Repaved and reconfigured track set to debut during Kobalt Tools 500 event weekend
PHOENIX – Race fans will get to experience four days of on-track action and entertainment this November at Phoenix International Raceway when the Kobalt Tools 500 returns as the semi-final race in NASCAR’s playoffs – the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The fall event weekend at PIR, November 10-13, will be the first event held on the facility’s new, reconfigured racing surface.
In February, PIR President Bryan R. Sperber announced details related to the NASCAR facility’s first major track pavement project since 1990. Construction – including the removal and reuse of the facility’s old racing surface and subsequent installation of a new surface to go with a series of changes designed to promote side-by-side racing – began in March and will continue up to September.
“Our goal for the track pavement project was to not radically change a venue that’s celebrated by fans and drivers alike, but to utilize new technology to give us the best opportunity to create not just a new Phoenix International Raceway, but an improved PIR,” said Sperber. “We’re pleased with the progress made on the project thus far and are eager to present the new PIR during NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup in November.” Aside from the installation of a new, four-layer asphalt and aggregate surface, PIR’s track pavement project includes the following adjustments: – Widen the front stretch from 52 to 62 feet – Reconfigure pit road with the installation of concrete pit stalls – Push the dog-leg curve between Turn 2 and Turn 3 out 95 feet – Tighten the turn radius of the dog-leg from 800 to 500 feet – Implement variable banking to ensure the immediate use of two racing grooves, including 10- 11 degree banking between Turn 1 and Turn 2; 10-11 degree banking in the apex of the dog-leg; and 8-9 degree banking in Turn 4
A progress photo of PIR’s track pavement project is attached to this press release. Many high-resolution construction images are available upon request.
Phoenix International Raceway’s full schedule for the November 10-13 Kobalt Tools 500 weekend – including the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Phoenix 100, NASCAR Nationwide Series WYPALL* 200, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 – is as follows: KOBALT TOOLS 500 WEEKEND AT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, NOVEMBER 10-13
Thursday, November 10 · 9:00 a.m. Spectator Gates open · 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. WYPALL* 200Practice · 12:00 Noon – 2:20 p.m. WYPALL* 200Practice · 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Kobalt Tools 500 Practice Friday, November 11 · 8:00 a.m. Spectator Gates open · 8:15 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Phoenix 100 Practice · 9:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. Kobalt Tools 500 Practice · 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Phoenix 100 Final Practice · Noon – 1:30 p.m. Kobalt Tools 500 Practice · 1:40 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. WYPALL* 200 Final Practice · 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Kobalt Tools 500 Final Practice Saturday, November 12 · 8:00 a.m. Spectator Gates open · 8:40 a.m. Phoenix 100 Qualifying (two laps, all positions) · 10:05 a.m. WYPALL* 200 Qualifying (two laps, all positions) · 11:40 a.m. Kobalt Tools 500 Gatorade Pole Qualifying (two laps, all positions) · 1:30 p.m. WYPALL* 200powered by Kimberly-Clark Professional
NASCAR Nationwide Series Race (200 laps; 200 miles) · 4:30 p.m. Phoenix 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series – West Race (100 laps; 100 miles) Sunday, November 13 · 8:00 a.m. Spectator Gates open · 1:00 p.m. Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race (312 laps; 312 miles) Tickets to the exciting November 10-13 Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR event weekend will be available May 19, starting at just $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit PhoenixRaceway.comor call 866-408-RACE (7223). About Phoenix International Raceway Since 1964, Phoenix International Raceway has served race fans as the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. Watch the brightest stars in NASCAR take on PIR’s famed one-mile oval – including five-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart and many more – on November 13 in the Kobalt Tools 500. Tickets for the entire Kobalt Tools 500 weekend at Phoenix International Raceway will be available on May 19 at PhoenixRaceway.comor by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223). For more, visit PhoenixRaceway.com, Facebook.com/PhoenixRacewayand Twitter.com/PhoenixRaceway.
