ISM Raceway
ISM Raceway is a 1-mile, low-banked tri-oval racetrack located in metro Phoenix. Owned by International Speedway Corporation (ISC), the track opened in 1964 and currently houses 42,000 spectators and 54 suites.
In 1996, 1999, and 2005, Seidman was commissioned to estimate the economic and fiscal analysis of ISM Raceway, then known as Phoenix International Raceway.
In 2018, ISM Raceway benefited from a $178 million renovation. This included an upgraded Club, a new Guest Services area, a new Fanzone, new escalators and elevators, new souvenir areas, new restrooms, new First Aid, and several technology upgrades. The track’s start/finish line was also moved, and the pit road reconfigured.
2019 was a big year for ISM Raceway. Highlights included the Spring Cup (hosted in March) and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Semi-Final Race (hosted in November), in which eight drivers battled for a Championship 4 spot. ISM Raceway also hosted the ARCA Test, the Lucas Oil 150, the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino 200, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race, several ancillary races, and a host of non-race events.
Seidman was commissioned to provide an updated economic and fiscal impact assessment of ISM Raceway in 2019 encompassing both motorsport events and private track and rental operations. Key inputs for the report included:
- Annual consumer spending by out-of-state fans attending the events.
- Annual direct organizational spending by ISC/ISM Raceway.
- Annual driver/team spending.
Drawing from primary survey data collected by a team of ASU students in conjunction with expenditure information supplied by ISM, the economic impacts for Maricopa County were estimated using an IMPLAN model.