Phoenix International Raceway Details Efforts To Get New Surface Race-Ready

Phoenix International Raceway is not taking the concerns of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series drivers lightly.

In response to drivers' worries about whether the newly repaved Phoenix track will put on a good race, the track has attempted to expand the racing groove through several recent steps.

Track president Bryan Sperber said PIR has used an advanced tire-dragging machine to lay rubber on the track (the machine spent 90 hours on track in the process) and had six Richard Petty Driving Experience cars on the surface for a collective 3,000 miles this week.

"This track has a lot of grip and we definitely widened the grip out," said former Nationwide Series champion Randy Lajoie, who drove one of the RPDE cars. "We've been able to give the drivers some more options. What the track did – it's definitely going to make everyone who tested here think it's a whole lot nicer when they turn their first laps."

Said Steve Grissom, who drove another car: "From the work that has been done between the test and running yesterday, it's pretty amazing. It has definitely picked up the pace here on the track. I think the drivers are going to be really surprised from the time they tested to when they put down the first laps Thursday, and it's only going to get better."

Sperber said the track would also be washed and swept before turning the facility over to NASCAR for the weekend. Some drivers had expressed concern about dust and sand on the surface.