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The Irwindale Speedway & Event Center (informally "The House of Drift"[1] ) was a motorsports facility in Irwindale, California, United States. It operated from 1999 to 2024 with banked, paved 1⁄2- and 1⁄3-mile oval tracks and a 1⁄8-mile drag strip.

Key Information

It opened on March 27, 1999, as Irwindale Speedway. From 2008 until 2011, its official name was Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.[2]

The track was primarily used for NASCAR races such as ARCA Menards Series West and Whelen All-American Series events until 2011, when NASCAR dropped the track from its schedule. The company that managed the track, Irwindale Speedway LLC, filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy on February 13, 2012.[3]

In 2013, the track re-opened as the Irwindale Event Center, and hosted a Whelen All-American Series venue.[4] Starting around 2015, the Formula D Championship Series had sold out events at the venue. In 2015, plans were made to demolish Irwindale Speedway and build an outlet mall on the site of the track. On August 9, 2017, Team 211 Entertainment CEO Jim Cohan announced plans to stop operating the track in January 2018.[5] On December 29, 2017, track operations were taken over by Tim Huddleston, a former Irwindale Late Model driver and track champion, and K&N West team owner Bob Bruncatti.

On October 29, 2024, it was announced that the speedway and the drag-strip would close on December 21, 2024.[6]

History

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1999–2012

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Construction began in March 1998 on Irwindale's 6,500-seat grandstand and 1⁄2- and 1⁄3-mile ovals. Irwindale Speedway hoped to fill the void left in the Los Angeles Basin left by the closures of the famed Riverside International Raceway, Ontario Motor Speedway and Saugus Speedway. The $7-million project was completed March 1999 and held its inaugural races on March 27, 1999. However, during the first practice session for a sprint car race, driver Casey Diemert died of head and neck injuries after hitting the wall and flipping his car from turn 3 to turn 4.[7]

Irwindale Speedway as it was prepared for the 2006 Toyota All-Star Showdown

From 2003 to 2010, the main 1⁄2-mile oval hosted the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. In this event, the top 30 drivers in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and the top 40 drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series come from their respective regional tours to compete in a "best-of-the-best" race. The races were televised live on the Speed Channel. It was also the home of the Turkey Night Grand Prix race, a Thanksgiving midget car racing tradition in southern California since 1934, when the race debuted at Gilmore Stadium. Among the 2005 participants were Tony Stewart, Jason Leffler, and J. J. Yeley. It was also seen in an episode of Malcolm in the Middle, titled "Stock Car Races", also used in the opening scene of the pilot episode of Fastlane and in Episode 25 of Fear Factor Season 3.

In 2012, Irwindale Speedway LLC, the management group that ran the track, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on the same day track management canceled the 2012 racing season.

In the paperwork filed at the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District, it shows that Irwindale Speedway LLC owed creditors $331,773.11. The largest amount is $150,000 owed on a personal-injury claim.

Irwindale Speedway LLC owed Nu-Way Industries Inc., the company that owns the property where the track and offices are built, $55,000 in rent.

Irwindale Speedway LLC has two more outstanding personal injury claims with unknown values. There is also a debt of $8,093.51 owed to the city of Irwindale Police Department, $16,379.58 owed to the Golden State Water Company and $1,437.50 owed to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for advertising.

2013–2017

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In late 2012, Jim Cohan, who ran the LA Driving Experience at the track was able to secure funding to re-open the speedway under his management. In September 2013, the property housing the Irwindale Event Center was purchased by Irwindale Outlet Partners, LLC for $22 million. The lease for the Irwindale Event Center continued on a year-by-year basis. In March 2015, plans were made to demolish Irwindale Speedway and replace it with Irwindale Outlet Center, an outlet mall, but the closure has been delayed. The track is currently running the 2017 season.[8] On August 9, 2017, Cohan made an announcement in an e-mailed statement saying that the track was closing down officially in January 2018.[9]

2018–2024

[edit]
Jake Drew's No. 6 Irwindale Speedway sponsored car.

