The second half of NASCAR’s early-season west coast swing sees the teams make a stop in Arizona at Phoenix Raceway. The one-mile track will play host to the Instacart 500, the fifth race of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. After an exciting race in Las Vegas, will Phoenix be able to reach the high bar that has been set?
Phoenix Raceway Overview
Phoenix Raceway was opened in 1964. The track is a one-mile oval. Turns one and two are banked at eight degrees. The track’s dogleg, as well as turns three and four, are banked between 10 and 11 degrees. The NASCAR Cup Series first raced at the track in 1988. In the very first race, Alan Kulwicki won and did what he called the Polish Victory Lap as part of his celebration. Since that year, NASCAR has held at least one race at the track every season. Kevin Harvick has the most all-time wins at Phoenix Raceway with nine.
In 1995, the Truck Series joined the NASCAR Cup Series in running at Phoenix Raceway. Then in 1999, the Xfinity Series would complete the national series trifecta. In 2005, the track earned a second race date for the spring. The Instacart 500 was first run as the “Subway Fresh 500” that year. The sponsor of the spring race has changed hands several times in the season since.
Phoenix Raceway Undergoes Multiple Renovations
Phoenix Raceway was renovated in 2011. Part of the renovation included putting an end to the road course that was attached. The track was again renovated following the NASCAR spring race in 2018. The start/finish line was moved from the straightaway to after what was previously Turn 2. Starting in 2020 and for the foreseeable future, Phoenix Raceway will host the championship races for all three NASCAR national series.
NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway | Weekend Racing Schedule
Call 811 Before You Dig 200
Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2021
Start Time: 5:30 P.M. EST
Coverage: FS1
Distance: 200 miles
Laps: 200
Instacart 500
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Date: Sunday, March 14, 2021
Start Time: 3:30 P.M. EST
Coverage: FOX
Distance: 312 miles
Laps: 312
