The racing there sucked and was boring as f. Fans asked for another short track and are crying as usual that they are getting what they asked for. SMH.
@@Johnny-es1wl NASCAR fans really can't make up their minds. Once we are presented with something good, we want to keep it. Then there's Texas, which is a topic for another day.
@@Johnny-es1wl I never asked for it. I wanted a repave and a different HP Package. That's all that was needed. Look at Fontana's sister track in Michigan. The races there were bleh because of the HP Package. The surface was in better condition than Fontana's was.
For the youngbloods in here, there really was a time when Fontana was viewed about as favorably as Kentucky was before they killed it off. And then the shortened it to 400 miles, the surface finally wore in, and they had that run of epic races from about ‘11-14, that changed its perception forever. Kinda wild to see it come full circle from hated to beloved as my home track.
It's truly crazy just how much has happened at Auto Club throughout its history, and it's sad to see it being made into a short track. Thank you for all the memories, and let's enjoy the race this weekend!
@@peegeeare yep. They could build a short track and a road course there after getting rid of the waste of a track that's currently sitting there. That race is crap for both NASCAR and Indy.
I'm so glad I got tickets to the 2023 Auto Club weekend, I've been stoked since I bought the tickets, and I can't wait to see the final race at this configuration.
An interesting fun fact: The final race of the 2000 truck series season took place at Auto Club, and there was also a certain driver most may know that made his very first start in that race. Who was that very driver? Matt Crafton.
This version of California (Yes, I will always call it California) Speedway will always have its place in my heart. So many great races in NASCAR/IndyCar/Cart. Here's to the memories the track made. 💙💙
It will always be California Speedway, simply because the state will never change (unfortunately), unlike sponsors with naming rights that come and go so often anymore that most can't recall the history of names for their local sports venues.
My only regret about this track is not going to the races there more often. As this is my favorite track of all time, not to mention my home track, I’ve only one thing left to say: Farewell 2 Mile Auto Club. You may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten.
I completely agree with you. I live about 9 miles from the speedway. Nothing will ever to compare to the CART glory days. The sounds those cars made were absolutely mind astonishing. I just wish I would’ve gone more times. So sad to see the 2mile oval go 😔
Sad to see it go. I was there in 2001 when Rusty Wallace won. On lap 3 we held 3 fingers up for Dale Sr. as well. Memorable season. Can only hope the reconfiguration is good but sad that this track had gotten good and is now getting blasted.
Just look at how bad Richmond is right now. total SNOOZER, NASCAR really needs to open the taps back on these engines and be done with this low HP crap
1:40 Just to give you perspective on how long ago that June 1997 race was: - OK Computer by Radiohead, one of the best albums of all time, was released a week earlier. - The first ever Harry Potter book was released the week following this race.
Yea, I hate short tracks and don't even watch them. If I want to see a car traveling at 80 mph, I go on the freeway. If I want to see a car go (almost) 200 mph, I got to Auto Club.
Thanks for the shoutout, Darian! Thank you for giving me credit. Means a lot! And also, thank you for making this video. May the 2-mile Fontana facility rest in peace🙏🏼
It just goes to show that nothing lasts forever, while in the one hand it's sad that Auto Club is not going to be what it's (at the moment) fondly remembered for, let's look forward to the potentially exciting beating and banging racing that the new short track could provide. Besides, with most short tracks on the calendar being in a small area of the South East, it makes a change for one to be created in one of the West Coast States
@@48waffles36 Kentucky wasn't a Short Track, it was a product of its time, an intermediate track. That type of track (where they were trying to build tracks suitable for both Indycar and NASCAR) was a failure just like the multi purpose stadiums that were built to accommodate both NFL and MLB games. The type of short track I have in mind are like either Martinsville or Bristol, tracks half a mile in length (as opposed to 1.5 miles for Intermediate tracks) that encourage either side by side racing or close quarters racing that leads to tempers flaring (the Clash nowadays, for now at least takes place on a temporary short track at the LA Coliseum, and the racing was similar to that on Martinsville in my view).
@@wizzjo1nt5 because NASCAR is correcting a mistake that dates back to the 1990's. So many tracks (that ended up making up the most on the calendar) added in that time were intermediate tracks, and often had the same size and shape as tracks that already existed, it was inevitable that the term "cookie cutter track" was coined with so many. Kyle Petty at that time expressed concerns shared by many at the time "racing on the track is changing, but I don't think boring is for the better," intermediate tracks were so wide and fast that it didn't promote close racing, what's more, as shown by the derogatory term "cookie cutter track" when they're the same size and shape as other tracks, it makes it harder to tell which is which, they lack character in other words. Short tracks like Martinsville and Bristol have character and great racing to boot. Bristol has its high banks, Martinsville has its quarter mile straights and tight, low banked corners
I have been to many of the races over the past 14 years, I will be there this Sunday to say goodbye. I was fortunate to drive my car around the track for charity. I hope the short track will be worth tearing this track down.
