57-464: Auto Club Speedway (known as California Speedway before and after the 2008–2023 corporate sponsorship by the Automobile Club of Southern California ) was a 2.000 mi (3.219 km), D-shaped oval superspeedway in unincorporated San Bernardino County, California , near Fontana . It hosted National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) racing annually from 1997 until 2023. It
114-406: A CART-recognized track length of 2.029 mi (3.265 km). After Juan Pablo Montoya had narrowly missed Gugelmin's practice record, Gil de Ferran set a new one-lap qualifying record of 241.428 mph (388.541 km/h) at the 2000 Marlboro 500 , a CART event. As of August 2023, this is the fastest qualifying lap speed ever recorded at an official race meeting. The 2003 Toyota Indy 400
171-753: A better chance of actually winning seats, and it was ordered to pay Braude's attorney's fees. Furthermore, the Braude case revealed that the Auto Club had been exploiting several loopholes in California corporate law, which caused the state Legislature to enact a comprehensive revision of the California Nonprofit Corporation Law in 1978. Today, the Automobile Club of Southern California's affiliated insurance company,
228-427: A better chance of actually winning seats, and it was ordered to pay Braude's attorney's fees. Furthermore, the Braude case revealed that the Auto Club had been exploiting several loopholes in California corporate law, which caused the state Legislature to enact a comprehensive revision of the California Nonprofit Corporation Law in 1978. Today, the Automobile Club of Southern California's affiliated insurance company,
285-497: A capacity of approximately 100,000. On February 21, 2008, the Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC) became the title sponsor of the raceway, making Auto Club Speedway the track's official name. The naming rights deal was for ten years and is worth an estimated $ 50 to $ 75 million. In addition to naming rights, the ACSC was to have use of the facility for road tests for Westways magazine and other consumer tests. The money
342-452: A landmark of the Kaiser property, was preserved in the center of the track to be used as a scoreboard. 3,000 cubic yards (2,300 m) of contaminated dirt was removed and transported to a toxic waste landfill. To prevent remaining impurities from rising to the surface, a cap of non-porous polyethylene was put down and covered with 2 feet (0.61 m) of clean soil. Construction of the track
399-594: A leadership role in scrap rubber and metal drives and printed numerous posters for the war effort, including the "Give Them a Lift" campaign, which encouraged motorists to give rides to hitchhiking servicemen. The Auto Club has also experienced its share of scandals. In 1970, the Auto Club incurred the wrath of Los Angeles city councilman Marvin Braude when it opposed an initiative that would have authorized diversion of state fuel tax revenues away from road construction to reducing smog and expanding mass transit. Braude ran for
456-541: A leadership role in scrap rubber and metal drives and printed numerous posters for the war effort, including the "Give Them a Lift" campaign, which encouraged motorists to give rides to hitchhiking servicemen. The Auto Club has also experienced its share of scandals. In 1970, the Auto Club incurred the wrath of Los Angeles city councilman Marvin Braude when it opposed an initiative that would have authorized diversion of state fuel tax revenues away from road construction to reducing smog and expanding mass transit. Braude ran for
513-833: Is held at the Los Angeles International Speedway, which is a conglomeration of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum , the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena where the Rose Bowl is located, as well as the Auto Club Speedway. During the 1999 Marlboro 500 CART race, Canadian driver Greg Moore died in a crash along the backstretch of the track. It was determined that after sliding along the infield grass, Moore's car hit
570-451: Is still a membership organization, and provides as a member benefit maps, travel planning, emergency roadside service, and DMV services. Members also receive Westways, a magazine devoted to travel and automotive subjects. Branch offices stretch from Chula Vista , near the international border with Mexico , to the small town of Bishop , in California's eastern Sierra mountains. In 1996, the Auto Club began an expansion program that involved
627-451: Is still a membership organization, and provides as a member benefit maps, travel planning, emergency roadside service, and DMV services. Members also receive Westways, a magazine devoted to travel and automotive subjects. Branch offices stretch from Chula Vista , near the international border with Mexico , to the small town of Bishop , in California's eastern Sierra mountains. In 1996, the Auto Club began an expansion program that involved
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#1732787259764684-854: Is the Southern California affiliate of the American Automobile Association (AAA) federation of motor clubs . The Auto Club was founded on December 13, 1900, in Los Angeles as one of the nation's first motor clubs dedicated to improving roads, proposing traffic laws, and improvement of overall driving conditions. Today, it is the single largest member of the AAA federation, with almost 8 million members in its home territory of Southern California, more than 16 million members across all subsidiaries in 21 states, and an annual budget in excess of $ 2 billion. The Auto Club
