor Speedway. David Reutimann said he "loves that place. It's just a weird-shaped racetrack, and I grew up racing on stuff that was odd-shaped. I think I like it because it's not the normal track. It's flat and fast."
Previous events help at the Phoenix International Raceway, PIR, include the USAC - Phoenix 150, the Indy Lights - Phoenix 75, the CART - Slick-50 200, the IRL - XM Satellite Radio Indy 200 and the Rolex Sports Car Series - The GAINSCO Grand Prix.
Current events held at the Phoenix International Raceway, PIR, include the NASCAR Nextel Cup - Subway Fresh Fit 500, the NASCAR Nextel Cup - Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil, the NASCAR Busch Series - Bashas' Supermarkets 200, the NASCAR Busch Series - Arizona.Travel 200 and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - Phoenix 150.
PIR Ticket Office
Telephone: 1-866-408-RACE (7223)
Telephone for after hours and weekends: 1-800-PITSHOP
TDD: 1-866-ISC-TRAK (For hearing impaired callers)
PIR Track and Event Shipping Address
7602 South Avondale Boulevard
Avondale, Arizona 85323
Telephone: 623-772-2000
PIR Administration Offices Mailing Address
125 South Avondale Boulevard, Suite 200
Avondale, Arizona 85323
Telephone: 623-463-5400
Phoenix International Raceway, PIR, Website
Hotels near Phoenix International Raceway, PIR, in Avondale, Arizona
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