Phoenix Raceway

Track Info

Location	Avondale, Arizona
Type	Dogleg Oval
Length	1.022 miles (1.645 km)
Turns	4 (with dogleg kink on backstretch)
Surface	Asphalt
Banking	Turns 1-2: 10-11 degrees, Turns 3-4: 8-9 degrees
Capacity	~42,000 (grandstands) plus Rattlesnake Hill GA
Opened	1964

Track Characteristics

Phoenix Raceway is the only short oval on the IndyCar calendar, and its distinctive dogleg shape makes it unlike any other track in the series. The sudden kink in the backstretch creates an irregular D-shape that opens up unique passing opportunities that traditional ovals do not provide. The 2026 race produced a staggering 565 passes, proving that this layout rewards aggressive, creative racing.

Variable banking across the track adds another layer of complexity. Turns 1 and 2 carry 10-11 degrees of banking, while Turns 3 and 4 have just 8-9 degrees. This asymmetry means drivers must adapt their approach depending on which end of the track they are attacking, and car setups often involve compromise.

The night race format under the Arizona desert sky adds drama and spectacle. Temperatures drop as the sun sets, changing grip levels throughout the event. The track was originally envisioned as the "Indianapolis of the West" when it opened in 1964, and its return to the IndyCar calendar has been warmly welcomed by fans and drivers alike.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) - approximately 20 miles east of the track.
Nearest City	Avondale, AZ. Central Phoenix is about 25 minutes east. Scottsdale is approximately 40 minutes away.

Series That Race Here

• NTT IndyCar Series - Returned to the calendar in 2026
• NASCAR Cup Series - Championship finale venue
• NASCAR Xfinity Series
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

2026 Event Info

Race Name	Good Ranchers 250
Round	2 of 17
Date	March 7, 2026
TV	FOX
Race Time	3:00 PM ET (Night race local time)
Qualifying	Single-car qualifying
2026 Winner	Josef Newgarden

Track Record

IndyCar Lap Record	19.4 seconds (~189 mph)
Note	2026 marks IndyCar's return; modern records being established

Notable Past Races

• 2026: Josef Newgarden won the first IndyCar race at Phoenix in over a decade, racking up 565 on-track passes in a sensational return to the desert oval.
• 2005: Sam Hornish Jr. held off a hard-charging Dan Wheldon in one of the most intense short-oval battles in IRL history.
• 1996: Arie Luyendyk dominated on the Phoenix oval, showcasing the blistering speed that made him one of IndyCar's all-time greats.
• 1988: In NASCAR, Alan Kulwicki won his first career Cup race at Phoenix, then celebrated by driving a victory lap in the wrong direction - the famous "Polish Victory Lap."

Track Facts

• The dogleg kink in the backstretch gives Phoenix its distinctive "Desert Diamond" shape, unlike any other oval in American motorsport.
• Originally opened in 1964 as a multi-purpose facility with an oval, a road course, and a drag strip.
• "Rattlesnake Hill" outside Turns 1-2 offers general admission hillside viewing with panoramic track views.
• The track underwent a $178 million renovation that modernized the facility while preserving its unique character.
• Phoenix is one of the few tracks that hosts championship events for both IndyCar and NASCAR in the same year.

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