Danica Patrick, Ryan Newman, and Kasey Kahne to Visit with Race Fans at PIR on November 12th!

Phoenix-area resident Danica Patrick – set to make her Phoenix International Raceway NASCAR debut during the upcoming Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend – will participate in a fan Q&A at PIR’s Budweiser ROLL-BAR stage on Nov. 12. The event will be open to all ticketed race fans, with a special section reserved for PIR season-ticket holders.

While Patrick – driver of the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series – has raced Indy Cars at PIR, November will mark her stock car debut in the Valley of the Sun.

“I look forward to going back to Phoenix – it’s a place I thought was cool in an Indy Car,” she said. “It will be nice to sleep in my own bed. I’m excited for that. I think Phoenix is a great track. I think it’s challenging, and I’m sure it will be even more challenging in a stock car with less grip.”

Ryan Newman, winner of April’s SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600™ at PIR, and popular Sprint Cup driver Kasey Kahne will appear inside the Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club on Sunday, Nov. 14 as part of Q&A sessions available exclusively to ticket-holders for ROLL-BAR. Newman will appear at 9:30 a.m. and Kahne will appear at 10 a.m.  Tickets to Budweiser ROLL-BAR are available for advance purchase at $89 for Nov. 13 and $139 for Nov. 14. Additional purchase of a grandstand ticket is still required for track admission.

On Saturday, Nov. 13, former motocross champion Ricky Carmichael – who will compete in PIR’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events this November – will appear in ROLL-BAR and PIR’s Octane Lounge at times to be announced. Former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and son Steve – a NASCAR Nationwide Series driver – are also slated to make a fan hospitality appearance that Saturday in PIR’s Trackside Club, time tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m.

More driver appearances for the Nov. 11-14 Kobalt Tools 500 weekend at PIR will be announced soon. This will include additional appearances at ROLL-BAR, as well as appearances in PIR’s Trackside Club and Octane Lounge. All appearances are subject to change.

Budweiser ROLL-BAR is PIR’s newest hospitality offering – located just behind the Bobby Allison Grandstands on the west side of the track. It features the best in live entertainment, all-inclusive food and drink tickets throughout the Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR weekend and a custom beer garden area to showcase the No. 9 Budweiser car.

Located just 50 feet away from the track and overlooking PIR’s backstretch, Trackside Club delivers unmatched views of the racing action, and a breathtaking look at the scenery of the surrounding desert from the outdoor terrace. Catered meals, pre-race pit passes, VIP parking, and commemorative race tickets are just the start of the experience at Trackside Club.  Tickets for a full weekend package are $699.

Octane offers a full-service concierge and high-end dining items that include hand-carved meats, fresh pastas and a sushi bar. The three-day package is $2,400 per person for the November NASCAR weekend and includes unlimited food and beverage, wine tasting, and many other plush accommodations.

More driver appearances will be announced next week and updated information will be posted on PhoenixRaceway.com.

Tickets to Budweiser ROLL-BAR, Octane, and Trackside Club are available online at PhoenixRaceway.com, or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223).

PIR Announces Complete 2011 NASCAR Schedule!

Following NASCAR’s 2011 schedule announcement Wednesday, Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber confirmed today that the track will host a total of six races in 2011, including two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, two NASCAR Nationwide Series races, a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and the season finale NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race.

2011 Phoenix International Raceway NASCAR Schedule:
– Friday, Feb. 25 – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
– Saturday, Feb. 26 – Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series
– Sunday, Feb. 27 – SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600™ NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
– Saturday, Nov. 12 – NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
– Saturday, Nov. 12 – WYPALL* 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series
– Sunday, Nov. 13 – Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

*Event names are subject to change

The SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ will kick off PIR’s 2011 event season, featuring races in NASCAR’s three top series. The SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will take place Sunday, Feb. 27 – the series’ second stop of the season following the Daytona 500. The SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ event weekend will also feature the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday, Feb. 26 and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday, Feb. 25.

NASCAR returns to Phoenix for its traditional fall weekend in November, featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series semi-final race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup – the Kobalt Tools 500 – on Sunday, Nov. 13. The Kobalt Tools 500 event weekend will also feature the WYPALL*200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season finale race on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Race fans can secure 2011 PIR Season Tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Fans can make a $50 deposit to reserve 2011 seats online at http://www.PhoenixRaceway.com or by calling 877-PIR-XTRA (747-9872). 2011 Season Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, Oct. 29, with prices starting at just $99. 2011 SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ individual tickets go on sale Thursday, Nov. 11 and start as low as $25.