On December 29, 2017, it was announced that the track would not close in January 2018 as former Irwindale Late Model racer and track champion Tim Huddleston took over management of the speedway to have it remain open.[10][11] In February 2020 Irwindale's famous All-Star Showdown returned to the track following a ten-year hiatus. The track remained open without spectators during the COVID-19 pandemic founding its own streaming service IrwindaleSpeedway.tv operated by Low Budget TV. In June 2021 fans returned to the track. At the 2024 West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame 150, a post-race incident happened when Sean Hingorani was caught on the hot mic swearing at owner Tim Huddleston.[12]

Closing

[edit]

On October 29, 2024, Huddleston officially announced that the speedway and drag-strip track would permanently close on December 21, 2024.[13]

Drag strip

[edit]

The 1/8-mile drag racing strip opened on September 29, 2001. In 2003, in cooperation with local law enforcement, Irwindale Speedway opened its own dragstrip and hosts legal drag races for street-legal cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The dragstrip is proud to extinguish the "nowhere else to go" excuse used by illegal street racers, and local police often hand out flyers to offenders for free entry into drag races at the dragstrip to promote safe racing and has re-opened. The drag strip closed on December 21, 2024.[13]

The House of Drift

[edit]

The venue was also known for drifting events. It hosted D1 Grand Prix's first overseas event in 2003, drawing a sell-out crowd of 10,000, breaking the record of 8,700. It became the series regular opening round in February. It also hosted a non-championship event in December and has hosted events in the domestic Formula D series. The venue had been expanded to accommodate 15,000 spectators. The circuit was regarded as one of the most popular courses for crowds and drivers despite the unforgiving concrete wall which drivers usually brush through with their rear bumpers. Because of its popularity, the circuit was nicknamed the House of Drift.[citation needed]

Record

[edit]

The 2003 Guinness Book of World Records lists the fastest-ever top speed of a radio-controlled car as 111 mph (178.63 km/h) set by Cliff Lett of Associated Electrics. Lett, a Team Associated professional driver and one of the designers and developers of the aforementioned RC10, set the record with a heavily modified Associated RC10L3 touring car at Irwindale Speedway on January 13, 2001.

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Irwindale Event Center

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The Irwindale Event Center, commonly known as Irwindale Speedway, was a prominent motorsports facility located in , spanning 63 acres and featuring twin banked paved oval tracks, a , and seating for 6,000 spectators, with capacity for larger crowds including standing room. It operated from 1999 until its permanent closure on December 21, 2024, after 25 years of hosting a variety of racing events that made it a hub for automotive enthusiasts in the area. Opened in 1999 as part of an initiative to provide legal racing outlets and curb illegal in , the venue quickly became renowned for its state-of-the-art design, including progressive banking on the ovals and modern lighting for night events. The facility's main oval track measured a half-mile in length with compound banking ranging from 6 degrees on the inside line to 12 degrees on the outer line, while a smaller 1/3-mile oval offered additional racing configurations for shorter events. Complementing these were a 1/8-mile NHRA-sanctioned with a starting box and a half-mile run-out, which supported street-legal and test-and-tune sessions, and amenities like paved parking for over 3,000 vehicles, snack bars, and 12 corporate skybox suites. Irwindale hosted a diverse array of motorsports, including short-track races, events, demolition derbies, figure-eight , skid plate contests, and jet car exhibitions, drawing crowds for weekly programs like Thursday Night Thunder. It earned the nickname "House of Drift" after hosting the first major drifting competition in the United States in 2003, which helped popularize the sport nationwide and attracted international drivers. The , opened in 2001 in partnership with local , emphasized safe, regulated as an alternative to dangerous street takeovers. Ownership changed in 2022 when IDS Real Estate Group acquired the property, but the lease expired in 2024, leading to the facility's closure and planned redevelopment into an industrial and commercial park, approved by the City of Irwindale and led by IDS Real Estate Group. As of 2025, demolition has begun on the site, which is being redeveloped as Pitstop Irwindale, a mixed-use project including industrial spaces, retail, and battery energy storage facilities; the facility's motorsports assets and events have transitioned to Kern Raceway to continue the legacy. The final event on , 2024, featured a farewell extravaganza with races, drifting, and ARCA events, marking an emotional end to a venue that fostered a tight-knit community and preserved traditions in an urbanizing region.

