A colorful mural displays "Welcome to California" and "Auto Club Speedway" with racing graphics, set against a sunset sky with a lifeguard tower silhouette.

NASCAR — please come back to Southern California

April 29, 2025/Jan Wagner/
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NASCAR, over the years you’ve cultivated a large and loyal audience for Cup and Xfinity Series stock car racing in Southern California. Sadly, that ended in 2023 with the last race at Auto Club Speedway. However, you kept our hopes alive with serious talk about building a short track on the site of that superspeedway.

NASCAR racing in Fontana dates all the way back to 1997, when the superspeedway — originally named California Speedway, opened on the site of the former Kaiser Steel mill. It was instantly recognizable by its iconic water tower (which was torn down several years ago).

A black stretch limousine is parked at the entrance of California Speedway, where people are gathered near the gate under a sign that reads “GOOD MORNING.”.
A sign displays the "California Speedway" logo above the phrase "GOOD MORNING" in bold letters.
An old industrial building with numerous tall chimneys stands beside a parking lot filled with cars, buses, and tents on a clear day.
Two blue racing jackets with Kellogg’s and “got milk?” logos are displayed for sale, priced at $150 and $130. Other sponsor logos are also visible on the jackets.
A black No. 3 Goodwrench Service Plus race car model is displayed on a gray surface with the number 25 label next to it.
A yellow and brown M&M's racing jacket, matching cap, and T-shirts with M&M's characters and race car graphics displayed on a surface.
Red and black baseball cap featuring embroidered graphics of a race car, the word "California", and the phrase "Inaugural five hr" on the front panels.
Round commemorative badge for the inaugural California 500 race at California Speedway on June 22, 1997, showing "I Was There" and serial number 46209/50,000.
Red and black cap featuring an embroidered car, "California five hundred," and the date "June 22, 1997" on the side.
View of a racetrack with "Auto Club 500" painted on the infield, a scoreboard tower, pit garages, race cars, and a large crowd in the grandstands.
Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, Fontana in 2004
Three flags—American, California state, and a yellow Nextel flag—fly in front of a racetrack building with mountains and a large parking lot in the background.
A water tower painted with a black-and-white checkered pattern displays the "California Speedway" logo against a clear blue sky.
The iconic water tower as it looked at California Speedway in 2004
A group of stock cars races around a turn on a paved track as a large crowd watches from the grandstands.
Stock cars race closely together on a banked track, with a packed grandstand of spectators in the background under a sunny sky.
Crowd of fans in the grandstands cheer as race cars speed past the finish line at the Auto Club Speedway during a NASCAR event.
A woman in a stadium crowd holds a colorful sign that reads "JEFF GORDON ROCKS" during a car racing event.
Pit crew services a #48 race car during a pit stop as spectators watch from behind barriers at a motorsport event.
Several race cars speed around a curve on a NASCAR track at California Speedway, with a train visible in the background.
A large crowd fills the grandstands at an outdoor racetrack during a car race, with the track curving to the left and pit lane visible on the infield.
Two NASCAR race cars, number 20 with Home Depot branding and number 41 with Target branding, drive side by side on a racetrack.
Several stock cars race side by side on a track at California Speedway, with a large crowd of spectators visible in the background.
A NASCAR pit crew services a yellow car numbered 38, changing tires and refueling during a pit stop; team members wear matching yellow uniforms.
A blue and red NASCAR race car with the number 24 and "DuPont" branding drives on a racetrack.
A race car with the number 24 skids on the track at California Speedway, leaving tire smoke as it turns near the wall.
A race car with the number 24 leaves a trail of smoke as it spins off the track onto a grassy area at California Speedway.
A NASCAR pit crew in red uniforms services a blue and red #24 car on pit road while a camera crew films the action.
A race car driver in a red and blue firesuit holds a tall trophy in front of a sign that reads "Speedway.
Three older men stand together outdoors in front of a backdrop featuring Sprint and NASCAR logos.
Phil Hill (Formula One driver), Shav Glick (distinguished motorsports writer) and Carroll Shelby (racecar driver, automotive designer and entrepreneur) at California Speedway in 2006
A woman in a black hat and coat stands beside an older man in a blue striped shirt and blazer at an outdoor event with Sprint branding in the background.
“Dusty” Brandel (President, American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association) and Phil Hill (Formula One driver) at California Speedway in 2006
Three people stand together at an Auto Club Speedway event, with one holding a $10,000 check made out to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Racing and sponsor logos are visible in the background.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. at California Speedway in 2006
Three stock cars race side by side on a track, each with distinct sponsor logos and numbers: 14, 88, and 24. Spectators watch from behind the barrier.
A NASCAR pit crew in matching uniforms services an orange Home Depot race car during a pit stop, with crew members refueling and changing tires.
A person wearing a headset and brown hat, dressed in a white shirt, stands near racing equipment, holding their hat with one hand.
Jack Roush
Two NASCAR race cars, number 17 (DeWalt) and number 20 (Home Depot), drive side by side on a track with spectators in the background.
A pit crew services a Ford race car sponsored by AAA during a pit stop at a racetrack, with smoke visible and a large crowd in the background.
A race car driver in a yellow and black DeWalt suit and sunglasses holds a trophy in front of NASCAR and California Speedway banners.
A photographer with camera gear smiles beside a large NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series trophy on a table, in front of a branded yellow backdrop.
Jan, still a Nikon shooter, at California Speedway in 2006
California Speedway sign with checkered flag pattern in foreground, fireworks exploding in the night sky above, and vertical neon lights below.