741-590: Is the Southern California affiliate of the American Automobile Association (AAA) federation of motor clubs . The Auto Club was founded on December 13, 1900, in Los Angeles as one of the nation's first motor clubs dedicated to improving roads, proposing traffic laws, and improvement of overall driving conditions. Today, it is the single largest member of the AAA federation, with almost 8 million members in its home territory of Southern California, more than 16 million members across all subsidiaries in 21 states, and an annual budget in excess of $ 2 billion. The Auto Club
798-520: The California State Automobile Association , now called AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, provides services to ACSC members who travel north. AAA Northern California and ACSC are both members of the AAA federation of motor clubs. While membership is not interchangeable among AAA clubs, each club provides certain services to all AAA members on a reciprocal basis, notably roadside assistance. In recent years,
855-424: The California State Automobile Association , now called AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, provides services to ACSC members who travel north. AAA Northern California and ACSC are both members of the AAA federation of motor clubs. While membership is not interchangeable among AAA clubs, each club provides certain services to all AAA members on a reciprocal basis, notably roadside assistance. In recent years,
912-534: The Los Angeles branch office. The club's headquarters are still in Los Angeles but its administrative offices are in Costa Mesa . From 1934 through 1941, the building's courtyard served as the site of the Auto Club's annual "Outing Show," which promoted motor vacations and camping. These events were halted after the start of the war and were never revived. During the course of the war, the Auto Club played
969-416: The Los Angeles branch office. The club's headquarters are still in Los Angeles but its administrative offices are in Costa Mesa . From 1934 through 1941, the building's courtyard served as the site of the Auto Club's annual "Outing Show," which promoted motor vacations and camping. These events were halted after the start of the war and were never revived. During the course of the war, the Auto Club played
1026-650: The NASCAR Cup Series race in Fontana. The Auto Club also sponsors the NHRA funny car team John Force Racing and its driver Robert Hight . When the IndyCar Series ran at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Hélio Castroneves ran an Auto Club livery from 2012 to 2015. Castroneves is also a Team Penske driver. Automobile Club of Southern California The Automobile Club of Southern California
1083-544: The 2022 season. In December 2020, it was announced that the 2021 race weekend had been cancelled due to complications surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic . On February 27, 2022, Auto Club Speedway president Dave Allen announced on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio that plans to convert the speedway had been put on hold. With the Busch Light Clash now being held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum beginning in 2022, there
1140-599: The Auto Club has returned to its roots with involvement in auto racing, sponsoring the annual Auto Club 400 NASCAR Cup Series race in Fontana and NHRA Auto Club Finals in Pomona. The tracks where both events are held ( Auto Club Speedway and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona , respectively), along with a drag strip in Bakersfield ( Auto Club Famoso Raceway ), all had naming rights held by the Auto Club. The Auto Club sponsors Team Penske driver Joey Logano 's No. 22 Ford at
1197-486: The Auto Club has returned to its roots with involvement in auto racing, sponsoring the annual Auto Club 400 NASCAR Cup Series race in Fontana and NHRA Auto Club Finals in Pomona. The tracks where both events are held ( Auto Club Speedway and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona , respectively), along with a drag strip in Bakersfield ( Auto Club Famoso Raceway ), all had naming rights held by the Auto Club. The Auto Club sponsors Team Penske driver Joey Logano 's No. 22 Ford at
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#17327872597641254-413: The Auto Club's board the next year and lost, then promptly sued the Auto Club over alleged unfairness in its election procedures that enabled the incumbent board to make itself self-perpetuating. His lawsuit dragged on for over 15 years and involved three trials and three appeals, all of which Braude ultimately won. In the end, the Auto Club was forced to revise its election procedures to give board outsiders
1311-413: The Auto Club's board the next year and lost, then promptly sued the Auto Club over alleged unfairness in its election procedures that enabled the incumbent board to make itself self-perpetuating. His lawsuit dragged on for over 15 years and involved three trials and three appeals, all of which Braude ultimately won. In the end, the Auto Club was forced to revise its election procedures to give board outsiders
