NASCAR Auto Club Speedway Demolition Construction Drone Update

[@Tylerracingfan59]

you can demolish the track but you cant demolish the fun times and memories

[@3120DownForce]

They can demolish your fun times and memories.

[@RC.41]

No they actually did

[@craigchristensen6140]

They can’t take away the closed course speed record.

[@denniswilliams2385]

@@3120DownForceIf they succeeded in demolishing his memories he wouldn’t still be talking about them.

[@jlawson26]

That track was terrible glad to see it gone.

[@Devilpeakmotorsports]

I remember the feeling of awe when i saw the track after walking through the tunnel under turn 4 at the inaugural race there. Everythng was so new and modern. Its sad to see it like this. Im 99% sure there will never be racig there again. 😢

[@rickdeyoung8886]

Going the way of Ontario and riverside racetracks in the surrounding cities. I grew up going to these tracks now they’re just a memory

[@tigerphid9677]

I went to Michigan Speedway many years ago. Michigan and Fontana are virtually twins except for the banking steepness. Michigan was designed by Charles Moneypenny, who also did Daytona. These are amazing tracks designed for high speed racing. That is why Gil de Ferran broke the world speed record at Fontana in 2000 (241.428 MPH).

[@toddmusser6537]

Roger Penske used Fontana to correct some of the things he didn't like about Michigan --- the backstretch at Fontana was 20' higher than Michigan so that the fans could see the backstrech action easier from the grandstands.

[@sh0t0kan]

My favorite CART driver. He absolutely destroyed it in INDY

[@robbnutter4665]

They should go ahead and demo what remains of the track (and our memories) as any updates remind me of a patient bleeding out. NASCAR isn't going to do any building - just more selling.

[@jimb8601]

I was going to post the same thing. Makes no sense at this point to try to fit a short track between warehouses on valuable land.

[@notsure1968]

Nope, build into the half mile track as planned, the Coliseum near downtown LA has sold out all three NASCAR races, they can also run Saturday night racing since there are no homes nearby, we can't give up on having a track in our area.

[@michaelxr2460]

I thought Roger Penske owned this track and surrounding land?

[@michaelxr2460]

I thought Roger Penske owned this track and surrounding land?

[@continentalrcinglg]

​@@michaelxr2460 Penske sold it to NASCAR years ago.

[@rkendsley7561]

Thank you NA$CAR, just what we needed in this area, MORE WAREHOUSES.

[@V8_Diva]

That's exactly what the economy wanted in that area.

[@rkendsley7561]

@@V8_Diva Please elaborate.

[@V8_Diva]

@ Big businesses are constantly vying for more warehouse space. Warehousing is a hot commodity. It's quite literally what the economy is asking for.

[@Marko137-em8nx]

Why is this Nascar fault??

[@socalfishing3121]

ITS Gaven Newsome's fault to many health restrictions after covid and nascar told him tp pound sand

[@ModernMule]

My childhood track, thank you. Blessed to have been there for the last race. Actually have the start and final restart of the race on my page. RIP to a track that was getting more intense as the years went by. Unfortunately scrapped when it was in its bland phase.

[@jeffnorman8644]

Sad to see it go!

[@dwoodinnyc]

Remember when Gil de Ferran set the fastest lap ever in Indy here? I do

[@jeffreyvences5746]

Still have many pictures of the summer races here in the nighttime. The cars always looked so awesome in the night with the lights and the mountains in the background! Especially Gordons car!😂

[@eticket70]

So many memories! Winston West, NASCAR, IndyCar (Champ Car), Sports Car events...will never forget!

[@BillPotter-k5q]

Was told last night, (1/24/25) by someone that used to work security, that it will never reopen. If true, it's sad! Back in the day, watching Indycars come off that last turn onto the main straight was just awsome!

[@kevinmayle4870]

I grew up in this area. Saw the bones of the Ontario raceway when i was a kid, saw the last few years of riverside as a kid. Never got to attend any races until I was a adult. Fontana was my first race in person. Im glad i took lots of photos! We just lost iwindale. Lets hope we dont lose Pomona as well😢

[@bosqueblanco3744]

i remember when it was 'california speedway' so sad to see it go. and we lost irwindale in '24 as well. sad sad sad.

[@loganinnis3117]

I still can’t believe they demolishing that track and make it into a small version

[@-SkyCat-]

its over... its never coming back.. nascar needed the money... so they did this with "we will be back, a Short track" that was a lie.. they need money due to NASCAR isnt' making any money..

