Richard Petty Raceway

Take the wheel and go for a ride at Richard Petty Raceway.

Phoenix International Raceway has teamed up with the legendary Richard Petty on a joint venture to create the first-ever high performance kart track within a NASCAR facility. Richard Petty Raceway - located on PIR's Midway - will put race fans behind the wheel and into the action, beginning in November for the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 weekend.

The 1/16th-mile Richard Petty Raceway is located just inside Gate 4 at PIR, providing fans the chance to test their racing mettle for just $20 a session. The permanent one-of-a-kind venue allows first-hand entertainment for fans 16 and older.

A grand opening for Richard Petty Raceway is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, November 13. Petty is scheduled to appear along with AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 44 Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge.

Richard Petty Raceway will open on Thursday, November 12 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The facility will stay open throughout the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 weekend at PIR, with racing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, November 13, and action beginning at 8 a.m. and lasting until 30 minutes before the checkered flags of the Able Body Labor 200 and Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500, respectively, on Saturday and Sunday.

The raceway's structure includes a pit and garage area, as well as grandstand seating where each driver's "fans" can gather and show support - just as they would for the Chase for the Sprint Cup competitors on PIR's one-mile oval. Each race at Richard Petty Raceway can include five competitors.

At 20 feet wide and featuring a flagman's tower, tire barriers, and a layout quite similar to that of the main Phoenix International Raceway oval, Richard Petty Raceway is designed to give NASCAR fans yet another exciting racing surface - with the added thrill of participation in 9hp high-performance karts, provided by Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE). Competitors will put on firesuits and helmets and receive detailed instruction from RPDE professionals prior to racing.

Fans will have the chance to win a spot to compete in a race at the grand opening against the Sprint Cup Series professionals by entering the Richard Petty Raceway Grand Opening Sweepstakes. Check www.phoenixraceway.com for sweepstakes information soon.