1368-520: The Auto Club's main office on the corner of Figueroa Street and Adams Boulevard in the West Adams district was completed. Architects Sumner P. Hunt and Silas R. Burns designed a building of "attractive Spanish design" that was a "distinctive structure for the West Adams district". On February 3, 1971, the building became Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #71 . The building now serves as
1425-403: The Auto Club's main office on the corner of Figueroa Street and Adams Boulevard in the West Adams district was completed. Architects Sumner P. Hunt and Silas R. Burns designed a building of "attractive Spanish design" that was a "distinctive structure for the West Adams district". On February 3, 1971, the building became Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #71 . The building now serves as
1482-492: The Interinsurance Exchange of the Auto Club, is one of California's largest insurers. It provides coverage for automobiles, homes, recreational vehicles, motorcycles and watercraft. It also provides umbrella (liability) insurance. It is organized as a reciprocal inter-insurance exchange rather than as a conventional insurance company. The Auto Club is the largest member of the AAA federation. The Auto Club
1539-416: The Interinsurance Exchange of the Auto Club, is one of California's largest insurers. It provides coverage for automobiles, homes, recreational vehicles, motorcycles and watercraft. It also provides umbrella (liability) insurance. It is organized as a reciprocal inter-insurance exchange rather than as a conventional insurance company. The Auto Club is the largest member of the AAA federation. The Auto Club
1596-649: The Next Gen California project and demolition started in October 2023. On April 20, 1994, Roger Penske and Kaiser Steel announced the construction of a racetrack on the site of the abandoned Kaiser Steel Mill in Fontana, California . A day after the announcement, Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) announced it would hold an annual race at the speedway. Three months later NASCAR president Bill France Jr. agreed to sanction NASCAR Cup Series races at
1653-458: The Next Gen California racing project. Demolition began in October 2023. The Auto Club speedway was served by a special Metrolink station, opened only on race days. The original track length was disputed by CART and NASCAR that ran at Auto Club Speedway. The NASCAR timing and scoring previously used a length of exactly 2.000 miles (3.219 km). The IRL timing and scoring also used a length of exactly 2.000 mi (3.219 km). CART measured
1710-403: The addition of a second NASCAR weekend at the track in 2004, attendance at the races dropped off dramatically, by as much as 20,000. With such a large attendance swing, drivers and media began to doubt if the track deserved two dates, even if the track was near Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest media market. Weather also became a concern with either extremely hot days or with rain threatening
1767-446: The backstretch. Construction of the track, on the site of the former Kaiser Steel Mill, began in 1995 and was completed in late 1996. The speedway's main grandstand had a capacity of 68,000, additionally it featured 28 skyboxes and had a grand total capacity of 122,000. In 2006, a fanzone was added behind the main grandstand. Lights were added to the speedway in 2004 with the addition of a second annual NASCAR weekend. From 2011 to 2023,
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1824-400: The changing of the speedway's conditional use permit to allow the installation of lights around the track. Later that year NASCAR announced a second annual NASCAR Cup Series race at the track for the 2004 season, with the second race being run "under the lights". NASCAR ran two weekends of racing annually until the 2011 season , when the track returned to a single annual race weekend. In 2006,
1881-473: The edge of oncoming pavement, which caused the car to flip into a concrete retaining wall. The incident prompted the track owners, ISC , to pave the backstretch of both Auto Club Speedway and its sister track Michigan International Speedway in an attempt to prevent a similar accident. Shortly after the crash, CART mandated the use of a head-and-neck restraint system on all ovals. The rule eventually became mandatory on all tracks. On April 5, 2002, Ricky Lundgren
1938-507: The front stretch with an additional 15,777 seats. In May 1999, an additional 28 skyboxes were added to the top of the main grandstand. In 2001 the Auto Club Dragway, a 0.250 mi (0.402 km) dragstrip, was built outside of the backstretch of the main speedway. That same year, the infield of the speedway was reconfigured to hold a multipurpose road course. On April 24, 2003, The San Bernardino County Planning Commission approved
1995-438: The grandstand capacity was reduced from 92,000 to 68,000. This was accomplished by removing approximately 12,000 seats near turn 1 and installing a hospitality area and a digital display showing speeds along the straightaway. In addition, seats were further reduced as a result of modifying average seat width from 18 inches to 23 inches. The capacity quoted does not include luxury boxes and infield seating, which when added up reaches