History

Founding and early operations (1999–2012)

The Irwindale Speedway was established on a 63-acre site in , with construction beginning in 1997 on reclaimed quarry land near the 605 and 210 freeways. The facility opened to the public on March 27, 1999, as a dedicated motorsports venue featuring twin paved asphalt tracks designed for . Initially, it included a 1/2-mile outer with progressive banking ranging from 6° to 12° in the corners and a concentric 1/3-mile inner , both engineered to accommodate high-speed racing while providing spectator views from grandstands seating up to 6,000. From its inception, the speedway quickly became a hub for sanctioned racing events in . The first -sanctioned race occurred on June 19, 1999, as part of the NASCAR Southwest Series (now ), marking the venue's integration into national motorsports circuits. In 2001 and 2002, it hosted events from the ASA National Tour, including the Tires.com 300 on March 10, 2001, won by Gary St. Amant, and the Tire Rack.com 300 on April 7, 2002. The 1/8-mile drag strip opened on September 29, 2001, expanding the facility's offerings with its inaugural major event, a Cops vs. Celebrities charity race on October 18, followed by weekly street-legal sessions starting October 20. Operational growth continued through the mid-2000s, with the speedway securing annual races, such as the 200-lap event on the 1/2-mile that drew regional competitors and helped establish it as a key West Coast venue. From 2006 to 2010, it hosted the Toyota All-Star Showdown, an invitational Super Late Model event that showcased emerging talent like in 2010, boosting attendance and media coverage. These milestones reflected steady financial progress, with the facility supporting diverse racing formats and community engagement. Challenges emerged by early 2012, culminating in the filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy by Irwindale Speedway LLC on February 13, with reported debts totaling $331,773.11 to various creditors, including claims. This led to the cancellation of the 2012 racing schedule and a temporary shutdown of operations, ending the initial phase of the venue's history.

Reorganization and operational challenges (2013–2017)

Following the Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing by Irwindale Speedway LLC on February 13, 2012, which stemmed from financial difficulties after the 2011 season, the facility was acquired by Lindom Properties in 2013 and reopened under new management. The venue was rebranded as the Irwindale Event Center to emphasize its expanded role beyond motorsports, incorporating a wider array of public and private events such as concerts and corporate gatherings to diversify revenue streams amid ongoing economic pressures. Operational challenges persisted due to frequent ownership transitions and tense negotiations over leases with the City of Irwindale and commercial developers. Lindom Properties, which had purchased the 63-acre site with initial plans for a large outlet mall, faced delays in redevelopment, leading to extended but precarious lease agreements that tied the track's future to securing retail tenants. These issues were compounded by disputes over property use permits, as the city balanced goals with the venue's conditional operating rights, resulting in intermittent threats of eviction and operational uncertainty through much of the period. To stabilize attendance and income, the Event Center pursued diversification into non-traditional motorsports events, including the hosting of the Global RallyCross Championship round as part of the in August 2013, which drew significant crowds to the facility's adaptable layout. Demolition derbies were introduced as regular attractions starting in early 2013, such as the opening night event on April 6 and the Night of Destruction series in October, appealing to families and providing low-cost spectacle racing. Complementing these, the Thursday Night Thunder drag racing series emerged as a core weekly program at the dragstrip, offering open access for street-legal vehicles and burnouts from spring onward, fostering grassroots participation and becoming a reliable draw through the mid-2010s. Closure threats intensified in March 2015 when the Irwindale City Council approved plans by landowner Irwindale Outlets Partners LLC to construct a 700,000-square-foot outlet mall, with operations slated to end after the December 2015 season unless retail commitments were met. This deadline was postponed through community advocacy, sponsor interventions, and revised lease terms allowing continuation until at least 65% mall tenancy, but instability culminated in a January 2018 shutdown announcement in late 2017, highlighting the venue's precarious survival amid redevelopment pressures.