This was my first track. I was a baby the first time I went there and I still have the picture my mom took when Jeff Gordon whizzed by at the 99 California 500
I was born about a month after the very first race here, it's been around my whole life. Grew up in Cali my whole life but never got the chance to go there Sonoma is my home track. Sucks to see another race track in California change/close
There's still a chance a 2 miler can open up in the area, if the luxury gentrifiers don't beat them to it first. The speedway was built on top of a warehouse, after all
Let's not forget that the Los Angeles area also had Ontario Motor Speedway starting in the early seventies. It was a carbon copy of Indianapolis, but it didn't last because they couldn't fill it. I wonder whether Fontana could have benefitted from some of the lessons leaned from the OMS situation.
Two completely different situations. Ontario couldn't pack the place because they only had two events a year if that, and no ancillary events outside of random concerts. California Speedway was built to recover the land from its Superfund site designation and was a huge tax credit to Roger Penske for taking the land and building a speedway in exchange, making the land around the speedway usable.
Outstanding tribute to a cathedral of speed for a quarter of a century. And a nice touch putting in Bob Jenkins' sign off as well. Brought some mistiness to the eyes. Well done.
On the bright side, it had a longer lifespan than Ontario Motor Speedway, which was only a couple of miles away before it's demise years earlier. Overlooked is the 2003 IRL race, won by Sam Hornish, Jr. at a staggering 207+ mph average speed.
Fontana was a mix of Ontario and Riverside, both tracks that shut down for suburbia to gentrify the population into ghettos. The same is happening to Auto Club
I know I'm not alone when I say this track will be very much missed. I'd appreciate a deep dive into some of the moments in this video. More than just a clips reel with music.
I remember the inaugural IndyCar race at Fontana: it was pouring down rain on Thursday and we were out for a few laps with Wally Dallenbach (CART's Chief Steward) running at 150 down the back straight in the rain and Wally said, "we thought this would be a one line track, but that doesn't look to be the case." As was shown several times over the years, this was a track with several fast lines. I also remember when we lost Greg, possibly the worst weekend of all my years working races, having spoken with him just before he climbed into his car. This track had so much great racing and oval racing of both IndyCar and NASCAR NEEDS two mile ovals and really DOESN'T need any more short tracks. It has been a major mistake, but it's their money. Farewell to one of the best oval tracks in the country!
An interesting footnote of old Auto Club Speedway, in 2004 ACS held a JGTC (now Super GT) exhibition race, but the race incorporates the frontstretch of the oval and infield road course. With the reconfiguration the infield road course won't be used again.
It's so sad seeing this track being demolished and turned into a short track. Auto Club Speedway in its heyday was one the best tracks on the circuit. Not to mention it holds the record for the fastest speed ever recorded on an oval. Stuff like that is why Auto Club Speedway will always be one of my favorite oval tracks.
241.428 mph. This still is the fastest lap ever driven on a closed circuit. After more than 22 years, nobody ever dared to drive faster on any race or test track anywhere in the world.
For a track that has become as loved as Fontana has, it makes me wonder why they didn't do this to Texas instead, as I think that might have actually finally made Texas likeable.
Speedway Motorsports keeps blackmailing NASCAR to keep Texas or else no Charlotte, pulling out of the North Wilkesboro revival, and reconfiguring Atlanta. I have been fine if they reconfigured Phoenix, cause that track's a snoozer
@@Carshtime Pride. They were happy when they stole NW's race dates and now don't want to let it go. We are luck that NW is the all star race this year.
I'm so bummed man, I grew up going to this track. Some of my earliest childhood memories are there. My dad worked for Miller, and he got free tickets and pit passes all the time, so we basically went every year from the year it opens until he passed. I'm gonna miss this place.
This is fantastic. Well done! That first race was like watching a oval'dega. It has put on its share of different shows. Interesting to see a new short track! ✌️🤟
Here’s my question why this track?? This was my second favourite speedway I enjoyed auto club for what it was and how every race was I will miss this amazing track, I enjoyed every part, I enjoyed every lap, and I enjoyed every second watching this race go. It’s a shame that it has to go out like this, this track will be missed for what it was known for, and what great memories it brought us, this track has to be one of my favourites it deserves to be better and I hope it goes out with a banger race. This track has so much history like Kyle Busch’s first win, Jimmie Johnson’s first win, Denny vs Joey, and the last great history kyle buschs 200th win, will I miss this track yes, do I wish for it not to be touched yes, will I ever forget this track never, cause it will always be in our hearts just like old Atlanta. We will all miss you auto club
If this goes out with a banger race the drivers and fans should send a petition to just repave the 2 mile configuration and see what happens. There's still debate about it. Making it miss the 2024 schedule. I will miss it regardless.
The main reason for its reconfiguration is the pesky real estate market in SoCal. The land The track is on and they wanna rip it up to they can have the land and build something arguably useless
Man I'm gonna miss this track dearly. Thanks for all the great races including indy 2015, the greatest race that nobody saw (check his video on it on his channel, really great btw. Thanks for making it). Also just wondering if you'll be there in the garage area cause I would love to meet you. Thanks for the videos, makes my days a whole lot better.
