Kyle Busch Wins At Auto Club Speeday's Final NASCAR Cup Series Race

FONTANA, CA — On a day when rain and snow delayed start times, Kyle Busch won his 61st NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at the Pala Casino 400, the final NASCAR event at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.

Busch has won at least one NASCAR Cup race for the past 19 seasons in front of a sold-out crowd. Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez and Kevin Harvick were at his heels.

The close of Sunday's race heralded the end of NASCAR events at the Auto Club Speedway property in Fontana. There will be no NASCAR weekend event in 2024 at the Fontana location, and it is unclear if the proposed short-track course would be ready in 2026, according to a KTLA report. The sale announcement came amid Sunday's Pala Casino 400, which will be the last NASCAR event on that 2-mile track.

NASCAR has not yet commented on the sale, however, a document filed to the California Environmental Quality Act website indicates that the area that Hillwood was selling on behalf of NASCAR included 433 acres on the roughly 522-acre "Speedway Commerce Center" site.

Originally constructed by Roger Penske, the worn-out pavement has led to some of the best large-track racing in NASCAR in recent seasons," according to a report from NBC Sports. "Drivers can run anywhere from the apron to the wall to find grip, and the varying grooves and significant tire wear are a fun test for drivers."

Sports Business Journal reports that NASCAR is seeking "new revenue streams" and better ways to use the "huge amount of acreage it owns across the country." According to that report, the track will be reduced from two miles to a half-mile and modernized to appeal to a "broad demographic."

The intention was to build a smaller track at the site, however, no specific plans have yet been filed. The Auto Club Speedway President Dave Allen spoke on Southern California's support for NASCAR Racing and the beloved track.

"From our campers who lined up to park on Thursday to the fans who visited us at the box office this morning, we've seen nothing but an amazing show of support," Allen told the Speed Report. "We're grateful for the opportunity to provide them a day to remember at this 2-mile oval."