
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 10, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) leads the start of the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Mar 10, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) leads the start of the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
As the Cup Series climax at Phoenix arrives on November 2, one of Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, or William Byron will lift that trophy. Fans have loved this flat track for high-stakes drama under Arizona lights since 1964. But this race will mark its last race as the final hosting track, as Homestead is taking over once again from next year, making this weekend even more unforgettable.
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From hauler parades to post-race fireworks, events like these turn ordinary trips into lifelong memories. As the championship weekend begins on October 31, knowing the details turns good times into great ones.
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Tailgating and camping
Phoenix Raceway‘s campgrounds buzz with NASCAR spirit, offering 25 by 50 foot spaces for RVs, complete with electric and water supply, but with no sewer though. Each site includes one RV pass, a tow vehicle pass, and four wristband admissions for the full weekend, letting you dive into Thursday’s Truck Series practice through Sunday’s big showdown.
Shuttles run from 3:30 p.m. Thursday to an hour post-race Sunday, easing you to the action without any hassle. Pre-register for perks like the 1-3 p.m. Camper Volunteer Event on Thursday, where you can organize donations at The Barn Brewed by Busch Light. It’s all about community, with the Huss Brewing Co. Alehouse open to BUY RV tickets from 4:30 p.m. Friday.
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Tailgating flows naturally from these setups, but stick to rules like no obstructing views with flags or gear. Arrive early, with lots opening at 3:30 p.m. Thursday for El Mirage and Ada to claim prime pavement for grills and games. “Comply with all parking, camping, and RV published rules,” ensuring smooth vibes for everyone. That setup lets you get refreshed between Q&As, like the 10:45 a.m. Truck Series chat on Thursday.
With your base locked in, the real fun starts through off-track shows.
Events
Championship Weekend kicks off Friday with the Hauler Parade at 7:30 a.m., rolling the team past the cheering crowds before ARCA Menards West practice at 11 a.m. Halloween even adds extra flair to it with a 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Trick-or-Treat Pit Stop. There will also be a kids’ costume contest at 3:30 p.m.
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The Craftsman Truck Series Championship races are at 4:30 p.m., followed by a Country Night bash at The Barn till 11 p.m. Saturday’s Xfinity Qualifying at 12:30 p.m. leads to their 4:30 p.m. title fight and Q&A sessions, with Justin Allgaier‘s 10:30 a.m. session.
Sunday peaks with the 1 p.m. Cup Championship, but before that, there is a pre-race concert by multi-platinum artist Jordan Davis at 11:40 a.m. “Jordan Davis is set to get the party started,” the track shares, singing country hits to fire up the strong crowd. Fans can join the Championship 4 Q&A session at 10:45 a.m., then the O’Reilly Auto Party from 9:45 a.m. Post-race, celebrations erupt with driver intros at 12:35 p.m.
These moments fuel the fire, but smart packing keeps your day hassle-free amid the Arizona heat.
Cooler policy
Soft-sided coolers are allowed in grandstands, with one per guest, max 12x12x12 inches, to pass the security check smoothly, but no glass bottles or alcohol to stay compliant. This policy balances convenience with flow, letting you focus on the race without carrying extra weight. Items left at gates may not be handled with care, so pack light.
Pro tip: Chill everything pre-arrival; the Ice Truck runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday for refills. It will keep fans hydrated throughout those intense laps. With coolers getting sorted out, let’s nail fans’ parking spots.
Parking & prohibitions
Phoenix Finale is providing free general parking to ticket holders with no pass needed; just head towards the signage directions from Friday to Sunday. Upgrade to El Mirage or the premium category for closer drops, included in some packages like the Grandstand + Infield Bundle. El Mirage Parking is closest to the ticket gates, and Premium Parking is closest to Gates 4 and 5. Trams shuttle from 8:30 a.m. or ask a staff member for directions to avoid backups, especially with 67,000 fans converging.
Prohibitions keep things safe: no weapons, hard/foam coolers, or obstructing flags of any kind, and no drugs or alcohol. Halloween costumes also got some instructions, like no masks or weapon props, or risk entry denial. “All persons entering the Raceway are subject to search,” per policy, so travel light. These ground rules ensure everyone’s safety without any second thought in the back of their minds. Check the prohibited items list below.

Extra tips for a smooth experience
Beat crowds by arriving early. Pre-download the NASCAR Tracks App for offline maps, ticket scans, and real-time leaderboards; cell service got weak inside, so backing it up with Wi-Fi backups saves stress. The same goes for mobile batteries; bring your power banks.
Toss your hat in the 50/50 Raffle online; last year’s $162,695 pot split $81,345 to the winner, drawn on November 3 at 10 a.m. It adds that fun gamble without the gamble.
Stay responsible: Hydrate heavily in Arizona heat, and mask up if leaving your site per track nods. Arm yourself with these, and you’ll own the weekend.
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