In a statement issued on Friday, April 3, 2021, Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Ca., announced its drag strip would be closed forever.
Why is Fontana Dragway closing?
Over the last year, we have had to make a number of tough decisions with respect to our business structure and operations due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, as part of this, the Auto Club Dragway will remain closed for 2021.
Is NASCAR coming to 2022 Fontana?
NASCAR at Fontana 2022: Start time, TV, streaming schedule, lineup for Auto Club Speedway race. The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Southern California for a points race for the first time since 2020 with the WISE Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway.
Why are drag strips closing?
Politics killed a lot of drag strips, and it’s one of the big reasons most tracks close today. Noise complaints are normal for drag strips, which has been true since the early days. The cars are naturally loud, because they have lots of compression, big camshafts, and very large headers.
When did Fontana Drag Strip close?
2012
Drag racing started at the speedway in 2001 and attracted many fans, but neighbors in the area complained about the noise, forcing the dragway to be closed in 2012.
How many drag strips are left in California?
There are also two eighth-mile dragstrips still in operation in So Cal. The Barona Dragway on the Indian reservation outside of San Diego, and Irwindale Speedway, in the shadows of the old San Gabriel Dragstrip and Irwindale Raceway. Now the closest quarter-mile dragstrip is Famoso in Oildale/Bakersfield, California.
Is NHRA leaving Houston?
NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway one last time
It’s the end of an era. The Houston Raceway Park in Baytown is closing after decades of providing fun. Memories have been made at this track, seen as a place for racing enthusiasts to gather, also seen as a second home for many over the years.
Why is NASCAR not racing at Fontana?
But today’s 200-lap race around the four-turn, 2.0-mile (3.219-kilometer) oval in Fontana, California, the first race at the track since March 2020 after last year’s event was canceled due to COVID-19-related restrictions, is set to feature only 36.
Does NASCAR still race in Fontana?
NASCAR racing will return to Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Feb. 27, 2022, for the first time in almost two years as the second official race in the circuit’s 10-month season.
Will Auto Club Dragway open in 2022?
We thank all of the competitors, fans and corporate partners who made so many wonderful memories at Auto Club Dragway through the years, and we look forward to making new ones as we embark on our 25th Anniversary Season at the 2-mile oval in 2022.
Is drag racing dying?
Is drag racing as popular as it was in the past? But part of this whole bad trend is the sad truth that the hobby of drag racing is aging out. The generation that created, developed, and participated in drag racing is dying.
What NHRA tracks are closing?
NHRA set to close out Houston Raceway Park in style with SpringNationals. The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is set to make its final appearance at Houston Raceway Park, closing out a long and illustrious history at the legendary track on April 22-24 with the 35th annual NHRA SpringNationals.
Why is Wild Horse Pass closing?
Highway construction to close Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park after nearly four decade NHRA run. The Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler is set to run its final NHRA event in 2023. The Wild Horse Park Development Authority says this is due to planned work on Interstate 10 near the area.
How many drag strips have closed?
In total, 18 dragstrips have closed nationwide since January 1, 2019.
Is Pomona Raceway closing?
While Pomona, home of the NHRA will still host the Winternationals, the track is not open for regular drag racing events. This announcement follows the similar news that Houston Raceway Park will be closing permanently after its final Springnationals race in April, 2022.
Where are most NHRA teams located?
Indianapolis
Most of the NHRA’s top teams remain based in Indianapolis, which also has a drag strip and a wealth of motorsports resources. The Charlotte area became a logical competitor to Indianapolis as a drag-racing hub.
How many acres is a drag strip?
Effectively, you will need at least 4000 feet length-wise and a minimum track width of 60 feet, including a foot wall on either side. The minimum you will need to build a drag racing track is about 200 acres.
How many NHRA tracks are there?
There are 120 member tracks across North America that host NHRA competitions each week in NHRA’s seven geographic regions.
Is Houston Motorsports Park closing?
Houston Raceway Park, which calls itself Southeast Texas’ largest multi-purpose motorsports facility, announced Wednesday that it will close in April 2022. New property owners will repurpose the 500-acre drag racing complex into an industrial park.
Why did Texas Speedway close?
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas World Speedway will close in mid-June to make way for a $55 million housing development. The nearly 400-acre road racing venue near College Station held its first sanctioned race in 1969. The 2-mile oval has been the site of numerous Indy car, stock car and other races.
Who bought Houston Raceway?
Katoen Natie
Katoen Natie, an Antwerp, Belgium-headquartered international logistics service provider and port operator, purchased the Houston Raceway Park property in 2019. Angel hopes in 35 years of serving the drag racing community; his family has left a positive impact on the sport.