There is a very diverse number and type of cars racing at the track during the course of the season. The cars range from several different divisions of Street Stocks, Modifieds, Sport Modifieds, Mod-Lites, Dwarf Cars, Super Late Models, Sprint Cars and Midgets. There are also races that are non-traditional oval track events like the emerging Side by Side racers which have their roots in the Yamaha Rhinos and Polaris RZRs. These cars resemble golf carts with long travel suspension and they race on a modified track that includes the infield area turned into more of a motocross track.
From a racer's perspective this is a great Saturday night venue. It has a good, safe track and great pits for the racer to work on the car. The number of racers in attendance gives each class a full card of participants. Typically, there are no classes with only three or four cars, and the racing is close and fast. The track's condition makes for a fast racing surface, and the drivers and crews needed to be on top of their game to get to the front and stay there.
Bringing 'Em InThere is clearly a great deal of competition for the short track race fan and the short track racer all over the country. For the promoter, it takes the ability to please a diverse number of people each week. There is that delicate balance between catering to the fan and the racer that the promoter needs to keep happening. It takes a good show each week, with clean, well-maintained facilities and reasonably priced concessions to keep the fans coming back week in and week out. To keep the racers coming back each week it takes a well-run program and the track and facilities that make supporting a racecar a possibility.
Central Arizona Raceway seems to have struck that balance and is making the fans feel that they are getting a great value for their entertainment dollar. The racers are coming back week after week because the show is well run and they are made to feel like the center of the show.
If you find yourself in the metro Phoenix area on a Friday or Saturday and you're looking for some good, intense dirt track racing, then Central Arizona Raceway has just the ticket.