Brandon Jones takes the checkered flag as he wins a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Saturday, July 25, 2020. The Xfinity Series is coming to Portland in 2022.
Charlie Riedel / AP
NASCAR is coming to Portland International Raceway in June 2022 — for the first time in a long while.
Portland International Raceway hosted its last NASCAR national series in 2000, when Matchbox 20 and Sisqó ruled the music charts. Fans are eager for its return for Xfinity Series races, part of NASCAR’s “minor league” circuit.
Kevin Savoree, the COO of Green Savoree Racing, helped bring the race to the Rose City.
He said fans from the Northwest and all along the coast are already making plans to be here that weekend. “We’ve seen a lot of emails and inquiries already from fans 500 miles away that say, ‘Sign me up, I’m coming.’”
In addition to all those fans, the race will also bring in hundreds of people it takes to put on a race — drivers, mechanics, truck drivers, TV crews and others. It’s expected to give Portland an economic boost to the tune of nearly $15 million.
And it ties in with a perennial Portland tradition.
“Our event falls right in the middle of the Rose Festival, so we’re looking for to celebrating with them,” Savoree said. “And there’s actually a Rose Cup.”
You can make your plans now, but tickets don’t go on sale until next month.
