Phoenix IndyCar race Gets Qualifying Sponsors
“Last year at qualifying day, Phoenix ‘Speed King’ Helio Castroneves shattered our track record and sat on the pole," said Phoenix Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber. “To have Beach Whiskey and Outback Steakhouse sponsor such an important part of the race weekend is exciting."
Beach Whiskey, a new whiskey brand co-founded by country music star Jake Owen will be “bringing the beach to the desert" for pole day.
“Phoenix Raceway is one of the great tracks in the country," said Beach Whiskey CEO J. Smoke Wallin. “We’ve been a partner as the Official Whiskey and we love it. The opportunity for us to sponsor IndyCar pole day with Outback Steakhouse is incredibly exciting."
At qualifying, the drivers will be vying not only for starting position in Saturday’s race, but also for the coveted title of Phoenix Raceway’s ‘Speed King’. When the series returned to Phoenix in 2016, Castroneves broke the 20-year old track record – originally set by Arie Luyendyk (183.599 mph) – by touring the historic one-mile oval in a stunning two-lap average of 192.324 mph to win the pole for the 2016 Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix.
Good Morning Arizona anchor Scott Pasmore will serve as Honorary Starter for Verizon IndyCar Series qualifying, scheduled for 8 – 9 p.m. on Friday. The Emmy award winning anchor with Arizona’s-own 3TV (KTVK) is a racing enthusiast, motorcyclist and pilot who will be right at home waving the green flag for some of the fastest cars in motorsports.