Phoenix race to be longer; Fontana shorter

Quote :

Phoenix spring race to be longer: The Sprint Cup event on April 10 at Phoenix International Raceway will go an additional 63 laps and miles on the one-mile oval, up from 312, The new distance will be 375 laps/miles, the longest race since PIR began hosting NASCAR in 1988. PIR measures its Cup races in kilometers, so it will be just over 603 kilometers, up from the previous 500 km. Official announcement of what will now be known as the Subway Fresh Fit 600 is expected this week. Ticket prices, which start at $25, will not increase. PIR's move is a direct result of NASCAR's switch to earlier starting times this season, reacting to a suggestion made by its national fan council and an attempt to boost TV ratings. PIR's green flag is scheduled for 4:30 pm/local, one hour earlier than last year. About two-thirds of what typically was a three-hour event ran at night, which was popular with spectators. That ratio would have been reversed without adding laps since sunset occurs just before 7:00 pm. PIR remains the first official night race on the Cup schedule. PIR's second NASCAR race, the Nov. 14 Chase for the Sprint Cup semifinal, will remain 500 kilometers but have a new title sponsor.(Arizona Republic)

~Jayski

This is interesting. I guess we will see how this works out in a few short months.

didn't need to be longer...................

Dog wrote:

didn't need to be longer...................

Why not? The Phoenix races were some of the shortest on the schedule anyway, I don't think this is a big deal. It will still run in well under 4 hours.

California race losing 100 miles...

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“The results of some changes made by NASCAR such as double-file restarts ... were seen at our inaugural Chase race, arguably one of the best races ever at the Speedway,” Auto Club Speedway President Gillian Zucker said. “This additional rules change to 400 miles is further evidence of NASCAR’s commitment to racing excitement and to Southern California race fans.”

The race at Auto Club Speedway, where cars can get strung out easily, is being shortened from 500 to 400 miles.

to me just as much can happen in 500k as 600k

w00t a baby ant step in the right direction for fontana