According to journalist Kelly Crandall NASCAR has hit the pause button on its plans to build a short track on the grounds of the former Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
The project, known as Next Gen California, included a plan to build a half-mile short track. Only a few suites, grandstands and pit road remain at the speedway site, where redevelopment began after NASCAR staged its last race there in February 2023 (pictured above). But the work has been slow-going, with NASCAR acknowledging cost concerns about it, although it remained adamant the plan was to still build a racetrack. This week on NASCAR’s official podcast, Hauler Talk, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps indicated the status of the project remains uncertain.
“That market … is an important market for us,” he said. “What the future of that particular facility is, I’m still unsure. Would I like to build a new facility at Fontana? I would. It would be a short track because we don’t have room for anything else, frankly.”
NASCAR sold 433 of the 522-acre site for a reported $544 million. It did not take long before warehouses and an industrial park were built on the land.
A rendering of the planned short track leaked 2020 incorporated the original pit road and the frontstretch grandstands. New buildings now occupy the space that used to be Turns 1 and 2. The rest of the track is also gone aside from the frontstretch and pit road.
“Do I think creating a short track out there would be a cool thing for us? Yes,” Phelps continued. “With that said, it’s $300 million to build that facility. Is that the best use of that money? That is the big question. The cost of capital right now is still really high, so for us to just press pause right now is essentially what we’re doing.
“But, yeah, I’d love to build a facility out there. When that is going to happen or if that is going to happen, I don’t have a timeline.”
Fontana hosted NASCAR racing from 1997 through 2023, and all three national series contested races there, although the Craftsman Truck Series only ran at the track until 2009.
Sonoma Raceway is the only presence NASCAR currently has in California. The Clash, which was run at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum for three years, moved to Bowman Gray Stadium this season.
PASS is happy to announce a new sponsor for the series for 2025, BrokersRealty.com has stepped up to offer a $100 prize at each race for the Driver Spotlight! Each race we will get a fan involved in selecting the Driver Spotlight recipient in a random draw from preregistered drivers. The driver will receive the $100 directly from BrokersRealty.com, and the fan also will receive a prize.
BrokersRealty.com is an independent provider of residential and commercial real estate services and property management with offices in Coal Township, Lewisberry, York, Harrisburg, Duncannon, Stroudsburg, Scranton, and Macon, Georgia. Buy, sell, or trade, and be assured of the best and most honest service to every client.
“We would like to thank Jesse Storm and BrokersRealty.com for coming up with this innovative way to reward our drivers and get fans involved,” said River Valley Builders PASS Director Rod Ort. “It was Jesse’s idea to try and do something to connect with the fans, and we’re really excited to start this Driver Spotlight program with BrokersRealty.com.”
Jesse Storm has a long personal and family history with racing in the area, particularly at Trail-Way Speedway. He currently is involved with the PASS teams of Kenny Heffner and A.J. Barton.
Another bonus is that with any rainout the $100 will roll to the next event and BrokersRealy.com will pick another unclaimed contingency prize. With Sarurdays rainout Jesse will be putting the $100 to heat winners at the next Port event!
PASS is sponsored by River Valley Builders the region’s premier modular home builder. River Valley Builders is pleased to serve homeowners in a variety of areas within central Pennsylvania and the region’s beautiful Susquehanna Valley as well as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont
A star-studded, four-day NASCAR All-Star Race Week of show-stopping entertainment and wheel-to-wheel excitement will descend on North Wilkesboro Speedway May 15-18, giving fans the most on-track, event-week action in the iconic speedway’s history — as well as the 40-year history of the All-Star event.
The grand finale of race week is the 41st running of the NASCAR All-Star Race, a no-holds-barred battle for $1 million on Sunday night, May 18, but race fans will get plenty of fender-bumping short-track racing Thursday, Friday and Saturday preceding Sunday’s main event.
Thursday’s schedule includes qualifying for both the zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model and zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series as well as The Reverend Whiskey 75 zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model feature.
NASCAR All-Star Open and Race practice sessions kick off All-Star Friday presented by Raymer Oil on May 16, with the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear – a race against the clock for drivers and crews to set the Heat Race fields – and a Friday-nightzMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car nightcap taking the spotlight. For the first time, a nationwide cable television audience will witness the zMAX CARS Tour’s eclectic mix of household names and rising stars, with FS1 broadcasting the race live Friday night. NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. will join fellow zMAX CARS Tour co-owner and NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick in the announcers’ booth for what is sure to be the preeminent event on the zMAX CARS Tour schedule.
