FONTANA — It’s loved by most every driver in NASCAR, and some of the Cup Series’ best have thoughts about this weekend being the last for Auto Club Speedway’s 2-mile tri-oval.
“It’s unfortunate that the last weekend is like this and we have (rain) this weekend,” driver Ryan Blaney said. “I wish it was beautiful and 80 (degrees) out and people could really enjoy it because it is such a cool race track.”
First rumored in 2020, Sports Business Journal reported Friday that California Speedway Corp., owned by NASCAR, had closed on the sale of more than 80% of the speedway parcel.
“It’s sad because it’s such a great race track and Roger (Penske) built this place,” 2021 Cup Series champion Joey Logano said. “But business is business and how do you go against that when you hear what some of the numbers were? How do you not take that?”
Estimates place the price tag on the 433-acre parcel between $300 million to $500 million.
“Congratulations on the sale of the property,” driver Ross Chastain said. “If it’s worth that much, then sell it and we can build again.”
Plans to replace the 27-year-old facility, built in 1997, with a smaller short-track are on hold while NASCAR determines its place in the Southern California market.
“You have to put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself, ‘What would you do?’” Logano said. “It makes it a pretty simple decision from their standpoint.”
The news of the sale also has put a sudden significance on winning what may be the last Cup Series race in Southern California for the foreseeable future.
“Knowing that it is going away, this speedway has been one of my favorite large race tracks that we go to and I’m definitely on the side of being very bummed that this surface is going away,” driver Chris Buescher said.
NASCAR Cup Series has a long history in Southern Calfornia, starting in 1970 at Riverside International Raceway, but has not said what its plans are for Southern…
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