The sun sets over the Auto Club Speedway at Fontana. (Robert Laberge/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide | 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
Overview
Once the smoke clears from the season-opening Daytona 500, the real season begins in essence at Auto Club Speedway. Located about an hour east of Los Angeles, it's a track where you just might see a famous fan in attendance.
The first race at California is the Auto Club 500 on Feb. 22. The 2-mile, mostly oval track is the first of many midsized venues on the circuit, so teams try very hard to get off to a good start here.
The second race is the Pepsi 500 on Oct. 11 -- the fourth race of the Chase for the Championship.
The straightaways are fast, but the corners are pretty flat, so drivers struggle there to get their cars to handle. The races here require a good day by the entire team – driver, pit crew and the boys back in the shop.
Break out from Fontana, and one can visit Hollywood, all the movie studios, Disneyland and a plethora of beaches in SoCal.
Address
9300 Cherry Ave.
Fontana, CA 92335
autoclubspeedway.com
More track news is available through jayski.com.
City Guide: Los Angeles
Notable events
Pepsi 500 Weekend
Friday, Oct. 9, 2009
• Practice & qualifying day, 3:40 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Gates open at 11 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009
• Copart 300, 1:30 p.m.
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Gates open at 8:30 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009
• Pepsi 500, noon
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Gates open at 7 a.m.
(Note: Schedules are tentative and subject to change.)
Tickets
Ticket office: 800-944-RACE (7223)
Online: Buy tickets | Seating chart
Pit passes: Available. Call the track ticket office for further information.
Fan hospitality: Party Zone. It's the only location where guests are
guaranteed the opportunity to hear from some of NASCAR's drivers
during brief question-and-answer sessions. For more information,
call 800-944-RACE.
Special packages: Different packages available, call the track ticket
office for further information.
Track specs
Track length: 2 miles
Banking: 14 degrees in turns; 11 degrees on frontstretch;
3 degrees on backstretch
Frontstretch: 3,100 feet
Backstretch: 2,500 feet
Grandstand seating capacity: 92,000
Opened: 1997
Carry-in items
Coolers: Allowed (one soft-side bag, limit of 6 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches; one clear,
plastic bag, limit of 18 inches by 18 inches by 4 inches; may not contain ice).
Glass containers: Not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages: Not allowed.
Cameras/binoculars: Allowed, must be worn separately.
Souvenirs and displays
Merchandise: Driver and NASCAR merchandise haulers on-site.
Scanners: Scanners available for rent on-site.
Autographs
Check local newspapers and TV; drivers rarely available on race day.
Pit area guidelines
Pit passes not available for sale.
Camping
Reserved: Limited availability.
Infield area: Available.
Call the track ticket office for further information.
Associated driving schools
Richard Petty Driving Experience
800-BE-PETTY
Web site
Drive Tech Racing School
800-678-7764
Web site
Fast Track Riders (motorcycles)
877-560-2233
Web site
Mario Andretti Racing School
877-Andretti
Web site
Getting there
• From I-10 east of Los Angeles, exit at Cherry Avenue and travel north.
Speedway is located on Cherry Avenue.
• From I-15 North, exit at Fourth Street, drive east to Cherry Avenue and turn north.
Parking
Parking: Available on-site, pass required.
Handicapped parking: Available, pass required.
• Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide
• 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
