“RIP Irwindale”: NASCAR Fans Grieve For Forgotten South California Racetrack’s Shutdown Amid Delayed Fontana Rebuild

The news that Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip will close after the 2024 season has hit hard for NASCAR fans across Southern California. Established in 2001, this iconic racetrack has been a staple in the motorsports community for nearly 25 years, hosting everything from thrilling NASCAR races to demolition derbies, street-legal drag racing, and the wildly popular Formula Drift events known as “The House of Drift.”

Set to mark its final chapter with the Farewell Extravaganza on December 21, 2024, Irwindale’s closure is a bittersweet moment for those who have called it a second home. Tim Huddleston, the President of Irwindale Speedway & Event Center Inc., expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from fans, racers, and the city itself. He emphasized that Irwindale has been more than just a track; it’s been a gathering place for racing enthusiasts from all walks of life.

The shutting of the Irwindale circuit

The news came to light by Bob Pockrass on X. He turned into the bearer of this news for most NASCAR fans. As the track gears up for its last run, its schedule is full of events in the run-up to the finale. According to the official press release from the owners of the Irwindale track, fans can look forward to Thursday Night Thunders, the Night of Destruction on November 2, the Nitro Revival on November 8-9, and SevenStock 26 on November 16.

The drag strip will have its last race on December 5, giving enthusiasts one last chance to tear down the strip or kick back in the burnout box. The Mooneyes Christmas Party on December 7 will add another layer of nostalgia with classic car shows and live entertainment, rounding off the drag strip’s storied history. The Farewell Extravaganza on December 21 promises to be a celebration unlike any other, featuring an action-packed day filled with NASCAR short-track races, wild Figure-8s, Trailer Races, a Drift Invitational, and the prestigious ARCA Menards Series West. It’s set to be a fitting tribute to the legacy of a venue that has defined West Coast racing.

But while the closure of Irwindale is certainly a loss, the spirit of racing in Southern California isn’t going anywhere. Many of Irwindale’s events and assets will transition to Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield in 2025, ensuring that the racing legacy continues.

As fans prepare to bid farewell, they’re reminded that the countdown to the Farewell Extravaganza begins soon. Tickets go on sale starting November 8, 2024, and it’s expected to be a sellout. While it is all about celebrations while ending the circuits run in NASCAR, many fans were not happy to see one of the most iconic tracks get excluded from the sport. Many of them took to the comments section of Bob Pockrass’s post on X as they shared their thoughts on the Irwindale circuit.

NASCAR Fans are unhappy about the Irwindale circuit shutting down

The announcement about Irwindale’s closure has hit fans like a punch to the gut, and their reactions say it all. The sentiment is summed up in a simple, bittersweet farewell: “RIP Irwindale Speedway; we shall miss you.” It’s more than just a racetrack, it’s a place woven into countless memories, from high-stakes races to wild weekend nights.

For diehard NASCAR and oval racing fans in California, this news is like deja vu. “Such a shame. I genuinely feel bad for all NASCAR/Oval racing fans in CA. First California Speedway, now Irwindale. I hope you guys don’t lose any more races!” Losing Irwindale on the heels of Auto Club Speedway’s transformation is another blow, leaving fans wondering if any of their cherished tracks will remain intact.

Another fan got to the heart of what Irwindale represents beyond just racing, lamenting, “They are really taking away all the social tracks.” Irwindale has been one of those places that transcend racing, a spot where friends and families gather for a shared passion. For many, it feels like the end of an era and the loss of a unique social scene.

Some reactions just say it all in one long, heartfelt “NOOOOOOOOOO,” a shout into the void, capturing that instant, gut-level response to such unexpected news. Others take a more reflective tone, calling it like they see it: “That’s horrible news. Irwindale is a great race track.” The track’s reputation as one of the West Coast’s finest makes this closure even harder to accept.