With NASCAR returning to Phoenix Raceway October 16–18, it’s a perfect time to look back at a local landmark nestled at the foothills of the Estrella Mountains. For those of us who call this corner of the Valley home, race weekend brings a national spotlight to our backyard. This weekend’s events
The story began in 1964, when Phoenix International Raceway opened in Avondale. Scottsdale builder and amateur racer Richard Hogue envisioned an “Indianapolis of the West.” The original facility offered something for several kinds of racing fans: a one-mile oval, a 2.5-mile road course, and a quarter-mile drag strip.
Its first winner was sports car driver Davey MacDonald in February 1964. The following month, racing legend A.J. Foyt won the first oval race—a 100-mile event on March 22. Long before NASCAR became its biggest attraction, the raceway was already welcoming major racing talent to the desert. Phoenix Raceway’s official history
NASCAR’s Winston West series arrived in 1977, followed by the first Cup Series race on November 6, 1988. Alan Kulwicki won that inaugural Cup event and celebrated with his famous “Polish Victory Lap,” driving around the track in the opposite direction. It was also his first career Cup victory—a memorable milestone for both the driver and the raceway. The inaugural Cup race
Over the years, Phoenix Raceway has continued to evolve. A second annual Cup weekend arrived in 2005. A major renovation completed in 2018 brought new fan amenities and moved the start/finish line, putting the track’s distinctive dogleg at the heart of dramatic restarts. In 2020, Phoenix began hosting NASCAR’s championship weekend, with Chase Elliott becoming the first Cup champion crowned in a Phoenix finale. NASCAR’s look back through the years
Through all those changes, the Estrella Mountains have remained the backdrop. That’s what makes this place special to us: a nationally known racing destination set against the same desert landscape we enjoy close to home.
This weekend adds another chapter, with Truck Series racing Friday, the Timberland PRO 200 Saturday, and the Cup Series Freeway Insurance 500 Sunday, October 18, at noon Arizona time. Official race schedule
Whether you’re a longtime fan or simply curious about local history, Phoenix Raceway is a reminder that some remarkable stories are right in our own backyard.
If race weekend is part of your plans, Exclusive Transportation can help you get there and back. We provide event transportation for our clients, whether you’re heading to the track with friends, hosting guests, or planning a group outing. Contact Exclusive Transportation to arrange your ride and enjoy a day of racing beneath the Estrella Mountains.
What’s your favorite memory of Phoenix Raceway—or do you still call it PIR?
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