The track was renamed Auto Club Speedway in 2008.

A white Auto Club Speedway flag with the AAA logo waves above a crowded grandstand at a motorsport event.
A sign at Auto Club Speedway shows a "You Are Here" map with labeled sections, parking, and amenities.
A large parking lot filled with tightly parked cars of various colors, viewed from above.
People gather around a NASCAR race car in the pit area with Monster Energy branding, set against a backdrop of mountains under a clear sky.
A person in a red hat and pink jacket kneels on the pavement, writing on a painted white area surrounded by others standing nearby.
A young NASCAR fan writing a note on the start/finish line at Auto Club Speedway
A white tower with a black-checkered pattern displays the Auto Club Speedway and AAA Southern California logos.
A plush teddy bear wearing a white and red Auto Club Speedway shirt sits on a reflective surface.
A NASCAR driver in a racing suit and ally cap stands with his hand on his chin, surrounded by people. Racing sponsor logos are visible on his suit.
Several NASCAR race cars speed down a track side by side, with a large crowd of spectators filling the grandstands in the background.
A special 5-wide parade lap salute to the fans
Stock cars race around a curved track at a speedway, with a large crowd in the stands and a pace car leading the pack.
A large crowd of people fills stadium bleachers under a clear sky, many wearing hats and sunglasses, watching an outdoor event.
Three NASCAR race cars cross the finish line at Auto Club Speedway, with a large AAA Southern California logo visible in the background.
Three NASCAR race cars drive side by side on a racetrack in front of an Auto Club Speedway sign.
A Goodyear blimp flies near a race track scoreboard displaying lap numbers and car positions against a clear blue sky.
Goodyear blimp flying in a clear blue sky above snow-capped mountains.
Pit crew services a white Toyota race car sponsored by Subway, with the number 19 visible above, during a NASCAR race at a crowded speedway.
Pit crew services a green No. 18 Interstate Batteries race car, changing tires and refueling during a pit stop at a motorsport event.
Two race car drivers in red and black uniforms pose next to a trophy at the Auto Club Speedway after the Auto Club 400 event.
A wooden Auto Club Speedway trophy with a surfboard design and model cars, labeled "Auto Club 400" and "The Richter Trophy.
A race car crashes into a wall at high speed, sending debris, tires, and smoke into the air at Auto Club Speedway.
A man stands and smiles next to a counter in front of a large "Auto Club Speedway" sign at the AAA Automobile Club of Southern California.
Jan at Auto Club Speedway, for the last time as a superspeedway (photo by Albert Wong)
A person wearing a camera and press badge smiles while holding a rectangular plaque inscribed with "1997 - 2023" at a nighttime event outside a building.
Jan at Auto Club Speedway, for the last time as a superspeedway (photo by Albert Wong)

Other major series raced there besides NASCAR. Five-wide racing by NASCAR and IndyCar was spectacular.

A white and red cap featuring the 1997 CART World Series 500 logo, an Indy car graphic, and race details presented by Toyota.
Several IndyCar race cars speed around a curved racetrack, with one car emitting smoke, during a daytime race event.
5-wide IndyCar racing

As a bridge to the future, as well as to attract an even larger audience with new, younger fans, NASCAR spent a pile of money, time and effort to build and then demolish each of three years a temporary paved short track nearby, to host a major annual fan event: the “Busch Light CLASH at the Coliseum,” complete with a live concert and support racing. The races in the Coliseum did indeed attract a new, younger audience to NASCAR stock car racing and it also satisfied existing NASCAR fans’ need to see Cup Series drivers compete in Southern California.

