PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY ADDS INDYCAR

                                

  Tuesday, October 27, 2015

PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY ADDS INDYCAR TO 2016 SCHEDULE

Phoenix Grand Prix to run Saturday, April 2 under the lights

PHOENIX – The Verizon IndyCar Series will race at Phoenix International Raceway in 2016, PIR President Bryan R. Sperber and Hulman Motorsports Chief Revenue Officer Jay Frye announced at a news conference today. The Phoenix Grand Prix will take place under the lights on Saturday night, April 2, 2016.

“We are thrilled to add the Verizon IndyCar Series to the 2016 race schedule at Phoenix International Raceway,” Sperber said. “IndyCar has such a loyal and dedicated fan base in the Valley, and we look forward to bringing the fastest racing action in America and the biggest stars in open-wheel racing to Phoenix next spring.”

Tickets for the Phoenix Grand Prix went on sale this morning, with prices ranging from $35-70, and each ticket will include access to Pit Road. Tickets for children are $10; and active-duty military members and veterans will receive discounted pricing as well. Tickets are available online at PhoenixRaceway.com and by phone at 866-408-RACE (7223).

The Phoenix Grand Prix will be the second race in the 2016 schedule for the Verizon IndyCar Series, following the season opening race at St. Petersburg, Fla. on March 13. The highlight of the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule will be the 100^th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 29, and the season finale will be on September 18 in Sonoma, Calif.

“The historic significance of the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season is marked by the return of several storied venues, including Phoenix International Raceway,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Legendary Indy car names like Foyt, Unser, Andretti, Ruby, Rutherford, Sneva, Mears, Castroneves and Kanaan have all won at PIR in the past. It is an integral part of our sport’s rich heritage and we are quite pleased to have this great mile oval back on the schedule going forward.”

Phoenix International Raceway opened in 1964 and served primarily as an open-wheel racing facility until NASCAR made its debut in 1977. The track hosted Indy car races from 1964-2005, with many of the greatest names in racing history competing here.

Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion A.J. Foyt won the inaugural professional race at PIR and captured a total of four checkered flags here; fellow four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser has a track-record six open-wheel wins at PIR; and four-time Indy car season champion Mario Andretti captured the last race win of his legendary career here in 1993.

Four Indianapolis 500 winners were in attendance at the announcement, including two-time winners Al Unser Jr. and Arie Luyendyk, 1983 champion Tom Sneva and 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice.

“I am so happy to see the Verizon IndyCar Series returning to Phoenix International Raceway,” said Unser Jr., who is tied for seventh on the all-time Indy car victory list with 34. “It was always one of my favorite tracks, even though I never was able to win a race there in 19 tries. Dad won there six times and Uncle Bobby won four, so the Unser name still has quite a legacy at PIR. Indy cars always put on a great show at PIR over the years and I know they will again in 2016.”

Also in attendance were 1992 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Lyn St. James, 1998 Indianapolis 500 pole sitter Billy Boat, retired open-wheel driver P.J. Jones, and one of the brightest young stars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, Josef Newgarden.

"PIR has a great history with Indy car racing, so it's fantastic that the Verizon IndyCar Series will return in 2016,” said Newgarden, who won his first two Indy car races in 2015 with CFH Racing and wound up seventh in the championship. “I haven't raced there yet but talked to drivers who have, and they say the track is built for great racing in Indy cars. I almost won on a similar short oval this year at Milwaukee, so I can't wait for the opportunity to compete for the win at the Phoenix Grand Prix in April."

The Phoenix Grand Prix will be the second of three race events on the 2016 schedule at Phoenix International Raceway. Three weeks earlier, PIR will host the Camping World 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend March 11-13, and NASCAR will return to Phoenix for the semifinal race in the 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup November 11-13.

Dover International Speedway announces 2016 race dates

Dover International Speedway announces 2016 race dates

DOVER, Del. (Oct. 21, 2015) – Dover International Speedway officials have announced that NASCAR will return to the Monster Mile in 2016 for two tripleheader weekends on May 13-15 and Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

The May 13-15, 2016 weekend will feature a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday, May 13; a NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday, May 14; and a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, May 15.

The Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2016 weekend will feature a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race on Friday, Sept. 30; a NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday, Oct. 1; and the “AAA 400” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Oct. 2.

The “AAA 400” on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 will again be the third race of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and feature the first four eliminations in the 16-driver field. It will be the third straight year that the Monster Mile will host the first elimination race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoff.

“We’re excited that NASCAR is returning to Dover for six races in 2016,” said Michael Tatoian, president and CEO of Dover International Speedway. “We’re proud to have one of the most unique venues in motorsports and we’re pleased that the Monster Mile once again has a prominent place in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs.”

Tickets are on sale now for the May 13-15 NASCAR tripleheader weekend and deposits of as low as 10% can be made on tickets for the Sept. 30-Oct. 2 races.  

For tickets or more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com. You can also keep up with the Monster Mile at Facebook.com/DoverInternationalSpeedway, or on Twitter at @MonsterMile and Instagram at @MonsterMile.

Jeff Gordon honored at Dover International Speedway

Jeff Gordon honored at Dover International Speedway

DOVER, Del. (Oct. 2, 2015) – In a year filled with farewells and reminiscing, Jeff Gordon – and his entire racing family – was presented with a unique tribute to his remarkable racing career. 

On Friday, Dover International Speedway, as well as local elected officials, made special presentations to Gordon in advance of Sunday’s “AAA 400” NASCAR Sprint Cup race in recognition of his contributions to the track and sport.  

