Scott & Behind the Scenes Tours at Phoenix Raceway

 

This is my cousin, Scott.

This is the truck he drives for Champion Tire & Wheel.

Scott drove to Phoenix Raceway with the rest of the Champion Tire and Wheel team for NASCAR Cup Series Champion Weekend to provide tires for NASCAR Xfinity Cup Cars.  Eric and I are joining him for the weekend and touring the work done behind the scenes to get ready for this weekend's Races.

Eric & I picked up our

credentials on November 2.

This is NASCAR's 75th

Anniversary year.

As NASCAR "newbies," we are grateful that Scott is including us in his weekend.

The tunnel beneath Indian

Springs Road will bring

us to the Raceway.

Scott takes us to the work area

for the NASCAR Craftsman

 Truck Series.

Each truck has premeasured

gas brought to the work area.

All Raceway gas comes from

this Sunoco Gas Station.

A picture with Peter Rabbit

He is well-known in the

Racing Circuit for hauling

Race Teams.

Race Teams #7, #18, and #51 vehicles and equipment have been carefully moved here to Phoenix Raceway.

There are tires everywhere!

A crew pushes a truck to its

work area.

Each truck goes to this tent

for inspection.

The hood is raised to check

the engine.

Inspecting the wheels

The truck is then moved

back to its prep area.

This Tractor Trailer has an

observation deck on its

roof.

A closeup of Phoenix

Raceway.

Tire Rims wait to be mounted.

Tires are purchased at the

Raceway.

Each one is carefully

labeled for the customer.

Tire Mounting Stations

Tires are carefully

balanced here.

A team pushes an Xfinity

 Race Car to its work area.

Number 18 is waiting

for its tires to be

mounted.

Number 5's hood is

raised.

The car's front-end suspension is

carefully calibrated to tilt the

front tires for efficient racing 

on the tack's oval surface.

Racing isn't just about Cars, trucks, and tires.  There are many safety systems at the Raceway.

Tundra Track Drying Team

is here in sunny Phoenix.

Why?

These systems can move water

off the Track & blow debris

from the top of the Raceway

curves towards the Infield.

The Elgin Sweeper picks up

the debris.

It also vacuums up LOTS

of water after rain.

The circular brooms work

hard.

Scott shows Eric & me this

pile of curved trackside

lining.

This is one part of the SAFER Barrier System.  

The curved sections are held in

place by giant styrofoam 

triangles.

Collision energy is absorbed,

reducing driver injuries.

Scott & I in front of one of

 the Equipment Haulers.

After an afternoon of learning

about the work that goes on

before a Race starts, it's time

to find a place for us to

fuel up.