PHOENIX (August 10, 2010) - Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber announced Tuesday that the track has been awarded two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends in 2011, marking seven consecutive seasons for PIR to host a pair of nationally-televised event weekends featuring the brightest stars in NASCAR. Phoenix will maintain two NASCAR Sprint Cup weekends in the face of widespread schedule realignment that saw multiple race dates moved amongst multiple facilities.
“We are honored to be the only facility in the West with two Sprint Cup Series events,” Sperber said. “The commitment from NASCAR to race twice at Phoenix International Raceway speaks volumes for the level of enthusiasm the sport has from fans in Arizona and throughout this part of the country.”
As part of the NASCAR’s schedule realignment, Phoenix International Raceway’s SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ will move from April to Feb. 27 – just one week after NASCAR’s largest event, the Daytona 500. PIR will look to capitalize on the season-opening excitement of Daytona with a new Sunday day-race format, allowing fans to take in the 500 km race in Phoenix with a more traditional local start time of 1 p.m. The SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ will be televised nationally on FOX.
Phoenix will continue to host the semi-final race in NASCAR’s playoffs – the Chase for the Sprint Cup – on Nov. 13. The Kobalt Tools 500, a race in which fans have come to expect heavy championship implications, also starts at 1 p.m. locally and will be televised nationally on ESPN. NASCAR will conclude its season the following week at Homestead Miami Speedway in Florida.
“Phoenix will be the first and last stop NASCAR makes in the West,” Sperber said. “It’s a great privilege for us to help celebrate the excitement of a new season in February and to help crown season champions as the year winds down with the Chase in November.”
Phoenix International Raceway is one of just 13 NASCAR facilities to be awarded two Sprint Cup weekends in 2011. Past studies conducted by Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business for PIR have indicated that the economic impact of hosting two NASCAR Sprint Cup weekends annually in Phoenix exceeds $400 million.
“The State of Arizona is well aware of the tremendous economic impact that comes along with hosting a NASCAR weekend in the Valley of the Sun,” Sperber said. “The fact that Phoenix International Raceway has been confirmed to host two Sprint Cup events provides a shot-in-the-arm for our local economy at a time when it’s most needed.”
Race fans can secure 2011 Season Tickets from Phoenix International Raceway before they go on sale to the general public. Starting Tuesday, Aug. 10, fans can make a $50 deposit to reserve 2011 seats by calling 877-PIR-XTRA (747-9872) and speaking directly with one of PIR’s Fan Experience Specialists. 2011 Season Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, Oct. 29, with prices starting at just $99. 2011 SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ tickets go on sale Thursday, Nov. 11 and start as low as $25.
Phoenix International Raceway will release information about its 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR K&N Pro Series West events at a later date. NASCAR is expected to release the entire 2011 Sprint Cup Series schedule in coming weeks.
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Photo: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR
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