NASCAR is faced with the huge problem of identifying key markets and spending their time and resources to grow their sport. Mind you, it’s not the NASCAR of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s; the sport is far from its glory days and is desperately making attempts to regain lost ground. Speaking of the market, the state of California in particular stands out as most of the racetracks in the region have clouds of uncertainty looming over their heads.
Recently, Irwindale Speedway hosted its last event as the owners decided to pull the plug on the racetrack. While NASCAR has promised to raze the old Autoclub Speedway and build a short track, the timeline for when the new facility will be ready is still up in the air. It’s not just the state of California; in general, there’s a growing concern with multiple racetracks that once hosted NASCAR races being shut down.
But what exactly is the reason behind this trend of tracks being forced to call it quits? Let us dive deep into the reasons that have played a role in doing so.
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NASCAR isn’t the giant it once used to be
Motor racing is arguably among the toughest businesses on the planet. A racetrack is like a small city in itself; you need a huge portion of land, the actual racetrack, grandstands, parking, and other amenities to attract motorsports enthusiasts. Well, there was a time when oval racing was the only preferred choice, and as a result, multiple ovals started to pop up when NASCAR was on the rise.
You had Auto Club Speedway, Rockingham, Irwindale Speedway, and Willow Springs International Park. You had all of these racetracks popping up in one region. This was the good old days when NASCAR was among the most popular sports in the country. But times changed, and so did the preference of younger motorsports fans. Now, if you ask a hardcore NASCAR fan to choose between an oval and a road course, well, the answer is going to be a straightforward one: ovals. But, with the example of California, you’ll be able to understand the big shift in how motorsports has changed.
Out of all the racetracks in California, the NASCAR Cup Series race is hosted at Sonoma Raceway, a road course. Meanwhile, the ovals are, on the other hand, shrinking in size, and many of them do not host any more NASCAR events. Not to forget, it is indeed hard to compete against real estate developers, who are likely to offer better financial gains than the current motorsports market. This is exactly what happened with Irwindale Speedway, as the racetrack will now be replaced by an industrial park.
Willow Springs International Raceway also suffered a similar fate and is now listed for sale. While NASCAR can do all it can to revive these racetracks, they’ve got problems of their own. And rampant closure of racing venues isn’t something the sanctioning body has direct control over. Does this mean the historic tracks that once hosted events during NASCAR’s heyday will be forgotten? Certainly not, and this is where NASCAR is trying everything within its influence to keep the sporting essence alive.
Bowman Gray Stadium and Rockingham Speedway will return to life in 2025
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Now NASCAR is in a tough spot; on one hand, they want to explore new avenues to attract new audiences. While on the other hand, they’ve got to retain the hardcore fans who’ve contributed to the rise of the sport. As far as expansion is concerned, for the first time in its history, NASCAR will host a points-paying race outside of the United States. Mexico City will host the Cup Series race as a part of the 2025 schedule.
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Meanwhile, you also have the new media and streaming partners in Amazon Prime joining in as a part of the new $7.7 billion deal. Not to forget, the Drive to Survive on Netflix has also generated interest among a wider audience about what NASCAR as a sport has to offer. But NASCAR didn’t get tunnel-visioned in their approach and has made welcoming changes to the schedule that celebrate the rich history and racing roots.
Bowman Gray Stadium, the half-mile oval, has hosted NASCAR-sanctioned races since 1949. From 1958-97 it also hosted the Cup Series race, but like most of the ovals, “The Madhouse” also fell out of favor. However, things are changing in 2025 with NASCAR Cup Series racing returning to Bowman Gray with the season opener Clash. For two straight years, the sanctioning body catered to the audience in California at the LA Coliseum, but it was time NASCAR returned to its roots.
Not just Bowman Gray, Rockingham Speedway will also have a shot at redemption. The D-shaped oval 1-mile track has been through it all, right from the Ferko lawsuit to multiple changes in ownership. From 1964 to 2004, the track hosted the NASCAR Cup Series race, but that was then restricted to Truck Series races from 2012 to 2013 but dropped off NASCAR’s radar. Fortunately, the track is getting its well-deserved opportunity to shine again as it will host the Xfinity Series and Truck Series race on a weekend.
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While this back-and-forth seems like a tough spot for NASCAR to be in, it is essential for them to find the right balance. And so far the 2025 racing schedule looks to strike that perfect balance.