Tickets for this year’s exciting Nov. 11-14 Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR event weekend are also still available with prices starting at just $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.phoenixraceway.com/tickets or call 866-408-RACE (7223).

PIR Announces Weekend Schedule for November 2010 NASCAR Races!

Phoenix International Raceway has finalized its fan schedule of events for the Nov. 11-14 Kobalt Tools 500 event weekend, including races in four different NASCAR series: Sprint Cup, Nationwide, Camping World Trucks and the K&N Pro Series West. As part of a date move to Nov. 13 for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season finale – a race that will be part of double-header action following PIR’s WYPALL* 200 in the Nationwide Series – fans will be offered unprecedented West Series garage access. A full copy of the weekend fan schedule is attached to this release.

Teams from the K&N Pro Series West will qualify on Thursday, Nov. 11. After qualifying, the entire West Series garage will move into PIR’s interactive midway for the West Series Garage Open House from 12-5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12. As part of this first-ever midway garage open house at PIR, all fans in attendance that day will have an opportunity to see K&N Pro Series West cars up close and will be able to interact with teams and drivers. All PIR patrons will also be able to take in the official pre-race inspection process, autograph sessions, driver/team Q&A’s and more. PIR Season Ticket holders will be granted early entry to the open house at 11:30 a.m.

“We are excited to be able to host the season finale for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at PIR and crown the 2010 champion – the Kobalt Tools 500 weekend has always had championship implications across all four NASCAR divisions,” said PIR President Bryan R. Sperber. “Additionally, our date change for this event has allowed us to create a first: the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West garage in the Midway where fans can mingle with drivers and teams.”

The culmination of Phoenix’s November NASCAR event weekend will be the Kobalt Tools 500 Sprint Cup Series race, slated to begin at 1 p.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 14. The last three fall Sprint Cup winners at PIR have gone on to win the Chase for the Sprint Cup and – as the semi-final stop in NASCAR’s version of playoffs – fans can expect more championship implications at Phoenix in 2010. Spectator gates open at 8 a.m. for the Kobalt Tools 500.

On Saturday, Nov. 13, the WYPALL* 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race is set to get underway at 2:30 p.m., followed by the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season finale at 6 p.m. Spectator gates will open at 9 a.m. and fans will have the opportunity to view NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying at 10:05 a.m., along with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practices at 11:30 a.m. and 12:50 p.m.

Competition on Friday, Nov. 12, will feature the Lucas Oil 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race beginning at 6 p.m., with qualifying at 2:30 p.m. Gates will open at 10 a.m. and fans will also have the chance to watch the NASCAR Nationwide Series practices at 10 a.m. and 1:40 p.m., as well as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at 12 p.m. and qualifying at 3:45 p.m. The aforementioned K&N Pro Series West Garage Open House also takes place from 12-5 p.m. on Friday.

Spectator gates will open to fans at noon on Thursday, Nov. 11 for the opportunity to watch NASCAR K&N Pro Series West practice and qualifying, as well as NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice. NASCAR K&N Pro Series West practice will be at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., with qualifying at 6:40 p.m. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice will held at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Fans with pre-race pit passes will have access to designated pit areas on all four days of the NASCAR event weekend at PIR. Fans will be able to explore the infield from 12-7 p.m. on Thursday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on Sunday.

Here is a complete itinerary of events:

Thursday, Nov. 11

12 p.m.                                 Spectator Gates Open
12 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.           Pre-Race Pit Pass Access
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.                   NASCAR K&N Pro Series-West Practice
2:30 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.       NASCAR K&N Pro Series-West Final Practice
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.                   NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Practice
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.       NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Final Practice
6:40 p.m.                             NASCAR K&N Pro Series-West Qualifying

Friday, Nov. 12

10 a.m.                                 Spectator Gates Open
10 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.         NASCAR Nationwide Series Practice
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.                 Pre-Race Pit Pass Access
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.           NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.                 West Series Garage Open House
1:40 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.       NASCAR Nationwide Series Final Practice
2:30 p.m.                             NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifying
3:45 p.m.                             NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying
6 p.m.                                   Lucas Oil 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race
(150 laps, 150 miles)

Saturday, Nov. 13

9 a.m.                                    Spectator Gates Open
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.             Pre-Race Pit Pass Access
10:05 a.m.                           NASCAR Nationwide Series Qualifying
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.   NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice
12:50 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.     NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Final Practice
2:30 p.m.                             WYPALL* 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series Race
(200 laps, 200 miles)
6 p.m.                                   NASCAR K&N Pro Series West 125
(125 laps, 125 miles)

Sunday, Nov. 14

8 a.m.                                    Spectator Gates Open
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.                 Pre-Race Pit Pass Access
1 p.m.                                   Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race
(312 laps, 312 miles)

Tickets for the exciting Nov. 11-14 NASCAR event weekend are still available with prices starting at just $25! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.phoenixraceway.com/tickets or call 866-408-RACE (7223) today!

