Community Cares Irwindale Speedway

Irwindale Speedway track PR, Doug Stokes, released a statement (Feb. 13, 2012 at 1:30pm): “The management of Irwindale Speedway today announced that the 2012 racing season has been cancelled.” Is that all there is? Really after over 12 years of involvement from the racing community, from ASA, NASCAR, USAC, Lucas Oil Modifieds, etc., etc. that is it? What has been repeatedly billed as the finest short track in the country and one of NASCAR’s chosen, the giant of the half-miles goes out with a whimper? No hint of the real who, what, where, why, when, how? I called the cell of the powers that be there at Irwindale. I got through alright, but I didn’t get a person, I got a, “To leave a voice message.” Do I blame anyone involved making a choice to avoid a probable inundation of phone calls? Not really. But racers have built cars for the track, made decisions, promised sponsors. No, Irwindale Speedway doesn’t owe them anything, they had no contracts signed, except maybe it does owe them more information. If this is it, be it a temporary or permanent closure, I want to thank all that made the Speedway possible and all that kept things going, for as long as they did, from the volunteers to the paid staff. The racing community had a lot of good times there. If this is it, it will be missed. The loss of this track, in addition to the loss of racing at Orange Show Speedway (San Bernardino, Calif.) in the same season, is a significant hit to racing not only in Southern California but in the West and racing as a whole.

Prayers and Support For Irwindale Speedway

• Racer
  If you stand behind a Jackass long enough youre bound to get kicked! Good Ridance now can we get on with someone who cares about the racers and not their kickbacks!
• An observer
  Well Rick and Joe, normally I would agree with you. Sometimes though, the truth hurts and just needs to be said. Had DeFazio cared to ever be honest with the racers, employees and probably Jim Williams, then we probably wouldn't be having this conversation to begin with. Now that they've filed for bankruptcy and ridded themselves of the poison that was killing the place, I think it's a fresh new start for the place and it will come back stronger than ever. And that will be thanks to the truth coming out about how NOT to do things as DeFazio has clearly shown us.
• Rick
  Everyone is a expert on why it shut down but I'll bet they were part of the problem in the first place. I for one got treated great every time we came there to race, crew or to just watch. I wouldn't kick dirt on the speedway just yet, they will get someone in there soon. NASCAR, USAC, and others know what that market is worth, it will be back sooner than later. Like Joe said, if you don't have something nice to say........you know the rest.
• Dave Reed
  From what I heard on Sirius radio this morning on Trading Paint with Rick Benjamin and Chocolate Myers is that they will be looking for a new promoter and the old one is out. Sounds like Agajanian is trying to promote a few races by years end as to not have the annual Turkey Bowl missed. I came in on the recap and they were saying possible bringing in dirt for AMA races and open wheel cars
• Dave Reed
  Sirius radio this morning on Trading Paint with Rick Benjamin and Chocolate Meyers reported something about Agajanian and a new promoter taking over at sometime to get the track back racing again not sure about the time frame, I missed most of the conversation just heard the recap a few minutes later
• Kaye Reshaw
  It's one of the nicest track the West Series goes to. It was always fun to watch all the different kinds of racing there.It was a very nice place to enjoy a Saturday night with your whole family. Very kids friendly which are future life-long fans. I hope it re-opens soon.
• George Parrino
  Let us hope that like the Phoenix, Irwindale rises from the ashes and becomes beautiful and strong again.
• ryansebek
  Sad to see no racing there. Hopefully somebody will change that soon. Such a great facility , just to be sitting there.
• Gene Price
  Too Bad,Could have been avoided. Someone was asleep at the wheel.
• Joe Nava
  I for one would like to thank the track and it's management for doing their best to keep the track running in this economically challenged environment. It's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback and point fingers at everyone but the fact of the matter is unless you walked in their shoes and saw what the big picture was financially you have no right to mouth off. You nay sayers, stay off the computer and listen to what my Mom taught me. "If you don't have anything good to say keep your mouth shut. I will always have good memories of what they did and how good they made us racers look to our fans. It's just sad that at this point it's all about money.
• craig rayburn
  This all sounds like another track that closed in 1995...... SAUGUS SPEEDWAY
• Michael Sprague
  Truly Very,Very,Very sad day!
• Another Fan
  We went to Disneyland several years ago and made a point of attending Turkey Night. We had a fantastic time and were completely impressed with the facility. We would have loved to have gone back for a Showdown but never made it. It is very sad to see today's announcement. I believe there must be more to the story. Hopefully someone can step up/in and bring the track back to life. It is to great to go to waste. Until then I guess we'll just watch the commercials and remember what once was.
• mike
  SAD Was there for the good like the first Tour race and later watching Frank Moronski Jr win a race. and was there for the Bad, John Baker. Like the man said I hope someone can come in and bring it back.
• Not Surprised
  Should we really surprised? There has never been any communication from the track with the exception of deceit and BS. From the beginning, the concept was stolen from another. Through the years, they never communicated any changes only to say that there wouldn't be any changes to rules and such, only to see major rule changes pop up unannouned in the rule book. No comments or pre-warning when division were yanked. No comments over the past six months that the rumors have been going on. So why in the heck would they shock us now with the truth?? They've been keeping everything underwraps trying to figure out how to squeeze every dollar out of the place, hence the removal of everything in a two day period. I say good riddance to the management and will pray someone will come in and revive it. At this point, Bernie Madoff would be a better choice than who they had in there! Just like with drug addicts, you have to hit rock bottom before you can recover. It took the last 4 or 5 years, but it's finally hit rock bottom. Here's hoping to a successful recovery!!
• Bud Budavari
  Like thousands of others as racers and fans, I have many memories over the past 12 seasons at Irwindale. I would like to thank all of those who helped me in my efforts in the #63 ASA Truck, for all the teams I worked with in all the different series I was lucky enough to be with. When I sat in the stands on opening night March 27, 1999, I had no idea I would someday be part of the racing family and get to live a dream. So, thank you everyone for so many wonderful memories.
• Alicia Rentz
  My family has wonderful memories of sitting way up high, behind the flag stand, from 2000 through 2004, watching some great racing. We now live in the Spokane, WA area and always find ourselves comparing local tracks to Irwindale. I'm so sorry you are closing, whether it's for one season or permanently.
• Otis
  The owner stood by as his manager ran the facility into the ground, Unbelievable. 5 Million people within a ten minute drive, Priceless. the best facilities on the west coast and management squandered the opportunity.

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