Final years under new management (2018–2024)

In late 2017, Irwindale Speedway faced an impending closure for the 2018 season due to operational and financial difficulties, but a last-minute agreement on reversed this decision. The new , led by racer and track champion Tim Huddleston in partnership with Justice Brothers, assumed operations, securing a extension and committing to revitalize the facility. This stabilized the venue, allowing it to continue hosting diverse motorsport events without immediate shutdown threats. Under Huddleston's leadership, the track revived several prominent racing series, marking a period of relative operational consistency. The All-Star Showdown, originally the All-Star Showdown from 2003 to 2011, returned in February 2020 as a multi-division event, running annually through 2024 and drawing competitors from across the U.S. Similarly, the maintained its presence with regular races, including doubleheaders in 2023 and 2024, contributing to the track's role in regional stock car development. These revivals helped sustain programming amid evolving challenges. The era also featured high-profile events that boosted attendance and visibility, particularly the annual Turkey Night Grand Prix midget car race on , which consistently drew large crowds as one of the nation's oldest midget events. Drifting competitions under expanded during this time, with Irwindale hosting the season finale each year from 2018 to 2024, attracting international drivers and spectators to the dedicated drift arena. These gatherings underscored the venue's enduring appeal as a multifaceted hub. The disrupted operations in 2020, leading to temporary shutdowns and the cancellation of spectator access for much of the year, though limited resumed without crowds or with reduced capacity under protocols. Adaptations included forgoing competitor purses to cut costs and prioritizing safety measures for essential events. Despite these hurdles, the track adapted to host key races, demonstrating resilience before returning to fuller operations in subsequent years. On October 29, 2024, Huddleston announced the permanent closure of Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip at the end of the season, citing the expiration of the ground lease and mounting development pressures from the City of Irwindale's plans for . Final events, including a Farewell Extravaganza on , were scheduled to conclude 25 years of operations, allowing one last celebration of the facility's legacy.

Closure and redevelopment (2024–present)

The Irwindale Speedway & Dragstrip concluded its operations with the Farewell Extravaganza on December 21, 2024, marking the venue's final day of activity as a motorsports facility. This event included the last official drag races on the quarter-mile strip and ceremonial laps around the oval track, drawing crowds for a nostalgic send-off after 25 years of hosting races and events. The closure stemmed from the property's sale to IDS Real Estate Group in 2022, coupled with escalating land values in the that favored industrial development over recreational use. Operators faced the expiration of their agreement with the new owners, who prioritized repurposing the 63-acre site for commercial purposes, leading to the decision to cease all activities at the end of the 2024 season. In response, the venue's assets, including equipment and select events, were transitioned to Harvick's Kern Raceway in Bakersfield to sustain some of the local legacy into 2025. Demolition of the facility began in early 2025, with dismantling the grandstands, drag strip, and oval track structures starting in February. By July 2025, the site had been fully cleared of infrastructure, preparing the land for new construction as part of the Speedway Commerce Center project. Redevelopment plans for the 63-acre site were formally announced in August 2025, outlining a featuring industrial warehouses, retail outlets, and facilities to support logistics and business growth in the region. The project, known as Pitstop Irwindale, emphasizes modern commercial spaces with no provisions for reviving motorsports activities on the premises. Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2025 and complete in May 2027. Community efforts to preserve the venue intensified in spring 2025, including online petitions and proposals for alternative ownership to maintain it as a site, but these initiatives failed to alter the development set by the property owners and the City of Irwindale.

