IndyCar Series at Phoenix Raceway

Last updated
Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix
Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix logo.png
Phoenix-international-raceway-2011-new.svg
IndyCar Series
Venue Phoenix Raceway (1964–2005, 2016–2018, 2026)
First race1964
Distance255.5 mi (411.2 km)
Laps250
Previous namesPhoenix 100/150/200: 1964, 1973-1974, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1997
Jimmy Bryan Memorial: 1965-1968
Jimmy Bryan 150: 1969-1972, 1976-1978
Bricklin 150: 1975
Arizona Republic/Jimmy Bryan 150: 1979
Kraco Car Stereo 150: 1981-1982
Dana-Jimmy Bryan 150: 1984
Dana 200: 1986
Checker 200: 1987-1988
Checker Autoworks 200: 1989
Autoworks 200: 1990
Valvoline 200: 1991-1993
Slick-50 200: 1994-1995
Dura-Lube 200: 1996, 1998
MCI WorldCom 200: 1999-2000
Pennzoil/Copper World Indy 200: 2001
Bombardier ATV Indy 200: 2002
Purex/Dial Indy 200: 2003
Copper World Indy 200: 2004
XM Satellite Radio 200 presented by Argent Mortgage: 2005
Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix: 2016-2018
Former second race:
  • Bobby Ball Memorial: 1964–1968
  • Bobby Ball 200: 1969
  • Bobby Ball 150: 1970–1971
  • Best Western 150: 1972
  • Arizona 150: 1973
  • Phoenix 150: 1974–1975
  • Bobby Ball 150: 1976–1977
  • Miller High Life Bobby Ball Memorial 150: 1978
  • Miller High Life 150: 1979–1983
  • Stroh's 150: 1984
  • Dana 150: 1985
  • Circle K/Fiesta Bowl 200: 1986
Most wins (driver) Johnny Rutherford (3)
Bobby Unser (3)
Rick Mears (3)
Former fall race:
A. J. Foyt (4)
Al Unser (4)
Most wins (manufacturer)Chassis: Dallara (10)
Engine: Chevrolet (10)

The Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, United States has hosted American open-wheel racing since 1964. The United States Auto Club (USAC) moved the fall race from the Arizona State Fairgrounds and added a spring race to the newly built Phoenix International Raceway in 1964. The races became part of the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) series in 1979. The fall race was cancelled after 1986, but the spring race continued and joined the Indy Racing League (IRL) in 1996. It was held continuously through 2005.

Contents

After a hiatus of eleven years, the race was revived by the IndyCar Series in 2016. It was held on Saturday night under the lights. Long considered[ by whom? ] a popular Indy car track, Phoenix saw the final career victory for Mario Andretti (1993).

The race was last held in 2018 as part of the IndyCar Series. It was often known as the Jimmy Bryan Memorial in its early years. During its last stint it was known as the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix for sponsorship reasons. The race is slated to return in 2026. [1]

The previous fall race occurred from 1964 to 1986. The Circle K/Fiesta Bowl 200 was the final name of a CART race held annually at the Raceway from 1979 though 1986; it was known as the Miller High Life 150 for five editions and by multiple other names during that period. Prior to that, it was operated under another sanctioning body, USAC.

History

In 1915, and again from 1950 through 1963, AAA and then USAC sanctioned championship car races were held at the Arizona State Fairgrounds speedway, the Phoenix 100. The race date transferred to Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) upon its opening in 1964.

During its time on the USAC championship car circuit, PIR typically held two races annually, one in the spring, and one in the fall. During the CART years, two races were scheduled through the mid-1980s, but the track dropped down to one race per year starting in 1987. In many years, Phoenix served as the CART season opener. After a feud between the track ownership and CART series officials, the track was dropped from the CART schedule after 1995, and immediately switched to the IRL beginning in 1996.

Over the entire history of the fall race, A. J. Foyt and Al Unser each won four times, the most of any driver. Foyt's wins came in 1960 at the Fairgrounds and then in 1965, 1971, and 1975 at the Raceway. Unser's wins all came at the Raceway, in 1969, 1976, 1979, and 1985. The most consecutive wins was three, by Tom Sneva in 1980, 1981, and 1982. Sneva's three wins were the most by any driver under CART's sanction of the race (1979–1986).

