IndyCar: Looking back at the last five Phoenix races

After an 11-year absence, IndyCar returned to Phoenix in 2016. Take a look at racing in the desert, before and after reunification.

Now traditionally serving as IndyCar‘s first oval on the schedule, the race had been staged since 1964 under USAC sanctioning prior to leaving the scheduled after the 2005 season.

The 2016 return saw a few changes to Phoenix Raceway. Firstly, the name — from 1964 to 2014, the venue was called Phoenix International Raceway before dropping the “International” and becoming Phoenix Raceway in 2016. The venue was called Jeff Gordon Raceway in 2015.

The 2018 race will be under a new name as well — ISM Raceway, as a partnership deal was signed in the offseason.

The return also saw a longer track and race. It is now a 1.022-mile oval instead of the rounded 1-mile of years past and now 250 laps are set to take place instead of the traditional 200. What will the future bring? We’ll see, but until then, look back at the last five races at ISM Raceway.

2003

2004

Andretti Green Racing’s Tony Kanaan successfully defended his 2003 win by dominating the race. Kanaan led 191 of the race’s 200 laps, including a 124-lap stretch from lap 77 onward. Despite Kanaan’s dominance from the front, the margin of victory was roughly half a second at 0.534 seconds, as Phoenix International Raceway was a usual victim of close-knit pack racing. The three cautions for 26 laps were the fewest under IRL-sanctioned racing since 1996 on the old 1-mile layout.

2005

The 2005 race saw Toyota’s only victory at Phoenix International Raceway. Team Penske’s Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves made it a 1-2 finish for the Japanese manufacturer. The race was also one of the more competitive races with nine lead changes and four different drivers capable of winning in the desert. The drive of the day, however, went to Andretti Green Racing’s Tony Kanaan, whose recovery drive from 21st place to a 3rd place podium spot is worthy of praise.

2016

Phoenix Raceway welcomed back IndyCar racing with a longer oval. Team Penske’s Helio Castroneves captured the first Phoenix pole since IndyCar racing’s reunification in 2008. Castroneves, his Team Penske teammate Juan Pablo Montoya and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon were the only drivers to lead laps. Castroneves led the first 39 lap before Montoya led the 56, and Dixon ended the race by leading the final 155-lap stint.

Unfortunately, the race ended under caution when Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi had a single-car accident in turn 4 with three laps to go. Rossi was the last driver classified to have finished the full 250 laps. The podium was a clean sweep for Chevrolet, as the highest Honda finisher was Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal in 5th place.