2052-403: The published preliminary site plan, the new layout would fit inside the footprint of the current layout's trioval, and utilize much of the existing infrastructure such as the garages (which would be outside the new track), main grandstand and pit road suites (which would overlook the relocated backstretch). The work was scheduled to start after the 2021 Auto Club 400, and to be completed in time for
2109-618: The purchase of or affiliation with several other AAA motor clubs across the country by acquiring AAA Hawaii, AAA New Mexico, and AAA Texas. It went on to affiliate with AAA Northern New England (serving New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine) in 2003 and AAA Missouri (serving Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and portions of Illinois and Indiana) in 2006. AAA Alabama was acquired in 2007. The Auto Club later affiliated with AAA East Central (serving portions of Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia); it affiliated with AAA Tidewater in 2012. From Central California northward,
2166-618: The purchase of or affiliation with several other AAA motor clubs across the country by acquiring AAA Hawaii, AAA New Mexico, and AAA Texas. It went on to affiliate with AAA Northern New England (serving New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine) in 2003 and AAA Missouri (serving Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and portions of Illinois and Indiana) in 2006. AAA Alabama was acquired in 2007. The Auto Club later affiliated with AAA East Central (serving portions of Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia); it affiliated with AAA Tidewater in 2012. From Central California northward,
2223-408: The races. All of this factored into NASCAR's decision to remove a second race from the track with the realignment of the 2011 NASCAR schedule. Former track owner Roger Penske said the track may be located in a one-race market. Track president Gillian Zucker cited bad weather windows and fans having other entertainment options as reasons for the attendance decline. Effective in the 2014 racing season,
2280-594: The sister track Michigan International Speedway, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the project. The California Environmental Protection Agency gave Penske permission to begin construction after Kaiser agreed to pay US$ 6 million to remove hazardous waste from the site. Construction on the site began on November 22, 1995, with the demolition of the Kaiser Steel Mill. The 100-foot (30 m) water tower ,
2337-432: The speedway upon completion, marking the first time NASCAR made a commitment to run a race at a track that had yet to be built. Community meetings were held to discuss issues related to the construction of the track and the local effects of events held. The local community largely supported construction of the speedway citing potentially increased land values and rejuvenation of the community. In April 1995, after having toured
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2394-484: The speedway's midway, located behind the main grandstand, was overhauled. The new midway, called the "Discover IE FanZone", included the addition of Apex (a Wolfgang Puck restaurant), additional shade and lounge areas, a retail store and an entertainment stage. In March 2014, the Las Vegas-based company Exotics Racing expanded to California by opening a new 1.2 mile road course at the Auto Club Speedway. Upon
2451-495: The state's roads for the production of maps and to create a uniform signing system. The Auto Club posted thousands of porcelain-on-steel traffic signs throughout the state and continued to do so until the State of California took over the task in the mid-1950s. The signs were produced by a local company that manufactured porcelain-on-steel bathtubs. A few of these signs remain in service today, though they are extremely rare. In 1923,
2508-443: The state's roads for the production of maps and to create a uniform signing system. The Auto Club posted thousands of porcelain-on-steel traffic signs throughout the state and continued to do so until the State of California took over the task in the mid-1950s. The signs were produced by a local company that manufactured porcelain-on-steel bathtubs. A few of these signs remain in service today, though they are extremely rare. In 1923,
2565-414: The time it was built through February 21, 2008, when the Automobile Club of Southern California purchased the naming rights in a 10-year deal; thus the track became Auto Club Speedway and has remained as of 2023, as the deal was renewed. The sponsorship was discontinued after March of 2023. With early success following the opening of the track, the speedway began to expand reserved grandstand seating along
2622-504: The track as 2.029 mi (3.265 km) and used this length for timing and scoring between 1997 and 2002. The closed-course practice and qualifying lap records Arie Luyendyk had set in the run-up to the 1996 Indy 500 at 239.260 mph (385.052 km/h) and 237.498 mph (382.216 km/h) respectively were improved by Maurício Gugelmin at the 1997 Marlboro 500 . He was clocked at 242.333 mph (389.997 km/h) and 240.942 mph (387.759 km/h) respectively, based on
