REPORTER:
00:00:53
That's one reason Latasha Causey took the assignment to run this place three years ago. You came at this from banking. Yeah. Was that an advantage? I do feel like it's an advantage. I do feel like it's an advantage to not have come from the racing world and come into the position that I did.
REPORTER:
00:01:10
And she's using this 700-acre complex as a community focal point to attract wider audiences to the sport. We're seeing more women, more young girls that are in the sport. There's also kids of color that are coming up and coming up in each of the series, as well, that are going to get to that top series cup level.
REPORTER:
00:01:28
As Phoenix Raceway President, Causey is the first Black woman to run a NASCAR track. The former banker with ties firmly rooted in the Southwest city, she may not have grown up a fan, but she's come up to speed on all things NASCAR. How often do you get in one of these things? I do not get in a car very often.
REPORTER:
00:01:50
Ever the optimist, Causey has shown that this sport is open to all, or at least should be. What did you bring to the table to increase the bottom line? For me, openness in getting more business leaders, more partners, and more individuals to come to Phoenix Raceway and to know about Phoenix Raceway.
REPORTER:
00:02:08
The day we met, she played host to the NASCAR Championship Luncheon, a benefit for local charities the raceway supports.
LATASHA CAUSEY:
00:02:15
The sky is the limit on what we can do at the track, but we have almost 200 events at Phoenix Raceway per year, as well. So with all of that, I have to keep the team engaged, keep our fans engaged, and keep our community engaged, as well. So we created a field trip program here at Phoenix Raceway specifically for Title I schools and for free.
REPORTER:
00:02:36
There are some 38 other major races a year, all hoping to climax this raceway's renowned resume.
COMMENTATOR:
00:02:44
Alan Kulwicki--
REPORTER:
00:02:45
1988's inaugural Winston West Cup, where Alan Kulwicki introduced fans to the reverse direction Polish victory lap.
COMMENTATOR:
00:02:54
Mike Skinner--
REPORTER:
00:02:56
Mike Skinner's 1995 win in the first ever SuperTruck Series and Jeff Gordon's fifth top finish in 2007, besting Tony Stewart on his way to the winner's circle with a celebratory burnout. Phoenix raceway, for me, is a very special racetrack--
REPORTER:
00:03:14
Racer Daniel Suarez, the only Mexican American to win the NASCAR Cup Series. I feel like every single series that I have raced in NASCAR, I have actually competed here in Phoenix Raceway. I drive the number one car in the NASCAR Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing.
REPORTER:
00:03:28
And Ross Chastain, winner at Talladega and Nashville's Superspeedways like what they're seeing here. What impact have you seen Latasha making? Well, you can tell that she cares. And we race all over, coast to coast, but Latasha is here in this community, in these neighborhoods, reminding people about NASCAR. She's from here. She eats, breathes, and lives Phoenix. A little bird told me that you don't care to ride 200 miles per hour. Do you have a need for speed? I mean, I have a need for speed, but I don't want to go 200 miles per hour on the track.
REPORTER:
00:04:06
Her efforts firmly focused on making the raceway accessible to those that do, right down to yours truly. I get to race? Yeah, you're getting in. You don't want to get in today? Do I need to sign a form? Yes. Yes, you do. You're definitely going to sign a form. [LAUGHS] Oh, boy. I'm going to get in trouble with the husband. Is that good? Ooh, sorry. OK, let's go. Thrilling, for sure. But for this president, there are challenges. Next year will be the first time since 2019 the raceway will not host the NASCAR Cup Championship, the sport deciding to rotate the series finale to tracks around the country. I wouldn't say it's a walk in the park every day. It's because we have to stay relevant, and we have to make sure that we keep our fans wanting to come back. But I'm sure there was a learning curve. Absolutely. Every day, it's a learning curve. I learn something new every single day.
REPORTER:
00:05:07
And for superfans, there's simply nothing else like it. Each track that you go to, it's undescribable. [CARS ZOOMING] When you go to the track, you hear the sound of the cars. You'll have an opportunity to experience being on the track, and that will give you some adrenaline and give you a feeling that you've never had before.
REPORTER:
00:05:24
And it sure did.
