Phoenix held the United States Grand Prix from 1989-91 on a temporary downtown street circuit. The inaugural race was held in the mid-summer desert heat although it was switched to a more temperate spring date a year later. The wide circuit facilitated overtaking and the 1990 race featured a memorable battle for the lead between Ayrton Senna and Jean Alesi. However, Grand Prix racing was never a hit in Phoenix and the event was cancelled when a local ostrich race drew a bigger crowd! A Champ Car race was scheduled for 2007 using part of the old track but it was cancelled when the main sponsor withdrew.