I attended last year's race and as my first ever in person race, I fell in love immediately. Not even a year later and the track I've connected with so much is gonna be almost completely wiped off the face of the planet..
I read Mark Webber’s book recently. Fun fact, Roger Penske let Mercedes-Benz test the CLR at Fontana to get the car ready for Le Mans in 99. That same car went airborne.
One of the most underrated tracks in NASCAR imo. Watching the cars go 5 and 6 wide, seeing the runs that drivers would get, all of the great finishes we’ve seen. California has always been one of my favorite tracks and has had great racing over the years. Of all the tracks that could’ve been reconfigured, it’s crazy that this is the one they chose. Michigan should’ve been reconfigured before California.
I have a question: the original circuit will be demolished or it will be a variant built inside the original circuit, it is a great shame that such an incredible oval in terms of cornering speed is lost.
Making room for Warehouses and storage, the drag strip is gone a few pieces of it remain you can see them if you ride the train into Fontana. I'm from Fontana and remember this going in. Many may not know that this used to be site for the Kaiser Steel Mill, the water tower is from the old steel mill. I used to go the yearly motorcycle races, there is a motorcycle road race course Track Days were held here, last time is this month.
It's funny how tracks live or die by the most recent race held. If it's great everyone loves it, if it's boring everyone is asking for it to be removed from the schedule.
What a fantastic tribute to my favorite and local speedway!!! I was there with my dad on 5/2/98 to see my man Mark Martin win IROC race #2, the day before he won the cup race aswell! I was there with my mom in 2002 when Jimmie won his first, and again in 2016 to introduce my wife to NASCAR, and Jimmie won again! And we've continued to go several times since, including this weekend for the final time to see the 2 full miles in action... Thank you Auto Club Speedway for everything, and thank you Darian for an amazing video!!!
I grew up in Ontario California. Born in '88, I remember this track being built, going by on the 15 freeway, seeing the yellow and red grandstands in the distance, on the way to Lytle Creek to see my grandparents. First race I ever went to was the 2000 CART 500. Seems it's the fate of so cal race tracks going down to development. Sad to see it end..
6:10 I saw that finish live when I was a little kid, it was my first time being at a nascar race and it was one hell of a way to introduce me to it At 10:57 that was my first Indycar race and I got to see my favorite TK win a race 11:26 was unfortunately the last race I went to
I hate that it’s being torn down. I saw Mark Martin win there in 1998, my favorite driver and it was so cool. Over the years went to many more races and just always had a great time. Even did the Richard Petty Driving Experience there three times, that was awesome. Goodbye Auto Club Speedway, I guess money and profits are more important in this screwed up world than tradition and history. Go figure
I feel like that it's a fairly unique track for NASCAR. Most of it is a result of a cruddy rule package that NASCAR introduced. It would make more sense to blow up Kentucky and turn THAT into a short track.
@@runrafarunthebestintheworld Michigan got screwed up by the traction compound. Give it a few more years and it should be fine. But yeah, Texas's redesign needs to be blown off the map.
Thank you for the video!!! I was a Scorer in the Busch Series and I didn't like where we had to score but I loved this track. I've been to every race sine I moved to California in 2014. It will be missed but looking forward to the new Bristol of the West!!!!
I’m going to attend my first Nascar race here on Sunday. It will be my first and last time I ever visit the 2 mile oval. My dad was actually at the Indycar event where Greg Moore lost his life, too.
I’ve attended many races here, the night races were always the coolest and honestly they should have done of them vs sitting in the way too hot sun. I’ve also done the racing experience at this track, it’s surprisingly bumpy vs what you would expect from the onboard cameras. This track will always hold a special place in my heart. I don’t expect the short track to be built on just 89 acres of land and this to be the end of ACS as we know it. Really really sad honestly.
I'm going to the final race this sunday, despite not having gone to a nascar race in a long time and not really caring about the product today. Hope nascar is happy with their new track consisting of the old frontstretch and pit lane having just as weak attendance.
Going to my final race here at Fontana this Sunday is gonna feel overwhelming ngl. All the nostalgia. I started watching when I was 12 and after the finish with Logano and Hamlin, I became a fan. 10 years later, I will be going to my final race at auto club 🥺😭 all I can say is thank you auto club for making memories here. Seeing Jimmie win in person in 2016 to last years race, with Suarez close to winning. It was a blast 😭
After 2022’s awesome racing they should have reconsider but no there still going forward with this, if 2023 is as good as 2022 they should heavily reconsider but knowing nascar they probably will go through with this R.I.P og autoclub 1997-2023
I’ve been coming here since I was 4. So sad to see it be ruined and turned into a cookie cutter short track, where speeds will only be 100mph. No 4-5 wide racing, going into turn 1 doing 200mph. No tire wear. No fuel strategy (to the extent the 2 mile oval produces), like Ryan Blaney said “It’s the last real tracks we have”. I couldn’t agree more. Sadly, they are only doing this to sell off the land. Without consideration of the fact that the track hosts a lot of more events while NASCAR is away. Concerts, roval track days where you can experience the banking and high speeds, and many more events. So sad to see it go. The big track goes perfect in this area with the mountains in the distance. Sadly, we’re living the early stages of an autonomous society soon there will be more Amazon warehouses right outside of the track, with minimal parking to offer during the short track races. It’s going to be shit show.
