Sports360AZ

Diamond in the Desert: All ISM Raceway Improvements

Devon Henry

On Sunday, ISM Raceway spring winner, Kevin Harvick, took the checkers at Texas and celebrated by getting a young race fan from the seats, bringing him on track, and taking a selfie with him at the finish line with his car.

The most unique aspect of motorsports is the interaction fans have with their favorite drivers. Starting Friday, ISM Raceway, formerly Phoenix Raceway, is taking that interaction to new heights following $178 million in renovations.

Welcome to the “IN-Field”

Following the Ticket Guardian 500 in March, ISM Raceway bulldozed the current infield and created the, “IN-Field.”

The most exciting new feature to ZOOMTOWN USA’s IN-Field is the ability for fans to celebrate with the winning driver in Gatorade Victory Lane.

“Race fans will be able to come in and celebrate with the race winner,” track president, Bryan Sperber said at NASCAR’s West Coast Media Day before the start of the 2018 season. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to be able to do my entire career, is be able to have the fans come in and enjoy time with their hero that just won the race.”

This area also includes a new jumbotron and video pylon for fans to view during the race.

Speaking of accessibility, a brand new, state-of-the-art garage will allow fans to enter the Cup garage directly in front of the race cars.

“I think it will give the fans much more to do,” said Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the Roush Fenway No. 17 at the West Coast Media Day. “They’re always tailgating, hanging out, camping, partying, but now they’ll be able to come in and see exactly what my guys are doing to my racecar and see what I do throughout a normal weekend.”

The IN-Field also includes suites in the garage, a pedestrian tunnel for fans to easily move from the stands to the IN-Field, and a new area for driver intros.

Fans can access the IN-Field for Friday’s Cup and Xfinity practices, Cup and Truck series group qualifying, and the truck race for $35 with purchase of a grandstands pass. Even if you only get grandstand passes, there are plenty of new activities.

Excitement Outside the IN-Field

Even if you choose not to experience the IN-Field, the attractions on the new DC Solar Pavilion will keep fans entertained throughout the weekend. This brings concessions, giveaways and live entertainment, including Chris Janson’s pre-race Party before Sunday’s Can-Am 500.

New bars and grills greet fans as they walk in. You can even take that food and drink out to the new seats with armrests and cupholders where there is wi-fi access for everyone. You could also watch the race in style in one of the 51 updated suites, including the Dos Equis Curve Suite.

The new seats arrived due to a new start/finish line configuration, putting the line just before the track’s unique dogleg. This also created brand new camping and RV areas on the back straightaway.

“I think it’s going to be tremendously fun. I always tell people we’re in the fun business,” said Sperber. “It’s an all-day experience, lots to see, lots to do.”

Camping is already sold out, race tickets range from $25 to $195 throughout the weekend. Head to ISMRaceway.com to view prices. Also, read about the three Arizona drivers who will compete in this year’s Can-Am 500 on Sports360AZ and stay right here for more motorsports coverage.

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NASCAR ISM Raceway: Truck, Xfinity, & Cup Recaps Arizona Sports News online

Racing Against Arizona NASCAR Driver Michael McDowell at Octane Raceway

Arizona native, Devon Henry, joined the Sports360AZ crew in 2018 after graduating from Arizona State's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication. Devon has avidly partaken in coverage of the Arizona high school sports scene since 2013 and has covered NASCAR and INDYCAR at Phoenix Raceway since 2017. Devon is also a play-by-play announcer, calling over a dozen different sports and hundreds of events.

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