Phoenix International Raceway (1 mile, intermediate / short track, Unique) in Avondale, Arizona
The Phoenix International Raceway owes its unusual shape of the geological conditions on the property. Because they wanted to squeeze out of the Oval or a race track and a drag strip with the rocky and hilly terrain, had to stretch a little to be straightened out: For example, the back straight out of their banking from 9 ° a kink, which is called "dogleg" known. The turns are similar to Pocono a different character, Turn 1 and 2 at 11 ° inflated and narrower than turn 3 and 4, for the 2 ° may also have less banking. The oval is exactly one mile long and holds 76 800 spectators, who takes part in natural stands into place. Rustic ambience and so the story is told also that the race without the volunteers would be possible to collect every morning in the stands, the rattlesnakes, desert authentic feel.
In 1964, the Raceway in Avondale, Arizona in the Southwest built by Phoenix and in a Sports Illustrated poll it 2007 12% of all NASCAR drivers voted for their favorite track, which at least 18 to a second place together with the Atlanta Motor Speedway behind Bristol ( % ranged). Actually meant for the Oval until 2005 rather than racing scene of open-wheeler, especially the Indy cars and the Indy Racing League, but the NASCAR-owned International Speedway Corporation (ISC) decided in the said year for a realignment. Interestingly, ordered the route up to this point, the third longest in IndyCar history to Indianapolis and Milwaukee. The ISC bought the Phoenix International Raceway in 1997 eventually, but Cup races were held there since 1988. Since the 2005 realignment, the calendar features in common with oval Texas also has a second race of the season, then to the detriment of Rockingham and Darlington.
The external circuit was integrated into the parking lot of the raceways and led from the outside on the deck of the oval to the inside of the plant. This course was later replaced by an integrated course in the infield. For larger remodeling 2002-03 there is an access tunnel under Turn 4, which also mentioned the previous one and driveways could be closed to the infield. Thus, there is also the drag strip, not in its former shape.
2011 Phoenix was part of a resurfacing and reconfiguring something. They exchanged not only a good 20-year-old track surface, but also introduced a variable banking, to make the top line racing equivalent passable. In addition, the dog-leg redesigned and laid out a little further from the Oval, which he has a tighter turning radius. The banking was increased to 10-11 ° apex, while the other turns have remained at their maximum superelevation of 11 and 9 degrees. The lower trace is due to the variable banking, however, stole each 1 ° in all four corners.
