The sunset in California turned the sky into shades of orange and purple when Kyle Busch won the race at Auto Club Speedway on February 26, 2023. Though this was Busch’s 61st career NASCAR Cup Series win and his first with Richard Childress Racing after leaving Joe Gibbs Racing in the offseason, the majestic sunset marked more than just the finish of the race. It signaled the end of a two-decade tradition in NASCAR history. Thousands of racing fans for whom the Fontana Oval served as their home track feel the pain once more following the social media spread of pictures showing the partially demolished facility.

The second anniversary of the Auto Club’s last race has sparked widespread nostalgia and fresh heartache throughout all social media channels. Once the prestigious racing jewel of the West Coast region, now stands partially destroyed as overgrown weeds take over the 200-mph battle zone where legends engaged side by side. Many fans interpret the physical destruction of the venue to mean the end of racing heritage in Southern California.

Although it’s been a few years since this iconic race and astonishing announcement, what suddenly brings us to this discussion table? Well, the conversation has reignited after respected motorsports journalist Jeff Gluck posted commemorative photos on social media. “A few pics from the final race at Auto Club Speedway, two years ago today. Took a pic on the finish line before I did a Quiet Track,” Gluck wrote, his simple tribute striking an emotional chord with the NASCAR community. His post, which at the moment garnered over 3,400 likes and 200,000 views, became a virtual gathering place for grieving fans to share their memories and frustrations about the track’s demise.

Auto Club Speedway operated its two-mile D-shaped oval track since 1997 to host NASCAR events, creating a celebrated annual sporting date. The track’s broad racing surface created multiple grooves which delivered exceptional competitiveness during circuit events. In 2022, NASCAR announced its decision to sell most of the property for industrial purposes but promised new construction of a half-mile short track within a portion of the remaining land.

Two years down the championship event, all work on establishing the promised short track has halted, but the destruction of infrastructure continues unabated. The release of deteriorating track images by former NASCAR driver Garrett Smithley triggered an emotional reaction from the racing community.

The track that has warm memories for NASCAR fans

“I’ll never forgive them for taking that track from the fans,” wrote one fan on social media, echoing the sentiments of thousands who feel betrayed by NASCAR’s decision to prioritize land value over racing tradition. This response from the supporters comes as no surprise considering Auto Club Speedway regularly drew crowds exceeding 70,000 at its peak, even the last event — The Pala Casino 400 was sold out even after last-minute postponement due to weather conditions.

The depth of emotion runs particularly strong for multi-generational fans. One fan shared: “Sad day for my family. My husband took my then 4-year-old son there in 2004 for his first Cup race. We went to many other races there over the years including the last one. Auto Club and Irwindale are gone…” This poignant comment highlights how the track served as a backdrop for family traditions and milestone memories across generations. The shutdown of Auto Club Speedway creates an even bigger void in light of Southern California’s well-established automotive heritage.

Southern California has been the epicenter of American car culture since the post-WWII era, giving birth to iconic innovations from the dry lakes speed trials at El Mirage to the legendary custom car workshops of George Barris and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth. The region historically recognized as the origin of hot-rodding customs lacks robust racing activities because Auto Club and Irwindale Speedway continue to face uncertain futures.

For others, the loss feels deeply personal. “An absolute travesty,” wrote another fan on X. “Got some of my own pics from that night. Might sound cliche but it felt like a family member died. I’d been going to Fontana ever since I could walk. Still can’t believe it’s gone. Couldn’t ask for a better send-off though, that sunset was majestic!” As the dust settles on the demolished portions of this beloved venue, fans now look with skepticism toward NASCAR’s promised vision for racing’s future in Southern California.

The planned half-mile short track to maintain NASCAR racing access in this area still faces uncertain development prospects. NASCAR officials claim plans are moving forward yet fan doubts intensify due to minimal visible progress and ongoing destruction of the original facility making them wonder about the possibility of returning high-level stock car racing to the area at all.