Facilities

Oval tracks

The Irwindale Event Center featured two primary tracks designed for high-speed circuit : a 1/2-mile (0.80 km) asphalt and a 1/3-mile (0.53 km) asphalt . Both tracks incorporated progressive banking in the corners, ranging from 6 degrees on the inside line to 9 degrees midway and 12 degrees on the outer line, which facilitated higher speeds and more dynamic racing lines without excessive tire wear. These design elements, including the steep banking, enabled the venue to host intense oval racing while maintaining safety standards for short-track events. The facility included grandstands with a capacity of 6,500 spectators, providing clear views of both ovals, and integrated seamlessly with adjacent paved and lighted pit areas located outside the track perimeter for efficient team operations. Following a closure due to in 2012, the tracks reopened in 2013 under new management, with ongoing maintenance ensuring the asphalt surfaces remained suitable for competition throughout operations until 2024. The ovals were dedicated to stock car, , and , with layouts distinct from the venue's other facilities to avoid interference during events.

Drag strip

The drag strip at Irwindale Event Center was a dedicated 1/8-mile (660-foot) straight asphalt track designed for high-acceleration , featuring a starting box for precise launches and an extensive 1/2-mile run-out area to ensure safe deceleration after runs. It opened on September 29, 2001, complementing the venue's facilities by providing a linear surface integrated into the site's multi-use layout. Staging lanes allowed for organized vehicle preparation and queuing, supporting efficient event flow for both and competitive participants. Equipped with electronic timing systems that measured increments such as 60-foot, 330-foot, and full 1/8-mile elapsed times and speeds, the strip enabled accurate performance tracking essential for competitive formats. It accommodated various racing styles, including heads-up classes where competitors raced on equal terms without handicaps and bracket racing that emphasized dial-in predictions for close finishes. As an NHRA-sanctioned facility, it adhered to professional standards for consistency and reliability in race outcomes. Safety was prioritized through NHRA-compliant infrastructure, including reinforced barriers along the track edges, catch nets at key points to contain errant vehicles, and mandatory inspections for participants to mitigate risks during high-speed runs. The strip's design facilitated controlled environments for both professional events and public sessions, with the asphalt surface maintained to provide uniform traction. Operationally, the drag strip hosted weekly Thursday Night Thunder sessions starting in 2001, with operations resuming in 2013 following a closure due to , serving as a staple for street-legal drag nights open to cars, trucks, and motorcycles that passed basic safety checks. These events ran from early evening to late night, fostering an accessible entry point for racers while upholding NHRA guidelines for muffled vehicles and licensed drivers.

Drift arena

The Drift Arena at the Irwindale Event Center, widely recognized as the "House of Drift," was developed in 2003 when the facility hosted the inaugural USA event, establishing it as the pioneering venue for professional drifting competitions in . This marked a significant milestone in the sport's growth in the United States, transforming the speedway's infrastructure into a dedicated space for sideways sliding maneuvers and battles. The arena's design capitalized on the existing oval tracks, adapting them into a specialized drifting zone that emphasized skill and precision over straight-line speed. The layout consisted of a versatile, outdoor course spanning the infield and banking of the 1/2-mile oval track, featuring a surface with dynamic setups including high-speed entry sweeps, extended straights for , tight inner loops, and modular barriers lined with walls for and impact absorption. This configuration allowed for customizable arrangements, enabling organizers to alter corner radii and clipping zones to challenge drivers during both solo practice runs and competitive tandem sessions. The course's banking provided natural elevation changes, promoting sustained slides and high-angle drifts, while the surrounding barriers ensured containment of vehicles during intense maneuvers. Key features included advanced lighting systems installed to facilitate nighttime events, enhancing visibility for drivers and crowds alike, and integrated spectator grandstands accommodating up to 6,000 fans with clear views of the action. The arena's adaptability extended to its role in series, where it served as the traditional season finale site, supporting professional standards for judging style, speed, and line execution. Maintenance efforts focused on preserving the skidpad's integrity against heavy tire wear, with periodic resurfacing to maintain grip and smoothness essential for consistent performance. Following the closure in December 2024, the facilities were demolished beginning in February 2025 as part of redevelopment plans into an industrial and commercial park.

