History of Auto Club Speedway in Timeline
Auto Club Speedway, a 2-mile D-shaped oval superspeedway near Fontana, California, hosted NASCAR races from 1997 to 2023. Located 47 miles east of Los Angeles, it was near the former Ontario Motor Speedway and Riverside International Raceway. Owned and operated by NASCAR, the speedway was accessible via Interstates 10 and 15 and a Metrolink station.
April 20, 1994: Roger Penske and Kaiser Steel Announce Racetrack Project
On April 20, 1994, Roger Penske and Kaiser Steel unveiled their ambitious plan to construct a racetrack on the grounds of the former Kaiser Steel Mill in Fontana, California. This announcement marked the inception of what would become Auto Club Speedway.
April 1995: San Bernardino County Approves Speedway Project
In a unanimous decision in April 1995, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors granted approval for the California Speedway project, paving the way for its realization.
November 22, 1995: Demolition of Kaiser Steel Mill Marks Start of Speedway Construction
The journey to create Auto Club Speedway began with the demolition of the Kaiser Steel Mill on November 22, 1995, symbolizing a transformation from industrial history to a hub of motorsports excitement.
1995: Construction Begins on California Speedway
Construction of the California Speedway commenced in 1995 on the former Kaiser Steel Mill site.
1996: Luyendyk Sets Records, Later Surpassed
Arie Luyendyk set practice and qualifying lap records at the 1996 Indy 500, but these records were later surpassed by Maurício Gugelmin at the 1997 Marlboro 500 at Auto Club Speedway.
1996: California Speedway Completed
By late 1996, construction of the California Speedway reached completion, paving the way for its grand opening.
January 10, 1997: Paul Tracy Makes History with First Test Run at California Speedway
The roar of engines filled the air at California Speedway for the first time on January 10, 1997, as Marlboro Team Penske driver Paul Tracy conducted the inaugural test run on the newly completed track.
June 20, 1997: California Speedway Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
California Speedway officially opened its gates on June 20, 1997, marked by a momentous ribbon-cutting ceremony. The following day, the speedway hosted its very first race, a NASCAR West Series event, ushering in an era of thrilling motorsports competition.
1997: Track Length Discrepancy Arises
Between 1997 and 2002, a discrepancy arose regarding the track's length, with CART using a measurement of 2.029 miles, while NASCAR and IRL employed a length of 2.000 miles.
1997: Gugelmin Breaks Luyendyk's Records
Maurício Gugelmin etched his name in motorsport history in 1997 when he shattered Arie Luyendyk's practice and qualifying lap records at the Marlboro 500 held at Auto Club Speedway.
1997: California Speedway Opens its Doors to NASCAR Racing
The year 1997 marked the beginning of an era for Auto Club Speedway, then known as California Speedway. It hosted its first NASCAR race, establishing itself as a prime racing destination.
May 1999: California Speedway Expands with Additional Skyboxes
In May 1999, California Speedway enhanced its luxury offerings by adding 28 new skyboxes atop the main grandstand, catering to fans seeking a premium viewing experience.
1999: Greg Moore's Fatal Crash
During the 1999 Marlboro 500 CART race, Canadian driver Greg Moore tragically lost his life in a crash along the track's backstretch. Following the incident, safety measures were implemented, including paving the backstretch and mandating head-and-neck restraint systems.
2000: California Speedway Featured in "Charlie's Angels" Film
California Speedway took a turn on the silver screen in 2000 when it served as a filming location for scenes in the action-comedy "Charlie's Angels."
2000: De Ferran Sets Record at Marlboro 500
Gil de Ferran secured a place in Auto Club Speedway's history books in 2000 by establishing a new one-lap qualifying record of 241.428 mph during the Marlboro 500, a record that still stands today.
2001: Auto Club Dragway Opens, Infield Reconfigured
The year 2001 was marked by significant additions to California Speedway. The Auto Club Dragway, a quarter-mile dragstrip, was constructed outside the backstretch, expanding the facility's racing capabilities. Additionally, the infield underwent a transformation, creating a versatile road course to accommodate a wider range of motorsports events.
April 5, 2002: Ricky Lundgren's Fatal Accident
On April 5, 2002, a tragic accident claimed the life of Ricky Lundgren during a motorcycle race qualifying session.
