You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Many were shocked when back on March 25 NHRA dropped the bomb that Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park is set to close down for good next year. The construction project is slated to cost nearly $140 million. "They posted this thing about this place closing, it's just like, why don't you just rip my heart out?" The date and ticket information for the historic finale of the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park will be announced later. The land will probably become the site of some luxury condos or something like that. Drivers tell us that will result in more racers turning to the streets. The facility, which opened as Firebird International Raceway in 1983, is shuttering to make room for a new overpass and roadway for an Interstate 10 highway extension. WebWild Horse Pass Motorsports Park is located at 20000 S. Maricopa Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226, just south of Chandler along I-10 on the land of the Gila River Indian Community. Wildhorse Pass Motorsports Park Closing in 2023 By az57chevy March 28, 2022 in Off Topic Share az57chevy Senior Member 1k Posted March 28, 2022 Three NHRA tracks have closed since 2021. After the 2023 NHRA Camping World event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports park next winter, the facility will no longer exist. This fund comes from the Maricopa County Transportation Excise Tax, which is a half-cent sales tax that has been in place since 2004. The Chandler venue does not just host the NHRA, though. Some locals of Boulder, Utah, call this slot canyon on the Burr Trail, Singing Canyon. When you go, you know exactly why. Arizona's Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park To Close For Good In This family friendly event is filled with nonstop excitement. The improvements for this 26-mile corridor are about $990 million (including the Gila River Bridge replacement project). Of all the stops on Burr, theres really nothing like the little slot canyon at an inconspicuous turnoff 11.5 miles down from the starting point. Extending the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction on I-10 from Loop 202 to Riggs Road. Leveraging this state and local funding, ADOT applied for a federal MEGA grant to close the gap of approximately $360 million. "Honestly, we're probably going to move after the track leaves. The NHRA Arizona Nationals have provided NHRA fans countless memories for many years, and our race teams, partners, and NHRA officials look forward to celebrating the track in 2023 as we close out this chapter in NHRA history, NHRA President Glen Cromwell said in a statement on Friday. A massive tectonic cave system located just 15 miles outside of St. George makes Bloomington Cave bucket list worthy. Since I live in the area and frequent there, this literally hits close to home for me. In this part of Utah, you can almost forget that 1.5 million people live in the valley just west of the mountains. from. The 2023 race date has yet to be released. WebArizonas Wild Horse Pass To Close In 2023, Become Highway Overpass By Andrew Wolf March 27, 2022 Little more than a year ago, information came to light regarding proposed redevelopment plans by the The Wild Horse Pass Development Authority (WHGPDA) for Instead, some may take their chance on city streets. Rawhide Western Town & Event Center and Wild Horse Pass This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Drivers tell us that will result in more racers turning to the streets. Arizona has been an incredible supporter of the NHRA and Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park for the past four decades, and we are very grateful for this tremendous fan support, said Elizabeth Antone, Wild Horse Pass Development Authority General Manager-Interim. Yet everyone cares about illegal street racing, which seem to be growing in popularity once more, and understandably so since its incredibly dangerous. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park Matt Hagan set the track record in Funny Car at this years event in February, going 3.823-seconds at 333.41, while Brittany Force went 3.643 at 337.92 to set the Top Fuel track records in 2020. I'll just go back to the Midwest where I know there's lots of racetracks; I can maintain that family event," says another driver. Valley police say they are an ongoing, growing problem. The Arizona Department of Transportations tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Plan released on March 18 shows a blueprint to add capacity to a 26-mile stretch of I-10 leading up to the racetrack. (Photo by Susan Wong /Cronkite News) The Wild Horse Park Development Authority says this is due to planned work on Interstate 10 near the area. Its not going anywhere, Young responded to CompetitionPlus.com in a January 23, 2021 article. A drag racing tradition in Chandlers Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park that dates back to the 1980s is set to come to an end. It's a loss to those who make a life out of this popular family sport and something many racers aren't willing to give up. A public meeting summary report is available on the Study Resources page. Arizona has been an incredible supporter of the NHRA and Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park for the past four decades and we are very grateful for this tremendous fan support, said Elizabeth Antone, Wild Horse Pass Development Authority general manager-interim. Events at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park vary and so do the particulars surrounding each event. In the summer of 2019, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and partner agencies took the essential first step toward studying ways to increase the