It's been three years since NASCAR left the Auto Club Speedway, yet the loss never gets easier for fans. That sentiment was made clear by Sam Mayer on social media.

Mayer, who enjoyed racing at the track, made a short visit to check on the updated situation of Auto Club Speedway. After his visit, Mayer left an emotional message on X along with a few pictures of the track. 

Mayer’s post was short but expressed the emotions of several race fans and drivers. Mayer wrote, “I love you, I miss you.” He also wrote and posted a similar message on Instagram.

What seems especially heartbreaking for fans is that the pictures show the track in tatters and ruins. Following NASCAR's last race at the track in 2023, demolition work began on the track. Two years later, 400 acres of the track were sold as well.

While construction of phase one of the warehouse and industrial development project lay complete, the remainder of the track looked worn out with weeds growing through the concrete as if nature was reclaiming the land. 

The grand iconic grandstand remains, though unmaintained, and it still resembles the former glory the race track showcased when it hosted its first NASCAR race in 1997. 

Busch won 5 races at the circuit, while it was California-born Jimmie Johnson who holds the record for the most Cup wins at the Speedway with 6. 

The track wasn’t only home to NASCAR races but also IndyCar races, although a resumption of racing at the venue looks unlikely today. 

Will NASCAR ever return to the Auto Club?

One of the problems with Auto Club Speedway was always the maintenance and upkeep of the 2.0-mile-long D-shaped oval. While facilities were more or less maintained, the track's surface never got much attention, causing wear and tear that made racing strategic and exciting. That's why NASCAR's return to the track made sense.

The development plans for the track were that two-thirds would be used for a new warehouse and industrial space called the Speedway Commerce Centre. While those constructions are going on at full pace, there aren’t any users for the warehouses that have been built yet. 

The unofficial plans were that the remaining one-third of the property would be converted into a 0.75-mile-long short circuit with high banking to make for an exciting racing venue. However, reports indicate that the costs of redeveloping and rebuilding the track are enormous. 

NASCAR has already moved away from the track, and it is highly unlikely that racing will return to the Auto Club.

Would you like to see racing return to Auto Club Speedway?

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar