There has been plenty of speculation about what will become of Auto Club Speedway, in Fontana, California, with most reports having the 2-mile oval track being reconfigured and downsized to a smaller layout but delays in construction and demolition have had some wondering if the track had already seen its last days.
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NASCAR President Steve Phelps has spoken out to reassure those who are wondering if NASCAR and Auto Club are still moving forward with making a short track at the facility. Phelps provided an update about Auto Club when he appeared on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio this week.
🗣️ "We've got renderings of what that race track will look like [...] it'll be a short track, for sure."#NASCAR President @stevephelps provided an update on the ongoing demolition and re-profiling of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. pic.twitter.com/sFU0UUAP2u
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) December 13, 2023
"We've got renderings of what the racetrack will look like, both the surface itself working with iRacing to make sure whatever asphalt track we put down there, whatever size — it will be a short track for sure just based on the fact that we don't have as much real estate as we had (before)," Phelps said. "Oh, and by the way, fans for years and years and years said 'Hey we need some more short tracks.' And as we continue to improve on our short track package with this Next Gen car, at some point, that track will come online. When that is, I don't know but that's our desire and that's what we're working towards."
Before the Next Gen car, it appeared that Auto Club had run its course with so-so racing causing crowds to dwindle. The final race on the 2-mile configuration did not disappoint with the Next Gen's introduction, as there were plenty of intense battles and passes with Kyle Busch eventually emerging victorious at the final Auto Club 400 in 2023.
No matter its layout — 2-mile track or short track — NASCAR wants to keep Auto Club Speedway around, regardless of how the fans feel. NASCAR fans have long begged for more short tracks, but they have also been critical of the Next Gen car and how it races so far on NASCAR's existing short tracks. Maybe NASCAR can specifically design a short track that will bring out the Next Gen car's best capabilities. At least Phelps gave some form of update, as NASCAR has been pretty vague lately about its plans concerning the track.
