2014 AZ Nats

[The Counterfeiter]

A frame flashed on the Jumbotron stating there will be a race at the track next year. I didn't hear any audio. Sure there will be more tomorrow, I'll let ya know!

 

[mltdwn12]

Did you see the sponsor signs from Blue Media (I think it was) saying "Thanks for the great ride Firebird Raceway"? Be curious to see if they say anything about the situation on the TV show tonight or tomorrow. I had some good pics from yesterday, but can't upload anything that has a decent image quality to it.

 

[Nunz]

I sure hope NHRA can strike a deal to keep that track going. I know it needs a facelift, but I loved going there when I lived in Phoenix, and that market is just too big and too car-crazy to not have a track, and a national event.

 

[mltdwn12]

I sure hope NHRA can strike a deal to keep that track going. I know it needs a facelift, but I loved going there when I lived in Phoenix, and that market is just too big and too car-crazy to not have a track, and a national event.

I agree 100%, during some down time in the stands we were looking around and asking, OK, the place doesn't have that great of a rep, but really why? One thing I see right off, the restroom situation has always been borderline to gross come Sunday afternoon. The track has had it's ups and downs, but when someone had the combo right the numbers were there today, mid 3.70's and a 325.9 mph in TF a few 4.0's in FC and a great 6.49 @ 213 in PS. The food? It' track food. All the stands are new and metal, the traffic isn't that bad, leave at the peak of the exit, you're out in 30-45 minutes normally. No worse then I've seen at Englishtown or Pomona. Is it the sportsman pits, which can be quite the hike? It'll never be as pretty a track as some of the ones back east, but it's the desert, varying shades of brown is whatcha' get

 

[Nunz]

Well said Craig. That was part of the appeal for me, being a track in the desert with mountains in the distance, i really liked going there. I remember being there, and while the drag races were going on, in between runs you could hear the whine of Indy cars testing on the road course. Also, that was the place I finally got to see drag boats in person. Awesome deal. I just think it's a neat facility, I say spruce it up and let's get at least another 30 years out of it!

 

[The Counterfeiter]

Well, NHRA had an insert in items from the Nitro Mall stating there will be a 2014 race. I spoke to someone who would know if something concrete had been decided - nothing.

 

[MHayes]

I saw an article on azcentral.com that was talking about Courtney's win last week.....at the end of the article, they commented on Firebird's future. This is what was said...

"No official announcement has been made, but NHRA expects to return to Firebird in 2014 under a lease with the Gila River Indian Community.Charlie Allen, track president for 30 years, couldn’t negotiate a lease extension even though it’s believed he’s spent about $15 million on the facility during his tenure.

“They (NHRA) are probably going to be back here next year,” Allen said. “The tribe believes they want to run it. I’m not really sure what I want to do, but I’ll never retire.” "

The article can be found here http://www.azcentral.com/sports/spe...force-gets-win-danica-patrick-gets-press.html

 

[yoda]

There was a local rumor going the tribal elders were seen roaming around the track with investors a few weeks ago... The tribe will have a hand in the changeover, and I gather it will be influential...

 

[twostep]

Dave Rieff said Tom Compton made the announcement this morning. It's a go for 2014.

 

[mltdwn12]

Dave Rieff said Tom Compton made the announcement this morning. It's a go for 2014.

On the race coverage last night they mentioned that the NHRA will be back in 2014 for a race, but gave no details about who was running the show.