NASCAR and IndyCar both support Phoenix track changes

As part of International Speedway Corp.’s planned $178 million upgrade to the track, which hosts both NASCAR and IndyCar series events, the start/finish line will move from its typical home on a straightaway and into the proposed Turn 4 area of the track.

The renovation project, more details of which were released Monday at a news conference at The Camby Hotel in Phoenix, will include the removal of some grandstands, the addition of others and a complete remake of the track’s infield.

Currently, much of the action on the track takes place off of what is now Turn 2, where a dog-leg was incorporated into the design. Particularly in NASCAR races, drivers tend to dive-bomb the dog-leg area to enhance passing opportunities.

The vast majority of seats at the track will now concentrate around what will be Turns 3 and 4 and the dog-leg area, putting them on top of most of the action on the track. All of the work should be completed in time for the November 2018 NASCAR race weekend.

Location of the start/finish line

So, how much thought actually went into the location of the start/finish line?

PIR president Bryan Sperber says, “A lot. A lot. We started talking to drivers about this idea over a year ago. We talked to probably 30 or more drivers and even some of the retired drivers.

“The feedback was very positive and from that, the final designs took shape. That feedback gave us a lot of confidence to move forward.”

IndyCar’s president of competition and operations, Jay Frye, applauded the move.

“Consulting the drivers, I think that’s the right approach, Bryan does a great job,” Frye said. “Last year, we kind of knew what they were talking about doing.

“We are all creatures of habit and many times don’t like change but I think this will make the race more exciting for fans. Also, the way the moved the grandstands around makes sense, it puts the fans right on top of it.”

NASCAR vice chairman Mike Helton said the changes to the Phoenix track will make it seem “like a brand new race track.”

“When NASCAR comes to town, you want the community to embrace you and Phoenix does that and we’re very grateful for that. You want the facility to be able to host all of our industry and it’s done, that but it’s getting ready to do it on a level which speaks to the future of motorsports.”

Drivers chime in

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano and Alexander Rossi, the 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner, believe that while the track itself won’t change, drivers will likely change how they approach restarts and the finish with the new start/finish location.

“It’s the same track, it’s just not going to be the same on restarts, for sure,” Logano said. “Pit road may change some. But if you think about the restart line and the strategy used at this track, we’ve seen plenty of times cars stay out, or someone puts two (new tires) on.

“Right now there is no passing going into Turn 1. The strategy is going to change knowing there will definitely be passing in Turn 1. Some of the tire strategies may not work as well. That’s the type of stuff that could change.”

Rossi, whose first IndyCar start came at Phoenix, said much of the change seen in IndyCar events with the new reconfiguration will likely come at the end of the race.

“I don’t know how much it will affect our restarts because our start speed is so low, but I think it will definitely change our attention to where we want to be good on the track,” he said. “There will be a lot more importance placed on Turns 1 and 2 where right now it’s placed on (Turns) 3 and 4. I think it will be a positive thing, without a doubt.”