The Verizon IndyCar Series’ return to Phoenix International Raceway will, in fact, have a title sponsor.
What had been dubbed the Phoenix Grand Prix - albeit a 250-lap race on the PIR one-mile oval - will now be known as the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix and will take place starting at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
It’s a new casino that opened in late December last year.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Desert Diamond West Valley,” track president Bryan R. Sperber said in a release. “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.”
“We are very excited to be partnering with PIR on the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix,” added Any 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.”
The title sponsor announcement also follows the announcement of Better than Ezra as a pre-race concert.