Track Trivia: Phoenix International Raceway

No, there is no race this weekend. NASCAR does espouse (Christian) family values, and sponsoring a race that would infringe on Easter just won't happen. So, we're actually peering into the future about a week and a half for the running of the Subway Fit Fresh in Phoenix. I was at this race last year, and the weather this time of year is gorgeous. The desert does actually bloom in the spring. 

Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale is really very close to the city, and easy to get to since it's so flat. It's a one-mile tri-oval, with 11 degrees of banking in turns 1 and 2, 9 degrees in turns 3 and 4 and the frontstretch, and 3 degrees in the backstretch. The grandstands hold 76,800 fans, and people sit up on the scrubby hills under tarps too. The race is 312 miles, and Jimmie Johnson pretty much ran away with it last year.  

The track was completed in 1964, but NASCAR Cup racing didn't start until 1988. So far, I haven't been to a track with fan amenities to challenge Las Vegas, but there have been some additions to PIR since I was there. Under that beautiful turquoise sky, buffeted by the roar of 43 cars going fast, all that really matters (aside from choosing your bathroom breaks so you don't have to stand in a long line) is having a sufficient supply of the appropriate beverage so you can keep your eyes glued to the track for the long green-flag runs.