Castroneves kicks off Phoenix groundbreaking
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| From Left: President of Competition and Operations for INDYCAR Jay Frye, Tom Sneva, Phoenix Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber, Verizon IndyCar Series driver Helio Castroneves, Lyn St. James and Dick Simon |
| courtesy Phoenix Raceway |
With the help of Phoenix Raceway’s “Speed King" Helio Castroneves, Phoenix Raceway officially broke ground on the Phoenix Raceway Project Powered by DC Solar today during a special ceremony at its second annual Verizon IndyCar Series “Prix View" Testing event.
"To officially have this project underway is a tremendous feeling for our organization, fans, community and the entire state of Arizona," said Phoenix Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber. "This has been the culmination of years of hard work by so many individuals, and to see this day finally here gives us all great pride. Phoenix Raceway has been the home for so many great moments in motorsports – and this day is the first of many more to come."
On hand to ring in the occasion alongside Sperber were Helio Castroneves, driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet for Team Penske in the Verizon IndyCar Series, President of Competition and Operations for INDYCAR Jay Frye, Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo, Arizona Senator Lupe Contreras and City of Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise as well as former IndyCar legends Tom Sneva, Lyn St. James and Dick Simon.
"We are certainly very proud to be part of this and proud to be back here," Frye said. "Especially with what they are doing with the facility. It’s already a great facility, great setting, great area and great history. Now it is going to have spectacular amenities and be great for the fans. It’s a great time to be back."
Castroneves officially broke ground on the Phoenix Raceway Project Powered by DC Solar, behind the seat of an excavator as he took the first dig following the ceremony.
"It was an honor, to be honest, because there’s a fun fact that this was my first short oval ever when I tested for Tasman Motorsports with Steve Horne back in 1996," said Castroneves. "I really enjoy this place, I’ve won here before so it’s great to be a part of this project. It’s obviously going to upsell the whole facility. The biggest benefits will not only be for the drivers and teams, but the biggest one will be for the fans. I think it will be great for our series and for obviously the track."
Among the many highlights of the Phoenix Raceway Project Powered by DC Solar is a completely redesigned infield featuring a first-of-its-kind garage viewing experience, placing fans face-to-face with the superstars of the sport. Phoenix Raceway’s start/finish line will also be repositioned in Turn 2 just before the track’s well-known dog leg.
Fans can learn more about the Phoenix Raceway Project Powered by DC Solar and obtain news, updates and alerts by visiting www.newphoenixraceway.com.