The track that gave both of Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson's first wins. So long (2-mile) Auto Club, you will be dearly missed.
Not in my house 🗿
The track that was loathed for 15 years, had a gigantic amount of indifference towards it for 7 and had people fawning over it for 5 years.
@@brianmurray7980 5 years? Its been the most consistently good track for over a decade...
@@jacobevenson8702 2012-2017 were very hit or miss. 2018-present has been more hit than miss.
it also killed Greg Moore
The fact that even after a thrilling race last year, it’s going to be torn down into a short track, that is so infuriating.
It would need a repave and I don’t know if it would still race good. But anyways still sad
The racing there sucked and was boring as f. Fans asked for another short track and are crying as usual that they are getting what they asked for. SMH.
@@richardglena2817 they better hope it races good or the NASCAR fans are gonna go full scorched earth
@@Johnny-es1wl NASCAR fans really can't make up their minds. Once we are presented with something good, we want to keep it. Then there's Texas, which is a topic for another day.
@@Johnny-es1wl I never asked for it. I wanted a repave and a different HP Package. That's all that was needed. Look at Fontana's sister track in Michigan. The races there were bleh because of the HP Package. The surface was in better condition than Fontana's was.
For the youngbloods in here, there really was a time when Fontana was viewed about as favorably as Kentucky was before they killed it off.
And then the shortened it to 400 miles, the surface finally wore in, and they had that run of epic races from about ‘11-14, that changed its perception forever.
Kinda wild to see it come full circle from hated to beloved as my home track.
I remember those days
I feel the 2013 race was where it all changed. Every race since has been excellent there.
Kentucky is being used as a parking lot for Ford , a lot of brand new tricks sit in the parking lot waiting in parts , crazy .
Yeah, and now it's gonna be Texas and Kentucky's "hate" child once Martinsville takes over the reconfig
Congratulations on hanging on to a state that so many are running from. You're a pillar.
The racing wasn't always good, but when it was, it was phenomenal.
R.I.P. Auto Club 2 Mile
It's truly crazy just how much has happened at Auto Club throughout its history, and it's sad to see it being made into a short track. Thank you for all the memories, and let's enjoy the race this weekend!
There might be rain this weekend so we will just have to wait an see.
They should have made texas to a short track tbh
@@peegeeare yep. They could build a short track and a road course there after getting rid of the waste of a track that's currently sitting there. That race is crap for both NASCAR and Indy.
I'm so glad I got tickets to the 2023 Auto Club weekend, I've been stoked since I bought the tickets, and I can't wait to see the final race at this configuration.
Same here
I am thrilled about the rain, we're probably gonna get a night race Xfinity race on Sunday night. Fitting way for the track to go out.
Same here man, got tickets from my mom and step-dad for Christmas, and the 3 of us plus my friend are going in a few days
Let’s hope it doesn’t get rained out!
Yup. A bidding farewell to the bastion of West Coast racing. I got a feeling the reconfig will bomb harder than Texas
so along five wide salutes on the pace laps 🫡🥺
I know 😭
An interesting fun fact: The final race of the 2000 truck series season took place at Auto Club, and there was also a certain driver most may know that made his very first start in that race. Who was that very driver?
Matt Crafton.
Wow.
Wow
Wow
I would never have guessed.
Truck Series Legend
I can't beleive they've kept him around in recent years. His time passed more than a few years ago.
This version of California (Yes, I will always call it California) Speedway will always have its place in my heart. So many great races in NASCAR/IndyCar/Cart. Here's to the memories the track made. 💙💙
You mean the only version of California Speedway. I'm calling the reconfig Martinsville 2.0
It will always be California Speedway, simply because the state will never change (unfortunately), unlike sponsors with naming rights that come and go so often anymore that most can't recall the history of names for their local sports venues.
@@justlucky8254 The 2 mile config will be forever remembered as "California Speedway". No sponsorship bullshit-- save that for the short track...
My only regret about this track is not going to the races there more often. As this is my favorite track of all time, not to mention my home track, I’ve only one thing left to say:
Farewell 2 Mile Auto Club. You may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten.
Meanwhile, the short track will be all but forgotten by 2025 with the horrible Martinsville cloning they're doing to it
I completely agree with you. I live about 9 miles from the speedway. Nothing will ever to compare to the CART glory days. The sounds those cars made were absolutely mind astonishing.