[@benallen2196]

Especially considering the state that short track racing is in right now it wouldn't make sense to spend all that money converting the track when the racing would probably suck. As much as I still want it to happen I just don't think it will.

[@mattthacker9120]

NASCAR signed a 7.7 billion dollar television contract this past year.

[@lionelnextelstudios0.282]

Im surprised that they would remove a popular track like auto club but not demolish a garbage track like Texas since alot of nascar fans hate it

[@chriscarey8336]

It’s because property is more valuable they build houses closer to tracks then neighbors complain about the noise California lawmakers dont want these tracks here unless they can make them all electric and the cost of insurance. It’s just not profitable in this state anymore.

[@mpf1947]

@@lionelnextelstudios0.282 NASCAR doesn't own Texas Motor Speedway.

[@brucebruce7816]

Greg Moore lost his life at that track

[@bobbowie9350]

So tragic. Rip

[@tommeng7092]

I was there. A memory I'll never forget.

[@frankymr2]

Sad when the last true race track in california goes down. I had good memories there.

[@l-vaeronautics2734]

There is still Laguna Seca and Sonoma, but the NIMBY's are going all out to shut them down too. What a disgrace.

[@UmpOnFire81]

Thanks for the Update. So 😢😢😢

[@scottdeforge1331]

Just like Riverside, when it was closing Fritz Duda claimed a replacement track will be built, never happened.

[@RideGasGas]

Had a fun time there at a motorcycle track day, and watched both AMA Superbike and car events. Will miss it.

[@williamedmonds9581]

Went to several races there and did the NASCAR experience, where I got to drive a NASCAR around the track 8 times. Lots of fun. Sad to see yet another California NASCAR track erased. Just like Ontario and Moreno Valley.

[@aaronpeters1770]

what a shame to see it like that. was great to see on tv for race weekend back when. thanks for the footage

[@Joeskijr]

California was a fun playground. So sad to see it go...

[@dlewis_2415]

This tough to see it as it is! 💯 but Auto Club Speedway will live on in our memories, in video games & taped previous Nascar races! 🙏

[@tedspaseff-zr8yh]

First, thank you for the update. NASCAR will be doing nothing! It is amazing that the sight can be demolished, a huge warehouse can be built, and not a single thing has been done to proceed with the small race track they promised. NASCAR has become all about the money and lost what their values use to be, the race fan. Their never intended to rebuild the track, or they would have started something by now. They are hoping the fans in SoCal will forget their promise. They will blame the city for not approving their plans and not admit to their lie. My bet is the remaining sight will be sold by the end of 2025!!!!

[@johnmiller4553]

@tedspaseff YA. WHAT YOU WROTE IS MORE THAN LIKELY TO BE THE REAL TRUTH .. ADD THAT HST TO THE LIST THEY HAVE BEEN PROMISING TOO. LOL 🤙🤙🤙🤙

[@socalfishing3121]

Be ass lie it's California's fault Nascar Tried but our dumb Governor pushed them out

[@Ludacris-s6v]

Money is what makes motorsports stable like it or not thats why soo many tracks are dying cause they don't have money.

[@johnmiller4553]

@ LOL MONEY IS WHAT MAKES EVERYTHING STABLE …. EXCEPT IN CALIFORNIA…. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@uvkjc]

Will never forget going to NASCAR events here with my pops

[@EightyFiveHundred]

I had good memories of racing my cars there.

[@Tunda2]

It’s never coming back. I loved this track

[@WFORacer]

I remember sadly as Greg Moore the Indy car racer died in 1999 as if it was yesterday. We saw the crash.

[@brentmaynes8934]

I was there

[@richardsugg7812]

Me too

[@tacticalbreadman7409]

I was there...........#99 RIP Greg Moore

[@notboeingnotgoing5483]

I worked for Team Gordon (Robby Gordon) in CART and it was a terrible day. What many people don’t realize is that was Greg’s last race for Forsythe and was due to start driving for Penske in 2000, he was a very nice person at that time the paddock was small and everyone knew everyone. Hard to think that was so long ago and even harder to watch what has become of this track. When this track opened all of us in open wheel were amazed at this place, I stopped by the track last year to take a final look at it and it was emotional for me to think of all the experiences I had there in both CART & IndyCar. Sad to lose this track and then to have Irwindale taken away as well, I would be amazed if the France family ever holds any form of racing at this property again…..amazing to think that there are giant warehouses where the track was. Appreciate watching these videos

[@WFORacer]

@ I vividly remember newcomer Montoya playing pitch and catch with the rear of the car exiting turn 4 in qualy. I personally spent many laps with Porsche club as well as motorcycle road racing and karting. As sad to see this as it is driving past what used to be Riverside International. Or seeing Willow Springs dying. Leaning bike over in turn 8 flat out in the afternoon. As the winds try to stand bike up. For a car centric location we sure are losing our tracks.

