Reports: Construction Work on LA Coliseum Set to Begin Ahead of NASCAR Season Opener in February

Much to everyone’s excitement, the 2022 NASCAR season is only a few weeks away now. And even more exciting than that is the fact that the first race of the season will be held at the iconic LA Coliseum. But one can’t help but wonder, is the LA Coliseum ready to host a stock car race at this point?

Well, not right now.

But according to reputed journalist Bob Pockrass, the work at the Coliseum will begin from December 20. This means they will roughly have only six weeks to complete the construction before the season opener on February 6.

Speaking of the construction, NASCAR President of Design and Development, Derek Muldowney had earlier insisted that it will be done “as efficiently as possible”.

He said, “We’re just borrowing all that material for a few weeks and then giving it back to the construction industry to reuse.”

Muldowney also expressed his confidence in the finished project to be something that will be unique, one of its kind. “If we’re successful, and we’re confident we will be successful, it’s definitely something that can be replicated elsewhere,” he said.

LA Coliseum was an opportunity too good to pass up for NASCAR

Project leader Patrick Rogers had also spoken about the idea of NASCAR racing in the historic venue. He said, “It’s an iconic venue.”

“They’ve had Super Bowls, a World Series, the 1932 and 1984 Olympics, they’re going to host track and field there again for the 2028 Olympics. So to be able to put ourselves on that list was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”

According to Rogers, a successful race in the Coliseum could be NASCAR’s gateway to racing in other countries. He explained how a lack of NASCAR-supportive race tracks in other countries could be less of a problem. Because if those countries can hold sporting events in venues which are like the LA Coliseum, then a stock car race could also happen in those venues with some adjustments.

“So the idea came about, could we do an event like this and create a business model to not only host it again at the Coliseum and different markets in the United States but also go to other countries?”

We’ll see how the first race at the LA Coliseum shapes up for NASCAR. It’s true that it could very well prove to be a model venue for the sport to go into other countries.

But first, it needs to be constructed, and that begins on December 20.

Also Read: How Many 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Seats Have Yet to be Filled?