Sportsbook Plans For NASCAR’s Phoenix Raceway At Avondale

When it comes to NASCAR and sports betting, the auto racing league has been one of the more forward-thinking sports leagues. NASCAR can hold two sports betting licenses in Virginia and can pick up another Arizona sportsbook license as well.

Thanks to the April 2021 sports betting law, NASCAR’s Phoenix Raceway at Avondale is one of the entities eligible for one of ten commercial sports betting licenses in Arizona. If the Phoenix speedway does obtain a license, it would be eligible to launch an online sportsbook app in Arizona as well as open a retail sportsbook at the track.

What to expect from a Phoenix Raceway Sportsbook

Unlike some of the other partnerships involving pro sports teams and venues and sportsbooks in Arizona, NASCAR has actually given us a good glimpse of what to expect from a NASCAR sportsbook at Phoenix Raceway.

In Virginia, WynnBet uses Martinsville Speedway’s sports betting license to operate its online betting app. There is currently no retail sports betting in Virginia. Moreover, NASCAR and WynnBet don’t plan to install retail sportsbooks at Martinsville and Richmond any time soon.

Instead, the tracks are currently constructing WynnBet lounges exclusively for hosting WynnBet Sportsbook customers. Given Phoenix Raceway’s somewhat remote location near the airport and limited race days, there is likely little concern about constructing an accessible retail sportsbook to operate year-round. Rather, the betting lounge will be used as a marketing tool and site for new customer conversion to the app Phoenix Raceway partners with.

What sportsbook will work with NASCAR in AZ?

As mentioned, Wynn’s sportsbook brand WynnBet already has a relationship in Virginia that is very similar to what will be available in Arizona. There is no reason to suggest that Wynn won’t aim to be in Arizona and using NASCAR’s venue as a way into the state.

In November 2020, the two groups formally announced the partnership, not long after Virginia voters approved a sports betting referendum.

“We’re excited to partner with such a deeply experienced and innovative team to drive engagement and expand our sports betting offerings,” said Tim Clark, NASCAR’s senior vice president and chief digital officer. “Wynn is a trusted and iconic brand and our new relationship advances NASCAR’s position in the rapidly evolving gaming space while delivering fans with yet another live-in race engagement tool.”

Now, while it may seem Wynn is the obvious choice, NASCAR does have other gaming partners beyond WynnBet. The group has also worked with Penn National (Barstool) and MGM, two companies eager to enter the Arizona market as well.

Pardon the pun, but WynnBet is in pole position now, but they are not the only candidate to cross the finish line with Phoenix Raceway as a sportsbook partner.