[@monica93304]

Losing the drag strip and Irwindale sucks too.

[@Igotstaknowit]

It will become a housing complex with street names like Speedway Drive and Finish Line Lane.

[@shawnweaver8091]

That short track is never going to happen.

[@timmannchicken]

That is my thought too. I think the only reason this portion has been left, is because there is more demo involved, but it too will be wiped and replaced with boring warehouse/commercial buildings.

[@yrakcaz3064]

It never was.

[@JustMinx]

No track. Layoffs occurred on the 15th!

[@USC2U2]

How about a road course around the through the buildings!!

[@NikolaiPCulp]

And at least two sections through warehouses and boxes for fun. Bonus points if you can take out some boxes without taking out your car!

[@MSLARacing]

So sad to see this... Auto Club was the best track in NASCAR, it has the most character to it, 5 wide into Turn 1 on Starts/Restarts... Was amazing. Breaks my heart to see it like this... Thanks a lot NASCAR for selling off the property :(

[@singlepayer]

Sad to see it go. I raced a lot of laps there

[@toddmusser6537]

"Hey friends, come catch some exciting NASCAR action in the middle of a brand new, beautiful industrial park which is sure to enhance the fan experience." Coming Spring of 2029...or 2030...or...

[@TimRHillard]

Anyone believe that racing will ever occur here again?

[@yrakcaz3064]

lol

[@craigphillips3154]

Nope. My guess is that they'll figure the land is more valuable than having a racetrack. It was always a half-baked idea to shorten the track.

[@Davedeloye]

Nope

[@brentmaynes8934]

Looks like my old seats are still there. 25 rows up at start/ finish line.

[@williamlloyd3769]

Guess we’ll have to take the HST to Las Vegas to see motor sports in the future

[@johnmiller4553]

LOL YOU STILL BELIEVE THEY ARE GONA BUILD THE HST TOO ??? BAAAAHAAAAHAAAAA 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@craigphillips3154]

​@@johnmiller4553it's Brightline, so they've proven in Florida that they can actually get something done. I wouldn't outright dismiss the West Coast line. It actually makes a lot of sense to build a line from SoCal to LV.

[@craigphillips3154]

IF Brightline can pull it off (like they have in Florida) then that wouldn't be a bad way to spend a long weekend.

[@SPARTAN-RESOLVE]

Wow wasn't ever a big Fontana speedway fan but longtime Nascar Fan I'm glad this came across my videos, I did watch alot of Races here on tv though sad anytime Nascar stops holding races at tracks and some are dismantled nice video

[@mikegeorge7903]

Same thing with Ontario. RIverside and all the dragstips that matered over the years

[@miceinoz1181]

The very first Nascar race I went to was on this track, over 10 years ago. What a sad day to see this.

[@DCTib]

It doesn't seem like the track is actually gonna be reconfigured. Seems to just be a facade and then they'll tear the rest down and build a couple more warehouses. I mean there's no parking provided for large attendance unless they also use the warehouse parking lots.

[@tbx59]

'member when Nascar was going to be the biggest sport ever

[@Strokeit24]

This hits... The sky really was the limit

[@SSinister_Grin]

Car culture is de@d in California.

[@Marko137-em8nx]

Biggest? It's literally is now sense there going to mexico and Brazil in 2027 you people love to see it faulter cause you don't like it, Nascar is growing and your old. Y'all sad.😂😂

[@GASparky217]

@@Marko137-em8nxNASCAR peaked in the 90s and 2000s. I remember seeing the backstretch stands sold out 20 years ago, now they’ve been torn down because they can’t fill the stands anymore. NASCAR is slowly coming back, but it’s nowhere near what it was 20 years ago. Formula 1 is much more popular around the world, NASCAR is actually modeling itself after Formula in an effort to gain more fans.

[@Marko137-em8nx]

@@GASparky217 peak this peak that, do you people have any anything else to say? Plus F1 is a world wide sport and Nascar has yet to gravitate to the world wide yet until now, Nascar now know the importance of having a Global fanbase instead of having having Having a dumb American fanbase( like you ) that always saying how "nascar is dieing , Nascar died when dale died-same Bells and whistles. 20 years ago? Is a very, very long time to you even compare to 2025 when TV isn't that big anymore that's why Amazon is taking the rains to broadcast the races . I got to be a Fan of the sport in 2022 and don't know what is with the importance of Autoclub, and didn't every track in California not get destroyed? Cause obviously it's not a attendance problem.

