Some NASCAR fans complaining about Phoenix International Raceway
Mar 1, 2013, 1:14 PM | Updated: 5:56 pm
AVONDALE, Ariz. — As is the norm, thousands of NASCAR fans have formed an RV city near Phoenix International Raceway for this weekend’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 race.
Most of them think PIR is great, but some are complaining this year.
Jeannie Smith and her husband Alan drove their RV here from Vermont. It’s their first visit to the track, and the think the setup for RVs could be better.
“There’s no electricity, there’s no water,” said Jeanie. “You have to use your generator or rely on battery power in the unit itself. We’re doing a lot of cooking outside, and there’s no TV at night.”
The track also used to have a popular full service Basha’s supermarket inside of a tent, complete with meat, produce and everything you’d find in a regular store.
PIR spokeswoman Jennifer Jepson said the track “decided to go a different route,” and Basha’s pulled its store out. PIR has replaced it with the Zoomtown Market, which has things like beer and soft drinks but it’s nothing like the inventory that the Bashas had.
Linda Murphy of Ottawa, Ontario, who has been to PIR before, said the lack of a full grocery store is a big concern.
“I wish the Basha’s would come back because I would have like to come back to buy some fresh meat and deli meat, and stuff like that,” she said. “I would have preferred the Basha’s. The Zoomtown market is okay, but if you forgot meat, you’re in trouble.”
Others said the prices are “twice as high” at the Zoomtown market. They’re also noticing there are fewer RVers here than they’ve seen at past NASCAR races.