Events and competitions

Stock car and oval track racing

Irwindale Speedway served as a prominent venue for stock car and oval track racing, hosting national series events and local competitions on its banking oval tracks from 1999 until its closure in 2024. The facility established a strong affiliation with NASCAR-sanctioned series, particularly the ARCA Menards Series West, which contested races there from 1999 to 2024 (with some years skipped), contributing to the track's reputation as a testing ground for emerging talent in regional stock car racing. The inaugural event at the track, the Irwindale 250 presented by Jan's Towing on June 19, 1999, marked the first NASCAR-sanctioned win in the venue's history, with Steve Portenga passing Bill Sedgwick on the final lap to secure victory in a 250-lap race on the half-mile oval. This race set the tone for Irwindale's role in the series, hosting multiple events in some seasons, including doubleheaders in as races five and six of the schedule. Another highlight was the All-Star Showdown, an invitational super event that drew top regional and national drivers, held from 2006 to 2010 and revived from 2020 to 2024 under the Spears SRL Southwest Tour. Notable winners included Derek Thorn in the 2020 return event and Preston Peltier in 2021, with the 2020s editions achieving some of the highest attendance figures for the series at the track, exceeding 5,000 spectators in 2023. The track also hosted the ASA National Tour for its only two appearances on the West Coast in 2001 and 2002, with Gary St. Amant winning the Tires.com 300 in 2001 and Joey Clanton taking the 300 in 2002, both 300-lap features that showcased the series' national touring stock cars against regional competition. Complementing these major events were USAC car races, including the Turkey Night Grand Prix, a prestigious Thanksgiving weekend tradition held at Irwindale from 1999 to 2011, drawing elite drivers for a 100-lap main event as the season finale for USAC National and Western Midgets. In addition to marquee series, Irwindale maintained a consistent schedule of weekly Saturday night racing programs featuring stock car divisions such as super late models, INEX Legends cars, and Bandits, providing accessible competition for local drivers and fostering grassroots oval track development throughout the venue's 25-year history.

Drag racing

The drag racing program at Irwindale Event Center centered on its 1/8-mile NHRA-sanctioned strip, which facilitated a range of competitions from grassroots to semi-professional levels between 2001 and 2024. The venue hosted core series including NHRA Division 7 events, particularly in the junior dragster category, where young competitors raced half-scale vehicles in structured championships. Street Legal Drags emerged as a staple, enabling everyday drivers with licensed, unmodified vehicles to compete legally against street takeovers, drawing thousands weekly and emphasizing safety in cooperation with local law enforcement. Complementing these were Import Face-Off gatherings, which showcased tuned import cars in drag races and car shows, attracting enthusiasts with events like the 2023 edition that featured eliminations and dyno competitions. Signature events included Thursday Night Thunder, a weekly bracket racing series that ran from 2001 through 2024, offering test-and-tune sessions and open racing for participants with vehicles capable of passing basic tech inspections. In professional classes during these nights, top elapsed times reached the low six-second range over the 1/8-mile distance, highlighting the strip's capability for high-performance runs while prioritizing bracket-style handicapping for fairness. The series fostered a atmosphere, with gates opening at 4 p.m. for tech and racing from 5 to 10 p.m., accommodating everything from daily drivers to modified racers. Notable moments included the venue's early adoption of NHRA-sanctioned in 2003, marking its integration into the national framework with the first major divisional meets that boosted local participation. In the 2020s, the rising popularity of drags added a modern dimension, with Tesla models and other EVs competing alongside traditional powertrains, as seen in group events and the final 2024 races that featured diverse electric entries. Participant diversity spanned amateurs testing personal vehicles to professionals chasing series points, with a strong emphasis on youth involvement through junior drags for ages 5 to 17 under NHRA guidelines. These programs, including Division 7 junior championships, provided safe, supervised racing in half-scale dragsters, culminating in events like the 2024 series finale at Irwindale that awarded regional titles. This inclusivity helped sustain drag racing's appeal across generations until the venue's closure.

