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AVONDALE — For old-school NASCAR fans, the roar of 750-horsepower engines, the smell of car exhaust and hot tires as well as a close-up view of a few wrecks are all the elements needed for a thoroughly satisfying day at the track. (Throw in some cold beers and a grilled burger for a really good time.)

But this is NASCAR 2006.

The beer-and-burger crowd is prevalent still, but a growing number of sophisticated fans are looking for the latest technology, luxuries and increased services to enhance their race-watching experience — whether at the track or at home in front of the television or computer.

"The expectations of the race fan have evolved," Phoenix International Raceway president Bryan R. Sperber said.

Fans are looking for more choices — whether it be for information, food and beverages, or comfort from the elements. "It's our job to provide them with more options," Sperber said.

PIR is hosting three NASCAR races this weekend, including Saturday night's Nextel Cup Subway Fresh 500.

Spectators have been able to search the Internet for tickets, viewing three-dimensional maps before choosing a seat. An estimated 5,000 fans will rent high-tech audio-video scanners to view the race. Five big-screen video boards spread across the infield will help fans follow the race.

The well-to-do and corporate set will watch from luxury suites that sit six stories high. Fans can also choose from club packages that include upgraded food and beverages as well as pre-race visits from drivers.

Stock-car racing's estimated fan base of 75 million has advanced from its Southern roots into the mainstream, and NASCAR has followed suit by answering to that diversity by catering to its changing fan base.

"NASCAR is one of the two major sports (along with the NFL) that has continued to grow," said sports marketer Marc Ganis.

And the sport is growing, Ganis said, because NASCAR continues to reach out to the wide-ranging demographics of newfound fans.

At tracks outside NASCAR's Southern base, fans will find restaurant-quality food, limousines transporting fans and a growing number of luxury suites.

When Nextel took over from Winston as series sponsor prior to the 2004 season, the wireless communications giant brought a wealth of technology into the sport, ranging from wireless communication headsets for racing teams to improved cell phone reception at tracks.

Sprint Nextel debuted its latest high-tech gadget — FanView, a loaded audio-video-data scanner — at the Daytona 500 in February, and approximately 5,000 of the wireless hand-held units have been rented at each race since, said Todd Ezrailson, a Phoenix-area representative of Sprint Nextel.

The banana-colored FanView resembles a hand-held video game with a 4-inch by 4-inch color screen. Users can watch the race telecast and switch between seven in-car camera channels and driver audio feeds that can be replayed. FanView also picks up real-time race data. Spectators can rent FanView at PIR for $50 per day or $70 for both the Busch and Nextel Cup races.

Venders will also be on hand at PIR to rent traditional scanners and headsets to follow drivers' radio conversations.

Satellite technology is utilized by racing teams as well as fans staying on the infield. Most teams have satellite dishes and television monitors behind their pit stalls to keep a closer watch on their drivers.

Many fans with RVs parked on the infield will use satellite dishes to pick up the race telecast on network television as well as pre- and post-race coverage on cable.

Lap of luxury

Phoenix has rolled out the red carpet for high-rolling affluent fans starting this weekend with the opening of Octane, a lounge that sits atop the new Bobby Allison North Grandstands outside Turn 1.

The lounge features a waterfall wall, leather couches, gourmet food and wine and comes with a price tag of $1,900 per person for the two-day race weekend.

According to NASCAR demographics data, 40 percent of NASCAR fans have household incomes above $75,000, and Octane is designed to accommodate those fans with plenty of disposable income.

"We saw there was a need for a high-end offering like Octane," Sperber said.

The luxury lounge will be limited to about 100 fans. All 46 suites that rest on top of the Bobby Allison Grandstands are sold out to corporate customers at annual costs ranging from $75,000 to $150,000 per suite.