# Portland International Raceway

Portland International Raceway (PIR) is a motorsport facility in Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is part of the Delta Park complex on the former site of Vanport, just south of the Columbia River. It lies west of the Delta Park/Vanport light rail station and less than a mile west of Interstate 5.
The track hosts the IndyCar Series, ICSCC and SCCA and OMRRA road racing, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series West, and SCCA autocross events. Additionally, the PIR grounds are host to OBRA (Oregon Bicycle Racing Association) bicycling races on the track and the surrounding grounds. The facility includes a dragstrip and a motocross track.
The road course is almost perfectly flat and runs clockwise. Two track configurations are possible. The modern Grand Prix circuit includes a hard chicane at the end of the front straight, referred to as the "Shelton Chicane" in honor of Vanport racing legend Monte Shelton, and involves 12 turns at a length of 1.967 mi (3.166 km). Without the chicane, the track has nine turns and a lap length of 1.915 mi (3.082 km). Portland is classified as an FIA Grade Two circuit.
PIR boasts a Winners' List starring some of the most accomplished open-wheel drivers of all time including Mario Andretti (1985–1986), Emerson Fittipaldi (1989), Michael Andretti (1990–1992), Bobby Rahal (1987), Sébastien Bourdais (2004, 2007), Will Power (2019, 2024), and Álex Palou (2021, 2023).
The City of Portland is working to establish the track as carbon neutral. In 2023, an investigation revealed the use of leaded gasoline at the track, which poses significant health risks for spectators and residents near the track. This occurs primarily during drag races, as unleaded fuel (often alcohol based) is used in major weekends.

## History

PIR is built on the former location of Vanport, Oregon, which was destroyed on Memorial Day, May 30, 1948, when a railroad berm broke and water from the Columbia River flooded the city. After the flood, all that remained were the paved streets and concrete foundations of destroyed buildings.
The first races took place on these old city streets in 1961 during the Portland Rose Festival. Since then, the Rose Cup has become an annual event. Racing at "West Delta Park", as PIR was known back then, was quite dangerous. Racers leaving the track unexpectedly could collide with leftover concrete foundations or fall into ponds.
Under the threat of losing the Rose Cup races, since many of the sanctioning racing bodies would no longer sanction races due to the deteriorating roads and dangerous obstacles, the track was finally paved in the 1970s.
In 1975, Portland International hosted the Trans-Am Series, the premier series of the Sports Car Club of America, which was won by John Greenwood, driving a Chevrolet Corvette. Greenwood would go on to win the 1975 Trans-Am Series Championship.
Beginning in 1984, Portland International began hosting the cars and stars of the PPG Indycar World Series, with Al Unser Jr. taking his first win, driving a Cosworth powered March.
Portland is best-remembered as being the site of two of the closest finishes on a road course in Indy car racing history. In 1986, Michael Andretti lost fuel pressure on the final turn of the final lap, which allowed his father Mario to catch up and beat him to the finish line by 0.070 seconds. At the time, it was the closest finish of any race in Indy car history. In 1997, in a three-wide finish, Mark Blundell beat second place Gil de Ferran by 0.027 seconds, and beat third place Raul Boesel by 0.055 seconds. For a road course race, it was the all-time closest finish in CART series history, as well as the closest three-car finish in series history.
In 1999 and 2000, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ran a race at Portland International Raceway. The race was added after the demise of the ½-mile Portland Speedway that hosted races early in the series. The 1999 running saw the first (and as of 2021, the only) time there were more than one African-Americans competing in the same NASCAR top-three division race, with Bill Lester and Bobby Norfleet on the grid.
At the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008, PIR went through a track renovation. The track was repaved with new asphalt and some minor changes were made to the track layout. Turns 4-7 were widened. The fence on the inside of turn 6 was moved to provide a better sightline through the corner. Turn 7 was sharpened to slow down racers prior to entering the back straight. Formula One-style curbs were also installed on the track. The track reopened on February 23, 2008, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
In September 2018, the Grand Prix of Portland returned after an 11-year hiatus, now an IndyCar Series race. The qualifying record is 0:57.3467, set by Will Power during the 2018 Grand Prix of Portland. Will Power (2019, 2024) and Álex Palou (2021, 2023) have each won twice since the race returned to the calendar.
On September 29, 2021, it was announced that the NASCAR Xfinity Series would race there in the regular season.
On December 8, 2022, it was announced that Formula E would race in there with a modified layout in the 2022–23 season instead of Brooklyn Street Circuit. Nick Cassidy won the inaugural Portland ePrix in June 2023.

