Auto Club Speedway is no longer. At least in the name. The beloved tri-oval, commissioned by Roger Penske and Kaiser Ventures in 1994 and incorporated by NASCAR in its schedule even before its completion, is no longer sponsored by Auto Club. This takes one back to 1983 when the Kaiser Steel Mill shut its operations after 40 years.

Three decades ago, Roger Penske resolved to transform the forlorn look of rotting lumbar, shattered windows, and dilapidated buildings into the grandest of racing arenas. His vision was supplanted by NASCAR’s assurances and justified by Californians. However, despite much outcry, the hammers have finally struck. What was once a roaring haven for speed enthusiasts is now seeing the first signs of its transformation into a half-mile oval, sparking mixed emotions among fans.

NASCAR bid farewell to the Roger Penske-built track earlier this year

The Auto Club Speedway, formerly and currently known as California Speedway, has stood as one of the most iconic tracks in America. It has not only hosted NASCAR races annually since 1997 but also held the world closed-circuit speed record with an astonishing average lap speed of over 240mph back in the heyday of CART Champ Cars. Built by racing legend Roger Penske to mimic his D-shaped oval at the Michigan Speedway, it was also a venue for open-wheel racing events. The track holds a special place in the hearts of many racing fans for the thrilling moments it has provided over the years.

Roger Penske, the man behind the track, began talks with Kaiser Ventures about the possibility of creating a racetrack on the site. And those talks quickly turned into action. In April 1994, they announced plans for a D-shaped oval. Now, under NASCAR’s ownership, the track is set to undergo a substantial redevelopment into a high-banked short track, following the “Next Gen in California” plan.

Racingcircuits.info quoted NASCAR’s Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer Craig Neeb explaining the vision behind this transformation. Neeb said, “This is our first step towards creating a state-of-the-art facility that would deliver the intense short-track racing our fans love, an intimate viewing experience, and upgraded suites and hospitality areas that would position Auto Club Speedway among the top entertainment venues in the market.”

Initially, they scheduled construction on the new oval to begin after the spring race in 2021 and complete it in time for the 2023 season. However, the unforeseen complications brought by the coronavirus pandemic delayed the start of the project. The last NASCAR race at the track was held earlier this year on February 26, with Kyle Busch securing victory.

The announcement that the long-anticipated demolition had begun came in the form of a tweet shared by Alan Bailey. The tweet read, “NEWS: The track Demo at Fontana has begun. Updates to come soon on @ARNRace.”

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This single tweet set social media ablaze and was met with sad reactions from racing fans around the world.

Stock Car Racing fans were left heartbroken at the sight of Auto Club Speedway’s demolition

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As news of the demolition began to spread, racing fans took to social media to share their emotions. The passionate reactions flooded the comments section on Alan Bailey’s tweet.

One fan expressed his disappointment, saying, “NASCAR will regret this.” Many who have cherished the Auto Club Speedway for years shared this sentiment. Another fan lamented, “I’m gonna miss this place so much 😭”. The emotional attachment to the track was evident in comments like, “This just broke my heart. I was hoping me and my brothers would keep coming to the 2-mile oval for years to come. Hurts to see that it is now a distant memory”.

The nostalgia was palpable, with one fan simply stating, “RIP to a Legendary track”. Another fan voiced the shared sorrow, saying, “I’m going to cry, this track was so good”. This sentiment was echoed by a fellow fan, who admitted, “This hurts. I’ve only been to a few tracks but this was a good one”.

The demolition has brought sadness to the hearts of many fans. However, there is also a glimmer of hope for the future. The “Next Gen in California” plan aims to transform Auto Club Speedway into a half-mile oval. A change that aligns with the growing enthusiasm for shorter ‘bullring’ ovals in the world of NASCAR. The design, described as a paperclip-shaped high-banked oval, evokes comparisons to the legendary Martinsville Speedway and the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway.

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Share your thoughts and memories of Auto Club Speedway in the comments below. What are your hopes for the future of this iconic track?