FONTANA, Calif. – Racing fans on the Central Coast have been as outspoken, and perhaps more so, than those across the country about the future of the Auto Club Speedway property.
The track ran its last races this weekend in the current configuration. It was built in 1997 and has reached its acceptable surface life. NASCAR has not revealed the future of the two-mile track, but if a replacement project comes to fruition, it would be a future short track, typically a half-mile, with multiple uses. Many variables are still being worked out. This leaves time for fans to speculate limitlessly on the track, on national radio talk shows and on social media sites.
Track president Dave Allen spoke about the installation since the Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles about a month ago, but was unable to release specific details. Designs and decisions are underway.
This is worrying for racing fans who, since the 1970s, have seen other tracks disappear in Riverside and Ontario. The Sports Business Journal referenced public records in a recent article that said 433 of the speedway’s 522 acres were sold to an entity called Speedway SBC Development LLC.
The first word for many people came from a tweet from journalist Adam Stern. The price is estimated at $544 million.
Fans have speculated widely about what would happen next with the remaining land and whether or not a raceway would eventually be built, especially with the sale price in the current real estate deal.
Sunday’s Pala Casino 400 was won by Kyle Busch in a Lucas Oil Chevy for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), a new team for Busch, a former series champion. He won his first NASCAR race at this speedway and his 61st victory also took place at the same facility.
After the race he said: “The track is pretty racy, but honestly when you do about eight laps in a race you don’t care about the bottom anymore.” He said drivers were opting for lanes “three, four and five.”
Looking ahead, Busch says, “I just hope the next piece we put on will be the show we’ve seen here over the last ten, 12 years.”
Busch displayed a revived personality about the status of the sport, his RCR team, the fans and the year ahead.
There is something to be energized about. NASCAR was the most-watched sporting event on television last weekend. The Sunday afternoon race on Fox attracted an estimated 4.315 million viewers.
Among those who decided not to watch the race on television was Charles DiMauro of Santa Barbara. He was at the speedway in person and purchased a pit pass to gain access before the race. He said, “It’s really great. I’m right here next to the cars.” Upon hearing that the song was going away, he said “I’m so sad they’re going to rip this song up.” He was on hand Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m. with other excited fans looking to be there for the historic final.
Saturday’s Xfinity race was delayed until Sunday evening due to rain. This race was won by John Hunter Nemechek who took home the trophy and will forever be the last driver to achieve a victory at the current track.
Ryder Epson of Long Beach was with his brother Hunter and cousin Rally Odell of the Santa Ynez Valley. He said: “We’ve been coming here since we were four or five.” It had access to the pits and was within walking distance of the track and cars. Hunter Epson said that upon hearing the facility was holding its final races in 2023, he said, “It’s kind of a shame we’ve been coming here forever.”
Odell was also in the pits before the race, “it’s so nice to be up close and it’s a really cool experience for the fans.” She went to The Clash in 2022.
Alan Salter of Santa Barbara said it was an experience he will never forget. He said: “I think it’s great. The last race before it becomes a short track. We love NASCAR.”
He’s been coming for years and the long morning drive was worth it to get close access and a seat on the front stretch. Standing nearby and looking at the cars and pits moments before the race began, Stew Moore of Solvang said, “I’m a new fan of NASCAR, been about five years. I don’t know if they’ll open a track. but I wanted to be there for this one.
It was also a special celebration. “It’s my birthday weekend and it’s the last race on this three-kilometer track.”
With rainy, snowy weather and a long drive from home to the track 60 miles east of Los Angeles, he said “it was worth it no matter the weather.”
NASCAR continues its push to Western states tracks, normally offering better weather conditions this time of year, with a trip to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend.
This will be followed by a race at Phoenix International Raceway.
As the drivers and public left Auto Club Speedway, they left behind many unanswered questions about what it will become in the future, but look forward to the next announcement.
There will be no racing there in 2024.