Clint Bowyer and Cy Young Winner Brandon Webb Unite for “Offspeed” at PIR!

The speed and power of NASCAR and baseball will join again in 2009 in a partnership to raise money and awareness for two major youth charities.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher and 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb, and Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber have announced plans for the charity event “Offspeed,” set to take place at PIR’s exclusive luxury lounge, Octane, on Thursday, November 12 at 6 p.m.

“Offspeed” will benefit NASCAR-themed Victory Junction and Brandon Webb’s K Foundation, the initiative started by Webb and his wife, Alicia, in 2005 to benefit ill Phoenix-area children.

“‘Offspeed’ is a great opportunity to raise money for two great charities,” Bowyer said. “It’s a pleasure partnering in the event with Phoenix International Raceway and Brandon Webb.  It’s a great night of fun in Octane, and it all goes for great causes.”

Said Webb: “We’re really excited to be partnering with Clint and PIR. ‘Offspeed’ is going to be a great event and its proceeds will help thousands of sick children in both Phoenix and Kansas City.”

Tickets for the charity event are $250 each, and guests will have the chance to mingle with Bowyer and Webb while enjoying food and drink, an amazing view of the racing action at PIR, and an exclusive charity auction, all while contributing to the future well-being of critically ill children.

Presenting sponsorships for the event are also available, with packages starting at $10,000. Presenting sponsors will receive two tickets each to “Offspeed” and Sunday’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, as well as a Sprint Cup Series garage tour – including a guided tour of Bowyer’s No. 33 car hauler – and pit and pre-race ceremony access to witness driver introductions. Sponsors will be invited to a meet-and-greet photo opportunity for two (2) with Bowyer and Webb prior to “Offspeed,” and will receive two authentic Brandon Webb jerseys.

Those interested in attending or sponsoring “Offspeed” are encouraged to contact Stacy Kutz of Phoenix International Raceway at (623) 463-5632 or skutz@phoenixinternationalraceway.com. For more information on Victory Junction, visit www.victoryjunction.org. For more information on Brandon Webb’s K Foundation, visit www.brandonwebb.org.

Tickets for the November NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway can be purchased online at www.phoenixraceway.com, or over the phone at 1-866-408-RACE (7223). Follow Phoenix International Raceway 365 days a year on the Web at www.phoenixraceway.com and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PhoenixRaceway, and become a fan on Facebook by searching for “Phoenix International Raceway.” Be a part of it all at PIR!

Jimmie Johnson Hitting His Stride Again with Victory at the Brickyard!

Jimmie Johnson might not have had the fastest car at Indianapolis for most of the race. Nonetheless, his car was fastest when it counted the most…the last 25 laps of the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard.

Johnson ran behind race leader Juan Pablo Montoya and Mark Martin until Montoya received a pass-through speeding penalty during a late race pit stop.

That put Montoya back in the pack and another caution a few laps after a restart compounded things for the man who led 118 of the 160-lap distance. Starting from 12th, Montoya improved his position by one spot to finish 11th.

The race was left for Martin, who took the lead shortly after the final restart with 25 laps to go. Johnson, however, had other ideas and zipped past his Hendrick Motorsports teammate a lap later and held Martin off to the end. It made it back to back wins for Johnson and his No. 48 Lowe’s team, a first for this race.

NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader and two-time champion Tony Stewart finished third with Greg Biffle fourth. Brian Vickers was fifth in the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota and Kevin Harvick was sixth. Kasey Kahne was seventh, David Reutimann was eighth, four-time champion Jeff Gordon finished ninth and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top 10. Montoya was 11th and rookie Joey Logano was 12th.

With just six more races to the Chase, Johnson and the rest of the 48 team are doing what they do best – – and that’s putting themselves in position to make yet another run at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.