At his State of the City Event last week, Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise proclaimed 2020 as the Year of the NASCAR Championship Weekend in Avondale. Accepting the proclamation on behalf of Phoenix Raceway, was the racetrack’s President Julie Giese, who also spoke to the audience at the State of the City event, held Feb. 27 in Avondale.
Last March, Governor Doug Ducey was joined by officials from NASCAR and Phoenix Raceway to announce that the Valley of the Sun, for the first time in the sport’s history, will host the NASCAR Championship Weekend, Nov. 6-8, 2020.
“All eyes will be on Avondale in 2020, home to Phoenix Raceway, which recently underwent a $178 million renovation that has positioned the racetrack as one of the premier venues on the racing circuit,” said Mayor Weise. “Avondale is proud of the city’s role in ensuring an all-round safe and exciting experience for the fans who attend two race weekends each Spring and Fall. And it’s even more important that we roll out the red carpet to race fans this year, to demonstrate to NASCAR that the Valley of the Sun is worthy of hosting the Championship weekend in 2020.”
Said Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese: “We’re fortunate to be a part of an amazing city like Avondale and to be able to showcase our facility and this community to motorsports fans from around the world. We couldn’t be more excited to be hosting the 2020 NASCAR Championship Weekend in November and to continue to highlight the Phoenix metropolitan area and State of Arizona as the premier motorsports and entertainment destination.”
Mayor Weise acknowledged that by attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually who stay, dine, camp, shop and support local businesses, Phoenix Raceway makes a significant contribution to Arizona’s economy.
Avondale’s population will more than double this week with the influx of tens of thousands of visitors who will be in town for the Fanshield 500 NASCAR Speed Fest Weekend, March 6 to 8. Race fans will see street banners and decals throughout the city welcoming race fans. And, as the RVs, race haulers, trucks and cars make their way south along Avondale Boulevard to the racetrack, visitors will also see a series of checkered crosswalks, as an homage to the history of racing in Avondale. There’s even a street along Avondale Boulevard named in honor of racing legend Dale Earnhardt.
“Phoenix Raceway in Avondale has been a part of motorsports history since 1964, and the city feel it’s important to recognize the significant role the racetrack plays as a sports destination and an economic engine for the state,” Mayor Weise said.
