Running a racetrack is no easy business. While motorsports fans flock to these venues to witness the thrill of competition, the reality behind the scenes often involves balancing passion with financial sustainability. For every lap completed, there’s a boardroom grappling with budgets, attendance figures, and the ever-present pressure to justify the land’s value against more profitable ventures. And when an iconic track closes its gates for good, it’s a heartbreak felt across the motorsports community. Such is the case for Irwindale Speedway, a venue that has been a beacon for racing enthusiasts in Southern California for 25 years.

Now, the end is officially in sight. The Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip, affectionately known as “The House of Drift,” will host its final event on December 21, 2024. The announcement has left fans, racers, and officials reflecting on the legacy of a track that’s been central to the region’s racing culture since 1999.

The final lap: Why Irwindale is shutting down

After decades of narrowly avoiding closure, the Irwindale Speedway is finally succumbing to economic pressures. IDS Real Estate, the land’s owner since 2022, plans to redevelop the site into a commercial and industrial complex. While the City of Irwindale is still reviewing plans for the transformation, this time, it’s clear the track’s fate is sealed.

Tim Huddleston, president of Irwindale Speedway & Event Center (ISEC), confirmed the news, expressing gratitude for the community that has supported the venue over the years. “Irwindale has been more than just a track—it’s been a home and gathering place for racing enthusiasts worldwide,” Huddleston said. “On behalf of my wife Lisa and our partners Bob and Maureen Bruncati, we extend heartfelt thanks to our fans, racers, sponsors, and the City of Irwindale for their unwavering support over the past 25 years.”

The announcement has hit especially hard because Irwindale has long been a venue that catered to everyone—from grassroots racers to professional motorsports. Over the years, it hosted NASCAR races, demolition derbies, drag racing, and the globally renowned Formula Drift events. For many, it wasn’t just a racetrack but a cultural hub, drawing crowds for all types of car festivals and community events alike.

Back in 2015, plans were announced to demolish the track for a shopping mall. That project never materialized, and the Speedway found a new lease on life under Huddleston and the Bruncatis. But as the racing landscape evolves and land values soar, keeping the track open has proven unsustainable.

True to its reputation for delivering unforgettable experiences, Irwindale isn’t bowing out quietly. The Farewell Extravaganza on December 21st promises to be a fitting finale, packed with action from start to finish. Fans can expect a full day of NASCAR short-track racing, wild Night of Destruction events like Figure-8s and Trailer Races, and a Drift Invitational that will showcase the venue’s “House of Drift” legacy. The marquee event of the day will be the prestigious ARCA Menards Series West race, bringing a sense of history to the track’s final laps.

Other highlights of the day include Street Stocks, Junior Late Models, and Skid Plate races, capped off by a Jet Car Burndown and a Fireworks Spectacular. It’s an all-out celebration designed to honor everything Irwindale has meant to its community over the past 25 years.

Huddleston summed up the significance of these final moments: “The historic event will be Irwindale’s biggest and most thrilling celebration yet, a fitting tribute to the legacy of a track that has defined West Coast racing for 25 years.”

While the closure marks the end of an era for Irwindale, there’s hope that its legacy will endure. Starting in 2025, many of Irwindale’s assets and events will transition to Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, ensuring that Southern California’s racing spirit lives on.

Fans react: Saying goodbye to a beloved house of racing

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For many fans, the news of Irwindale’s closure feels deeply personal. The track has been a backdrop for countless memories, from childhood birthday celebrations to adrenaline-filled nights under the lights. Social media has been flooded with tributes, but some fans are determined to make the most of Irwindale’s final chapter.

“I’ll be there,” said one long-time fan. “It’s been my home track since I first went back in 2002 for my 10th birthday. I didn’t realize they added drifting to the schedule, so at least the track gets to really go out with a bang.”  Irwindale Speedway earned its reputation as the “House of Drift” hosting drifting exhibitions from as early as 2003 and in 2004, it became the site of Formula Drift’s first official championship finale. The track’s technical layout, combining a traditional oval with an infield road course, created an ideal stage for high-stakes razor-thin battles, earning it iconic status in the drifting world. For nearly two decades, Irwindale served as the season finale venue, drawing global icons like Tanner Foust and Daijiro Yoshihara, and fostering the growth of drifting culture in the U.S.

Some fans reflected on the simple joys the Speedway brought to their lives. “Damn, I loved this track and going to Night of Destruction races,” one attendee shared. Irwindale Speedway’s “Night of Destruction” events have been a fan-favorite staple, showcasing thrilling spectacles such as demolition derbies, trailer races, skid plate races, and figure-eight competitions. Iconic moments include the August 31, 2024, event featuring the Tucker Tire Enduro series, zMAX CARS Tour West Pro Late Model 100-lap race, and a spectacular trailer destruction race with a fireworks finale. Another standout was the Halloween-themed “Haunted Night of Destruction” on October 30, 2021, which capped the season with festive racing and demolition stunts.

“Absolutely hate it when old classic tracks are closed down,” said one fan. NASCAR reduced the schedule of its top national series in 1972 — from 48 races to 31. Thirteen short tracks were booted from the schedule at the end of the 1971 season. Some of these tracks are no longer functional today, such as Columbia Speedway, which was reopened in 2009 after, 30 years, to host concerts and corporate events among other things.

“We used to bring in a 12-pack and just watch good racing in the stands.” said another fan reminiscing his times drinking beer and watching races at Irwindale Speedway. The overwhelming sentiment? Irwindale deserves to go out with a bang. “RIP Irwindale,” another fan wrote. “Put on one more BANGER.”

As the sun sets on Irwindale Speedway’s storied history, the motorsports world is reminded of the challenges that come with preserving racing’s heritage in an ever-changing economic landscape. Yet, as fans and racers gather for the final events, the track’s legacy will be celebrated with the same passion and energy that defined its 25-year run.