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Irwindale Speedway a Victim of Recession – Racetrack Shuts Down for 2012 Season
Arcadia Weekly Feb 16, 2012
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Various media sources are reporting the closure of Toyota Speedway, the motorsports complex known as Irwindale Speedway in 1999. When we contacted spokesman Doug Stokes, he said this is a ” bump in the road”.
Irwindale Speedway sent the following announcement to our offices at 1:30 PM Monday
“Irwindale, Calif. (February 13, 2012, 1:30PM ) – – The management
of Irwindale Speedway today announced that the 2012 racing season has
been cancelled.”
Some grandstands and other structures were apparently being dismantled over the weekend, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. AutoWeek magazine on Sunday reported the closure, citing an unnamed speedway official.
For the past several years, the track has been host to several junior-level NASCAR events such as the Toyota NASCAR Showdown and other races such as the Turkey Night Grand Prix, an open-wheel event that traced its origins to the pre-World War II era and the early days of Midget racing, which originated in the L.A. area.
Irwindale also features a one-eighth-mile drag strip and is considered the birthplace of drifting in America.
