| The Phoenix International Raceway hosts a | | | | may the same length as those two Nextel Cup |
| variety of NASCAR and IRL events throughout | | | | Series venues, but thats where the similarity ends. |
| the year. The Phoenix International Raceway was | | | | Carl has three wins in the all-new car series and |
| opened in 1988, and the Checkers Auto Parts | | | | could have had a fourth. Thats close to |
| course is 312 miles long - which equals 312 laps - | | | | domination of the seven races so far but the |
| and last year's race had an average speed of 103 | | | | good result have come on the super speedways, |
| MPH. For all sections of this top raceway the | | | | not the two short tracks. Cars get together and |
| tickets are great and your sure to enjoy the | | | | hook up in that second groove. But you can pass |
| Checker Auto Parts 500 that is run there each | | | | just about anywhere on this racetrack. Carved |
| year. | | | | from the foothills of Estrella Mountains in 1964 the |
| The Phoenix International Raceway, built in 1964, | | | | Phoenix International Raceway was a new star in |
| boasts the world's fastest one-mile oval paved | | | | the world of open-wheeled racing when it was |
| track for auto racing, and the Manzanita | | | | opened. It wasn't until 1988, when NASCAR came |
| Speedway holds Sprint, midget, and stockcar | | | | to Phoenix that the raceway became truly |
| races. The Phoenix International Raceway was | | | | world-class sporting venue. |
| opened in 1988, and the Checkers Auto Parts | | | | PIR provides two great NASCAR weekends, one |
| course is 312 miles long - which equals 312 laps - | | | | in the fall, and one in the spring. Fans from all over |
| and last year's race had an average speed of 103 | | | | visit the Valley of the Sun for these two great |
| MPH. | | | | weekends filled with the best in Sprint, Busch and |
| Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) is a great | | | | Craftsman Truck Series racing. PIR is easy to get |
| track to visit if you want to experience NASCAR | | | | to from downtown. Take I-10 west to Avondale |
| but on a smaller scale compared to much larger | | | | Blvd (formerly 115th Avenue), and drive south |
| tracks and spectators. It's easier to bring the kids | | | | (left) for 6 miles. PIR is now in the outer suburbs |
| to this track because it is smaller and therefore | | | | of the fast-expanding Arizona city. The track |
| the crowds are smaller. Phoenix International | | | | hosted its first USAC Indy car races in 1964 with |
| Raceway is one of the most unique tracks on the | | | | AJ Foyt winning the 100-mile event and Lloyd |
| NASCAR schedule. Phoenix International Raceway | | | | Ruby a 200-miler but it remained underdeveloped. |