I just wish I would’ve gone more times. So sad to see the 2mile oval go 😔
Sad to see it go. I was there in 2001 when Rusty Wallace won. On lap 3 we held 3 fingers up for Dale Sr. as well. Memorable season. Can only hope the reconfiguration is good but sad that this track had gotten good and is now getting blasted.
The reconfiguration will suck, and it'll become the Texas of short tracks
Just look at how bad Richmond is right now. total SNOOZER, NASCAR really needs to open the taps back on these engines and be done with this low HP crap
1:40 Just to give you perspective on how long ago that June 1997 race was:
- OK Computer by Radiohead, one of the best albums of all time, was released a week earlier.
- The first ever Harry Potter book was released the week following this race.
I’m gonna miss old auto club after this, it was such a iconic race and I don’t have high hoops for the short track version 😢
I agree. It's gonna become the Texas of short tracks. If it does, it'll bite NASCAR so hard that they'll beg to buy some land to restore the speedway
Yea, I hate short tracks and don't even watch them. If I want to see a car traveling at 80 mph, I go on the freeway. If I want to see a car go (almost) 200 mph, I got to Auto Club.
Thanks for the shoutout, Darian! Thank you for giving me credit. Means a lot!
And also, thank you for making this video. May the 2-mile Fontana facility rest in peace🙏🏼
Gil De Ferran's 241 MPH pole lap in 2000 remains one of the greatest laps in racing history.
This send off is really a high note for the start of a season. The 500 was okay but this seems to be getting the hype
I've only seen this in 2013: Kyle Busch
2014: Kyle Busch
2019 Kyle Busch
2020: Alex Bowmen
2023: Kyle Busch
My first NASCAR race was at Fontana... I'll miss it.
It just goes to show that nothing lasts forever, while in the one hand it's sad that Auto Club is not going to be what it's (at the moment) fondly remembered for, let's look forward to the potentially exciting beating and banging racing that the new short track could provide. Besides, with most short tracks on the calendar being in a small area of the South East, it makes a change for one to be created in one of the West Coast States
This short track is gonna be absolutely failure/flop harder than the hype of Kentucky 🤣.
Why would we look forward to another short track that they have all over the country? Makes 0 sense. Smh.
@@48waffles36 Kentucky wasn't a Short Track, it was a product of its time, an intermediate track. That type of track (where they were trying to build tracks suitable for both Indycar and NASCAR) was a failure just like the multi purpose stadiums that were built to accommodate both NFL and MLB games. The type of short track I have in mind are like either Martinsville or Bristol, tracks half a mile in length (as opposed to 1.5 miles for Intermediate tracks) that encourage either side by side racing or close quarters racing that leads to tempers flaring (the Clash nowadays, for now at least takes place on a temporary short track at the LA Coliseum, and the racing was similar to that on Martinsville in my view).
@@wizzjo1nt5 because NASCAR is correcting a mistake that dates back to the 1990's. So many tracks (that ended up making up the most on the calendar) added in that time were intermediate tracks, and often had the same size and shape as tracks that already existed, it was inevitable that the term "cookie cutter track" was coined with so many. Kyle Petty at that time expressed concerns shared by many at the time "racing on the track is changing, but I don't think boring is for the better," intermediate tracks were so wide and fast that it didn't promote close racing, what's more, as shown by the derogatory term "cookie cutter track" when they're the same size and shape as other tracks, it makes it harder to tell which is which, they lack character in other words. Short tracks like Martinsville and Bristol have character and great racing to boot. Bristol has its high banks, Martinsville has its quarter mile straights and tight, low banked corners
@@SiVlog1989 You didn't make it make sense at all or better in any way. Save your time. It's stupid and nothing is changing that.
As an Indycar fan I liked this track. Sad knowing there will never be another race here
Had fun yesterday!! Great race..Very cold day😂
RIP Auto Club 2 Mile 1997-2023. It will be miss very dearly by everyone in NASCAR ❤️
😭good bye nostalgia California
I'm glad it's going to change. Other than last year the last few years there haven't been good. Very mediocre.
goat?
Im glad im going to its final show
@@callmen4 they should’ve made Texas a short track texas is 💩
This is depressing its always sunny in the Auto club Speedway it will be sad that will come to an end.
I Hope this doesn't effect the brighter future of NASCAR.
I have been to many of the races over the past 14 years, I will be there this Sunday to say goodbye. I was fortunate to drive my car around the track for charity. I hope the short track will be worth tearing this track down.
This was my first track. I was a baby the first time I went there and I still have the picture my mom took when Jeff Gordon whizzed by at the 99 California 500
that 2011 race at auto club is to this day my favorite race ive ever watched, only fair that auto club is my favorite track too. gonna miss it
I was born about a month after the very first race here, it's been around my whole life. Grew up in Cali my whole life but never got the chance to go there Sonoma is my home track. Sucks to see another race track in California change/close
At least we still have Michigan, I hope NASCAR fixes the Short-track package. the 2-mile track would be missed.
Like Michigan is any better though. The repave there ruined the track too.
