"RIP racing in SoCal" - NASCAR fans express disappointment over Irwindale Speedway closure after 2024

Many NASCAR fans were upset after Irwindale Speedway & Event Center (ISEC) announced that it would close after the 2024 racing season.

Irwindale Speedway, a 0.5 miles (0.804 km) oval track that opened in 1999 has hosted many events, including short track races, demolition derbies, drag racing, and Formula Drift competitions. It has also been important for NASCAR’s West Coast series, hosting events like the ARCA Menards Series West doubleheader.

The last event, Farewell Extravaganza at the track in Los Angeles County, California, is scheduled for December 21.

Many fans online talked about losing racetracks in Southern California and believe there are only a few left.

"RIP racing in SoCal," wrote one fan.

"All we got left now is Orange Show Speedway 🥲," added another fan.

"They really taking away all the socal tracks…," replied another.

The 2-mile track at California Speedway (Auto Club Speedway), near Fontana, was also torn down earlier this year. NASCAR announced plans to build a short track on the land in 2020 and sold most of it last year.

"Such a shame. I genuinely feel bad for all NASCAR/oval racing fans in CA. First California Speedway, now Irwindale. I hope you guys don't lose any more racetracks, replied one fan.

One fan even suggested building a new short track in place of the original one at Irwindale Speedway.

"Seems like a good opportunity to build a short track in so-cal that could also be used for periodic regional racing and commercial's, promotions etc," commented another.

"They tell people not to street race and go find a race track to race at and watch racing. Then they tear down all the race tracks that they tell people to race at and watch racing," another fan wrote.

The announcement also said that many of the track's assets and events will be moved to Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in 2025. Kern Raceway currently runs two ARCA West races.

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NASCAR team changes driver for Cup Series race at Martinsville

NASCAR Cup Series' team, Kaulig Racing recently changed drivers for the seventh time in a row. The No. 16 Chevrolet has had five different drivers this season. A.J. Allmendinger, who raced at Homestead-Miami last Sunday, and Shane van Gisbergen started the most races.

Now, Van Gisbergen will drive at Martinsville this Sunday and Derek Kraus will finish the season in the No. 16 car at Phoenix next weekend.

Kaulig Racing also announced earlier that AJ Allmendinger will return full-time in the No. 16 Chevy next season. Moreover, Ty Dillon will take over the No. 10 car.