Pacific Raceways

Pacific Raceways is a mixed-use road racing and drag racing facility near Kent, Washington, United States. The race track was constructed in 1959 and opened in 1960. The track was originally named Kent Pacific Raceways, then became known as Seattle International Raceways in 1969.^[3] After the landowner regained control of the track in 2002, the name reverted to Pacific Raceways.^[4][5]

LocationLake Morton-Berrydale, Washington, near Kent, Washington, United States

Coordinates47°19′12.2″N 122°8′42.6″W

Capacity30,000^[1]

OwnerFiorito family^[2]

Quick facts Location, Coordinates ...

Pacific Raceways

Layout of Pacific Raceways (2002–present)
Location	Lake Morton-Berrydale, Washington, near Kent, Washington, United States
Coordinates	47°19′12.2″N 122°8′42.6″W
Capacity	30,000[1]
Owner	Fiorito family[2]
Address	31001 144th Ave SE
Broke ground	1959
Opened	1960
Former names	Seattle International Raceways (1969–2001) Pacific Raceways (1960–1968)
Major events	Current: NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series NHRA Northwest Nationals (1975–1980, 1988–2019, 2022–present) Former: NASCAR Northwest Series (2003) MazdaSpeed Miata Cup (2003) NASCAR Winston West Series (1984–1985) AMA Superbike Championship (1981–1983, 1985) Trans-Am Series (1967–1970, 1975, 1977, 1982–1984) SCCA L&M Championship (1969–1971, 1973) USAC IndyCar (1969) United States Road Racing Championship (1963–1968)
Website	https://pacificraceways.com/
Full Circuit (2002–present)
Surface	Asphalt and concrete
Length	2.250 mi (3.621 km)
Turns	10
Original Circuit (1960–2001)
Surface	Asphalt and concrete
Length	2.250 mi (3.621 km)
Turns	9
Race lap record	1:15.310 ( Brian Redman, Lola T330, 1973, F5000)
Drag Strip
Surface	Asphalt and concrete
Length	0.250 mi (0.402 km)

Close

Pacific Raceways features a 2.250 mi (3.621 km) road course which is used by the SCCA,^[6] Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts (SOVREN), and ICSCC for automobile road racing. The Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association (WMRRA) uses the course for motorcycle road racing.^[7] The course has more than 125 ft (38 m) of elevation change and a naturally wooded back section.

The track hosted two NASCAR Winston West Series between 1984 and 1985, won by Jim Bown and Dale Earnhardt respectively and also hosted a NASCAR Northwest Series race in 2003, won by Jeff Jefferson.

Pacific Raceways hosts a performance driving school which offers several curricula, including sanctioned race licensing courses, performance driving, lapping clinics, and specialty driving instruction.^[8]

The facility also features a dragstrip, which hosts the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Northwest Nationals and regional races, plus a dirt motocross track.^[9][10]

Since 1988, Pacific Raceways has been home to the Northwest Nationals (originally known as the Seafair Nationals^[11]) of the NHRA Drag Racing Series.^[12]

The track played an important role during the heyday of professional sports car racing in the U.S. during the 1960s. From 1963 through 1968, Pacific Raceways hosted the Pacific Northwest Grand Prix, which was a round of the United States Road Racing Championship. From 1967 through 1970, the venue hosted an annual round of the SCCA Trans-Am Series, including the season finales in 1967 and 1968.^[13] The Trans-Am Series returned to the track in 1975, 1977, and 1982 through 1984. The SCCA Continental Championship for Formula 5000 cars visited the track from 1969 through 1971, and again in 1973.

The track hosted a two heat race weekend of the USAC Championship Car series in 1969. The first heat was won by Mario Andretti and the second was won by Al Unser.^[14]

Among the other champion drivers who have visited victory lane at Pacific Raceways are Mark Donohue, Brian Redman, David Hobbs, Ronnie Bucknum, Peter Gregg, Tony Adamowicz, Parnelli Jones, Elliott Forbes-Robinson, Pedro Rodriguez, Dave MacDonald, Ken Miles, Jim Hall and Jerry Titus.