Tucson Speedway
 | |
| Location | 11955 S Harrison Rd, Tucson, AZ 85747 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°2′15″N 110°47′20″W / 32.03750°N 110.78889°W |
| Operator | Shelly McGriff |
| Opened | 1968 |
| Former names | Raven Speedway Tucson Raceway Park |
| Major events | NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Chilly Willy 150 (2014–present) (1993-1999, 2001, 2015-2019) |
| Oval | |
| Length | 0.604 km (0.375 miles) |
| Banking | 3° – 9° Variable Banking |
Tucson Speedway is a 0.375 mi (604 m) paved oval racetrack located at the Pima County Fairgrounds, off Interstate 10 just south of Tucson, Arizona. It is one of only three paved ovals in the state of Arizona (the others are Phoenix Raceway and Havasu 95 Speedway).
History[edit]
The track was built in 1968, originally as a clay oval and called Raven Speedway.[1] Former NASCAR CEO Brian France took over track operations in 1990. The International Speedway Corporation (ISC) paved the racing surface and renamed the track in 1992. ISC sold the track to Deery Sports West, Inc. ten years later.[2]
In 2005, the track was sold to Dan and Joyce Ruth, who made many track improvements. Three years later, Ruth sold the track to Mark Ebert, who made it an ASA Member track. .[3] In 2012, Tucson businessman John Lashley bought the lease on the track and spent six months renovating the facility, which included a change back to asphalt. It re-opened in 2013 as Tucson Speedway. In 2014 Tucson Speedway joined NASCAR as an authorized Hometrack.
Chilly Willy 150[edit]
Since 2014 the Chilly Willy 150 has become the marquee event at the Tucson Speedway. The race debuted on February 8th, 2014 as a 100 lap (37.5 Mile) race. Las Vegas native Dustin Ash would take home $2,000 in the inaugural Chilly Willy, in a race that featured a total of 16 starters.[4] [5]
As of 2024, the Chilly Willy has grown to become a major super late model event on the West Coast. The race kicks off the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series and currently pays $15,000 to the winner of the race. The race typically sees over 30 entries, with the record being 40 entries in 2019.
Former Events[edit]
ARCA Menards Series West[edit]
The Tucson Speedway hosted the ARCA Menards Series West in various stretches from 1993 to 2019. The inaugural race on June 12th, 1993 was a 200 lap (75 miles) event with Dirk Stephens reigning victorious over the field of 18 cars, including Tucson's Paul Banghart. [6]
Starting in 1995, the track would see the then NASCAR Winston West Series twice a year, once in the spring and once in the winter as a part of Winter Heat. The race distance at Tucson would stay at 200 laps (75 miles) with the exeption of Winter Heat 1996 & 1997 when the race would be ran as a 150 lap (56 mile) race.[7]
After the end of Winter Heat, the series would return as a 250 lap (95 miles) race for a one off event in March of 2001., which would be won by Johnny Borneman III. [8]
The series would make its return 14 years later in 2015, as an annual 150 lap race before changing over to a twin 100 lap race format for 2018 and 2019.
References[edit]
- ^ "Pima County Attractions – Tucson Raceway Park". Pima County Attractions. Archived from the original on February 22, 2006. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- ^ Finley, Patrick (May 25, 2006). "Phoenix man seeking takeover of TRP lease". Arizona Daily Star. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- ^ "Tucson Speedway – NASCAR Home Tracks". hometracks.nascar.com. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
- ^ https://www.thethirdturn.com/wiki/2014_Chilly_Willy_100
- ^ http://www.pimacountyattractions.com/press.html%7Cwebsite=Pima
- ^ "1993 Valvoline 200". Racing Reference. Retrieved 4/18/2024.
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