The perfect storm has created an opportunity for Nascar to make major changes to the Auto Club Speedway. The two mile track will be cut to a 1/2 mile short track if current plans are approved. On Tuesday Nascar submitted plans to make the major changes. Since 1997 the Auto Club Speedway has offered race fans some amazing races and finishes. One of the most popular features would be the five wide racing down the front stretch of the track.
It appears that the Auto Club Speedway was picked as the next track to go through this remodel is because of the value of the land that the track sits on. If you look at the photo above (from https://racer.com/) the new track colored in blue and green over what is there now a majority of the track will be left unused. The Auto Club Speedway already has large amounts of parking lots so the prevailing wisdom to the use of leftover space is to sell or lease it out. This move is actually moving back to the original desires for this space when it came to what city and county leaders wanted to see. Original conversations had Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s located in the racetrack pad as a way to bring more tax revenue into the Fontana area.
“We are still very early in the process, but we are excited about what this ambitious project could mean for our loyal fans in Southern California,” said Craig Neeb, NASCAR executive vice president and chief innovation officer. “This is our first step towards creating a state-of-the-art facility that would deliver the intense short-track racing our fans love, an intimate viewing experience, and upgraded suites and hospitality areas that would position Auto Club Speedway among the top entertainment venues in the market.”
So how much space would be available to sell or lease if Nascar moved forward with these plans? 600 Acres of space and with premium development opportunities in the $1 million an acre range if Nascar were to sell the land if could net them $600 million. Nascar also says that fans have been asking for real short track racing unlike tracks like Richmond Raceway or not really a short track like Iowa Speedway. The new Auto Club Speedway of Southern California is promised to be an honest to God half-mile.
Some of the other reasons for the move now verses waiting is that the Auto Club Speedway track is due to be repaved which will take away from some of the excitement of racing there on the aged and worn track.
What are your thoughts on the changes to the track?