capacity of a 26mile section of Interstate 10 (I-10) south of the Phoenix metropolitan area. National Hot Rod Association | Online Ticket Office | Seating Charts The Bureau of Land Management manages 22 herds of wild horses in Utah, but the most accessible to the public is the Onaqui herd in the West Desert. However, the rumors of their departure had circulated long before then. Westwater Canyon Full-Day Rafting Adventure from Moab. Schumacher has five career victories at the facility. WebRawhide Western Town & Event Center and Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park take our guests and our associates safety as our highest priority. The road is typically accessible to most vehicles as long as it's not muddy. The I-10 bridges over the Gila River are part of a separate ADOT project that is excluded from this study but closely coordinated with the Community. Mind you, theres already a casino and mall just down the road, not to mention restaurants and retail on the other side of I-10. In collaboration with the Gila River Indian Community, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), ADOT has prepared an environmental study under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and engineering study to evaluate improvements to I-10. Unless you know where to look, your mustang-viewing adventure could turn up fruitless. The study process is producing a NEPA-compliant environmental report (an Environmental Assessment [EA]) and an engineering report called a Design Concept Report (DCR) that: Developed a range of alternatives and options, including the no-build alternative. Improving I-10 across the Gila River Indian Community is a project of regional significance for Arizona. From narrow slot canyons to grand sweeping vistas, sandstone plateaus to meandering rivers, San Rafael Country and the San Rafael Swell are home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Utah. Our guide to the most breathtaking Utah panoramas is only a click away. ADOT held a virtual public meeting on November 18, 2020. See Zion dusted in snow on a winter escape to the east side where youll likely have the whole place to yourself. Last year, the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority announced plans to develop the area with the help of Sunbelt Holdings, a real estate development company. For more Utah fun, take these 7 Utah treetop adventures. Find a guide to take you canyoneering in Utah. Due to record snowpack and high amounts of spring runoff, please be advised of potential flooding that could impact travel plans. Anyone can participate! Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler has been a legal option for racers over the past four decades. Utahs National Ability Center is known for changing lives through its adaptive recreation programs. The best 7 races count toward the points total for each racer at the end of the series, and anyone who runs at least 1 race qualifies to enter the Race of Champions at the ET Finals. After 40 years of service with the NHRA, the track will say goodbye with next years event. Explore up to 20 miles of trails for an unforgettable day hike in Buckskin Gulch in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. If there isnt a financial incentive to establish or keep open racetracks, some people will turn to illegal street races. The Final EA will provide responses to all comments received during the public review and comment period. NHRA has featured an ET drag racing series since the mid-1970s. WebWild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona has been a race fan's go-to hangout since 1983, but it was called Firebird International Raceway then. Replacing the aging and narrow Gila River Bridges as a part of a separate study. Over the last decade, ADOT has been expanding the capacity of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson in segments. Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. Racing on streets, drifting and takeovers are all illegal. Why NHRA Is Leaving Phoenix After Four Decades of Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park also has two asphalt road courses which can be used for drifting events in addition to normal track days and races. It provides even and exciting competition for the local racer, the backbone of NHRA. The exact dates for the final edition of the NHRA Arizona Nationals at the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park next year are yet to be determined. Arizona Racetrack Closing Signals A Much Bigger Problem The natural forces that carved slot canyons are still at work, and even light, distant rainfall can render slot canyons extremely dangerous including flash floods. The public hearings and associated public comment period were the last public events for this study. Our car experts choose every product we feature. Highway construction will close Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Seating Chart. Mike Pryson covered auto racing for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot and MLive Media Group from 1991 until joining Autoweek in 2011. NHRA officials say 2023 will be final race weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. WebIn the summer of 2019, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and partner agencies took the essential first step toward studying ways to increase the capacity of a 26mile section of Interstate 10 (I-10) south of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Every racer who chooses to sign up accumulates points for each race in which they participate. Take This Utah Drive To See Wild Horses Running Free Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park In coordination with the Gila River Indian Community, ADOT is committed to identifying and pursuing all possible funding options for improving this section of I-10, including federal funding options. