Phoenix to keep 2 cup races
International Speedway Corp., which owns PIR and 11 other tracks, is expected to ask NASCAR to transfer a date so Kansas Speedway can have a second event. A hotel-casino is to be built near Kansas Speedway.
PIR, plus Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., and Martinsville (Va.) Speedway have been mentioned as tracks which might lose a Cup race.
"All the tracks, including Daytona, have one-year deals," PIR President Bryan Sperber said. "I'm always worried, and we're always trying to do the best job we can for the fans and the series.
"Having said that, I think the state and the Valley have demonstrated a terrific level of support for both races. Some of the tracks that were awarded a second date, frankly, struggled. If you look at the community support, the sponsors and teams are happy to come to Phoenix twice a year, the television networks love it, you add up all those things, and I think we make a good case that Phoenix deserves to have two dates."
NASCAR President Mike Helton told The Republic that ISC has not yet formally requested a change.
"As I sit here today, I don't know what their request might look like," Helton said before Saturday's Subway Fresh Fit 600.
"I like the Phoenix area. A lot of other people do. From the standpoint of a sports league, it's a great sports town. We've been very pleased."
Next year's spring race could be scheduled for March or April. A good sign for Valley fans: ISC is considering major improvements at PIR in the next few years, including repaving the 1-mile oval, which hasn't happened since the early 1990s. Arizona Central