NASCAR’s Unwelcomed Revamp of Historic Track Leaves Heartbroken Fans Demanding Daytona Honor

Many eccentric tracks have come and gone from the NASCAR schedule across the sport’s long and celebrated history. However, the loss of a legendary track that has been on the Cup schedule since 1997 has certainly affected the NASCAR world deeply. While the track is promised to return after a major overhaul, dedicated fans haven’t been able to make peace with the decision.

The track under discussion is no other than the pride of California, where so many historical moments have been witnessed over the last two decades. The most recent was Kyle Busch‘s momentous maiden win for his new team Richard Childress Racing. After the last race earlier this year in February, the demolition process began immediately to turn the 2-mile-long Auto Club Speedway into a half-mile short track. The controversial move is an attempt to revive the kind of racing that once brought greatness to NASCAR. However, the latest update on the track’s progress has left some bitter taste among the NASCAR community, who demanded that Fontana be treated with the same respect as Daytona.

NASCAR’s Fontana Reconstruction Project in full swing

As per the recent update by pro series i-racer & sports photographer, Mark J. Rebilas, the construction team is currently working on turns 1 & 2 at the Fontana Speedway. Some of the aerial shots of the track revealed that the asphalt at these turns has also been removed. Spread across a 568-acre property, the track that rose from the ashes of a steel mill years ago, more or less seems like a mining site currently, in the recently shared images.

Further, an unusual anomaly was spotted by the photographer, who was left surprised by the unaffected state of the front stretch area. Rebilas tweeted on X, “Wonder if they’ll actually build the 1/2 mile short track. The front stretch area where it’s supposed to go is still untouched by the demo…”

However, the latest update served as an emotional whirlwind for fans who have not been in favor of the major change.

Fontana’s present state saddens the NASCAR Community

Many of the fans have openly expressed their disagreement with NASCAR’s decision over the last few months. But the recent images triggered some unsettling emotions of sadness among the fans. A frustrated fan blamed NASCAR by commenting, “My childhood just being ripped apart. So sad.” Moreover, another fan expressed their unhappiness about the track change by stating, “Such a waste of money”.

Here are some other saddening comments from fans:

“I can’t take looking at this. It’s too sad.”

“What a damn shame.”

Meanwhile, a different faction of racing fans demanded NASCAR honor Auto Club Speedway in the same way as Daytona. Fans wanted the sporting authority to sell parts of the track as souvenirs of its greatness and unforgettable history. A curious fan wrote, “Does anyone know if they’re selling pieces of the track like they did Daytona?” Another fan seemed to be willing to pay a hefty price for a part of the track,  “Please give us some pieces of the track I’d pay good money.”

Unfortunately, NASCAR does not plan on selling souvenirs of the Fontana track as they did with the Daytona Speedway. The track is expected to be back in action by 2026. Thus, it would be thrilling to find, if the revamped California track could hold the fans’ breath like the old golden times.