Night view of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum entrance, with Olympic rings displayed and a lit flame atop the structure.
Stock cars line up on a temporary racetrack inside a large stadium with mostly empty red seats; Los Angeles skyline visible in the background.
A view of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum set up for a NASCAR event, with race cars lined up on the track and empty red stadium seats in the background.
A temporary NASCAR race track set up inside a large stadium with empty red seats, broadcast booth, and sponsor banners visible.
A billboard reading "WELCOME RACE FANS!" stands in front of construction cranes and buildings with the Los Angeles skyline and mountains in the background.
Performers in checkered outfits and boots dance on an outdoor stage as a crowd watches; large Coca-Cola bottles are visible on stage.
Pit Bull concert in 2022 at the Busch Light CLASH at the Coliseum
A NASCAR race takes place at a stadium with cars on the track, pyrotechnics in the background, and a large archway structure behind the stands.
A large crowd of people sits in red stadium seats, wearing casual clothes and hats, watching an outdoor event on a sunny day.
NASCAR race cars and teams prepare on the pit road before a race, with pit crew members, officials, and equipment visible around the vehicles.
Three people seated in a stadium wave their hands toward the field, where a crowd watches an event and a large GEICO logo is visible on the ground.
Two NASCAR race cars, number 48 (purple Ally) and number 8 (yellow Morgan & Morgan), drive side by side on a track during a race.
Several NASCAR race cars are bunched up on a track near a barrier, with crew members and pit equipment visible in the background.
Two NASCAR race cars compete on a track; car 48 is purple with Ally branding, car 5 is blue with HendrickCars.com branding.
A yellow #22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang race car with Shell branding, driven by Joey Logano, on a racetrack.
Joey Logano
A race car driver in a yellow and red suit stands on top of a yellow car, holding a steering wheel in one hand and pointing skyward as crew members and media surround the car.
Joey Logano celebrates on his car after winning the NASCAR Busch Light Clash; text highlights 4.28 million viewers and top markets for the race broadcast on FOX.

Unfortunately, the weather did not co-operate the third year. Severe rain and flooding forced NASCAR to cancel the concert and run the feature race on Saturday instead of Sunday.

Person wearing a NASCAR jacket with a handwritten sign on the back reading, "Nascar should race on Sunday not Saturday," standing among others at an outdoor event.
Electronic sign displays the message "NASCAR EVENT CANCELED" near a fence with a Busch Light tent visible in the background.
Sunday’s feature race was held on Saturday and the concert was cancelled, due to torrential rain and flooding on Sunday

This year the CLASH moved far away, to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Consequently, 2025 is the first year that there will not be a race with NASCAR Cup Series cars and drivers in Southern California.

Major league racing is arguably more popular than ever in Southern California. This year’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach had huge, enthusiastic crowds.

Logo for the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, displaying "1975–2025" and event dates "April 11–13, 2025" in black and blue text.
IndyCar race cars take a tight turn on a street circuit as a large crowd watches from the stands and sidewalks lined with palm trees.
The start of the IndyCar race at the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
Two red IndyCar race cars drive side by side on a racetrack, passing Firestone-branded barriers during a motorsport event.
Two open-wheel race cars drive on a track, viewed from behind, with fencing and blurred signage in the background.
A black and white IndyCar race car, number 30, drives over a red and white curb on a racetrack, with advertisements visible in the background.
Two IndyCar race cars speed around a track corner; car number 20 leads closely ahead of a black and white competitor.
A red and yellow IndyCar with DHL branding rounds a corner on a city street circuit, passing advertising banners and barriers.
Alex Palou in his IndyCar negotiating the tight hairpin at the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
A man shows a young child wearing earmuffs a toy car package at an outdoor market stall with clothes in the background.
A young fan gets a commemorative 50th Anniversary IndyCar at the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
Several off-road race trucks jump and turn on a city street circuit during a stadium super trucks race under a Firestone banner.
Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Trucks race at the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
An orange off-road race truck drives on two wheels during a race at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, with a crowd watching from the stands.
Three race cars navigate a sharp turn on a city street circuit bordered by colorful sponsor banners, with a fountain, palm trees, and flowers in the foreground.
Sportscars race around the iconic dolphins fountain at the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
A green race car speeds past a dolphin fountain during a motorsports event, with sponsor banners and palm shadows in the background.
Six sports cars race around a curved track lined with flowers and advertising banners during a daytime motorsport event.
A yellow and black Inception Racing Ferrari race car, number 70, speeds on a racetrack during a motorsport event.
Sports cars race through a turn on a city street circuit during a daytime motorsports event, with spectators and palm trees visible in the background.
Two modified cars drift side by side on a racetrack, producing tire smoke, with sponsor logos visible on both vehicles.
Drifting around the hairpin at the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

The support for the top tier of professional auto racing is alive and well here, so NASCAR — why have you abandoned us?

