Irwindale Speedway to close after decades
Irwindale Speedway, a beloved Southern California race track and entertainment hub, will close after its 2024 season, bringing an end to decades as a car-culture destination for everything from NASCAR showcases to street-legal races, speedway officials announced on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
“Irwindale has been more than just a track — it’s been a home and gathering place for racing enthusiasts worldwide,” said Tim Huddleston, president of the speedway. “On behalf of my wife, Lisa, and our partners Bob and Maureen Bruncati, we extend heartfelt thanks to our fans, racers, sponsors, and the City of Irwindale for their unwavering support over the past 25 years. We’re grateful for every moment and memory we’ve shared as a community.”
The future of the site has been in question in recent years.
The land on which it sits changed ownership two years ago, with developers looking to convert the speedway into an industrial park.
The 63 acres of land was purchased by IDS Real Estate.
For years, the site – which straddles Live Oak Avenue, among the city’s gravel quarries – has been the subject of discussion about what it could become.
It had long been said to be destined to become home to a 700,000-square-foot outdoor mall, creating thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue for the city. A plan to convert the racetrack to a retail destination was solidified in March 2015 when city officials unanimously approved plans to demolish Irwindale Speedway to make way for the mall. The approval involved a zone change, site plan and design review and certification of a final Environmental Impact Report.
But since then, the Speedway Commerce Center Specific Plan – an initial study of potential environmental impacts — envisioned the speedway’s demolition to make way for an industrial and business park. The goal: To “take advantage of the site’s location in proximity to major transportation arterials and the regional transportation network,” according to the plan.
Last month, Irwindale city officials said public hearings on the environmental impact report for the project to repurpose Irwindale Speedway were tentatively set to begin early next year.
The Irwindale City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 25, received a brief update on the project from members of city staff.
The project would split the site into two planning areas. The first: 56 acres would become an industrial business park development located on the south portion of the property. The second area, 7.3 acres on the north portion along the Live Oak frontage, would be deveoped into commercial properties.
The plan calls for a commercial and industrial business park consisting of 11 buildings with a maximum of 1,378,000 square feet of development.
The timeline from the report estimates the planning commission will hold a public hearing on the impact report on Jan. 15 and the City Council on Feb. 5.
Director of Engineering Eddie Chan said in September that the city is in the third round of review for the geotechnical investigation work plan. The applicant submitted the latest plan in April.
The work plan includes proposed field investigations, laboratory testing and settlement analysis.
“The purpose of this GWP is to evaluate the physical properties of the soil, fill materials, and subsurface conditions at the project site,” the staff report read. “This information is crucial for designing safe and efficient foundations and other structural components while ensuring safety, addressing environmental concerns, and complying with building codes.”
The track was slated to close on Jan. 31, 2018, before Huddleston took it over in December 2017.
Huddleston’s team said events will continue through 2024. Highlights include “Thursday Night Thunders,” “Night of Destruction,” “Nitro Revival,” and “SevenStock 26” on dates during November.
The dragstrip will host its final events in December, with the last “Thursday Night Thunder” on Dec. 5, when the track will give fans one last opportunity to race down the dragstrip or enjoy the “burnout box.”
To finish it all off, the dragstrip will host its “legendary” Mooneyes Christmas Party on Dec. 7. The gearhead event features drag racing, a classic car show and live entertainment.
The last day of the track, Dec. 21, will feature “Night of Destruction” events, including trailer races and NASCAR short-track races — all a “fitting tribute to the legacy of a track that has defined West Coast racing for 25 years,” organizers said.
Speedway officials said the assets of the speedway’s motorsports legacy will transition to the Kern Raceway in Bakersfield for 2025, “ensuring that Southern California’s racing spirit endures,” according to a statement.