Auto Club Speedway officials issued the statement that none of us in the sport hoped to hear over the weekend, confirming the 1/4-mile drag strip that has been a component of the two-mile super speedway grounds in Fontana, California for more than a decade, will be no more.

“After careful consideration on the best direction forward for Auto Club Speedway, the difficult decision has been made to permanently close Auto Club Dragway. We thank all of the competitors, fans and corporate partners who made so many wonderful memories at Auto Club Dragway through the years, and we look forward to making new ones as we embark on our 25th Anniversary Season at the 2-mile oval in 2022.”

The Auto Club Dragway, constructed in a parking area for the NASCAR oval, faced continual challenges from local residents during its time. In 2012, a San Bernardino County superior court judge forced its closure over noise complaints. Thanks to the combined efforts of SEMA, the NHRA, and the Auto Club, it reopened in 2014 with a new sound wall and muffler mandate for all vehicles and continued until the pandemic shuttered its gates in early 2020.

Auto Club Dragway notably hosted the NHRA’s Pacific Division 7, NMCA WEST series, and Pacific Street Car Association (PSCA) events during its run. The closure leaves only the Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, the 1/8-mile Irwindale Dragstrip, and the 1/8-mile Barona Drags as the only closed-course strips open to regular competition in a region populated by as many as 24 million people.