NASCAR Xfinity - Phoenix II

The Phoenix II represents the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. This race determines the series champion through 200 laps of competition covering 200 miles. The event features three stages with breaks at laps 45, 90, and the final lap at 200. Television coverage airs on The CW, while MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio provide audio broadcasts.

Phoenix Raceway sits in Avondale, Arizona, near the Phoenix metropolitan area. The facility features a distinctive 1-mile, low-banked tri-oval configuration. Racing fans and industry professionals refer to the track as the "Desert Oddball" due to its unique layout. The circuit includes a notable dogleg on the backstretch, a design element that originally accommodated a road course configuration.

The banking varies across different sections of Phoenix International Raceway. Turns 1 and 2 have 9 degrees of banking, while Turns 3 and 4 feature 11 degrees. The frontstretch contains 9 degrees of banking, and the backstretch has just 3 degrees. The frontstretch measures 1,551 feet in length, and the backstretch spans 1,179 feet. The venue holds 42,000 spectators, and the caution speed is set at 50 MPH.

Phoenix Raceway opened in January 1964 with an ambitious design. The original facility included a 1-mile oval, a 2.5-mile road course, and a drag strip. Promoters marketed the venue as the "Indianapolis of the West" and positioned it as the western home of open wheel racing. NASCAR first competed at the track in 1988, with Alan Kulwicki winning the inaugural Cup Series race.

The facility underwent major renovations in 1990 and 1991. Workers resurfaced the oval and replaced the old 2.7-mile road course with a new 1.51-mile infield road course. Another significant renovation occurred in 2011. Crews repaved the track, widened the frontstretch, reconfigured pit road, expanded the dog-leg curve, and implemented variable banking. This renovation removed the road course entirely. The track changed names to ISM Raceway in 2018 before reverting to Phoenix Raceway in 2020.

Phoenix International Raceway became the Championship Race venue for the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020. This change elevated the track's status within NASCAR competition. The Phoenix II nascar-xs event mirrors this championship format for the Xfinity Series, bringing the season to a close at this unique desert facility.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series utilizes stock cars built to specific technical regulations. Teams and drivers compete throughout the season to earn playoff positions. The championship format creates intense competition as four drivers battle for the title in the final race. Drivers must declare Xfinity Series points and maintain championship eligibility throughout the season.

The track presents unique challenges for competitors. The varying banking through each turn requires different approaches. The dogleg on the backstretch affects racing lines and passing opportunities. The relatively flat banking compared to other tracks demands precise car setup. These characteristics make Phoenix Raceway a true test of driver skill and team preparation.

Alan Kulwicki created a lasting tradition after his 1988 victory. He drove a clockwise victory lap to see the fans, a move later called the "Polish victory lap." Before each race, track personnel known as "Snake Wranglers" search the grounds for rattlesnakes, a necessary precaution in the desert environment. Multiple racing families have found success at the track, including the Earnhardt and Elliott families.

The Phoenix II nascar-xs event provides NASCAR Xfinity Series fans with championship drama on a challenging circuit. The combination of the unique track layout, championship stakes, and desert setting creates compelling competition. Fans can follow the action through multiple broadcast platforms as drivers compete for the series title.