2679-437: The track hosted only one NASCAR weekend each year. A 500-mile American open-wheel car race was held under Championship Auto Racing Teams sanctioning from 1997 to 2002. The current IndyCar sanctioning body ran a 400-mile race from 2002 to 2005 and a 500-mile race from 2012 to 2015, which was usually the season finale. Its last IndyCar race was the 2015 MAVTV 500 . In 2023, the track was closed for reconstruction as part of
2736-626: The track. The woman was driving a replica Indycar as part of the Mario Andretti Racing Experience when she lost control and hit the inside wall of the track. On September 8, 2020, it was revealed that documents for the reconstruction of the facility as a half-mile high banked oval had been filed with San Bernardino County. As first reported by The Insider , the new short track layout would feature long straightaways like Martinsville Speedway and high banked turns like those featured at Bristol Motor Speedway . According to
2793-399: Was also previously used for open wheel racing events. The racetrack was located 47 mi (76 km) east of Los Angeles and was near the former locations of Ontario Motor Speedway and Riverside International Raceway . The track was last owned and operated by NASCAR. The speedway was served by the nearby Interstates 10 and 15 freeways as well as a Metrolink station located behind
2850-666: Was an early advocate for the construction of the Ridge Route , the first highway through the Tehachapi Mountains and San Gabriel Mountains , which directly linked Los Angeles to Bakersfield and the Central Valley. The completion of the Ridge Route greatly facilitated automobile travel through this significant mountain barrier. Starting around 1910, the Auto Club sent teams of cartographers to survey
2907-413: Was an early advocate for the construction of the Ridge Route , the first highway through the Tehachapi Mountains and San Gabriel Mountains , which directly linked Los Angeles to Bakersfield and the Central Valley. The completion of the Ridge Route greatly facilitated automobile travel through this significant mountain barrier. Starting around 1910, the Auto Club sent teams of cartographers to survey
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#17327872597642964-489: Was completed in late 1996. On January 10, 1997, Marlboro Team Penske's driver Paul Tracy became the first driver to test on the new speedway. NASCAR held its first open test session on at the track from May 5–7. The official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held on June 20, 1997, with the first race, a NASCAR West Series race, being held the next day. The track was named the California Speedway from
3021-539: Was killed in a qualifying session for a motorcycle race. On August 7, 2004, a police officer from San Diego, John Barr, died during an open track event after coming off his motorcycle. On June 2, 2005, two men died while participating in an event sponsored by the San Diego Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America . On October 15, 2010, a 24-year-old woman died while participating in a driving school at
3078-419: Was now no official commitment from NASCAR to follow through with plans to convert the speedway. In early 2023, following the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum , NASCAR chief operating officer Steve O'Donnell made mention that NASCAR was, "evaluating the market as a whole and what's the best place for us to race within the totality of 2024 and beyond." In 2023, the track was closed for reconstruction as part of
3135-843: Was the fastest circuit race ever in motorsport history, with an average speed of 207.151 mph (333.377 km/h) over 400 mi (640 km), based on an IndyCar-recognized track length of 2.000 mi (3.219 km), topping the previous record average of 197.995 mph (318.642 km/h) over 507.25 miles (816.34 km) the 2002 CART race had produced. The fastest official race lap records at Auto Club Speedway (formerly California Speedway) are listed as: (As of 3/1/20) * from minimum 5 starts * – Race extended due to green-white-checker finish ** – Race shortened due to rain 34°05′19″N 117°30′00″W / 34.08858°N 117.50000°W / 34.08858; -117.50000 Automobile Club of Southern California The Automobile Club of Southern California
3192-534: Was used as Daytona International Speedway in the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari . A parody of the track was used in the 2006 Disney / Pixar animated film Cars in the end of the film. It is the venue for the Piston Cup tiebreaker race between the movie's main character Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson ), retiring veteran Strip "The King" Weathers (voiced by Richard Petty ) and perennial runner-up Chick Hicks (voiced by Michael Keaton ). The race
3249-442: Was used for capital improvements to the track. The track was often used for filming television shows, commercials and films. In 2000, portions of Charlie's Angels were filmed at the speedway, and in 2005, portions of Herbie: Fully Loaded were filmed there. In 2007, The Bucket List saw Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman drive a vintage Shelby Mustang and Dodge Challenger around the 2-mile (3.2 km) speedway. The track
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