Gonzalez will lead the field to green ahead of NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway
AVONDALE, Ariz. (March 3, 2026) – Arizona Diamondbacks legend Luis Gonzalez will serve as the Honorary Pace Car driver ahead of the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway, leading the NASCAR Cup Series field to green ahead of the action on Sunday, March 8.
Gonzalez is known as one of the most popular figures in D-backs history, mainly due to his game-winning single in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series that secured the team’s first world championship. Following his retirement, Gonzalez rejoined the D-backs organization and is currently in his 16th full season in the front office and 10th as Senior Advisor to the President & CEO.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Luis Gonzalez to Phoenix Raceway as part of our race weekend festivities,” said Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Casuey. “Luis is an icon who means so much to sports fans across our state, and having him join us adds another level of excitement and hometown pride to an already incredible weekend.”
Gonzalez, who was voted the fans’ favorite D-backs player of all-time in a Phoenix Business Journal poll, became the first former player to have his number retired by the D-backs on Aug. 7, 2010. His No. 20 jersey can now be seen in 5-foot purple numbers on the right field façade at Chase Field.
On top of his baseball success, Gonzalez is also a prominent member in the community. Through his Gonzo’s Hometown Heroes Fund, he’s able to fund projects, programs and nonprofit organizations that support police officers, fire-fighters and first responders across Arizona. Additionally, his “Going Gonzo for Kids” initiative through the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars from 2010-17 to a variety of Arizona-based children’s charities.
D-backs fans can catch Luis Gonzalez at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 8, serving as Honorary Pace Car Driver ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500. The day will begin with a Joey Chestnut hot dog eating contest at 9 a.m. followed by a pre-race concert from country music star Craig Morgan. Fans with Desert Diamond Casino Infield Experience passes will have the best access to all of the pre-race action.
The Straight Talk Wireless 500 will be the grand finale of a high-octane weekend of racing at Phoenix Raceway, March 5-8. Action begins Thursday, March 5, with the ARCA Menards Series race, followed by Friday, March 6, featuring NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NTT INDYCAR Series practice and qualifying.
The excitement continues Saturday, March 7, with the NTT INDYCAR Series’ Good Ranchers 250, followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series’ GOVX 200.
Tickets for the Spring weekend are going fast, and fans are encouraged to act now to secure their seats by visiting www.phoenixraceway.com.
About Phoenix Raceway
Phoenix Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest since 1964 and hosts two race weekends each year. Its season-opening weekend March 5-8 features full-throttle excitement with the NASCAR Cup Series, NTT INDYCAR SERIES, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series. NASCAR will also return Oct. 16-18 with intense NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series playoff racing. Phoenix Raceway also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, corporate meetings and conferences, charity events, weddings, holiday events, sport and endurance competitions, and driving schools. For more information, visit www.PhoenixRaceway.com and download the new NASCAR Tracks App at www.phoenixraceway.com/nascar-tracks-app/.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 15 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.
About Straight Talk Wireless
Straight Talk Wireless provides quality no-contract wireless solutions to value-conscious consumers and is available exclusively at Walmart, Walmart.com, and Straighttalk.com.
Straight Talk is part of the Verizon Value portfolio of prepaid brands, which includes Total Wireless, Visible, Tracfone, Simple Mobile, SafeLink, Walmart Family Mobile, and Verizon Prepaid.
