Since hosting the first race in 1999, the Irwindale Speedway has been home to demolition derbies, street-legal drag racing, and Formula Drift events. In fact, some of NASCAR’s top names, before they became popular also took part in races there with current Cup Series champion Joey Logano, Kurt and Kyle Busch being part of the contingent. But after 25 years of thrill for racing enthusiasts in Southern California “The House of Drift” is closing its doors.

On December 21, after the Farewell Extravaganza, the last major auto racing track in Los Angeles County shut down operations. It featured 14 divisions, racing on its half-mile and third-mile ovals, and ended with a massive fireworks show. On the day, racers and fans were united in paying tribute to the iconic strip as shared memories brought everyone together.

The final lap: Why Irwindale is shutting down

After decades of narrowly avoiding closure, the Irwindale Speedway is finally succumbing to economic pressures. IDS Real Estate, the land’s owner since 2022, plans to redevelop the site into a commercial and industrial complex. While the City of Irwindale is still reviewing plans for the transformation, this time, it’s clear the track’s fate is sealed.

Tim Huddleston, president of Irwindale Speedway & Event Center (ISEC), confirmed the news, expressing gratitude for the community that has supported the venue over the years. “Irwindale has been more than just a track—it’s been a home and gathering place for racing enthusiasts worldwide,” Huddleston said back in October. “On behalf of my wife Lisa and our partners Bob and Maureen Bruncati, we extend heartfelt thanks to our fans, racers, sponsors, and the City of Irwindale for their unwavering support over the past 25 years.”

Back in 2015, plans were announced to demolish the track for a shopping mall. That project never materialized, and the Speedway found a new lease on life under Huddleston and the Bruncatis. But as the racing landscape evolves and land values soar, keeping the track open has proven unsustainable.

The announcement has hit especially hard because Irwindale has long been a venue that catered to everyone—from grassroots racers to professional motorsports. For many, it wasn’t just a racetrack but a cultural hub, drawing crowds for all types of car festivals and community events alike.

True to its reputation for delivering unforgettable experiences, Irwindale didn’t bow out quietly. The Farewell Extravaganza saw multi-time track champion Trevor Huddleston win the marquee 75-lap ARCA Menards Series West feature beating off Tyler Reif and NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Cole Custer by nearly seven seconds. For Huddleston, the track holds a special place.

He came to the track for the first time when he was three years old.

“I’ve spent 25 years; more than half of my life here,” said Huddleston. “This place is epic; no doubt about it. It’s crazy. I learned from everybody here. Everybody helped me piece by piece and no one here is selfish.” These words summed up the spirit of the Irwindale Speedway.

Rider Gardner won the Crown Vics feature, while Skyler Schoppe won the four-car Jr. Late Model feature ahead of Eli Black, Kellen Keller, and Kourtney Baker. Moreover, Night of Destruction events like Figure-8s, Trailer Races, and a Drift Invitational showcased the venue’s “House of Drift” legacy.

It was an all-out celebration designed to honor everything Irwindale has meant to its community over the past 25 years.

While the closure marks the end of an era for Irwindale, there’s hope that its legacy will endure. Starting in 2025, many of Irwindale’s assets and events will transition to Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, ensuring that Southern California’s racing spirit lives on. The track wasn’t only special for the racers, but many of the friendships between fans were forged here over the last quarter of a century.

There is a story of how two strangers from Charter Oak and Pasadena became friends having not met each other until 1999.

Fans recall fond memories as they bid goodbye to a beloved house of racing

Trending

1

NASCAR Rumor: Struggling Cup Series Driver Set for Broadcast Booth After Losing Full-Time Seat

2

$46 Billion Automobile Giant Eyes Roger Penske’s Friendship to Crush Major Roadblock in America

3

NASCAR 2025 Schedule: Fans Furious at NASCAR’s “Dumb” Decision to Delay Playoff Race

4

Mark Martin Calls Out ‘Silent’ Drivers, Demands Tony Stewart’s Mentality to Trash NASCAR’s “Corporate Pressure”

5

NASCAR: Rick Hendrick Ropes In ‘Next Kyle Larson’ After Pressure From Jeff Gordon

Marty Hagbery and  Lynn Carson were two strangers when they first met at the Irwindale Speedway in 1999. Soon they began regularly attending the weekly racing shows. Their families also first met at a gathering at a small plaza they dubbed “Gilligan’s Island” on the property. As the track closes, Hagbery is filled with sadness.

“We’re all just good friends,” Hagbery said. “It was nice because it’s so close, but it’s sad. It is hard.” Like Hagbery, for many fans, the news of Irwindale’s closure feels deeply personal. The track has been a backdrop for countless memories, from childhood birthday celebrations to adrenaline-filled nights under the lights. Social media has been flooded with tributes, but some fans are determined to make the most of Irwindale’s final chapter as they shared their thoughts on Reddit.

“I’ll be there,” said one long-time fan. “It’s been my home track since I first went back in 2002 for my 10th birthday. I didn’t realize they added drifting to the schedule, so at least the track gets to really go out with a bang.”  Irwindale Speedway earned its reputation as the “House of Drift” hosting drifting exhibitions from as early as 2003 and in 2004, it became the site of Formula Drift’s first official championship finale.

The track’s technical layout, combining a traditional oval with an infield road course, created an ideal stage for high-stakes razor-thin battles, earning it iconic status in the drifting world. For nearly two decades, Irwindale served as the season finale venue, drawing global icons like Tanner Foust and Daijiro Yoshihara, and fostering the growth of drifting culture in the U.S.

Some fans reflected on the simple joys the Speedway brought to their lives. “Damn, I loved this track and going to Night of Destruction races,” one attendee shared. Irwindale Speedway’s “Night of Destruction” events have been a fan-favorite staple, showcasing thrilling spectacles such as demolition derbies, trailer races, skid plate races, and figure-eight competitions.

Iconic moments include the August 31, 2024, event featuring the Tucker Tire Enduro series, zMAX CARS Tour West Pro Late Model 100-lap race, and a spectacular trailer destruction race with a fireworks finale. Another standout was the Halloween-themed “Haunted Night of Destruction” on October 30, 2021, which capped the season with festive racing and demolition stunts. The venue was also the first foray of track racing for many NASCAR drivers.

The Busch brothers first raced in 1999 in Legends cars with Kyle sneaking into the pits and into one of the cars before he turned 18. Cole Custer also had a run in the Irwindale’s Late Model series when he was 15 in 2013. Tony Stewart, three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion won the prestigious Turkey Night Grand Prix in 2000.

“Absolutely hate it when old classic tracks are closed down,” said one fan, expressing his sadness over the closure of Irwindale. NASCAR reduced the schedule of its top national series in 1972 — from 48 races to 31. Thirteen short tracks were booted from the schedule at the end of the 1971 season. Some of these tracks are no longer functional today, such as Columbia Speedway, which was reopened in 2009 after, 30 years, to host concerts and corporate events among other things.

“We used to bring in a 12-pack and just watch good racing in the stands.” said another fan reminiscing his times drinking beer and watching races at Irwindale Speedway. The overwhelming sentiment? Irwindale deserves to go out with a bang. “RIP Irwindale,” another fan wrote. “Put on one more BANGER.”

As the sun sets on Irwindale Speedway’s storied history, the motorsports world is reminded of the challenges that come with preserving racing’s heritage in an ever-changing economic landscape.