The future of Auto Club Speedway remains in limbo as NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps provided one of the clearest updates yet on the situation. Speaking on the Hauler Talk podcast, Phelps emphasized the importance of the Southern California market but admitted that the cost of building a new facility—estimated at $300 million—has forced NASCAR to hit pause on its plans.
A Market Too Important to Ignore
Auto Club Speedway, located in Fontana, California, has been a staple of the NASCAR schedule since 1997. However, the two-mile oval hosted its final race in 2023 before being demolished, with plans for a reimagined short track to take its place. Since then, the project has been shrouded in uncertainty.
“That market … is an important market for us,” Phelps said. “What the future of that particular facility is, I’m still unsure.”
While NASCAR remains committed to maintaining a presence in Southern California, Phelps acknowledged the reality of the situation: building a new short track is an expensive endeavor, and with financial conditions being what they are, NASCAR is not rushing into a decision.
The Cost of Racing’s Future in California
The original vision for the Fontana property was an ambitious half-mile short track, similar in spirit to Martinsville or Bristol. However, as Phelps explained, even with a smaller footprint, constructing the facility would require a massive investment.
“It would be a short track because we don’t have room for anything else, frankly,” he said. “Do I think creating a short track out there would be a cool thing for us? Yes. With that said, it’s $300 million to build that facility. Is that the best use of that money? That is the big question.”
Adding to the challenge is the current financial climate. The cost of capital remains high, making large-scale construction projects like this a tougher sell.
A Long Road to a Decision
For now, NASCAR has effectively put the project on hold, with no clear timeline for when—if ever—a new track will be built.
“The cost of capital right now is still really high, so for us to just press pause right now is essentially what we’re doing,” Phelps explained. “Trying to be as transparent about that as possible. But, yeah, I’d love to build a facility out there. When that is going to happen or if that is going to happen, I don’t have a timeline.”
What’s Next for NASCAR in Southern California?
With the short track plans in limbo, NASCAR now faces a critical decision regarding its future in Southern California. The Los Angeles market remains a priority, as evidenced by the Clash at the Coliseum exhibition race. However, a long-term, points-paying event in the region remains uncertain.
If Fontana does not get rebuilt, NASCAR may need to look elsewhere—perhaps securing a permanent deal with the LA Memorial Coliseum or even considering a different location altogether.
For now, fans of Auto Club Speedway will have to wait and see whether NASCAR can justify the enormous investment or if the Southern California racing scene will have to adapt to a new reality.
