NASCAR has submitted a plan to make Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA to a half-mile short track. In recent years, fans have been all about gaining short tracks on the Cup Series schedule. Now that dream may become a reality.
As first reported by Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic, NASCAR submitted plans to convert Auto Club Speedway. The 2-mile track in Southern California will be looking to shrink down to a half-mile track. To this day there has not been a Cup Series track shrink down.
BREAKING NEWS: NASCAR is planning to transform Auto Club Speedway into a half-mile short track, @TheAthletic has learned. We have the details here: https://t.co/EhMnckUamW
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) September 8, 2020
As the plan heads to San Bernardino County it has been titled ‘Next Gen in California.’ The Athletic also states that the track would take a shape similar to Martinsville with the length of the straightaways. Then the banking would match that of Bristol’s high banked layout. This would make a roller-coaster type feel and action on the newly designed track.
The sanctioning body took the proposal to San Bernardino County on Tuesday. If passed the reshaped oval would be remodeling much of the current infrastructure. It would also reduce the size of the property’s footprint and free up land for potential sale opportunities.
Bob Pockrass also released this photo of the concept:
A look at the plan for Auto Club Speedway conversion to a half-mile. NASCAR hopeful to start construction after 2021 race for 2022 event. #nascar pic.twitter.com/l4pUg4MkGk
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 8, 2020
Lately, fans have been about getting more short tracks on the schedule. Currently there are only three short tracks on the Cup Series schedule. After the announcement of Nashville Superspeedway getting added to the Cup Series schedule next year, more changes are in store. This would be an unexpected move that could help drive NASCAR in the Western U.S.
In a tweet from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, Craig Neeb, EVP, Chief Innovation Officer, of NASCAR said, “We are still very early in the process, but we are excited about what this ambitious project could mean for our loyal fans in Souther California. 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.”
NASCAR looks to start construction for Auto Club Speedway following the race in 2021. This would mean the track would host it’s first event on the new oval in 2022 alongside the debut of the ‘Next Gen Car.’
There will be more on this as the story develops.