Drifting events

The drifting events at Irwindale Event Center began with and pro-am competitions in 2002, organized by groups like Club 4AG and Drift Showoff, marking the introduction of professional-level drifting to the . These early sessions featured tandem-style battles where drivers followed a lead car through a judged course, emphasizing controlled slides and proximity, and drew initial crowds of drift enthusiasts eager to see Japanese-style techniques adapted to the venue's dedicated drift arena. The center gained prominence as the host of the inaugural United States D1 Grand Prix event in 2003, the first professional international drifting competition on American soil, which attracted over 10,000 spectators and showcased Japanese drivers like Katsuhiro Ueo, who won in a Corolla by excelling in tandem duels judged on precision and execution. From 2004 onward, Irwindale became a cornerstone venue for , the premier U.S. professional drifting series, hosting annual rounds and serving as the site for 21 championship finals through 2024. Hübinette claimed the inaugural title in 2004 at Irwindale, driving a and setting a benchmark for American drivers with his aggressive style in the series' debut season. Formula Drift events at Irwindale followed a standardized format of qualifying runs scored on line (adherence to the ideal path, up to 60 points), angle (drift severity, up to 20 points), and style/speed (fluidity and velocity, up to 20 points), culminating in bracket-style tandem battles where drivers alternated lead and chase roles to mimic and outmaneuver opponents. This judging system prioritized skill demonstration over raw speed, allowing diverse vehicles—from rear-wheel-drive to high-horsepower Vipers—to compete on equal footing within the arena's banked turns and technical sections. The venue's drifting scene experienced significant growth, with the first pro-am events in evolving into packed professional series by the , where rounds regularly sold out the 15,000-capacity facility and drew record crowds, underscoring Irwindale's role as the "House of Drift." These milestones included consistent annual attendance peaks exceeding 10,000 in the mid-2000s, rising to full capacity during high-stakes finals like the and 2012 events. Irwindale's drifting events played a pivotal role in popularizing the sport in the U.S., bridging practice sessions—open to amateur drivers honing basics like and clipping points—with elite competitions that introduced audiences to drifting's cultural roots from Japanese touge racing. By hosting both, the center fostered a vibrant , inspiring a surge in domestic talent and vehicle modifications that sustained drifting's growth nationwide through 2024.

Other motorsport and entertainment events

In addition to its core racing disciplines, the Irwindale Event Center hosted a variety of supplementary spectacles, including annual derbies as part of the Night of Destruction series from the early 2000s through 2024. These events showcased controlled vehicle collisions, figure-8 races, and destructive formats like the Derby Divas competition on the oval track's infield, drawing crowds for their high-energy chaos and family-friendly appeal. The venue also accommodated rallycross and off-road events, most notably hosting the inaugural Global Rallycross Championship round in March 2011, where competitors navigated a hybrid course of paved asphalt and temporary dirt jumps integrated into the facility's layout. Additional activity occurred in 2013 as part of the series' schedule, emphasizing short, intense heats with all-wheel-drive vehicles from manufacturers like Ford and Subaru. For entertainment purposes, the center functioned as a multifaceted venue during off-seasons, hosting concerts through its dedicated series featuring live performers in an open-air setting. It served as a filming location for Hollywood productions, including flashback racing scenes in Fast & Furious 9 (2019), where the oval track was rebranded as Baldwin Speedway. Annual holiday light displays, such as the Santa's Speedway Christmas Lights drive-thru launched in 2020, transformed the grounds into a festive attraction with illuminated tunnels and themed setups along the track perimeter, running nightly through the winter months. Special programs at Irwindale emphasized youth engagement through junior racing academies, including the Spec Junior Late Model series for drivers aged 12 to 16, which provided supervised training and competition on the 1/3-mile oval starting in 2023. The facility also ran junior dragster programs for ages 6 to 17, fostering skills development via on the drag strip under mentorship from experienced staff. Community autocross days rounded out these initiatives, offering accessible, non-competitive driving experiences for local participants on adapted sections of the venue to build interest in motorsports.