Short track this gen is great if it's at Bristol. Martinsville, not so much. And Auto Club is turning into the latter
The track that made me fall in love with Nascar. Been going to a race every chance I could since 2012.
Same here, only 2010. Been loving the sport since my first race i saw 13 years ago.
Thanks for the memories ACS (Auto Club Speedway)!!!
Now to see what the short track version has to offer
At best: Fox Martinsville racing
At worst: Texas
The LA area needs a big Speedway like this. And now we’ve gotten this track, and Ontario demolished.
What a shame.
There's still a chance a 2 miler can open up in the area, if the luxury gentrifiers don't beat them to it first. The speedway was built on top of a warehouse, after all
@@S.K.R.E.Inc. : Actually, it was built on the remains of a Kaiser Steel Mill!
Let's not forget that the Los Angeles area also had Ontario Motor Speedway starting in the early seventies. It was a carbon copy of Indianapolis, but it didn't last because they couldn't fill it.
I wonder whether Fontana could have benefitted from some of the lessons leaned from the OMS situation.
Two completely different situations. Ontario couldn't pack the place because they only had two events a year if that, and no ancillary events outside of random concerts. California Speedway was built to recover the land from its Superfund site designation and was a huge tax credit to Roger Penske for taking the land and building a speedway in exchange, making the land around the speedway usable.
Also Riverside
this is nascar sacrilege absolutely horrific that was one of the best tracks i hope it all falls through.
You and me both, I hate short tracks, and I'm devastated they are ruining my home track. I'm not going back.
@@user-it3kh9vz6s it's absolutely sick.
Outstanding tribute to a cathedral of speed for a quarter of a century. And a nice touch putting in Bob Jenkins' sign off as well. Brought some mistiness to the eyes.
Well done.
As a Canadian, That place will always be, one very sad place!
Michigan 2.0, Build by Team Penske under the supervision of Les Richter. Ex-NFL, Nascar Cup race director and quite a man
Rip auto club, my personal best track on all the Nascar games😔
On the bright side, it had a longer lifespan than Ontario Motor Speedway, which was only a couple of miles away before it's demise years earlier.
Overlooked is the 2003 IRL race, won by Sam Hornish, Jr. at a staggering 207+ mph average speed.
Fontana was a mix of Ontario and Riverside, both tracks that shut down for suburbia to gentrify the population into ghettos. The same is happening to Auto Club
My grandpa and parents have been going to the infield every year since the opening of the track. We're very sad its the last
Great video, thanks for making! Sad to see this layout go, its had a lot of great memories and great racing action!
I know I'm not alone when I say this track will be very much missed.
I'd appreciate a deep dive into some of the moments in this video. More than just a clips reel with music.
I remember the inaugural IndyCar race at Fontana: it was pouring down rain on Thursday and we were out for a few laps with Wally Dallenbach (CART's Chief Steward) running at 150 down the back straight in the rain and Wally said, "we thought this would be a one line track, but that doesn't look to be the case." As was shown several times over the years, this was a track with several fast lines. I also remember when we lost Greg, possibly the worst weekend of all my years working races, having spoken with him just before he climbed into his car.
This track had so much great racing and oval racing of both IndyCar and NASCAR NEEDS two mile ovals and really DOESN'T need any more short tracks. It has been a major mistake, but it's their money. Farewell to one of the best oval tracks in the country!
It just won't feel normal once this track gets reconfigured and the first race is run on the short track. 🥺
That's why I'm not watching it or going there ever again after this weekend
@@S.K.R.E.Inc. Same here, I despise short tracks. If i wanted to see cars drive at 80 mph, I'd pull over on the freeway.
Thank you for the video! I loved this track
The 2-Mile era of Fontana is nearly over. Let’s hope it goes out with a bang.
It will. Meanwhile the short track era is gonna start and end with a crash
my home track. sunday’s race will be my 5th time there since 2014. gonna miss it
An interesting footnote of old Auto Club Speedway, in 2004 ACS held a JGTC (now Super GT) exhibition race, but the race incorporates the frontstretch of the oval and infield road course.
With the reconfiguration the infield road course won't be used again.
ALMS also raced there, but i can't remember the last time a major event used it though.
RIP Calspeed, even for being in the parking lot of Auto Club it was a great club track. The Machismo endurance is legendary.
Great video ! I have many memories at California Speedway I’ll miss the old track.
i love this track so much can't belive it is going to be gone
I will be in attendance for the final race on the 2-mile oval. I will definitely miss my home track.
Same. After this, there is no home track that SoCal can claim, the nearest ones are Sonoma, Las Vegas, and Phoenix
It's so sad seeing this track being demolished and turned into a short track. Auto Club Speedway in its heyday was one the best tracks on the circuit. Not to mention it holds the record for the fastest speed ever recorded on an oval. Stuff like that is why Auto Club Speedway will always be one of my favorite oval tracks.
The music makes me emotional 🥹
241.248mph. The record that will never fall
241.428 mph. This still is the fastest lap ever driven on a closed circuit. After more than 22 years, nobody ever dared to drive faster on any race or test track anywhere in the world.
