Phoenix International Raceway:The Desert Jewel
Phoenix International Raceway Races:
The Phoenix International Raceway's nickname is 'The Desert Jewel'. It should be called 'The Desert Oddball'. The racetrack has many unusual or ODD characteristics that make it one of the most unique stops on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit. The raceway was built in 1964 below the foothills of the Estrella Mountains. It was originally built for open wheel racing but in 1988 NASCAR came to town. By NASCAR's standards the track is flat which brings us to the first ODD characteristic, the turns, they are at different bankings which makes the race setups challenging to say the least. Turns 1 and 2 are banked at 11 degrees while turns 3 and 4 are banked at just 9 degrees. Not much of a difference, but what works on one end of the raceway probably won't work at the other end of the raceway. Then there is an ODD dogleg stuck in the middle of the backstretch. Combine these ODD characteristics of the raceway with the Phoenix heat and it makes for a slippery track. But when drivers figure out this track ...LOOK OUT. Just ask
Kevin Harvick,
and
Jimmie Johnson.
Harvick won both Phoenix races in 2006 and Johnson won three in a row including both races in 2008.
Another ODD thing about Phoenix is that it is a one mile oval and the spring race is called the Subway Fresh 500 and the fall race is called the Checker Auto Parts 500. Each race is 312 laps. How can they be called 500 mile races?...they're not! 312 laps around a one mile speedway equals 312 miles but it also equals 500 kilometers. The races are measured in kilometers not miles...just one of many ODD things about the Phoenix International Raceway. The very first NASCAR race at the Phoenix International Raceway was memorable for an ODD celebration by the winning driver. Alan Kulwicki won the first NASCAR race which was his first career victory. To celebrate his victory after the race he turned around and drove around the track clockwise, the opposite direction he drove all race long. He called it the 'Polish Victory Lap'. It was a way that he could have the driver's side of the car near the stands so he could salute the race fans. Today the 'Polish Victory Lap' is not so odd. Some drivers do a 'Polish Victory Lap'. Some drivers do a burnout. But most drivers do a combination of both where they turn around and drive back to the start finish line and then do a burnout. I like to call this celebration the 'Polish Victory Burnout'. Since the races are only 500 miles...umm I mean 500 kilometers long it is a relatively short race. Drivers are more aggressive all race long which makes for better racing. Drivers have to get up on the wheel and drive to the front since there isn't a lot of time in these races. They can't just drive around 'saving their stuff' until the end. Despite all its oddities the Phoenix International Raceway is a great place to watch a race.
Have A Great Story About Phoenix International Raceway?Since I can't get to all the races I want my visitors to contribute their experiences and tips from Phoenix International Raceway. If you have a picture, That's Great! You can include that too! Return from Phoenix International Raceway to Speedway Guide
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