The weekend lineup starts Saturday, May 17, with Window World 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice, qualifying and race followed by All-Star Heat Races and a post-race Jake Owen concert on the infield frontstretch presented by Raymer Oil.
Sunday begins with a new addition to All-Star weekend, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. NWMT practice, qualifying and a 150-lap feature will be followed by the high-octane All-Star Open, where the top two finishers transfer into the main event—the NASCAR All-Star Race under the lights.
“There’s never been an All-Star Race Week like this, with more racing and entertainment than at any other time in the history of the event,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “From grassroot stocks and modifieds to NASCAR trucks, Cup cars and a concert, NASCAR All-Star Race Week is jam-packed with four days of fun to satisfy any race fan who joins us in the beautiful mountains surrounding North Wilkesboro Speedway.”
Joey Logano won last year’s NASCAR All-Star Race – the second such victory of his career – before going on to capture his third NASCAR Cup Series championship in November. The unforgettable weekend also featured an on-track collision between Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. that led to a post-race, off-track donnybrook in the garage area.
Race fans can experience everything on the four-day schedule at North Wilkesboro’s historic five-eighths-mile oval by locking in race week ticket packages that start at just $130 and include access to the Jake Owen concert presented by Raymer Oil. Fans can buy race week packages, single-day tickets, camping and more by visiting www.northwilkesborospeedway.com.
“This is going to be an exciting and entertaining weekend of racing at North Wilkesboro,” said zMAX CARS Tour co-owner Earnhardt Jr. “With the Pro Late Models running Thursday night on Flo (Racing) and Late Model Stocks Friday night on FS1 and Flo, it’s going to be great time. I’m very proud about how much the series has grown and this is an incredible opportunity for our drivers and teams to showcase themselves. Kevin (Harvick) and I are going to have a lot of fun calling that race from the booth on Friday.”
THURSDAY, MAY 15:
zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model Qualifying
zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Qualifying
The Reverend Whiskey 75 Pro Late Model Feature (75 laps)
FRIDAY, MAY 16:
NASCAR All-Star Race and Open Practice
NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear
zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Feature (100 laps)
SATURDAY, MAY 17:
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Practice, Qualifying and Window World 250 Race
NASCAR All-Star Heat Races
Jake Owen Fronstretch Concert presented by Raymer Oil
SUNDAY, MAY 18:
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Practice, Qualifying and Feature (150 laps)
NASCAR All-Star Open
NASCAR All-Star Race
— North Wilkesboro Speedway
Amazon’s Prime Video will serve as presenting sponsor of Kyle Larson’s May 25 attempt to complete two of auto racing’s crown jewel events in a single day and will produce a feature-length documentary chronicling his two-year journey to pull off the feat.
For the second straight year, Larson will attempt to take on 1,100 miles of racing – dubbed the #Hendrick1100 presented by Prime Video – starting with the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and concluding with NASCAR’s longest event, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Memorial Day weekend effort will feature Prime Video branding on both of Larson’s race cars: the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet fielded by the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team and the No. 5 HendrickCars.comChevrolet stock car of Hendrick Motorsports.
In addition to its sponsorship, Prime Video has greenlit a feature-length documentary chronicling Larson’s quest to complete the two marquee races on the same day. Filming for the untitled project began in October 2023 and will encompass the driver’s pursuits in both 2024 and 2025. Slated to launch next year on Prime Video, the documentary is being directed by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Cynthia Hill. It is produced by Hill’s Markay Media, Imagine Documentaries and Hendrick Motorsports, in association with NASCAR Studios and Penske Entertainment.
“Kyle’s double attempt is one of the most exciting storylines in all of sports, and we’re thrilled to be part of it,” said Stacey Rosenson, Head of U.S. Sports Marketing, Prime Video. “As we prepare to broadcast our first NASCAR Cup Series race with the Coca-Cola 600, having this kind of historic moment unfold live on Prime Video – and capturing it in a documentary film – is a truly unique opportunity. We’re looking forward to sponsoring Kyle’s effort and taking fans inside the intensity and emotion that go with it.”
Prime Video, which recently joined Hendrick Motorsports as a sponsor of Chase Elliott’s No. 9 team, is expanding its presence ahead of becoming NASCAR’s first fully direct-to-consumer media partner. The platform will exclusively stream five NASCAR Cup Series races in 2025, kicking off with the Coca-Cola 600, and will provide practice and qualifying coverage for most of the season’s first half.