## Events
### Current

* April: International Conference of Sports Car Clubs Rose City Opener
* May: SCCA Super Tour
* June: International Conference of Sports Car Clubs Chicane Challenge, Formula Car Challenge
* July: Trans-Am West Coast Championship PIR SpeedTour, Sportscar Vintage Racing Association
* August: IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Portland, NASCAR Xfinity Series Pacific Office Automation 147, ARCA Menards Series West Portland 112, Indy NXT, USF Pro 2000 Championship, USF2000 Championship, USF Juniors
* September: International Conference of Sports Car Clubs The Dash
* October: International Conference of Sports Car Clubs Festival of Endurance

### Former

* AMA Superbike Championship (1983–1984)
* American Le Mans Series
** Portland Grand Prix (1999–2001, 2004–2006)
* Atlantic Championship Series (1984–1988, 2002–2007)
* Barber Pro Series (1987–1991, 1999, 2002–2003)
* Champ Car World Series
** Grand Prix of Portland (1984–2007)
* Ferrari Challenge North America (2006)
* FIA Formula E World Championship
** Portland ePrix (2023–2024)
* Global MX-5 Cup (2004–2008, 2018–2019)
* IMSA GT Championship
** Portland Grand Prix (1978–1994)
* IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge (2005)
* Pirelli World Challenge
** Rose Cup Races (2001, 2004–2005, 2018–2019)
* NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
** Grainger Industrial Supply 225K (1999–2000)
* NASCAR Northwest Series (1995–1998, 2000–2001)
* North American Touring Car Championship (1995–1997)
* Stadium Super Trucks (2019)
* Trans-Am Series (1972, 1975–1987, 1990–1995, 2001, 2004–2005, 2009)

## Lap records

The unofficial outright all-time lap record set during a race weekend is 0:55.760 seconds, set by Wayne Taylor on the old circuit layout, in an Intrepid RM-1-Chevrolet, during qualifying for the 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix Presented by Nissan. As of August 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Portland International Raceway are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
| Grand Prix Circuit: 3.166 km (2008–present) |||||
| IndyCar | 0:58.7403 | Carlos Muñoz | Dallara DW12 | 2018 Grand Prix of Portland |
| Indy NXT | 1:02.8861 | Nolan Siegel | Dallara IL-15 | 2023 Portland Indy NXT round |
| Indy Pro 2000 | 1:07.1597 | Rinus VeeKay | Tatuus PM-18 | 2018 Pro Mazda Grand Prix of Portland |
| GT3 | 1:10.791 | Miguel Molina | Ferrari 488 GT3 | 2018 Portland SprintX GT Championship round |
| US F2000 | 1:11.2101 | Kyle Kirkwood | Tatuus USF-17 | 2018 US F2000 Grand Prix of Portland |
| ARCA Menards | 1:11.922 | William Sawalich | Toyota Camry | 2024 Portland 112 |
| TA1 | 1:13.574 | Greg Pickett | Ford Mustang Trans-Am | 2019 Portland Trans-Am West Coast round |
| Barber Pro | 1:14.122 | Leonardo Maia | Reynard 98E | 2003 Portland Barber Pro round |
| USF Juniors | 1:15.0871 | Ariel Elkin | Tatuus JR-23 | 2024 Continental Tire Grand Prix of Portland |
| TA2 | 1:15.114 | Michael LaPaglia | Ford Mustang Trans-Am | 2024 Portland Trans-Am West Coast round |
| NASCAR Xfinity | 1:15.253 | Justin Allgaier | Chevrolet Camaro SS | 2024 Pacific Office Automation 147 |
| GT4 | 1:17.660 | Christian Szymczak | Mercedes-AMG GT4 | 2019 Portland GT4 America round |
| TCR Touring Car | 1:18.770 | Michael James Lewis | Hyundai i30 N TCR | 2018 Portland Pirelli World Challenge round |
| Mazda MX-5 Cup | 1:25.3537 | Michael Carter | Mazda MX-5 (ND) | 2019 Portland Mazda MX-5 Cup round |
| Formula E Circuit: 3.190 km (2023–2024) |||||
| Formula E | 1:10.650 | Robin Frijns | Jaguar I-Type 6 | 2024 Portland ePrix |
| Grand Prix Circuit: 3.129 km (1992–2007) |||||
| Champ Car | 0:59.259 | Will Power | Lola B02/00 | 2006 Grand Prix of Portland |
| CART | 1:00.801 | Bruno Junqueira | Lola B02/00 | 2002 G.I. Joe's 200 |
| IMSA GTP | 1:02.067 | P. J. Jones | Eagle MkIII | 1992 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix Presented by Nissan |
| LMP1 | 1:04.271 | Andy Wallace | MG-Lola EX257 | 2005 Portland Grand Prix |
| LMP2 | 1:04.488 | Lucas Luhr | Porsche RS Spyder | 2006 Portland Grand Prix |
| LMP900 | 1:04.909 | Emanuele Pirro | Audi R8 | 2000 Rose City Grand Prix |
| LMP | 1:05.451 | J.J. Lehto | BMW V12 LMR | 1999 Rose City Grand Prix |
| Formula Atlantic | 1:05.680 | Joe D´Agostino | Swift 016.a | 2006 Portland Formula Atlantic round |
| Indy Lights | 1:06.572 | Greg Moore | Lola T93/20 | 1995 Portland Indy Lights round |
| GT1 (GTS) | 1:08.595 | Oliver Gavin | Chevrolet Corvette C6.R | 2005 Portland Grand Prix |
| LMP675 | 1:09.394 | Didier de Radigues | Reynard 01Q | 2001 Grand Prix of Portland |
| WSC | 1:09.595 | Fermin Velez | Ferrari 333 SP | 1994 Grand Prix of Portland |
| IMSA GTP Lights | 1:10.849 | Parker Johnstone | Spice SE91P | 1992 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix Presented by Nissan |
| IMSA GTS | 1:11.475 | Darin Brassfield | Oldsmobile Cutlass | 1993 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix |
| GT2 (GTS) | 1:12.219 | Olivier Beretta | Dodge Viper GTS-R | 1999 Rose City Grand Prix |
| GT2 | 1:12.931 | Jaime Melo | Ferrari F430 GTC | 2006 Portland Grand Prix |
| Trans-Am | 1:13.992 | Scott Pruett | Chevrolet Camaro | 1994 Portland Trans-Am round |
| GT | 1:14.392 | Boris Said | BMW M3 GTR | 2001 Grand Prix of Portland |
| IMSA GTO | 1:14.613 | Brian DeVries | Oldsmobile Cutlass | 1993 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix |
| IMSA GTU | 1:17.355 | John Fergus | Dodge Daytona | 1992 G.I. Joe's Camel Gran Prix Presented by Nissan |
| Super Touring | 1:20.227 | Randy Pobst | Honda Accord | 1996 Portland NATCC round |
| Grand Prix Circuit: 3.093 km (1984–1991) |||||
| IMSA GTP | 0:57.626 | Wayne Taylor | Intrepid RM-1 | 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix |
| CART | 1:00.058 | Michael Andretti | Lola T91/00 | 1991 Budweiser/G.I.Joe's 200 |
| IMSA GTO | 1:02.772 | Dorsey Schroeder | Ford Mustang | 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix |
| IMSA GTP Lights | 1:03.495 | Ruggero Melgrati | Spice SE89P | 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix |
| IMSA AAC | 1:07.996 | Tommy Riggins | Oldsmobile Cutlass | 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix |
| IMSA GTU | 1:08.872 | John Fergus | Dodge Daytona | 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix |
| Trans-Am | 1:11.090 | Greg Pickett | Mercury Capri | 1984 Portland 200 |
| Grand Prix Circuit: 3.082 km (1971–1983) |||||
| IMSA GTP | 1:04.860 | John Fitzpatrick | Porsche 935 K4 | 1982 G.I. Joe's/Toyota Grand Prix |
| IMSA GTX | 1:06.140 | John Paul, Jr. | Lola T600 | 1981 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix |
| TO | 1:08.170 | John Paul | Porsche 935 JLP-1 | 1979 Portland Trans-Am round |
| IMSA GTO | 1:10.540 | Don Devendorf | Nissan 280ZX Turbo | 1982 G.I. Joe's/Toyota Grand Prix |
| Group 4 | 1:11.920 | Dave Cowart | BMW M1 | 1981 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix |
| IMSA GTU | 1:13.780 | Bob Bergstrom | Porsche 924 Carrera GTR | 1983 G.I. Joe's Grand Prix |
| TU | 1:21.330 | Lee Midgley | Alfa Romeo GTV | 1972 Portland Trans-Am round |

## Lead contamination

40% of races at the Portland International Raceway use leaded gasoline. The urban location of the track, near the Portsmouth, Kenton and Piedmont neighborhoods, has raised concerns about the potential for the Raceway to contribute to lead poisoning of nearby residents and a movement to end the use of leaded fuels at the Raceway. Testing conducted at PIR indicated that concentrations of lead in public areas could not conclusively be determined by traffic on the Raceway since the track sits next to heavy highway traffic and industrial complexes. The dissipation of leaded fuels before reaching the general attendees coupled with ever-efficient modern engines minimized any significant health risks to general attendees.