NASCAR has been present in Southern California for a long time as Auto Club Speedway debuted in 1997. However, Auto Club was recently closed following the 2023 event, and demolition began in October last year. With the Busch Light Clash unlikely to return to Los Angeles, what does this mean for NASCAR’s presence in Southern California?
According to The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi, it is looking “increasingly likely” that NASCAR won’t be racing in Southern California next season. There is no timetable for turning Auto Club into a short track, and the other options, such as Dodger Stadium and Long Beach, are not looking viable, per Bianchi.
This would disappoint NASCAR fans in Southern California, but it doesn’t mean the sport is giving up. Even if NASCAR can’t bring a race to Southern California in 2025, there will be time to figure it out for 2026. Unless something changes before NASCAR hopefully announces the 2025 calendar in May, Southern California could be looking in from the outside.
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