Citing low attendance, the spring race was put on hiatus after the 2005 season. In 2007, the Grand Prix Arizona for the Champ Car World Series was planned on a street circuit in downtown Phoenix, near the original course used for the United States Grand Prix. The event was cancelled four months before the event due to insufficient sponsorship funding. [2]

After a long hiatus, the track returned to the IndyCar Series schedule in 2016. The race was the only 1-mile oval on the schedule. The race was scheduled for a twilight start, and raced into the night under the lights. With the reconfiguring of the track in 2011, the circuit measured 1.022 miles in length, and the race was scheduled for 255.5 miles. Desert Diamond West Valley was announced as the title sponsor of the race for 2016 on March 23. [3] Following the 2018 race the raceway announced the series would not return for 2019, citing poor attendance. [4]

Past winners

SeasonDateDriverTeamChassisEngine/Aero KitTiresRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
Report
LapsMiles (km)
USAC Championship Car history
1964 March 22 Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Anstead-Thompson Racing Watson Offenhauser F 100100 (160.934)0:55:48107.536
November 22 Flag of the United States.svg Lloyd Ruby Bill Forbes Racing Halibrand RE Offenhauser F 200200 (321.868)1:51:23107.736
1965 March 28 Flag of the United States.svg Don Branson Leader Card Racing Watson Offenhauser F 150150 (241.401)1:24:33106.456
November 21 Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Anstead-Thompson Racing Lotus RE Ford G 200200 (321.868)2:00:0199.99
1966 March 20 Flag of the United States.svg Jim McElreath John Zink Company Brabham Ford F 150150 (241.401)1:31:0598.828
November 20 Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti Dean Racing Enterprises Brawner Hawk Ford F 200200 (321.868)1:54:38104.697
1967 April 9 Flag of the United States.svg Lloyd Ruby Gene White Firestone Mongoose Ford F 150150 (241.401)1:44:1886.296
November 19 Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti Dean Racing Enterprises Brawner Hawk Ford F 200200 (321.868)1:49:13109.872
1968 April 7 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Leader Card Racing Eagle Offenhauser G 150150 (241.401)1:29:10100.938
November 17 Flag of the United States.svg Gary Bettenhausen Gerhardt Racing Gerhardt Offenhauser F 200200 (321.868)1:54:19104.972
1969 March 30 Flag of the United States.svg George Follmer George Follmer Racing Cheetah Chevrolet F 150150 (241.401)1:21:55109.8
November 15 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Lola Ford F 200200 (321.868)1:48:59110.109
1970 March 28 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing P.J. Colt Ford F 150150 (241.401)
November 21 Flag of the United States.svg Swede Savage All American Racers Eagle Ford G 150150 (241.401)1:17:30116.807
1971 March 27 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing P.J. Colt Ford F 150150 (241.401)1:20:40111.565
October 23 Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Anstead-Thompson Racing Coyote 71 Ford G 150150 (241.401)1:21:18110.333
1972 March 18 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser All American Racers Eagle Offenhauser G 150150 (241.401)1:27:32102.805
November 4 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser All American Racers Eagle Offenhauser G 150150 (241.401)1:10:31127.618
1973 March 17Race postponed by rain and eventually cancelled due to infrastructure damage and scheduling conflicts.
November 3 Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock STP-Patrick Racing Eagle Offenhauser G 150150 (241.401)1:18:15115.015
1974 March 17 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Mosley Agajanian-Leader Card Racing Eagle Offenhauser F 150150 (241.401)1:17:08116.663
November 2 Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock STP-Patrick Racing Eagle Offenhauser G 150150 (241.401)1:12:28124.202
1975 March 16 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Team McLaren McLaren Offenhauser G 150150 (241.401)1:21:06110.971
November 9 Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt Gilmore-Foyt Racing Coyote Foyt TC G 150150 (241.401)1:21:02111.055
1976 March 14 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Bob Fletcher Racing Eagle Offenhauser G 150150 (241.401)
November 7 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Parnelli Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:23:34107.695
1977 March 27 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Team McLaren McLaren Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:20:48111.395
October 29 Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock Patrick Racing Wildcat Drake Goosen Sparks G 150150 (241.401)1:22:53108.597
1978 March 18 Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock Patrick Racing Wildcat Drake Goosen Sparks G 150150 (241.401)1:17:05116.757
October 28 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Team McLaren McLaren Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:14:24120.974
CART Championship Car history
1979 March 11 Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock Patrick Racing Penske Cosworth DFX G 150 150 (241.401)1:15:23119.389 Report
October 20 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Chaparral Cars Chaparral Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:13:03123.203
1980 March 2Race cancelled due to Salt River floods
November 8 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva Jerry O'Connell Racing Phoenix Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:30:0499.925
1981 March 22 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Chaparral Cars Chaparral Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:17:08116.681
October 31 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva Bignotti-Cotter Racing March Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:20:10112.266
1982 March 28 Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske Penske PC-10 Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:15:48118.727
November 6 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva Bignotti-Cotter Racing March 82C Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:21:05110.997
1983 March 20Race cancelled due to Salt River floods
October 29 Flag of Italy.svg Teo Fabi Forsythe Racing March 83C Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:11:03126.671
1984 April 14 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva Mayer Racing March 84C Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:14:39120.555
October 13 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Rahal Truesports March 84C Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:31:4798.048
1985 March 31Race postponed due to general deterioration of the track; it was held on the originally discontinued fall date
October 13 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Team Penske March 85C Cosworth DFX G 150150 (241.401)1:14:35120.644
1986 April 6 Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Cogan Patrick Racing March 86C Cosworth DFX G 200200 (321.868)1:39:42120.345
October 19 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Andretti Kraco Racing March 86C Cosworth DFX G 200200 (321.868)1:29:06134.676
1987 April 12 Flag of Colombia.svg Roberto Guerrero Granatelli Racing Team March 87C Cosworth DFX G 200200 (321.868)1:26:56138.02
1988 April 10 Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti Newman/Haas Racing Lola T8800 Chevrolet Indy 265A G 200200 (321.868)1:38:22121.992
1989 April 9 Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske Penske PC-18 Chevrolet Indy 265A G 200200 (321.868)1:35:09126.112
1990 April 8 Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske Penske PC-19 Chevrolet Indy 265A G 200200 (321.868)1:35:01126.291
1991 April 21 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Arie Luyendyk Granatelli Racing Team Lola T9100 Chevrolet Indy 265A G 200200 (321.868)1:32:18129.988
1992 April 5 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Rahal Rahal/Hogan Racing Lola T9200 Chevrolet Indy 265A G 200200 (321.868)1:31:56130.529
1993 April 4 Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti Newman/Haas Racing Lola T9300 Ford-Cosworth XB G 200200 (321.868)1:36:53123.847
1994 April 10 Flag of Brazil.svg Emerson Fittipaldi Team Penske Penske PC-23 Ilmor Indy 265D G 200200 (321.868)1:51:41107.437
1995 April 2 Flag of the United States.svg Robby Gordon Walker Racing Reynard 95i Ford-Cosworth XB G 200200 (321.868)1:29:33133.98
Indy Racing League history
1996 March 24 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Arie Luyendyk Treadway Racing Reynard 95i Ford-Cosworth XB F 200 200 (321.868)1:42:14117.368 Report
1997 March 23 Flag of the United States.svg Jim Guthrie Blueprint Racing Dallara Oldsmobile F 200200 (321.868)2:14:3389.19 Report
1998 March 22 Flag of the United States.svg Scott Sharp Kelley Racing Dallara Oldsmobile G 200200 (321.868)2:02:1998.11 Report
1999 March 28 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Scott Goodyear Panther Racing G-Force Oldsmobile G 200200 (321.868)1:56:40102.856 Report
2000 March 19 Flag of the United States.svg Buddy Lazier Hemelgarn Racing Riley & Scott Oldsmobile F 200200 (321.868)1:47:11111.957
2001 March 18 Flag of the United States.svg Sam Hornish Jr. Panther Racing Dallara Oldsmobile F 200200 (321.868)1:35:57125.072
2002 March 17 Flag of Brazil.svg Hélio Castroneves Team Penske Dallara Chevrolet XG F 200200 (321.868)1:43:00116.504
2003 March 23 Flag of Brazil.svg Tony Kanaan Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda HI3R Indy V8 F 200200 (321.868)1:59:55100.073
2004 March 21 Flag of Brazil.svg Tony Kanaan Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda HI4R Indy V8 F 200200 (321.868)1:33:46127.981
2005 March 19 Flag of the United States.svg Sam Hornish Jr. Team Penske Dallara Toyota Indy V8 F 200200 (321.868)1:30:24137.753
2006

