Phoenix International Raceway

Situated at the base of the Estrella Mountains west of Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix International Raceway presents a unique set of challenges for Nextel Cup drivers.

Conceived as a venue for open-wheeled racing, Phoenix International Raceway opened in 1964, but it wasn't until 1988 that NASCAR first brought the Winston Cup Series to the one-mile flat track known as "The Desert Jewel." Though the Indy Cars have competed at Phoenix International Raceway on 58 occasions, the track's NASCAR weekend in November is one of the most important sports events in Arizona. Not only do the Nextel Cup cars race on the one-mile oval that presents a different set of challenges in every corner, but the weekend also includes the Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series and Featherlite Southwest Series.

Located at 7602 South 115th Avenue, approximately 20 miles west-southwest of the downtown area, Phoenix International Raceway is readily accessible from I-10. With continuing development since its opening in 1964, this venue is now considered one of the country's best.

Phoenix International Raceway is one of the circuit's trickiest flat tracks, with an imposing concrete wall looming at the exit of Turn 2. The first two turns are banked at a modest 11 degrees, with Turns 3 and 4 banked at 9 degrees. The straights are flat. The late Alan Kulwicki won the first Winston Cup race held at Phoenix International Raceway, the Checker 500, in 1988. Rusty Wallace set the track record of 134.178 mph during qualifying for the 2000 Checker/Dura-Lube 500. Jeff Burton (2000, 2001) and the late Davey Allison (1991, 1992) are the only back-to-back winners at Phoenix.

Richard Petty won the first Winston Cup race held at the track, the 1974 Purolator 500. Tony Stewart holds the qualifying record of 172.391 mph, set during time trials for the 2000 Pocono 500. Bill Elliott has won five times at Pocono, which annually hosts Cup races in June and July. Wallace, Darrell Waltrip and the late Tim Richmond are tied for second with four wins each.

A "flat" track in the Arizona desert, Phoenix presents a different challenge in every corner.

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