Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber today announced newly-opened Desert Diamond West Valley as the title sponsor for the Verizon IndyCar Series’ return to the Valley of the Sun this spring. The Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix takes place under the lights Saturday evening, April 2, 2016.



“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Desert Diamond West Valley,” Sperber said. “Bringing IndyCar to PIR was a substantial goal of ours and this demonstrates the strong local support we have for the upcoming race right here in the Valley. We look forward to showcasing IndyCar here under the lights on April 2 alongside our new partner.”



The Desert Diamond West Valley opened Dec. 20, 2015 near Glendale and Peoria to enormous turnout. Amenities include a casino floor with more than 1,000 gaming devices, dining options and more.



“We are very excited to be partnering with PIR on the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix,” said Andy Asselin, CEO of Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment. “Both PIR and Desert Diamond offer unique entertainment opportunities to the community, so it just made sense to work together on this fantastic race.”



Tickets for the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix are on sale now, with prices ranging from $35-70, and each ticket will include access to Pit Road. Tickets for children are $10; and active-duty military members and veterans will receive discounted pricing as well. Tickets are available online at PhoenixRaceway.com and by phone at 866-408-RACE (7223).



The Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix will be the second race in the 2016 schedule for the Verizon IndyCar Series, following the season opening race at St. Petersburg, Fla. on March 13. The highlight of the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule will be the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29, and the season finale will be held on Sept. 18 in Sonoma, Calif.



Phoenix International Raceway opened in 1964 and served primarily as an open-wheel racing facility until NASCAR made its debut in 1977. The track hosted Indy car races from 1964-2005, with many of the greatest names in racing history competing here.



Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion A.J. Foyt won the inaugural professional race at PIR and captured a total of four checkered flags here; fellow four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser has a track-record six open-wheel wins at PIR; and four-time INDYCAR season champion Mario Andretti captured the last race win of his legendary career here in 1993.



The Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix will be the second of three race events on the 2016 schedule at Phoenix International Raceway. This month, PIR hosted the Good Sam 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend March 11-13, and NASCAR will return to Phoenix for the semifinal race in the 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup November 11-13.