This is the story of a track that was famous for its grandstand that stood on the edge of a dry lake bed. The grandstand was a perfect circle with seating for 80,000 spectators. The track was also known for its colorful legacy of ownership. There is now a blank space where the grandstand once stood at Phoenix International Raceway. It’s a testament to the passing of time and the power of progress.
A Legendary Track
Phoenix is one of the older NASCAR tracks. It opened in 1962 and it was originally known as Phoenix International Raceway. The track underwent a major renovation in 2007 and since then it has become one of the most popular venues for motorsport in the United States. In 2017, the track registered more than 300,000 visitors with the help of its sister track, New York’s Watkins Glen. Over the years, Phoenix has hosted some of NASCAR‘s biggest races. The most notable include the 1968 and 1972 Grand National Championships as well as multiple victories by NASCAR legend Richard Petty.
The track is also home to the World Championship in Short Course Truck Racing. This is an annual tournament that pits the champions of North America against each other. It’s a battle for supremacy that pits NASCAR‘s top trucks against each other on a short course. The winner is decided by the number of laps led. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch are the most recent World Champions, prevailing in 2017 over more than 70 other drivers in a grueling 10-race season.
The highlight of the weekend for many NASCAR fans is the Sunday race. This is when the whole world gets to watch as the best drivers in the world compete for glory. The races at Phoenix are always good especially when the track has been freshly watered. The sight of the green track in the middle of the desert is an unbelievable sight.
From Grandstand To Grand Canyon
The most prominent structure at Phoenix International Raceway is unquestionably the grandstand. This is an 860-foot-tall circular structure (withstanding a height limit of 150 feet) that is topped by a spire that rises above the desert. The grandstand is made up of a steel truss frame that supports a grand total of 23,000 seats. The truss design also provides for an open-air experience for those who are lucky enough to be there when the temperatures reach extreme highs or lows.
The grandstand was opened in 1962 and underwent renovations in 1979, 2003 and 2007. The latest renovation was a welcome sight for many NASCAR fans. Before the 2017 season started, the track’s grandstands were closed to make room for an expanded paddock area and additional parking spaces. It was during this renovation that the iconic arch that stood at the entrance to the track was destroyed. It was later revealed that the space previously occupied by the arch was to be the site of the new media center for Fox Sports.
After the arch was razed, the question on everyone’s mind was: what happened to it? There were some initial reports that the architect had been paid in full and the space would be reused. However, it soon became apparent that this was not the case. The grandstands remained closed while the architect tried to figure out what to do with the site – with no clear answer. Then, in the middle of April, less than two months before the start of the 2017 season, it was announced that a new media center would be constructed at a cost of $10.5 million.
‘A Life-changing Moment’
The problem was that the architect was not the only one who had a hard time finding a use for the space. The track itself was also having a hard time figuring out what to do with the abandoned area. The closest thing to a solution that the track came up with was to sell the right to host the U.S. Grand Prix to Formula One. It was a bold bid that paid off as the United States is now the only country to hold an annual Grand Prix. It’s one of the premier sporting events in the world and it’s a great way to draw a crowd and an international audience to the track. Even if you’re not a motorsport enthusiast, the U.S. Grand Prix is a must-see event. It’s a testament to the power of branding and the ability of a sport to capitalize on its international profile.
Whether you’re a motorsport fan or not, it’s hard to avoid hearing or seeing news footage of the incredible space that is now occupied by the U.S. Grand Prix. This is also the home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This is where all of NASCAR‘s greatest drivers and teams are honored for their contribution to the sport. This is a momentous moment for anyone who has ever dreamed of walking in the footsteps of some of racing’s greatest names.
The U.S. Grand Prix is just one of the many marquee events that take place at Phoenix this year. This includes the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Monster Energy NASCAR XFINITY Series and Monster Energy AMA Supercross.