2002: Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) Ends Sanctioning of 500-Mile Race; IndyCar Begins 400-Mile Race
In 2002, the speedway witnessed a transition in open-wheel racing as Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) concluded its sanctioning of the 500-mile race. The IndyCar series stepped in, introducing a 400-mile race.
2002: 2002 CART Race Sets Speed Benchmark, Later Surpassed
The 2002 CART race at Auto Club Speedway held the record for the fastest circuit race, boasting an average speed of 197.995 mph, until it was overtaken by the 2003 Toyota Indy 400.
2002: Track Length Inconsistency
Up until 2002, there was an inconsistency in the recorded track length at Auto Club Speedway, with CART utilizing a different measurement than NASCAR and IRL.
April 24, 2003: Planning Commission Approves Lights Installation at California Speedway
The San Bernardino County Planning Commission gave the green light for the installation of lights at California Speedway on April 24, 2003. This decision paved the way for the track to host night races, adding a new dimension to the fan experience.
2003: Record-Breaking Speed at Toyota Indy 400
The 2003 Toyota Indy 400 etched its place in motorsport history by becoming the fastest circuit race ever recorded. The race achieved an average speed of 207.151 mph, surpassing the previous record set at the 2002 CART race.
August 7, 2004: John Barr's Passing
On August 7, 2004, John Barr, a police officer from San Diego, died in a motorcycle accident during an open track event.
2004: Lights Illuminate California Speedway for Night Racing
California Speedway brought the thrill of night racing to its fans in 2004 with the addition of lights, enabling it to host a second annual NASCAR Cup Series event.
2004: Attendance Declines Following Addition of Second NASCAR Weekend
The introduction of a second NASCAR weekend at California Speedway in 2004, while intended to capitalize on the sport's popularity, led to an unexpected consequence - a significant drop in attendance. This decline, estimated at around 20,000 attendees, raised concerns about market saturation and the track's ability to sustain two major events.
June 2, 2005: Tragedy at Ferrari Club Event
On June 2, 2005, a Ferrari Club of America event at Auto Club Speedway was marked by tragedy as two individuals lost their lives during the event.
2005: End of IndyCar 400-Mile Race at California Speedway
2005 marked the end of IndyCar's 400-mile race era at California Speedway, setting the stage for future format changes.
2005: California Speedway Hosts Filming of "Herbie: Fully Loaded"
The beloved Volkswagen Beetle Herbie raced onto California Speedway in 2005 during the filming of "Herbie: Fully Loaded," bringing its signature blend of comedy and racing to the track.
2006: Fan Experiences Enhanced with "Discover IE FanZone"
In 2006, Auto Club Speedway, then known as California Speedway, unveiled the "Discover IE FanZone." This revamped midway area featured an array of amenities, including a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, shaded lounge areas, a retail store, and an entertainment stage, elevating the fan experience.
2006: California Speedway Unveils "Discover IE FanZone"
In 2006, California Speedway introduced the "Discover IE FanZone," a revitalized midway area designed to elevate the fan experience. This new addition featured a Wolfgang Puck restaurant called Apex, along with more shaded and lounge areas, a retail store, and an entertainment stage, enhancing the overall enjoyment for attendees.
2006: Cars Release
In 2006, a parody of Auto Club Speedway was featured in Disney/Pixar's animated film "Cars." The track served as the venue for the Piston Cup tiebreaker race.
2007: California Speedway Featured in "The Bucket List" Film
In the 2007 comedic drama "The Bucket List," California Speedway served as the backdrop for a memorable scene featuring actors Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman driving a classic Shelby Mustang and Dodge Challenger, adding a touch of automotive excitement to the film.
February 21, 2008: California Speedway Renamed Auto Club Speedway
February 21, 2008, marked a significant change for the speedway. The Automobile Club of Southern California acquired the naming rights in a 10-year agreement, leading to the renaming of California Speedway to Auto Club Speedway.
2008: Auto Club of Southern California Purchases Naming Rights
In 2008, the Automobile Club of Southern California secured naming rights to the California Speedway in a 10-year deal, renaming it Auto Club Speedway.
October 15, 2010: Driving School Fatality
On October 15, 2010, a 24-year-old woman participating in the Mario Andretti Racing Experience lost control of her replica Indycar and crashed, resulting in a fatality.
