PIR notebook: Track not likely in danger of losing 2nd race

Phoenix International Raceway president Bryan R. Sperber and a NASCAR spokesman discounted a report this week in a Kansas City newspaper that said PIR's Subway Fresh Fit 500 could shift to Kansas Speedway in 2010 or 2011.

Johnson takes pole position at PIR

"We're pretty confident that we're here to stay on the schedule," Sperber said. "The (racing) industry likes coming here, NASCAR likes coming here. We put on great races. I'm pretty confident that (NASCAR) is happy and we're happy."

Kansas Speedway is expected to be awarded a second Sprint Cup race as early as 2010, but with the schedule already maxed out at 36 events, that date would have to come at the expense of another International Speedway Corp. track.

Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., and Michigan International Speedway, which have struggled to fill seats recently, have been the tracks most mentioned as possible venues to lose a second race to Kansas.

NASCAR's 2009 schedule already has been set, and Phoenix will host the Subway Fresh Fit 500 in April and the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 in November.

PIR, which has had a fall Cup race on its schedule since 1988, was awarded its second date starting in the spring of 2005, and attendance has steadily remained greater than 100,000 annually for each Phoenix date.

NASCAR has been satisfied with the packed crowds at the Phoenix races, and spokesman Jim Hunter believes PIR will continue to host two annual events.

"To my knowledge, Phoenix hasn't been on the radar screen as a likely candidate for date movement under any realignment plans," he said. "Phoenix is one of the most exciting intermediate tracks on the circuit and a great market for NASCAR. The track has attracted many new fans in recent years and is a leader in our diversity efforts with the Hispanic community."

Kansas Speedway moved to the top of NASCAR's list for landing a second Sprint Cup date when the track won the rights this fall to build a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino near the venue.

GOING BOWLING

Fiesta Bowl officials announced that two-time NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart will serve as grand marshal of the Fiesta Bowl parade Jan. 3 in Phoenix.

It was an easy decision to accept the role, Stewart said, because of his early roots, racing in the Valley.

"Phoenix has always been my West Coast home away from home," Stewart said.

And his ties to college football?

"I'm slower, smaller and fatter than these guys, but I can drive faster than them," he said.

However, his speed in the parade will be curtailed, Fiesta Bowl officials said.

"We do have one rule - there is no passing in the parade," said John Junker, president and CEO of the Fiesta Bowl.

Stewart will also be present for the coin toss prior to the start of the Fiesta Bowl, which is Jan. 5 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

The Fiesta Bowl is no stranger to NASCAR and motorsports.

The organization was one of the five original sponsors when NASCAR began Cup racing at PIR in 1988.

CARL'S QUICKEST

Carl Edwards, who is chasing Clint Bowyer for the Nationwide Series championship, was fastest in Friday's final practice for today's Hefty Odor Block 200. His lap at 130.430 mph (27.601 seconds) bettered the mile lap from David Reutimann (130.030 mph, 27.686 seconds). Bowyer, who leads Edwards by 91 points with two Nationwide races remaining, was 18th on the speed charts (127.105, 28.323).

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

There are reserved grandstand tickets remaining for Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500, and there is plenty of hillside general admission seating. Sperber expects a near-sellout.

DRIVER APPEARANCES

Sprint Cup driver Kevin Harvick will sign autographs at his No. 29 souvenir trailer outside of PIR's midway shortly after Saturday's Nationwide Series race.

Sprint Cup driver Carl Edwards is scheduled to appear at PIR's Trackside Club (overlooking the backstretch) at 11:05 a.m. Sunday.

Clint Bowyer is scheduled to sign autographs (first 175 fans) from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Chevy display near Gate 4 in PIR's display area.

Kevin Harvick (11 a.m.), Kahne (10:45 a.m.) and Scott Speed (12:15 p.m.) are scheduled to meet with fans Sunday at PIR's Raceway Club on the midway.