Firebird Motorsports Park

Motorsport venue in the United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Firebird Motorsports Park (formerly Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and Firebird International Raceway) is a 450-acre (180 ha) motorsport racing complex, located in Chandler, Arizona, United States, about 18 mi (29 km) southeast of downtown Phoenix.

Coordinates33°16′8″N 111°57′58″W
Address20000 S Maricopa Rd
Quick facts Location, Coordinates ...
Firebird Motorsports Park

Firebird Motorsports Park in 2010.
LocationChandler, Arizona, United States
Coordinates33°16′8″N 111°57′58″W
OwnerGila River Indian Community
Address20000 S Maricopa Rd
Opened1983
Former namesFirebird International Raceway (1983–2013)
Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (2013–2023)
Major eventsCurrent:
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series
NHRA Arizona Nationals (1985–present)[1]
Former:
Nitrocross (2021–2023)
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
(2010–2020)
Formula D (2016)
AMA Superbike Championship (1995)
SCCA World Challenge (1992)
IMSA GT Championship (1987)
Websitehttps://racefirebird.com/
East Course (1983–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.01 km (1.25 mi)
Turns10
Race lap record0:56.920 (United States Willy T. Ribbs, Toyota Celica Turbo, 1987, IMSA GTO)
Firebird Lake
Length3.9 km (2.4 mi)
Radford Racing Course
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.6 km (1.6 mi)
Turns15
West Course
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.8 km (1.1 mi)
Off-Road Course
SurfaceDirt
Length1.13 km (0.70 mi)
Drag Strip
SurfaceConcrete
Length0.402 km (0.250 mi)
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History

The facility opened as Firebird International Raceway in 1983.

In 1985, Firebird hosted the NHRA Fallnationals, the first National NHRA event held at the complex. Gene Snow would win the Top Fuel championship while Bob Glidden clinched the 1985 NHRA world championship.[2]

On May 17, 1987, it held its only IMSA GT race, the Arizona 300.

In December 1992, Three-time Formula One Champion Ayrton Senna tested an IndyCar on the East Course with Team Penske. Senna was intrigued, but eventually decided to stay in Formula One.[3]

In March 2013, it was announced that the land owner, the Gila River Indian Community and the operator of Firebird International Raceway, Charlie Allen could not reach an agreement on a lease extension and that the complex would close in April.[4][5][6] The complex would stay closed throughout March until the Gila River Indian Community announced that they signed a lease agreement with a new operator in June, the complex would change names from Firebird International Raceway to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, named after the neighboring tribal casino and resort Wild Horse Pass while also receiving an investment of more than $1 million in renovations, including repaving the drag-strip.[7][8][9]

On Feb 22, 2014, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park would reopen and host its first event since closing, the NHRA Arizona National.[10][11]

In March 2022, it was announced that Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park would close in February 2023, after NHRA Arizona Nationals, due to the widening of Interstate 10. Radford Racing School and the Radford Racing course will remain open after Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park closes.[12][13][14]

Track officials announced that the track would change the name of the facility to Firebird Motorsports Park which is a reference to the original name of the facility.[15]

Track records

Race lap records

The fastest official race lap records at the Firebird Motorsports Park are listed as:

More information Category, Time ...
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Drag strip records

More information Category, E.T. ...
CategoryE.T.SpeedDriverEventRef
Top Fuel3.643Brittany Force2020 NHRA Arizona Nationals[18]
337.92 mph (543.83 km/h)Brittany Force2020 NHRA Arizona Nationals
Funny Car3.823Matt Hagan2022 NHRA Arizona Nationals
337.16 mph (542.61 km/h)Courtney Force2018 NHRA Arizona Nationals
Pro Stock6.498Mike Edwards2013 NHRA Arizona Nationals
213.77 mph (344.03 km/h)Mike Edwards2013 NHRA Arizona Nationals
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Layout configurations

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Winners

More information Year, Top Fuel ...
YearTop FuelFunny CarPro Stock
1985Gene SnowJohn CollinsBob Glidden
1986Dick LahaieKenny BernsteinBob Glidden
1987Dick LahaieMark OswaldBob Glidden
1988Eddie HillMike DunnBob Glidden
1989Shirley MuldowneyBruce LarsonDarrell Alderman
1990Joe AmatoDale PuldeBob Glidden
1991Kenny BernsteinJim WhiteDarrell Alderman
1992Pat AustinTom HooverJerry Eckman
1993Eddie HillCruz PedregonMark Pawak
1994Cory McClenathanJohn ForceScott Geoffrion
1995Larry Dixon Jr.John ForceDarrell Alderman
1996Kenny BernsteinJohn ForceJim Yates
1997Gary ScelziJohn ForceJim Yates
1998Cory McClenathanChuck EtchellsWarren Johnson
1999Joe AmatoJohn ForceKurt Johnson
2000Tony SchumacherJohn ForceJeg Couglin Jr.
2001Doug KalittaJohn ForceWarren Johnson
2002Tony SchumacherDel WorshamBruce Allen
2003Brandon BernsteinRon CappsGreg Anderson
2004Brandon BernsteinDel WorshamKurt Johnson
2005Tony SchumacherJohn ForceAllen Johnson
2006Rod FullerTommy Johnson Jr.Warren Johnson
2007Rod FullerTony PedregonKurt Johnson
2008Larry Dixon Jr.Jack BeckmanVieri Gaines
2009Antron BrownRon CappsJeg Coughlin Jr.
2010Cory McClenathanJack BeckmanMike Edwards
2011Del WorshamMike NeffJason Line
2012Antron BrownRobert HightJason Line
2013Tony SchumacherRon CappsErica Enders
2014Antron BrownAlexis DeJoriaAllen Johnson
2015Tony SchumacherMatt HaganRodger Brogden
2016Leah PruettTim WilkersonJason Line
2017Leah PruettMatt HaganGreg Anderson
2018Steve TorrenceCourtney ForceChris McGaha
2019Billy TorrenceMatt HaganJeg Coughlin Jr.
2020Steve TorrenceTommy Johnson Jr.Erica Enders
2021No event held.
2022Mike SalinasRobert HightAaron Stanfield
2023Justin AshleyRobert HightCamrie Caruso
2024Shawn LangdonAustin ProckGreg Anderson
2025Shawn LangdonPaul LeeGreg Anderson
2026Shawn LangdonRon CappsDallas Glenn
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References

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