In 1964, Phoenix Raceway was born near the Estrella Mountains. The Phoenix, Arizona track has since hosted NASCAR, CART, IndyCar Series, USAC and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The track introduces a unique shape to traditional NASCAR ovals. Do to a road course and drag strip, the backstretch dogleg was installed to add room. It became a trademark of the speedway.
Originally, the track was built for USAC and other short track racing events. In 1978, NASCAR ventured to the venue.
The grandstand capacity was soon forced to increase. The Phoenix race track grew with NASCAR’s fame.
In 2018, ISM Connect joined the track as the title sponsor. It was the first year of a 10 year deal.
In October 2018, a $178-million dollar renovation project was completed. The grandstands were flipped to the other end of the track as well as the start finish line. New fan zones topped the 45,000 seat capacity.
ISM parts with Phoenix Raceway
For 2020, ISM Raceway is set to host the championship finale for all three national divisions of NASCAR. It will be the first time that the playoff finale will take place at a track other than Homestead-Miami Speedway.
However, ahead of that, the track will change names once again. Phoenix Raceway and their entitlement sponsor have agreed to part ways. ISM Raceway will be re-branded as the much more familiar Phoenix Raceway.
Phoenix Raceway comments:
“Phoenix Raceway and ISM Connect have mutually agreed to restructure their relationship and will discontinue its naming rights partnership,” the track said in a statement.
“We look forward to transitioning back to Phoenix Raceway, a brand that has built a strong affinity across the racing community since our opening in 1964. The re-positioning of Phoenix Raceway aligns with NASCAR’s integrated sponsorship strategy and supports ISM Connect’s efforts to shift their focus from brand awareness to delivering their next generation technology at NASCAR facilities.”
“We thank ISM Connect for their partnership as we look forward to a historic season for our track, culminating with the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.”
https://racingnews.co/2020/01/04/phoeni ... year-deal/