For a track that has become as loved as Fontana has, it makes me wonder why they didn't do this to Texas instead, as I think that might have actually finally made Texas likeable.
Speedway Motorsports keeps blackmailing NASCAR to keep Texas or else no Charlotte, pulling out of the North Wilkesboro revival, and reconfiguring Atlanta. I have been fine if they reconfigured Phoenix, cause that track's a snoozer
@@Carshtime Pride. They were happy when they stole NW's race dates and now don't want to let it go. We are luck that NW is the all star race this year.
I'm so bummed man, I grew up going to this track. Some of my earliest childhood memories are there. My dad worked for Miller, and he got free tickets and pit passes all the time, so we basically went every year from the year it opens until he passed. I'm gonna miss this place.
Me too man. I’ve been coming here since I was 4.
This is fantastic. Well done! That first race was like watching a oval'dega. It has put on its share of different shows. Interesting to see a new short track! ✌️🤟
Here’s my question why this track?? This was my second favourite speedway
I enjoyed auto club for what it was and how every race was I will miss this amazing track, I enjoyed every part, I enjoyed every lap, and I enjoyed every second watching this race go. It’s a shame that it has to go out like this, this track will be missed for what it was known for, and what great memories it brought us, this track has to be one of my favourites it deserves to be better and I hope it goes out with a banger race. This track has so much history like Kyle Busch’s first win, Jimmie Johnson’s first win, Denny vs Joey, and the last great history kyle buschs 200th win, will I miss this track yes, do I wish for it not to be touched yes, will I ever forget this track never, cause it will always be in our hearts just like old Atlanta.
We will all miss you auto club
If this goes out with a banger race the drivers and fans should send a petition to just repave the 2 mile configuration and see what happens. There's still debate about it. Making it miss the 2024 schedule. I will miss it regardless.
@@tomasmowery164 if it's just repaved, it goes back to how bad it was when it opened.
@@nicolesgaming8917 Funny, that didn't happen to Darlington now did it?
Different climate. A more humid climate is conducive for wearing a repaved surface in.
The main reason for its reconfiguration is the pesky real estate market in SoCal. The land The track is on and they wanna rip it up to they can have the land and build something arguably useless
That nationwide finish was so good, too bad Marty Reid had to mess up the call
Man I'm gonna miss this track dearly. Thanks for all the great races including indy 2015, the greatest race that nobody saw (check his video on it on his channel, really great btw. Thanks for making it).
Also just wondering if you'll be there in the garage area cause I would love to meet you. Thanks for the videos, makes my days a whole lot better.
We already have a short track in California
I attended last year's race and as my first ever in person race, I fell in love immediately. Not even a year later and the track I've connected with so much is gonna be almost completely wiped off the face of the planet..
Tbh, it was a crime that they only had used the lights only for rain delay races and was never given a night race in on itself
I read Mark Webber’s book recently. Fun fact, Roger Penske let Mercedes-Benz test the CLR at Fontana to get the car ready for Le Mans in 99. That same car went airborne.
One of the most underrated tracks in NASCAR imo. Watching the cars go 5 and 6 wide, seeing the runs that drivers would get, all of the great finishes we’ve seen. California has always been one of my favorite tracks and has had great racing over the years. Of all the tracks that could’ve been reconfigured, it’s crazy that this is the one they chose. Michigan should’ve been reconfigured before California.
I feel blessed to have raced at this track. I will cherish those memories.
Don't forget that the Japanese racing series JGTC raced in Auto Club for an exhibition race
I have a question: the original circuit will be demolished or it will be a variant built inside the original circuit, it is a great shame that such an incredible oval in terms of cornering speed is lost.
Only part of the main straightaway will remain.
Demolished, NASCAR wants to sell the land, likely to an "affordable housing" apartment complex so they can complain every race day.
Nice tribute! So much happened there that I had forgotten! Thank you
Making room for Warehouses and storage, the drag strip is gone a few pieces of it remain you can see them if you ride the train into Fontana.
I'm from Fontana and remember this going in.
Many may not know that this used to be site for the Kaiser Steel Mill, the water tower is from the old steel mill.
I used to go the yearly motorcycle races, there is a motorcycle road race course Track Days were held here, last time is this month.
It's funny how tracks live or die by the most recent race held. If it's great everyone loves it, if it's boring everyone is asking for it to be removed from the schedule.
RIP Original Auto Club. You’ll be missed. It always had the best racing. The restarts were insane. I always liked that track. One of my favorites.
Ikr
Everyone who says that California's racing was "boring" never watched more than 10 laps and never saw it in-person.
2013 was the best race of that year.
