Phoenix Raceway to Use NASCAR SAFER Barrier Setup for IndyCar and Cup Series 'Desert Double'

Track officials opt for NASCAR's barrier configuration as the two series share the weekend.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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For the upcoming 'Desert Double' race weekend at Phoenix Raceway featuring both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NTT IndyCar Series, the track will use the NASCAR configuration of the SAFER Barrier system. This decision was made in consultation with IndyCar safety personnel to ensure the best solution for the varying vehicle weights and impact conditions between the two series.

Why it matters

The SAFER Barrier is a critical safety feature at modern racetracks, designed to absorb and disperse energy when a race car hits the wall. As Phoenix hosts both the heavier NASCAR Cup cars and the lighter IndyCar machines over the same weekend, using the NASCAR-specific SAFER Barrier setup will help optimize safety for all competitors.

The details

The SAFER Barrier, an acronym for Steel And Foam Energy Reduction Barrier, was developed through a collaborative effort between the University of Nebraska and IndyCar engineers in the early 2000s. It features structural steel tubes welded together and strapped to the existing concrete retaining wall, with polystyrene foam placed between the barrier and wall. While the basic design is the same, the arrangement and spacing of the foam blocks differs between the IndyCar and NASCAR versions to account for the different vehicle weights and impact conditions.

  • The 'Desert Double' race weekend at Phoenix Raceway will take place from March 4-7, 2026.
  • The ARCA Menards Series will race on Thursday, March 4.
  • IndyCar qualifying and NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series practice will be on Friday, March 5.
  • The IndyCar Good Ranchers 250 and NASCAR GOVX200 will be on Saturday, March 6.
  • The NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 will be on Sunday, March 7.

The players

Phoenix Raceway

The mile oval racetrack in Avondale, Arizona that will host the 'Desert Double' race weekend.

NASCAR

The premier stock car racing series in the United States, with the Cup Series being its top division.

NTT IndyCar Series

The top-level open-wheel racing series in North America, featuring single-seat, open-cockpit cars.

Dr. John Patalak

NASCAR's vice-president of safety engineering for more than 20 years.

Matt Humphrey

Senior director of track communications for NASCAR.

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What they’re saying

“We occasionally have race weekends where we share the racetrack with other series. Other series vehicles may be much lighter than NASCAR vehicles, or they may go faster, so their impact conditions to the SAFER barrier are much different than [those for] NASCAR vehicles.”

— Dr. John Patalak, NASCAR's vice-president of safety engineering (Ansys)

“Our team has worked hand in hand with IndyCar and just figured out what the best solution would be for the SAFER Barrier here for that weekend. Running at the NASCAR configuration would be ideal for everybody involved.”

— Matt Humphrey, Senior director of track communications for NASCAR (Autoweek)

What’s next

The NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 will be the final race of the 'Desert Double' weekend at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 7, 2026.

The takeaway

By using the NASCAR-specific SAFER Barrier configuration for the 'Desert Double' weekend, Phoenix Raceway is ensuring the best possible safety setup to accommodate the varying vehicle weights and impact conditions between the NASCAR Cup Series and NTT IndyCar Series cars.