NASCAR makes lone stop in the Northwest, will not return next year

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland International Raceway (PIR) hosted the only NASCAR Xfinity stop in the Pacific Northwest over the weekend for one final time — at least for the foreseeable future.

In recent years, NASCAR has rarely visited Portland due to in part to infrastructure and safety upgrades the track needs in order to put on high level Cup Series.

This means that Saturday’s race could be the last time for a while that Oregonians will be able to watch the nation’s top drivers in their backyard.

Now only one race remains before the 12-driver field is set for the playoffs. So far eight different race winners have secured a spot. Rookie Carson Kvapil also qualified to the postseason after taking home sixth and receiving enough points in Portland.

This leaves just three spots for the drivers to fight for next weekend during the last stop of the series. Illinois’ World Wide Technology Raceway will host next Saturday night at 4:30 p.m. PT