Heartbreaking. As an Australian this would be the only financially feasible oval I could attend. I was hoping for IndyCar to go back
Found out about this race literally days ago, can't go bc of work. Such a shame it's gonna be over after this week
You know this is a serous video when darian isn’t laughing and talking a mile a minute…
"Thanks Tony"
"Thank You"
What a fantastic tribute to my favorite and local speedway!!! I was there with my dad on 5/2/98 to see my man Mark Martin win IROC race #2, the day before he won the cup race aswell! I was there with my mom in 2002 when Jimmie won his first, and again in 2016 to introduce my wife to NASCAR, and Jimmie won again! And we've continued to go several times since, including this weekend for the final time to see the 2 full miles in action... Thank you Auto Club Speedway for everything, and thank you Darian for an amazing video!!!
The track was also used for Cars as the Los Angeles International Speedway.
Love it brother you killin it
I'll gonna miss you my dear California/Auto Club Speedway, surely my favorite Oval!
The 2022 race was amazing
I live literally live 12 miles away and to see the big track go away to me is a very sad thing.
I grew up in Ontario California. Born in '88, I remember this track being built, going by on the 15 freeway, seeing the yellow and red grandstands in the distance, on the way to Lytle Creek to see my grandparents. First race I ever went to was the 2000 CART 500.
Seems it's the fate of so cal race tracks going down to development. Sad to see it end..
6:10 I saw that finish live when I was a little kid, it was my first time being at a nascar race and it was one hell of a way to introduce me to it
At 10:57 that was my first Indycar race and I got to see my favorite TK win a race
11:26 was unfortunately the last race I went to
Thank you for posting. Good work. California Speedway is our home track... so disappointing what's taking place.
I hate that it’s being torn down. I saw Mark Martin win there in 1998, my favorite driver and it was so cool. Over the years went to many more races and just always had a great time. Even did the Richard Petty Driving Experience there three times, that was awesome. Goodbye Auto Club Speedway, I guess money and profits are more important in this screwed up world than tradition and history. Go figure
Thanks for the memories
I feel like that it's a fairly unique track for NASCAR. Most of it is a result of a cruddy rule package that NASCAR introduced.
It would make more sense to blow up Kentucky and turn THAT into a short track.
Yep or Michigan and Texas since the repaves at both tracks ruined the track. Pfft
@@runrafarunthebestintheworld Michigan got screwed up by the traction compound. Give it a few more years and it should be fine.
But yeah, Texas's redesign needs to be blown off the map.
Thank you for the video!!! I was a Scorer in the Busch Series and I didn't like where we had to score but I loved this track. I've been to every race sine I moved to California in 2014. It will be missed but looking forward to the new Bristol of the West!!!!
I’m going to attend my first Nascar race here on Sunday. It will be my first and last time I ever visit the 2 mile oval. My dad was actually at the Indycar event where Greg Moore lost his life, too.
I’ve been 3x it’ll be my fourth this weekend great racing! I’m gonna miss it dearly
I’ve attended many races here, the night races were always the coolest and honestly they should have done of them vs sitting in the way too hot sun. I’ve also done the racing experience at this track, it’s surprisingly bumpy vs what you would expect from the onboard cameras.
This track will always hold a special place in my heart. I don’t expect the short track to be built on just 89 acres of land and this to be the end of ACS as we know it. Really really sad honestly.
Awesome job ,excellent video !
All the first-time winners all the photo finishes all the memories il miss you original Auto club rip .
This is sadly the place that took the life of Greg Moore, end of an era indeed. RIP
What a great highlight reel for my home track. Thanks for this BFM 🤠🤙
I'm going to the final race this sunday, despite not having gone to a nascar race in a long time and not really caring about the product today. Hope nascar is happy with their new track consisting of the old frontstretch and pit lane having just as weak attendance.
Weak is too generous. It'll be almost empty for years
Going to my final race here at Fontana this Sunday is gonna feel overwhelming ngl. All the nostalgia. I started watching when I was 12 and after the finish with Logano and Hamlin, I became a fan. 10 years later, I will be going to my final race at auto club 🥺😭 all I can say is thank you auto club for making memories here. Seeing Jimmie win in person in 2016 to last years race, with Suarez close to winning. It was a blast 😭
After 2022’s awesome racing they should have reconsider but no there still going forward with this, if 2023 is as good as 2022 they should heavily reconsider but knowing nascar they probably will go through with this R.I.P og autoclub 1997-2023
Thank you for including Indycar. This track gave us the very best auto race in history.
I’ve been coming here since I was 4. So sad to see it be ruined and turned into a cookie cutter short track, where speeds will only be 100mph. No 4-5 wide racing, going into turn 1 doing 200mph. No tire wear. No fuel strategy (to the extent the 2 mile oval produces), like Ryan Blaney said “It’s the last real tracks we have”. I couldn’t agree more. Sadly, they are only doing this to sell off the land. Without consideration of the fact that the track hosts a lot of more events while NASCAR is away. Concerts, roval track days where you can experience the banking and high speeds, and many more events. So sad to see it go. The big track goes perfect in this area with the mountains in the distance. Sadly, we’re living the early stages of an autonomous society soon there will be more Amazon warehouses right outside of the track, with minimal parking to offer during the short track races. It’s going to be shit show.