In many years, Phoenix served as the CART season opener. After a feud between the track ownership and CART series officials, the track was dropped from the CART schedule after 1995, and immediately switched to the Indy Racing League beginning in 1996.
In many years, Phoenix functioned as the CART season starter. Following a dispute between the track ownership and CART series administrators, the track was removed from the CART schedule after 1995, and promptly switched to the Indy Racing League starting in 1996.