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park We know this final race will be a celebration that NHRA fans are famous for.. This segment of I-10 is critical for Arizonas economy, as it links the states largest metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Tucson while also providing a key link for the national and international movement of freight. Developing an I-10 vision and strategy to meet future needs. The NHRA Arizona Nationals have provided NHRA fans countless memories for many years, and our race teams, partners, and NHRA officials look forward to celebrating the track in 2023 as we close out this chapter in NHRA history., RELATED STORY - ATLANTA DRAGWAY TO HOST FINAL EVENT IN 2021. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park The Wild Horse Pass Development Authority just made the announcement, saying a new overpass for the I-10 extension will replace the track. Upcoming Events Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park HomeBusiness NewsHighway construction will close Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park after nearly 40 years, The Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler is set to run its final NHRA event in 2023. WebWILD HORSE BECOMES THIRD NHRA NATIONAL EVENT TRACK CLOSING SINCE 2021 by Bobby Bennett Sat, 2022-03-26 17:15 RELATED ARTICLE - UPDATED: NHRA STANDS FIRM, ARIZONA NATIONALS RETURNING TO WILD HORSE PASS MOTORSPORTS PARK IN 2022 In this years penultimate race at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park February 25-27, Matt Hagan reset the Funny Car track record in his Tony Stewart Racing Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, running 3.823-seconds at 333.41mph, while Brittany Forces 2020 Top Fuel record is at 3.643-sec and 3378.92 mph. Adventure, Responsible Travel, Climbing and Canyoneering. The Wild Horse Park Development Authority says this is due to planned work on Interstate 10 near the area. NHRA Phoenix Gone After 2023, Plus Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes in the Pits With routes ranging from approachable to challenging, Maple Canyon is one of Utahs most beloved ice-climbing destinations. We want to thank Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and the Gila River community for their dedicated commitment to drag racing, NHRA president Glen Cromwell said. Wild Horse Motorsports Pass joins Atlanta Dragway and Houston Raceway Park as tracks NHRA has lost to non-racing development since the pandemic hit in 2020. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. The same information was presented at each hearing. Whether you come to watch and relax or try out your skills, this is the event for you. Fox says it's 'very possible' he 'did some damage' in the '80s as he speculates about what contributed to his Parkinson's disease, 'Waste of time': Community college transfers derail students, 'Zombie' misinformation: 'Rape Day' hoax resurfaces on TikTok. Motorsports Park take our guests and our associates safety as our highest priority. This year's Arizona Fall Nationals was held Feb. 25-27. Tell us about your experiences, and share your photos if you have any! "If they close this place, people will have to do that because they are not going to stop. As NHRA looks toward the future, it will focus on venues not currently on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series circuit to fill the spot of the Phoenix event starting in the 2024 season. The public comment period began on October 21 and ended December 4, 2020. This selection, combined with the input from the public hearing and associated public comment period, will be documented in the Final EA and DCR documents which will be published on this website once complete. This one hits close to home. Watch for the turnoff to Fish Spring Wildlife Refuge, then turn onto Lookout Pass Road. Sign of the times? 5 Ways to See Wild Horses in Utah | Visit Utah American racetracks are dying in droves and nobody in government at the city, county, or state level seems to care. WebIn 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. Installing freeway management technology to allow for the installation of sensors, cameras, variable message signs and other highway safety-related technology. Theres truly no sight in the world like that of wild horses running free. We know this final race will be a celebration that NHRA fans are famous for.. Know how to stay safe and informed during your Utah trip and who is helping when you get into trouble. We have racing on the drag strip and hot lap drifting. One notable closure which also was recently leaked to the media is Memphis International Raceway. Thats not true of all enthusiasts, but to ignore the problem by only focusing on part of the group would be dishonest. Whether you are driving an all out race car or your daily driver, you can race down the same 1/4 mile track that the NHRA Pro drivers do. The Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona, has announced that the 2023 NHRA race will serve as the final event for the facility. Head to East Zion to glimpse wondrous slot canyons, soaring sandstone monoliths and crimson-colored cliffs without the crowds. In addition, the study is evaluating improvement options for the existing interchanges and roads that cross over I-10 in this corridor. Food and beer vendors will be on site. With real estate prices absolutely rocketing out of control in the Phoenix area as the city continues to grow by leaps and bounds, the Gila River Indian Community hatched a plan to raze the motorsports park and replace it with a sports and entertainment district with restaurants, retail spaces, sports facilities, parks, and an office complex.