Irwindale Speedway & Event Center (ISEC) announced on Tuesday morning that the Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip will close following the 2024 racing season.
Since opening in 1998, Irwindale Speedway has hosted a variety of motorsports events, including short track racing, demolition derbies, street-legal drag racing, and Formula Drift events.
The venue has scheduled Irwindale Speedway’s Farewell Extravaganza for December 21.
“Fans can expect a full day of NASCAR short-track races, wild Night of Destruction events like Figure-8s and Trailer Races, a high-octane Drift Invitational, and the prestigious ARCA Menards Series West,” states the speedway’s release regarding the final event.
“Irwindale has been more than just a track—it’s been a home and gathering place for racing enthusiasts worldwide,” said Tim Huddleston, President of ISEC. “On behalf of my wife Lisa and our partners Bob and Maureen Bruncati, we extend heartfelt thanks to our fans, racers, sponsors, and the City of Irwindale for their unwavering support over the past 25 years. We’re grateful for every moment and memory we’ve shared as a community.”
Remaining events already on the 2024 schedule for Irwindale Speedway will continue as planned. Those include Thursday Night Thunders, a Night of Destruction on November 2, Nitro Revival on November 8-9 and SevenStock 26 on November 16.
The Irwindale Dragstrip’s final events will also be held in December, with a final Thursday Night Thunder on December 5 before the Mooneyes Christmas Party on December 7. The Mooneyes Christmas Party features drag racing, a classic car show, live entertainment and more.
Along with its local racing program, Irwindale Speedway has been a staple of NASCAR’s West Coast-based regional series since 1999. The track hosted an ARCA Menards Series West doubleheader in July, with Sean Hingorani winning both races.
Irwindale Speedway was also the home of the Toyota All-Star Showdown from 2003 to 2011. The offseason exhibition event drew the top NASCAR Regional Series competitors from across the country to compete in the event, with winners in the event including the likes of Joey Logano and David Gilliland.
The All-Star Showdown returned as an event for Super Late Models with the SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour Series in 2020. Jacob Gomes won the 2024 All-Star Showdown, which was postponed to May due to inclement weather.
Huddleston and Bruncati took over management of the facility in late 2017, giving the venue new life after it was believed the track would close following the 2017 season.
Tickets for the Farewell Extravaganza will be available for purchase beginning Friday, November 8, 2024.
For more information, event details, and ticket purchases, please visit IrwindaleSpeedway.com or follow Irwindale Speedway & Dragstrip on social media.
-Photo credit: Irwindale Speedway
