Crews demolish the 130-foot-high race control tower that sits above ISM Raceway.

ISM Raceway, formerly known as Phoenix International Raceway, in Avondale, Arizona is undergoing some significant changes as part of a $178 million renovation. Scheduled for completion in November, the overhaul will treat fans to a drastically upgraded race experience, including a “flipped” track layout – the start/finish line has been moved from what is now the front stretch to the back stretch, thus flipping the numbering of the turns.

The track will be able to seat 45,000 fans upon completion of the renovation, and those fans will be treated to an all new Fanzone located in the track’s infield area. The facility’s energy partner DC Solar will be wiring the new DC Solar Fan Midway with flat screen televisions, a new PA system and even providing free WiFi throughout common areas, including the Fan Midway, the infield area and in-seat WiFi in the grandstands.

While it’s not listed in the planned renovation, the track’s aging race control tower was demolished, I assume to move it to the new start/finish line. Of course, a tower of this size and height can’t just be unbolted and carted around to the other side of the track, and it was likely in dire need of modernization anyway. So instead of trying to move it or upgrade it, the tower’s demolition became a show itself.

With the tower rigged for explosives in just the right places, and some fireworks for a little extra flash, the local news captured the demolition from high above, bringing us a great view of the action below.

The button is pressed and the fireworks burst into the sky with the tower’s legs being blasted at the same time. Slowly, the tower begins to lean, then falls into a fairly tidy heap so the crews can begin removing the scrap that’s left behind.

We can’t wait to check out all of the new upgrades to the track, which should be completed in time for the fall NASCAR event.

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