[@afishcalledminnewawa]

I'll never forget the motorcycle track days we had there.

[@TARFoamerofTX1845]

R.I.P My favorite Race track, Auto Club Speedway. You Will Be Missed!! 😢😭

[@Nathanpirath20]

My childhood this breaks my heart..

[@homie-gtv322]

Money always wins.

[@Delta_NWAB747fan]

Being from Detroit, we’ve lost a lot of historic buildings. Many of them not only part of our culture, but beautiful as well. What does this have to do with Auto Club Speedway you ask? Warehouses. It’s always the warehouses!!! Historic buildings, stadiums, & now raceways and warehouses (that are always designed exactly identical) replace them. I just find that very comical for some reason. Rest. In. Pieces. Auto Club! You’ll be remembered!

[@bigroller8233]

That's great. Now can there be a place for a drag strip?

[@raceday-iy7vm]

Thanks for the update can't wait to see race cars on the track

[@michaelburt1946]

Went to the very first NASCAR race at that track. I remember seeing Carol Shelby there. I was there as a guest for one of the cars. I believe it was Dale Jarrett Ford credit card. As I recall, he damaged the car in practice and had to get a back up car ready.

[@franklujan8304]

I raced there about eight years ago on super bike super sport racing…. It was an awesome experience…. On my YAMAHA SUPERSPORT R6.

[@drafting5652]

Bummer Irwindale to 🏁

[@RayJProductions97]

Makes me wonder what the new track will really look like if it’s still happening

[@weirdfan88]

At this point I think they'll eventually sell the rest and destroy it.

[@glenngailey4916]

There is no more Nascar in SoCal.

[@Shels_pwnz]

Motorsport as a whole is dying. The internet sadly has killed it. We can just watch it on our phones and tablets. Plus the younger gen don’t have the same emotional pull to sound,smell, and feeling as we did. Just seeing it for 30sec on. A phone is perfect for them

[@davidp.aguilar7428]

I was fortunate enough to flag at this great full course track. It was awesome to watch the Porsche's go flying by. I won't be flagging at this new track...

[@YounGun88]

Such a shame. Thanks for sharing!

[@Corey97a]

this made me sad, all for a bunch of ugly warehouses.

[@angryhubby2998]

Did the racing school there. It was great! Darn shame!

[@ScoutPL]

Makes me so sad. I used to run NASA HPDE 4 there. Loved hitting the oval feeling the g forces, getting real speed in the car.

[@gregalderson7239]

Went to all but six races there. Still not happy about them selling out. But I do have a lot of great memories from races there. I really hope they follow thru and build the short track because I really miss going to races there.

[@jeffmanzo5927]

Thank you warehousewarren

[@rogerhowell6230]

Thanks Gillian Zucker, for the good years of racing we saw here.

[@aaf6133]

Great drone shots, sad indeed...Apparently there's a need for massive warehouses in Fontana?!?!? Ugh I guess the logistics of rail and freeways make it an ideal holding location - we all had good times at this track

[@Ginoffvine]

Our late great home track. Sadly another death blow for racing enthusiasts in Southern California. Ontario, Riverside, Fontana, Irwindale. I wonder if Penske Group regrets selling years ago.

[@truckracer28]

You should do a video on Irwindale Speedway

[@nvrhme15]

My love for NASCAR and auto racing was born here. So sad

[@patrickbatman4426]

I remember watching Greg Moore's crash out of turn 2 there. Damn shame.

[@charlesberis1235]

Went to my first Cup race here.

[@mhesse4325]

There is still enough room there to build a Irwindale size track and even a 1/8 mile drag strip possibly. Plus with the surrounding buildings the sound problem the drag strip was plague with may be eliminated. Let hope and keep some faith that it will happen. The land that is left around the speedway looks to be bigger than the land that Irwindale was built on. 🤞🏻🙏

[@davidvanbrunt4233]

Not happening.....

[@maccampbell8184]

Very sad to see :( So many tracks all over the world are disappearing at an alarming rate all in the name of progress. We have lost so many dirt tracks her in Australia in the past 25 years. Australia's 2nd and 3rd largest Cities Melbourne and Brisbane do NOT even have one dirt track left in the whole city..

