From Alan Kulwicki’s Polish Victory lap in 1988 to Joey Logano’s dominant run in 2024, Phoenix Raceway has seen some memorable moments. The one-mile doglegged oval in Avondale had become NASCAR’s championship battlefield since 2020, crowning legends like Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney as they battled for the Bill France Cup.
Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey had declared at the time.
This was also in celebration of what was then the track’s seventh consecutive Cup Series sellout – a record that now rests in NASCAR’s history books rather than its present reality. However, a report by NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck dampened the occasion as NASCAR returned to Phoenix Raceway for its first race of the 2025 campaign.
Empty seats break the streak at Phoenix Raceway
What made Phoenix’s streak remarkable was how it weathered the post-pandemic landscape when many sporting venues struggled to recapture attendance figures. The desert track had successfully positioned itself as NASCAR’s premier championship destination, creating a demand that consistently outpaced supply. From its spring events to the season-culminating championship weekends, fans
signals a significant shift for a track that had grown accustomed to hanging the “SOLD OUT” sign. This marks the first time since 2019 that the track’s grandstands weren’t filled for a Cup Series event – an unexpected development given the venue’s recent history of strong attendance.
, a testament to both NASCAR’s popularity in the Southwest and the track’s efforts to enhance the fan experience. As recently as March 2024, when announcing the sellout for the Shriners Children’s 500, Causey had emphasized that
Fans react to Phoenix Raceway’s milestone ending
As expected, the NASCAR community delivered a mixed bag of reactions to the news. One fan said on X,
said another fan. This is probably a knee-jerk reaction, but it isn’t a sentiment that only this fan holds. Various former NASCAR stars have been pushing for a shifting venue for the Championship race. Most notably, 2014 Cup Series Champion Kevin Harvick said last year,
With the Championship race being in November, when the weather is slightly cooler, fans would be more inclined to make the trip southwest.
The Next-Gen car has had it’s issues at Phoenix, and this is no secret. From dirty air, to a lack of passing, races at the Desert Oddball tend to involve long stretches of drivers leading until a caution or a pit stop forces a lead change.
So, what do you think? Is the streak ending a sign of times changing? Should Phoenix Raceway be reduced to just one race a year? et us know in the comments!
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