A large crowd of people seated outdoors in stadium-style bleachers, watching an event. Most are wearing hats and sunglasses.

Way back on February 5, 2022, I covered a NASCAR press conference prior to the first of the three “Busch Light CLASH at the Coliseum” non-points races (see AutoMatters & More 728: https://automatters.net/gutsy-busch-light-clash-at-the-coliseum-revs-up-a-large-new-audience-for-nascar/). Speaking to us at that press conference was Dave Allen, the president of Auto Club Speedway at the time. He was asked about NASCAR’s plans for construction of a short track on the site of the superspeedway, following its demolition. Here is what he told us:

“We’re still working on plans (for the short track) and they all haven’t come together yet. Once they do, you know we’ll hopefully get ‘em approved and get a timeframe to go out to the public with that. Our goal is to provide the best racing we possibly can and have that for a real long time here in Southern California. Once we know that we’ll come out with it and let everybody know.”

NASCAR, we listened to you and believed you. The “Busch Light CLASH at the Coliseum” proved that you have a large and growing fan base here in Southern California, as we cheered for NASCAR racing on your crazy, improbable, temporary paved race track inside the historic LA Coliseum.

View of a large stadium with a black oval racetrack on the field, surrounded by mostly empty red seats and various sponsor banners on the ground.

We have been patient, as we try our best to satisfy our desire for NASCAR stock car racing by watching it on TV or by traveling to far away racetracks to see and experience the racing in-person. When will the short track that you promised us be built, on the hallowed grounds of what was once Roger Penske’s California Speedway, and later Auto Club Speedway?

Older man wearing a Penske Racing cap and white shirt stands outdoors, looking slightly to the side. A crowd and blurred background are visible.
Roger Penske at California Speedway in 2004

On March 10, Kevin Baxter (Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times) reported that Dave Allen, NASCAR’S West Region president, spoke on this subject before the 2025 “Shriners Children’s 500” NASCAR Cup race at Phoenix Raceway:

“The market is extremely important to NASCAR” … “So we’re not abandoning the market. What we don’t have is a firm timeline yet. There’s some things within the sport that need to get sorted before we can make some strategic decisions as it relates to what we’re what we’re going to build. We’re going to do something. I just don’t know what and when yet.” … “The ideal solution, Allen said, is the original one. NASCAR retained approximately 90 acres of Auto Club Speedway’s massive footprint, including the main grandstands, front straight, pit road and pit road suites. Those were all to be incorporated into the new short-track venue.” (https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-03-10/nascar-plans-southern-california-new-fontana-track)

NASCAR, please come back to Southern California like you said you would.

Large electronic sign at a racetrack reads: "We Hope You Had A GREAT DAY At the Races" with NASCAR and NEXTEL CUP SERIES logos above.
A lit scoreboard displays the message, "WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE IN THE FUTURE," with sponsorship banners above it at a nighttime event.
Silhouetted grandstands and light poles at sunset during an outdoor event, with a glowing orange sky in the background.

To explore a wide variety of content dating back to 2002, with the most photos and the latest text, visit “AutoMatters & More” at https://automatters.net. Search by title or topic in the Search Bar in the middle of the Home Page, or click on the blue ‘years’ boxes and browse.

Copyright © 2025 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #880r1

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Jan Wagner

2 Comments

  1. David Sperry on May 1, 2025 at 10:45 pm

    Jan, great question. I don’t follow NASCAR but it does seem there would be a support for a race in SoCal. But why go for a short track when there are plenty of short ovals on the schedule already. Personally, I don’t enjoy races with a lap time of 50 seconds, for example. Maybe a medium track of 1 1/2 miles or so.

    Great pics of you through the years with the heavy camera gear. I do recognize your 2022 award winning photo of the dust filled crash with pieces of black barrier flying in the air. Please remind me…were you the top prize winner with that photo? David.

    Reply
    • Jan Wagner on May 2, 2025 at 5:53 am

      Thanks David,
      Having covered many NASCAR superspeedway races at Auto Club Speedway, and before that at California Speedway, I think that races could actually be more exciting on a short track. Auto Club Speedway/California Speedway was so wide that the racers could spread out on the track and away from each other. A short track would give the drivers significantly less width, and it would also bunch them up, front-to-back. A medium length track could do that too.
      In answer to your question, yes, my photo of a NASCAR Xfinity Series stock car crashing into the sand barrels at the entrance to pit lane at Auto Club Speedway won the only award for photography that year from the Motor Press Guild.
      Jan

      Reply

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