2015
Not held
IndyCar Series history
2016 April 2 Flag of New Zealand.svg Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Chevrolet Indy V6
Chevy Aero Kit 16
F 250255.5 (411.186)*1:49:39139.822 Report
2017 April 29 Flag of France.svg Simon Pagenaud Team Penske Dallara Chevrolet Indy V6
Chevy Aero Kit 16
F 250255.5 (411.186)1:46:25144.058 Report
2018 April 7 Flag of the United States.svg Josef Newgarden Team Penske Dallara Chevrolet Indy V6
Universal Aero Kit 18
F 250255.5 (411.186)1:44:00147.395 Report

Support races

Selected race summaries

Former Fall race

CART Championship Car

IndyCar Series

References

  1. "Phoenix, Mexico and a relocated Toronto all poised to feature on IndyCar's 2026 schedule | RACER". racer.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  2. Berry, Jahna (29 August 2007). "Grand Prix Arizona canceled". The Arizona Republic.
  3. "PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY NAMES DESERT DIAMOND WEST VALLEY TITLE SPONSOR OF APRIL 2 PHOENIX GRAND PRIX". Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  4. Ayello, Jim (22 June 2018) IndyCar will not return to Phoenix in 2019 Indystar. Retrieved 2019-05-01.
  5. "Auto Racing Roundup : Cogan Gets a Break and Beats Sneva for First Indy-Car Win". Los Angeles Times . Avondale, Arizona. Times Wire Services. April 7, 1986. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  6. "Sharp/Dismore Fined for Phoenix Infractions". The Auto Channel. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
  7. Glick, Shav (March 16, 2001). "Penske CART Team Using Phoenix Race as Indy 500 Tuneup". Los Angeles Times . Avondale, Arizona . Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  8. "IRL: Hornish secures lucky 13th win at PIR". Motorsport.com . Motorsport.com, Inc. March 22, 2005. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.