Irwindale, CA – The beloved Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip, a cornerstone of Southern California's motorsports community, will be closing its doors at the end of 2024. The announcement, made on October 30, 2024, marks the end of a 25-year legacy of high-octane entertainment, including NASCAR races, demolition derbies, drag racing, and Formula Drift events.
Despite facing multiple threats of closure over the years, including a bankruptcy filing in 2012 and plans to convert the site into a retail destination in 2015, Irwindale Speedway managed to stay open thanks to the dedication of its fans and the community. However, the recent sale of the 63-acre property to IDS Real Estate, which plans to develop an industrial business park, has sealed the track's fate.
The final event, dubbed the "Irwindale Speedway's Farewell Extravaganza," is scheduled for December 21, 2024.
The event will feature NASCAR short-track races, a Drift invitational, and the Automobile Racing Club of America Menards Series West. Tickets for the extravaganza will be available starting November 8, 2024.
In a statement, Tim Huddleston, President of Irwindale Speedway & Event Center Inc., expressed gratitude to fans, racers, sponsors, and the City of Irwindale for their unwavering support over the past 25 years. He also mentioned that the track's assets and events will transition to Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway in Bakersfield for 2025, ensuring that the racing spirit continues in the region.
The closure of Irwindale Speedway comes on the heels of the recent shutdown of California Speedway, another iconic racing venue that had to close due to financial difficulties and changing ownership.
The loss of these two tracks is a significant blow to the local racing community, but fans remain hopeful that new opportunities will arise from the ashes of these beloved venues.
For more information on the farewell events and ticket purchases, visit IrwindaleSpeedway.com or follow Irwindale Speedway & Dragstrip on social media.
