Here it is. NASCAR is edging closer and closer to closing a gigantic deal, a deal which is, unfortunately, coming at a big cost and a big potential loss. The loss in this deal isn’t actually financial, quite the opposite on that front, actually.

The loss could be of a racetrack that fans and drivers both love.

It’s Kyle Larson’s Home Track, aka Auto Club Speedway, and according to journalist Adam Stern, it is closer than ever to being sold by NASCAR for a dollar figure of over half a billion. Stern reported the racetrack built by Roger Penske is going to be sold for $544 million.

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What NASCAR aims to do with the money is to invest in fan experiences, renovate their already diverse schedule, and pay off some of the debt they owe.

But all these plans didn’t exactly sit well with the fans as they called out the sale of the racetrack, And among those raising their voice, there was Joe Gibbs Racing driver and 23XI Racing co-owner, Denny Hamlin.

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Why do NASCAR Drivers love the Auto Club Speedway?

NASCAR drivers like Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, and Corey LaJoie were a few who professed their love for Auto Club Speedway amid recent reports of it going off the schedule in 2024 and it potentially turning into a short track.

Blaney described the track as “one of the funnest, coolest race tracks.” “It is a big, slick, multiple-lane groove race track. It is bumpy and rough and drivers love that stuff,” he explained according to Auto Week.

For Briscoe, the racetrack is “so fun” from a driver’s point of view “because it’s so slick.”

But it was LaJoie’s comments that explained the love for the track, and also the sad reality behind it all.

“I don’t think it’s super exciting to watch necessarily, but we went there last year and it was a pretty good show,” LaJoie said. “NASCAR has to adapt and change with the changing landscape of just the economy.”

“That land up there is super valuable so they can pay for a reconfiguration and make money on the backend of it in addition to that, then that’s what they’re going to do.”

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