About the Venue
Phoenix International Raceway is carved out of the foothills of the Estrella Mountains and opened in 1964 with the intention of being the new jewel of American open wheel racing. Drivers like Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones and the Unsers soon came to love the one mile paved oval with the unique bend in the backstretch.
It wasn't until 1988, when NASCAR racing came to the raceway, that auto racing in Phoenix really became a major sporting attraction. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stars found out what open wheel drivers had known for years; PIR is truly a great place to race, both for the drivers and the fans.
As the sixth-largest city in America, Phoenix and the surrounding areas offers all the food, lodging, and recreation/entertainment options one would expect from a town that thrives on tourism. Phoenix is world-famous for golf, tennis, shopping, and lots of sunshine, and now, the Phoenix International Raceway.
City Guide
Phoenix
Just outside of Phoenix, in Avondale, there’s a racetrack that in 1964 was carved out of the foothills of the Estrella Mountains. The Phoenix International Raceway was a draw in the early days, but nothing like what it became in 1988, when NASCAR came to town. The track also hosts Indy cars, Busch Series races, Craftsman Trucks and other races. The Checker Auto Parts 500 is said to be the biggest one-day sports event in Arizona.
General parking is free at PIR, and you can park overnight in the Estrella 3 parking lot. Don’t confuse that with camping. You can’t camp in this lot, but there are plenty of camping sites on the property.
If you reserve your RV camping spot (call (866) 408-7223, you’ll get one tow vehicle pass, too ($150). If you have a reserved space, you must enter through Gate 1.
If you want to get an unreserved spot once you’re here, enter at Sun Lane, and you can park in one of the general lots. There are farther out from the track and cost $40 per vehicle. No tow vehicle pass in these lots allowed, though; it will cost you another $40 to park those.
Free trams run between the parking areas and Oasis Drive on the southwest side of the raceway. In the reserved parking area, you’ll also find a Bashas’ Supermarket, where you can get the groceries and supplies you’ll need to tailgate while you’re here.
During the Day
Desert Botanical Garden: Opened in 1939 to conserve the ecology of the desert, the Garden is home to thousands of cacti, succulents, trees, and flowers. There are 139 rare, threatened, and endangered plant species from around the world. Kids can play the self-guiding game “Desert Detective.” ($, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, (480) 941-1225, www.dbg.org)
Heard Museum: The foremost showcase of Native American art and culture in the U.S. The Heard’s 10 galleries and outdoor courtyards feature traditional and contemporary Native American art. The gift shop has authentic, high-quality goods purchased directly from native artists. ($, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, (602) 252-8848, www.heard.org)
Hot Air Balloon Rides: There are few places better suited than Arizona for hot air balloons. Look up most any day and the skies will be dotted with them. The peaceful ride over the city and desert allows for a special perspective of the Sonoran landscape. There are several companies that offer hot air balloon rides, but here are a few to get you started:
A Great American Balloon Company: (877) 933-6359, www.wedoflyphoenix.com
The Hot Air Balloon Company: (800) 843-5987, www.arizonaballooning.com
Hot Air Expeditions: (800) 831-7610, www.hotairexpoeditions.com
Phoenix Greyhound Park: More than 1 million people come to the PGP each year to wager on the races. Pari-mutal betting on live races and simulcast races from across the nation. Dining in the Clubhouse. (3801 E. Washington St., Phoenix, (602) 273-7181, www.phoenixgreyhoundpark.com)
Phoenix Zoo: Voted one of the nation’s top five zoos for kids. This private, non-profit zoo is home to 1,200 animals on exhibit. Take the Safari Train for a narrated tour of most major attractions. There are several places to eat on site. ($ - Child, $$ - Adult 13+; 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, (602) 273-1341, www.phoenixzoo.org)
Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park: The Hohokam were the first people to settle this part of the world before they disappeared. The Park is located at a 1,500 year old Hohokam village ruins. Here you can wander 102 acres of park grounds that contain the excavated ruins of homes, a ball court, and an 800-year-old platform mound that may have been used for ceremonies. Museum exhibits explore and celebrate the Hohokam culture. ($, 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix, (602) 495-0901, www.pueblogrande.com)
Shopping
Antiques: Glendale’s historic downtown offers specialty and antiques shops nestled around a quaint town square. But it’s the antiques that grab national attention. USA Today and Sunset magazine have named Glendale as one of the nation's top 10 spots for antiquing. (59th and Glendale Avenues, Glendale)
Biltmore Fashion Park: This is the southwest’s original luxury lifestyle shopping center. The open air center has more than 70 boutiques and restaurants, anchored by Sak’s and Macy’s. It’s undergoing a renovation in 2006. (2502 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, www.shopbiltmore.com)
Mill Avenue District: Adjacent to ASU, Mill Avenue has entertainment, restaurants, and shopping. You’ll find clothing stores ranging from hip to Harley, lifestyle stores, and a handful of shops that have just about everything the Sun Devils logo has ever been put on.
Scottsdale Fashion Square: If you’re looking for high end, exclusive retailers like Neiman-Marcus, Kate Spade, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and the like, this is the place. It’s a mall, but not like other malls. (7014 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale, www.fashionsquare.com)
The content for this city is an excerpt from The Ultimate Tailgater's Travel Guide. For more information on The Ultimate Tailgater's Travel Guide or to buy the book visit www.theultimatetailgater.com.
_medium.JPG)