Legacy

Notable records and achievements

One of the most notable records set at the Irwindale Event Center occurred on its drag strip, where designer and racer Cliff Lett achieved the for the fastest RC car speed at 111 mph (179 km/h) on January 13, 2001. The venue earned its reputation as the "House of Drift" by hosting the first large-scale professional drifting competition in the United States in 2003, with the USA event marking a milestone in bringing the Japanese to American audiences. This purpose-built configuration of the oval tracks facilitated early adoption of drifting, leading to sell-out crowds such as the 10,000 attendees at the inaugural D1 event. In , Irwindale has been a key site for the , where local driver secured multiple victories, including two on the half-mile oval before the venue's closure in 2024, contributing to his overall success.

Community impact and transition

The Irwindale Event Center played a significant role in bolstering the local economy of the by generating tax revenue for the city of Irwindale through its events and operations over 25 years. It supported numerous jobs in motorsports, event staffing, and related services, while drawing tourists and enthusiasts from across to contribute to regional commerce via attendance at races, drag events, and entertainment gatherings. As a cornerstone of Southern California's racing culture, the venue fostered a vibrant community of racers, fans, and families, serving as a hub for grassroots motorsports and car enthusiasm since 1999. Known informally as the "House of Drift," it hosted high-profile series like Formula Drift and NASCAR, inspiring media portrayals in films such as Fast & Furious 9 (2019) and promoting youth involvement in safe, structured racing activities that built skills and camaraderie. The announcement of the center's closure at the end of 2024 elicited widespread community backlash, including online petitions urging preservation of the site for its cultural and historical value, with one effort launched in November 2024 garnering hundreds of signatures emphasizing its role in preventing illegal and supporting local bonds. Farewell events underscored the emotional outpouring, as the final night on December 5 drew over 5,000 attendees, and the December 21 extravaganza saw long lines of fans and racers sharing tributes, with drivers like calling it an "epic" place that shaped their careers and families lamenting the loss of a cherished tradition. Following the closure, the venue's traditions transitioned to other facilities to sustain Southern California's motorsports scene, with key events and assets relocating to Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, including the race held on June 14, 2025. Similarly, , a staple series at Irwindale, shifted its 2025 finale to a new configuration at the Long Beach street circuit dubbed the Shoreline Showdown, while incorporating venues like Utah Motorsports Campus (now Burt Brothers Motorpark) for earlier rounds in the PRO championship. Demolition of the facility began in February 2025, and as of November 2025, the 63-acre site is being redeveloped into the Speedway Commerce Center, a mixed-use industrial and commercial park.

References

  1. https://abc7.com/post/racers-bid-farewell-irwindale-speedway-dragstrip-after-25-years-business/15693379/
  2. https://irwindalespeedway.com/track-info/
  3. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-10-30/irwindale-speedway-the-home-of-drag-and-nascar-races-will-close-this-year
  4. https://www.arcaracing.com/2023/03/27/irwindale-speedway-track-profile/
  5. https://irwindalespeedway.com/2023-thursday-night-thunder-info/
  6. https://www.sgvtribune.com/2024/10/29/irwindale-speedway-to-close-after-25-years/
  7. https://pitstopirwindale.com/
  8. https://pitstopirwindale.com/history/
  9. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-03/irwindale-speedway-sold-city-plans-demolition-industrial-space
  10. https://www.dailynews.com/2012/04/14/motorsports-irwindale-speedway-to-re-open-april-26/
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