“We’re proud to grow our relationship with Prime Video,” said Rick Hendrick, the owner of Hendrick Motorsports who will again co-own Larson’s Indianapolis 500 entry with Arrow McLaren. “They’ve made a bold commitment to our sport, and this is a powerful way to promote their platform across two of the most iconic events in racing. We’re excited to welcome Prime Video to the effort, showcase their brand on such a big stage and collaborate on what will be an incredible documentary project. The film is going to show Kyle like people have never seen him – his preparation, his mindset and what it takes to pursue such a daunting challenge.”
Larson, 32, earned Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 after an impressive debut that included a record-setting qualifying performance. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion became just the fifth driver to attempt the Indianapolis-Charlotte double and will be only the third to try it more than once, joining Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon. Last season, he led the Cup Series with six points-paying race wins and currently ranks second in the 2025 points standings.
“Last year gave us a great foundation, and now we get to build on it,” Larson said. “I’m excited to come back stronger in 2025 and give it everything we’ve got to finish all 1,100 miles. Having Prime Video on board – especially with them streaming the 600 and documenting my whole experience – is pretty special. May is going to be a crazy month, and I’m ready to get after it.”
The lead investors behind North America’s foremost motorsports news and information source RACER announced today that they have acquired MAVTV and will rename the TV network – that’s available on 350 million devices – RACER to create the most followed and diverse motorsports media platform in North America.
“We have been partners for many years and over time the parties realized this made complete sense,” said RACER Chairman of the Board Chris Dyson. “The combination makes RACER the central multi-media motorsports hub for fans and provides brands with the most comprehensive array of marketing solutions to activate their involvement in the sport and its adjacent sectors.”
CJ Olivares, president of MAVTV and former executive of FUEL TV, Street League Skateboarding and World Surf League, will continue overseeing the network’s expansion and will lead the brand transition of the network.
The combination will provide the Irvine-based RACER brand with a substantial additional base of operations in another of the United States’ motorsports and automotive centers, Indianapolis, where MAVTV is located. The company expects no changes to staffing or operations, ensuring continuity in operations and production.
“This is an exciting day for motorsports media,” said Olivares. “We are deeply grateful to the Lucas family and Lucas Oil Products, whose support and vision shaped MAVTV into the success it is today. Now, under the RACER banner, we will redefine the way content for motorsports and its adjacent sectors is delivered and experienced, and establish the largest, most comprehensive motorsports media platform in North America.”
The TV network and recently launched APP will combine to broadcast 300+ live races in 2025, along with race highlight shows, racing talk shows and additional racing programming, car collecting auction and build shows, automotive documentaries and lifestyle series, which aligns with RACER’s expansion into the motorsports adjacent sectors of performance automotive, car culture, car collecting and off-road.
“Since we completed our capital raise last September, our business, our content offering, our marketing solutions and our team have evolved rapidly. Additional signals of our change and our future are literally days away, and we can’t wait to share those with the marketplace, as well,” added RACER founder and Chief Executive Officer Paul Pfanner. “This acquisition fortifies two of the four strategic pillars we’re pursuing as a brand, pillars we call ‘follow’ and ‘market’, which relate to amassing the largest motorsports following in North America – the most important motorsports and automotive market in the world – and offering our partners, customers and brands the tools they need to succeed.”
The rebrand from MAVTV to RACER will take place progressively over the next few months, allowing for the necessary television logistics and operational steps to be executed seamlessly. However, some branding elements, such as logos and digital assets, will change immediately to reflect the new brand identity. This approach ensures no disruption for viewers, partners, and stakeholders while delivering an enhanced motorsports media experience.
“What started as grassroots grew into something much bigger: a home for motorsports fans, car lovers, gear heads, people like us who live and breathe the culture. The network’s expansion and evolution over the years will always be one of our greatest success stories and a reflection of our love for motorsports and its people,” said Morgan Lucas, CEO of Lucas Oil, who added that Lucas Oil remains deeply committed to motorsports, continuing to support drivers, teams and racing series through sponsorships, technical partnerships and unmatched product research and development. “We take immense pride in what MAVTV has become, and we are excited for RACER to lead the network into its next chapter, building on its strong foundation to elevate the standard of motorsports broadcasting for fans everywhere.”
The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series will open on Tuesday night, May 20 when the Levan Machine & Truck Equipment present the Rich Mar Florist Kubota Hight Limit 410 Sprints at Grandview Speedway. Purchase your tickets in advance at Ticket Hoss and your name will be entered in a drawing for two lucky spectators to join the race winner in the always joyous victory lane celebration. Or, you could be the lucky person to take part in the High Limit Dice Roll just by purchasing your tickets at TicketHoss.co, on or before May 18. The three winners will be notified in advance of the event so you can prepare to be a big part of the High Limit event at Grandview Speedway.
Advance tickets for the High Limit 410 Sprint Show at Grandview are now available to purchase at TicketHoss.com. We utilized TicketHoss for the previous two High Limit events with great success. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstand at 4:30 PM through the first turn grandstand gate.
As an advance ticket holder, you may enter the grandstands one-half hour prior to general admission tickets going on sale providing you with your choice of seating. The advance ticket process dramatically improves moving the spectators into the grandstand area as you skip the ticket purchase line and enter at 4:30 PM. Also, the electronic ticket you receive eliminates the risk of losing your ticket. Reach out to TicketHoss.com and get your tickets early.
On Tuesday night, May 20 expect a night of fun, interaction and entertainment starting with the option to do the Inside/Out Promotion where race fans may watch warm-ups from inside the fourth turn, or sign up to do a pre-race Pit Tour and also expect a first class Fan Fest with many of the High Limit stars to take place at the Drivers Merchandise Midway just outside the front gate. Opening ceremonies will feature Eric Haney performing the National Anthem. After all the qualifying hold on to your seat as one of grandest sites, the four wide High Limit 410 Sprints Parade Lap with fireworks in the sky just moments before the drop of the green flag in the 35 lap $20,000 to win feature event.
General admission tickets will go on sale at 5:00 PM and the main gate will open at that time. Warm-ups and time trials will begin at 7PM with the show opening set for 7:30 PM. Also on the program will be the Alpine Building Supply Vintage Cars competing in two 12 lap feature events. In the event of rain, Wednesday night, May 21 will be the rain date with a starting time of 7:30 PM.
General admission tickets on race night are $40 for adults, children 6-11 are $20, children 5 and under will be admitted for free. The Pit Fee is $45 and a license is not required. (Pit tickets are not available on Ticket Hoss).
The idea of a $2,000 bonus for a Pennsylvania driver to win the Kubota High Limit event was so well received in 2024 that Alpine Building Supply of Schuylkill Haven, PA will sponsor the award on Tuesday night, May 20. The bonus should lure some interest for other local sprint car drivers to be on hand. For a Pennsylvania driver, the win would be worth $22,000 and the race will pay $1,500 just to take the green flag in the feature event.
Defending Grandview High Limit winners Brent Marks and Rico Aberu will be in the field joined by five time World of Outlaw Champion Brad Sweet of Grass Valley, CA along with Tanner Thorson of Minden, NV, Kasey Kahne from Enumclaw, WA, Tyler Courtney Indianapolis, IN, Aaron Reutzel of Clute, TX, Daison Pursley of Loctus Grove, OK, Spencer Bayston of Lebanon, IN, Justin Peck from San Diego, CA and two Rookie drivers Danny Sams III of Elkhart, IN and Sye Lynch of Apollo, PA will be making their start with the High Limit Sprints in 2025. Of course, many local drivers will be on hand shooting for $22,000 payday to include Danny Dietrich and Freddie Rahmer.
The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder Series will continue with the USAC Non-Wing Sprints Eastern Storm National Tour on Tuesday night, June 17 with a 7:30 PM starting time. Alpine Building Supply is the race night sponsor as the top non-wing sprint racers chase the Levan Machine & Truck Equipment $10,000 Series Point Fund. This event is the Jesse Hockett Classic, a 40 lap feature paying $6,000 to the winner in a tribute to Jesse Hockett. The Grandview 358 Modifieds will be on the racing program taking part in a series of qualifying events highlighted by a 30 lap feature paying $3,000 to win.
Alpine Building Supply will post a $2,000 bonus for a first-time Thunder Modified feature winner. $5,000 to win 30 laps for your first Thunder win is a treat, previously earned by Alex Yankowski and Eric Kormann who pulled off the accomplishment in 2024 of cashing in on the Alpine Building Supply Bonus.
The Thunder finale is set for Tuesday night, July 1 when the Pennsylvania 410 Sprints Speed Week Series and the 358 Modifieds team up for a spectacular doubleheader. Start time is 7:30 PM with the 410 sprints opening with time trials followed by a series of qualifying events leading up to the Hodnett Cup, a 35 lap feature paying $10,000 to win. The 358 Modifieds will also compete in qualifying events and a 30 lap feature paying $3,000 to win. Once again, Alpine Building Supply will post a $2,000 bonus to any first time Thunder Modified feature winner.