[@falloutfan6649]

Michigan International Speedway, Texas World Speedway, Auto Club Speedway AKA California Speedway. 3 sisters. And only Michigan remains

[@johnathanjohnson5367]

I don't think Auto Club will ever return especially since California is shutting down tracks and making it very tough for owners to stay open. I know as of now Long Beach isn't going anywhere. Sonoma i think is fine but i do think a potential risk might be in the horizon same goes for Kevin Harvick's Kern County. I know theirs a threat to Laguna Seca. I wonder what else California is going to get rid of

[@ciello___8307]

I hope they keep the short track and some facilities for karting and maybe a skidpad. socal needs more motorsport facilities

[@alexmaccain2362]

They saying they want EVs, thats what i heard. I dont want that.

[@garysmith3219]

CalSpeed Karting operated in the parking lot of Auto Club Speedway from 2004-2022, my favorite track, many different configurations. So sad to see it go.

[@SamBirchenough]

breaks my heart

[@Hedwallfxtd]

Forget NASCAR… We lost a great So. Cal. Karting Track! CalSpeed Karting was the best! Have too many fond memories of all the great staff, crew and racers… RIP CalSpeed…

[@AlonsoRules]

There's more chance of NASCAR going to a full season points format or putting Atlanta back to what it should be than Auto Club coming back

[@Ludacris-s6v]

No

[@jokers4poker]

So missed managed, just like Ontario Motor Speedway was.😢

[@ErnestGoesToMadeas]

Not mismanaged. NASCAR saw it was considerably more profitable to use their land for commercial wearhouses than it was operate a racetrack.

[@jokers4poker]

@ErnestGoesToMadeas Roger Penske built it and didn't have his magic touch. Spin it anyway you want too, they never had the number of events that they promised the city of Fontana. Atrocious job of managing the facility from day 1. The personal seat licensing never delivered what they promised us. MISMANAGED IN CAPITOL LETTER'S!!!

[@socalfishing3121]

@@ErnestGoesToMadeas This is a lie do some research

[@ciello___8307]

@@socalfishing3121how is it a lie? Fontana is literally filled with commercial wharehouses

[@cervantesfamily3937]

If NASCAR doesn’t change how they’re doing things they are going to be in big trouble very soon. I don’t even look forward to watching the races anymore! If I stumble on a race, I’ll watch it for a little bit, but it’s just not the same! Very boring.

[@Marko137-em8nx]

Old man keep watching old news

[@joshandkorinna]

When we said we wanted more short tracks this isn't what we meant.

[@bigb4894]

Any half mile (or any size) track shaped like the plans call for will be absolutely horrible racing. If that's all the room the are given to race on, just give up completely.

[@jamesking4159]

The heartbreak to see only half the track is almost worse then if they tore the whole thing down

[@ryansheehan9462]

I seriously doubt the short track is going to happen

[@winningfreak1]

0:26 buuilding down below is missing half of it's roof. Oof. I guess more demo is coming :(

[@J0NB81]

So I talked to someone who works for the track. Nascar pulled the plug. Fontana is dead.

[@vinewood8295]

Strange layout surrounded by all these buildings. I dunno what the final plan is BUT it would be nice to have a west coast version of Bristol Motor Speedway...

[@ToddHunt-j2r]

I hate to say it, but I'm not driving 2 hours to watch a short track race, nothing wrong with them I want to see some speed.

[@SAVINGEZRA]

Look at what they took from us 😭😭😭😭

[@MexicoBeachFloridaLiving]

Fontana, CA if anyone needs to know

[@kevinmanuel5187]

sad to see ... spotted my seats I've had since 2001.only missed one race .... now my refuge is Vegas... "tears"

[@DLRPyro1]

Curved dragstrip?

[@superkart1913]

THIS TRACK WAS A COOKIE CUTTER TRACK AND IT SUCKED BALLS!!!!! GOOD RIDDANCE!

[@thejman3489]

At this point the race is going to have to take place in several parking lots.

[@RC.41]

I’m confused how they’re going to fit in turn 1 but it would be a really cool half mile. All the buildings and stands are in place

[@mpf1947]

The plans are in this video. The old pit road is the backstretch. Turn 1 starts and turn 4 ends right in front of the ends of the remaining grandstands. This means the turn radius will be approximately that of Bowman Gray Stadium.

[@RC.41]

@@mpf1947that’s nutts. I still don’t see how that’s possible

[@AnthonyZappacosta]

Unfortunately Fontana is dead. Ever since they moved the date to Iowa that race has always sold out. Not only that but those warehouses are too close to put turns 1 and 2 in. Unfortunately they should just get it over with and tear everything down. This video reminds me of what the Texas World Speedway looked like two years ago when they finished tearing that place down.