Gordon, 44, a five-time Dover NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner, received 90 miniature “Miles the Monster” trophies for himself, his crew and Hendrick Motorsports team members in North Carolina. Each trophy is inscribed with the individual’s name, as well as the following quote from Hall of Fame professional football coach Vince Lombardi:

“The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.”

Gordon announced earlier this year that 2015 would be his final full-time season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He is planning to join Fox Sports as an analyst during its 2016 NASCAR broadcasts.

“This is amazing – I don’t know how we’re going to get all these home but thank you very much,” Gordon said. “Our guys are going to appreciate this very, very much.”

Gordon’s connection with Monster Mile fans began early, as Delaware chemical giant DuPont served as the primary sponsor of his No. 24 car for several seasons. The iconic multi-colored paint job on both his Chevrolet and the fire suits of the No. 24 team’s pit crew led to their designation as the “Rainbow Warriors.”

“I’ve always enjoyed Dover,” Gordon said. “This does remind me of how much Dover and Delaware have meant to me. Coming up to Wilmington and visiting DuPont every year, it was always special coming here. You always want to have success in your sponsor’s home.”

In addition to the trophies, Gordon received praise from Dover Motorsports Inc. CEO Denis McGlynn, as well as Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen, Delaware State Sen. Brian Bushweller and Delaware State Rep. William Carson. Christiansen named Gordon an honorary citizen of the City of Dover, while Bushweller and Carson read recognitions from the Delaware State Senate and Delaware State House of Representatives, respectively.

Gordon will be looking for a strong finish in Sunday’s “AAA 400” NASCAR Sprint Cup race to ensure his advancement in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs. Gordon is 10th in the point standings, 11 points ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the 12th spot. Twelve drivers will advance out of the Monster Mile with their championship dreams intact.

Gordon hasn’t earned a NASCAR Sprint Cup victory since last fall at Dover International Speedway.

“I hope that my last victory didn’t come here last year. I hope it comes here this year. And then, maybe one more at Homestead.”

Friday’s ceremony was just one of the many Gordon tributes planned for the weekend, which also includes a Saturday doubleheader with the “Drive Sober 125” presented by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at 9:30 a.m. and the “Hisense 200” NASCAR XFINITY Series race at 3:30 p.m.

On Lap 24 of the “AAA 400,” the entire Daktronics scoring pylon will display the No. 24. Gordon has driven the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in all 789 of his career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts.

Other events honoring Gordon during the Monster Mile’s latest NASCAR weekend include a “Thanks Jeff!” billboard displayed at Turn 2 and the souvenir program and fan guide for the “AAA 400” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race prominently feature Gordon on the cover.

In addition, Gordon is set to be honored in 2016 with a permanent plaque on the Miles the Monster statue in Victory Plaza and a fan event. The plaque will detail Gordon’s achievements at the Monster Mile, as well as his entire NASCAR career. More information on 2016 plans will be shared during the offseason.

Sunday’s “AAA 400” will feature the first eliminations of NASCAR’s 16-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff. Four drivers will be eliminated from title contention following the checkered flag. For more race information, or to purchase tickets, visit DoverSpeedway.com or call 800-441-RACE. You can also keep up with the Monster Mile at Facebook.com/DoverInternationalSpeedway, or on Twitter at @MonsterMile and Instagram at @MonsterMile.

JEFF GORDON CAREER STATISTICS

Birthday: Aug. 4, 1971

Hometown: Vallejo, Calif.

First Sprint Cup race: 1992

Current Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson

Sprint Cup Series Championships: 4 (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001)

Daytona 500 wins: 3 (1997, 1999, 2005)

Sprint All-Star Race wins: 3 (1995, 1997, 2001)

Gordon at Dover International Speedway

Starts: 45

Laps completed: 17,989 of 18,909 (95.13%)

Laps led: 2,389

Wins: 5

Poles: 4

Average start: 11.9

Top 5 finishes: 18

Top 10 finishes: 26

DNFs: 5

Average finish: 11.4

Gordon’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Career

(through Sept. 27, New Hampshire)

Starts: 789

Laps Completed: 226,133

Laps Led: 24,860

Wins: 92

Poles: 80

Top 5 finishes: 323

Top 10 finishes: 468

Friday, Oct. 2 events at Dover International Speedway postponed

Friday, Oct. 2 events at Dover International Speedway postponed

DOVER, Del. (Oct. 2, 2015) -- Because of the continued rainfall, NASCAR and Dover International Speedway have announced the cancellation of today's on-track activities.

The "Drive Sober 125" NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race will now be run at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. Grandstand gates at Dover International Speedway will open for fans at 8 a.m.

The Saturday, Oct. 3 "Hisense 200" NASCAR XFINITY Series race will start at the originally scheduled time of 3:30 p.m.

Because both events will be run on the same day, for the convenience of fans, Dover International Speedway will allow anyone with a previously purchased NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race ticket or a NASCAR XFINITY Series race ticket to remain in the grandstands for both events if they choose. The ticket holder that holds the ticket for that specific event will have priority (i.e. a ticket to the NASCAR XFINITY Series race during the running of that race) for the seating location. The other ticket holder is asked to move to a nearby, or general admission, seating area for the event. Fans are asked to please contact your usher with any questions or concerns.

The Sunday, Oct. 4 "AAA 400" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will start at its originally scheduled time at 2:30 p.m.

Qualifying for all three series this weekend has been canceled. Starting lineups will be set by NASCAR rulebooks.

We continue to work closely with NASCAR, the National Weather Service and our on-site meteorologist to monitor the weather. We are currently tracking this weekend’s weather and will update fans via social media, and our website, as information becomes available. You can keep up with the track via our app (download available for Android and Apple devices under the name of Dover International Speedway), on Twitter at @MonsterMile, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/DoverInternationalSpeedway.