Watch for Alpine Building Supply to have a strong presence at all Thunder on the Hill events in the coming season.
Graham Rahal Performance (GRP) and John Force Racing, a dynasty in American Motorsports, are thrilled to announce a new partnership for the 2025 NHRA Season.
At the upcoming NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, hosted at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, for the very first time Graham Rahal Performance will be the primary sponsor on Brittany Force’s Top Fuel Dragster and Jack Beckman’s Funny Car. “When John came to me and spoke of the opportunity to be present on the car, it was extremely intriguing for our company,” said Graham Rahal, President of Graham Rahal Performance. “Our expertise in service, custom fabrication, and our other offerings, align very well with the drag racing community, and we wanted to put that on display. Courtney and I felt strongly that it was in the best interest of our company to partner with John and everyone at John Force Racing, and support both my sister-in-law, Brittany as well as Jack throughout the entire year. We’re excited about the relationship with the team, and for the people in the NHRA community to see what GRP can do for them.”
Throughout the remainder of the NHRA Season, Graham Rahal Performance will maintain a Major Associate Sponsorship with John Force Racing. When the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA US Nationals arrive at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, GRP will be showcased on both cars and will also have a presence on-site.
“It’s crazy how small the motorsports family really is,” said Cory Watkins, Graham Rahal’s Chief Operating Officer. “I worked with John Force Racing when it had a total of ONE National Event victory. In the John Force Museum, there’s actually a picture of me holding Brittany at the US Nationals 35 years ago. Now, 23 World Championships later, we are reunited at Graham Rahal Performance, the nation’s leader in the sales, service, and aftermarket enhancement of high performance vehicles.”
This partnership marks another union between two powerhouse families in the racing industry.
“This partnership fires me up,” said John Force, Founder and CEO of John Force Racing. “Graham’s not just family—he’s a racer, a businessman, and someone who lives and breathes performance, just like we do. What he’s building with GRP is incredible, and bringing that energy into our pits with Brittany and Jack just feels right. We’re not just putting a name on the car—we’re bringing two racing families together to push the limits on and off the track.”
A.J. Foyt Racing will help raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s Ass’n through a partnership for the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series.
The team owned by the legendary four-time Indianapolis 500 winning driver will join forces with the Alzheimer’s Ass’n.
Through a variety of activations during the season, the partnership will draw attention to the nonprofit’s critical work in advancing research and providing free care and support programs for millions of people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementia.
IndyCar driver Santino Ferrucci, a fan favorite and advocate for various causes, will represent the Alzheimer’s Ass’n throughout the season with its logo on his race car.
“It’s an honor to carry the Alzheimer’s Ass’n logo on my car,” Ferrucci said. “This cause is close to my heart, and I’m proud to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and the incredible work the association does for families facing this disease every day.”
Fans attending the races will have the opportunity to engage with the Alzheimer’s Association through on-site activations, including educational displays, donation opportunities, and special appearances by the organization’s supporters.
“We are honored to partner with the Alzheimer’s Ass’n to raise awareness of this devastating disease and highlight the invaluable resources they offer for families,” said Larry Foyt, President of A.J. Foyt Racing. “Alzheimer’s has touched so many lives, and this partnership allows us to make a meaningful difference both on and off the track.”
The partnership will begin at the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13 and continue with activations at events throughout the season. For the launch, the Alzheimer’s Association logo will occupy an elevated presence on the car’s sidepods for the Grand Prix of Long Beach. The permanent location will be on the car’s nosecone.
“We are grateful to A.J. Foyt Racing for their support in helping expand awareness of Alzheimer’s disease to a wider audience,” said Donna McCullough, chief operating officer of the Alzheimer’s Ass’n. “Our partnership will support our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by enhancing care and support services for families and advancing critical research efforts.”
This partnership stems from the enduring relationship between Princess Yasmin Aga Khan and Marlyne Sexton, along with her daughter Nicole.
Sexton Properties, a long-time sponsor of A.J. Foyt Racing’s No. 14 Indy car, has provided the opportunity to celebrate Princess Yasmin’s philanthropic efforts, particularly her unwavering support for the Alzheimer’s Ass’n in tribute to her mother, the legendary actress Rita Hayworth. For over 40 years, Princess Yasmin’s dedication has helped raise millions of dollars to support research and provide care for individuals impacted by the disease.
