2025 schedule news/rumors

I consider anything to be an improvement. Would like to them paperclip one end of the track to get an egg shape that would eliminate the pack racing along with some 80 grit sandpaper like asphalt.

But unfortunately they will probably go with the pack racing option

If it don't get any better they will have time rename it to Fort Worth Speedway
More like Forth Worthless Speedway, am I right
 
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal) and the Clash at Estadio Azteca would be big moves.

Not so sure where the SoCal race would be in that case. Just don’t think Irwindale can be built up for that unless it’s all temporary seating.
Here's a map of every track from 2023 in Southern California (or everything from Fresno south I don't know where the line is.) Green means they raced last year.

20240218_233616.jpg


Obviously if we limit it to paved existing tracks you get the following:

The LA Coliseum (recent Cup history)

Irwindale Speedway (west series)

Long Beach Street Circuit (indycar)

Orange Show Speedway (west series)

Thermal Club-road (indycar this year)

Blythe Speedway

Buttonwillow Raceway Park- road

Kern County Raceway Park (west series)

Willow Springs International Raceway-road (actually had 2 Cup races in the 1956 and 1957 seasons but last NASCAR race was a West race in 1986)

Chuckwalla Valley Raceway

My guess is you just go back to the Coliseum because not a single one of these other places is a Cup facility or has NASCAR history at it.
 
NASCAR needs a minimum capacity for its series racetracks.

Cup Series venues - 30,000 minimum
Xfinity venues - 15,000 minimum
Truck venues - 15,000 minimum

Thus, Irwindale would need to bring in a lot of temporary seating, JMO.
 
My guess is you just go back to the Coliseum because not a single one of these other places is a Cup facility or has NASCAR history at it.
Neither did the Coliseum until two years ago.

If it's only going to be for a year, Laguna Seca or Long Beach. They're mostly ready already, excluding maybe pit space. Much as I dislike street courses, LB is better than the Coliseum for a points race. I'd prefer the 'heats and main, no competitive pit stop' format not be used at the level of NASCAR's national series.

I have no suggestions if it's going to be longer than a year until Fontana is ready or abandoned.
 
My guess is you just go back to the Coliseum because not a single one of these other places is a Cup facility or has NASCAR history at it.
That's my guess too. They can set that track up in a week and it's ready to go.
 
I just have no desire to see Cup cars race at Laguna Seca or Long Beach ( especially if IndyCar loses the race which could happen. Thats one of the premier races in north america) I cant find the fascination of wanting to watch Cup cars race at IndyCar venues. I hope the short track in Fontana comes to fruition, I would bet that be a game changer for racing in SoCal.
 
I cant find the fascination of wanting to watch Cup cars race at IndyCar venues.
As much as I abhor Long Beach, if there's going to be a points race in SoCal and not just an exhibition, I prefer it over the LA Coliseum's layout. If a facility can't hold a full 36-car field on the track, with pit stalls and competitive stops, NASCAR shouldn't be points racing there.
 
As much as I abhor Long Beach, if there's going to be a points race in SoCal and not just an exhibition, I prefer it over the LA Coliseum's layout. If a facility can't hold a full 36-car field on the track, with pit stalls and competitive stops, NASCAR shouldn't be points racing there.
Phelps said nothing about having a points race in SoCal. He left that part open.
 
Phelps said nothing about having a points race in SoCal. He left that part open.
I don't care what they do with exhibitions. Run 'em around orange cones in a Save-Mart parking lot in Ventura, with the drivers in grocery carts and the crew chiefs pushing. 8 groups of 5 drivers each, group winners advance to the main. Rearrange the cones for the main and swap carts.
 
JMHO: NASCAR should partner with one of the tribes in Southern California and run a temporary circuit anchored by or sponsored with a casino. The San Manuel or Sycuan tribal groups would likely be able to finance it. Not saying it's the most ideal thing ever, but it's better than trying to put 15K of temporary stands into Irwindale (which I also doubt at having sufficient pit space).
 
Kern County is another seemingly ambitious idea at a place that’s pretty out there, but I guess whatever temporary venue they use in SoCal until Fontana is ever rebuilt will be a significant compromise no matter what.
 
Kern County is another seemingly ambitious idea at a place that’s pretty out there, but I guess whatever temporary venue they use in SoCal until Fontana is ever rebuilt will be a significant compromise no matter what.

The LA Coliseum should be considered more as a regular season race option, but we’ve seen on here the reasons why they shouldn’t.
 
Long beach would need major changes to host Cup. The fountain turn and turn 11 specifically. That track is just too narrow anyway.
It would be kinda clunky at those speeds, but I think the race track could work in its current configuration. Gen7 has a shorter length and wheelbase than modern Indy cars. But it would make for pretty tough logistics since it’s already such a crowded paddock area.

Bigger yet, what would be in it for IndyCar to have NASCAR join the card at one of their blue ribbon events, and has anyone secured the other 50% stake in GPLB from Kevin Kalkhoven’s estate yet?
 
I think it’s kinda weird how they removed the Bristol Dirt race. Go back and look I don’t remember whining about how bad it was. 🤷‍♂️
 
Kern County is another seemingly ambitious idea at a place that’s pretty out there, but I guess whatever temporary venue they use in SoCal until Fontana is ever rebuilt will be a significant compromise no matter what.


Kern County seems really ambitious. It’s around 115 miles from LA, which is farther than NYC is from Pocono and Boston is from Loudon. Hell, Charlotte is closer to Darlington than LA is to Kern County.
 
Kern County seems really ambitious. It’s around 115 miles from LA, which is farther than NYC is from Pocono and Boston is from Loudon. Hell, Charlotte is closer to Darlington than LA is to Kern County.

Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is probably not viable unless they put $$$ into it, but there is room to expand & grow the facility. They did just start a CARS Tour West.

Bakersfield isn’t that small of a town (400,000+) & they’ve hosted Craftsman Trucks before at Mesa Marin.
 
I think it’s kinda weird how they removed the Bristol Dirt race. Go back and look I don’t remember whining about how bad it was. 🤷‍♂️

I wasn't a fan of it, if they want a dirt race let's do it at a dirt track, not take away a short track race which we don't have enough of.
 
I think it’s kinda weird how they removed the Bristol Dirt race. Go back and look I don’t remember whining about how bad it was. 🤷‍♂️
If they took a race away from almost anywhere else it probably would’ve had a much better reception. Bristol is one of maybe five tracks that are more or less regarded as untouchable in the NASCAR world. If they turned a Kansas race into an Eldora weekend it wouldn’t be as controversial.
 
If they took a race away from almost anywhere else it probably would’ve had a much better reception. Bristol is one of maybe five tracks that are more or less regarded as untouchable in the NASCAR world. If they turned a Kansas race into an Eldora weekend it wouldn’t be as controversial.
A mile and a half dirt track? :cuckoo:
 
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