We’ve all heard of the famous Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. It’s been a staple of the NASCAR circuit since 1997, but it looks like it’s about to get a major makeover. That’s right, Auto Club Speedway is undergoing a conversion from a 2-mile speedway to a short track. This marks only the second time the Cup Series has not raced at the Southern California track since first competing there in 1997.
Dave Allen, Auto Club Speedway president, said that it’s possible that the track might not host a NASCAR race in 2025 because of how long it could take to make the conversion. The track is expected to be a half-mile track, and the goal is to make it stand out from other half-mile tracks, like Bristol and Martinsville. Kyle Larson, who won last year’s Cup race at Auto Club Speedway, said that the project likely will take about 18 months.
The conversion of Auto Club Speedway means that the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the only place for NASCAR racing in the Los Angeles area. NASCAR has a three-year contract with the Coliseum to race there and holds the option to return. Last year’s inaugural event at the Coliseum drew about 50,000 fans. NASCAR has not publicly stated if it will return to the Coliseum next year.
It’s a big change for the Auto Club Speedway, but one that could make for an even more exciting NASCAR experience. We’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds for this iconic track.
Source: nascar.nbcsports.com