2011: California Speedway Transitions to a Single Annual Race Weekend
Citing challenges such as fluctuating attendance and scheduling conflicts, California Speedway made a pivotal decision in 2011 to scale back to a single annual NASCAR race weekend.
2011: NASCAR Reduces Races at California Speedway Amid Attendance Concerns
Citing ongoing challenges with attendance and scheduling, NASCAR made a strategic decision in 2011 to remove one race from California Speedway's annual schedule. This move aimed to address the issue of declining attendance and optimize the NASCAR calendar for fans and teams alike.
2012: IndyCar Returns to California Speedway with 500-Mile Race
After a hiatus, IndyCar made a grand return to California Speedway in 2012, reintroducing the 500-mile race format and solidifying its presence in the world of open-wheel racing.
March 2014: Exotics Racing Opens Road Course at Auto Club Speedway
Expanding its presence to California, Exotics Racing inaugurated a new 1.2-mile road course at Auto Club Speedway in March 2014, providing enthusiasts with a thrilling new venue to experience high-performance driving.
2014: Auto Club Speedway Reduces Grandstand Capacity
In 2014, Auto Club Speedway underwent a significant seating reconfiguration, reducing its grandstand capacity from 92,000 to 68,000. Approximately 12,000 seats near Turn 1 were removed to make way for a new hospitality area and a digital display showcasing speeds along the straightaway.
2015: California Speedway Hosts Final IndyCar Race, the MAVTV 500
The 2015 MAVTV 500 marked the end of an era at California Speedway, as it was the final IndyCar race held at the track, leaving behind a legacy of thrilling open-wheel racing moments.
March 2018: Fastest Official Race Lap Records Acknowledged
As of March 2018, Auto Club Speedway, formerly known as California Speedway, recognized a set of official race lap records as the fastest achieved at the track.
2019: California Speedway Featured as Daytona International Speedway in "Ford v Ferrari" Film
In a testament to its versatility, California Speedway was transformed into the iconic Daytona International Speedway for the 2019 film "Ford v Ferrari," showcasing its ability to stand in for different racing venues.
September 8, 2020: Reconstruction Plans Unveiled
On September 8, 2020 plans for transforming Auto Club Speedway into a half-mile, high-banked oval were revealed, aiming to create a track similar to Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
December 2020: Race Weekend Cancelled Amidst Pandemic
In December 2020, the 2021 race weekend was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Race Cancellation and Project Delay
The 2021 race weekend was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2022, the speedway conversion was put on hold, leaving its future uncertain.
2021: Cancellation and Uncertainty
The 2021 race weekend was cancelled due to the pandemic, and by 2022, the speedway's future and planned conversion remained uncertain.
February 27, 2022: Conversion Plans Halted
On February 27, 2022, Auto Club Speedway president Dave Allen announced that plans to convert the speedway had been put on hold.
2022: Project On Hold, Future Uncertain
With the Busch Light Clash moving to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the planned conversion of Auto Club Speedway was put on hold in 2022, and its future remains undecided.
August 2023: De Ferran's Qualifying Record Stands
As of August 2023, Gil de Ferran's qualifying lap record of 241.428 mph, set at the 2000 Marlboro 500, remains unbroken at Auto Club Speedway.
October 2023: Demolition Begins for Next Gen Project
Demolition of Auto Club Speedway began in October 2023 as part of the Next Gen California racing project, marking a significant transformation for the facility.
October 2023: Demolition Begins at Auto Club Speedway
October 2023 witnessed the commencement of demolition work at Auto Club Speedway, marking a bittersweet moment in its history as it prepared for transformation through the Next Gen California project.
2023: End of an Era: Auto Club Speedway Closes for Reconstruction
After hosting races for over two decades, Auto Club Speedway closed in 2023 to undergo a major reconstruction as part of the Next Gen California project. The sponsorship deal with Auto Club of Southern California also ended.
2023: NASCAR Evaluates Future Options
In early 2023, following the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum, NASCAR began evaluating its options for the future of racing in the market, including the possibility of utilizing Auto Club Speedway.
2024: Future Beyond 2024 Undecided
As of early 2023, NASCAR's plans for racing at Auto Club Speedway beyond 2024 remained undecided.
