Auto Club Speedway
Auto Club Speedway was a premier motorsports facility in Fontana, California, featuring a 2-mile (3.2 km), low-banked, D-shaped oval racetrack that served as a key venue for NASCAR and other racing series from its opening in 1997 until its final event in 2023.[1][2] Originally known as California Speedway, the track was constructed by Roger Penske on the site of the former Kaiser Steel Mill, with construction beginning in 1995 and costing approximately $110 million to create a design modeled after Michigan International Speedway.[2][3] The facility officially opened on June 20, 1997, with its inaugural NASCAR Winston Cup Series race—the California 500—held the following day on June 22, won by Jeff Gordon.[4][2] In 2008, it was renamed Auto Club Speedway following a naming rights agreement with the Automobile Club of Southern California, which had been a partner since the track's inception.[5] Ownership transitioned from Penske to the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) in 1999 and ultimately to NASCAR following the 2019 merger between NASCAR and ISC.[6][7] The track's configuration included a total length of 2 miles, with 14-degree banking in the turns, 11 degrees on the frontstretch (3,100 feet long), and 3 degrees on the backstretch (2,500 feet), allowing for high speeds exemplified by Gil de Ferran's 241.428 mph lap during an IndyCar event in 2000.[8][2] It featured grandstand seating for 68,000 spectators, plus 28 luxury skyboxes, bringing the total capacity to around 122,000 including infield areas, and hosted a variety of events beyond NASCAR, including IndyCar races until 2015, NHRA drag racing, and concerts.[1][9] The annual NASCAR Cup Series race, known as the Auto Club 400 (later Wise Power 400), was a highlight, with notable victories by drivers like Jimmie Johnson in 2002 and Kyle Busch in 2005 marking their first Cup Series wins.[2][10] In 2023, NASCAR announced the reconfiguration of the site into a approximately half-mile, high-banked short track as part of the "Next Gen California" project, with the final race on the original 2-mile oval—the Pala Casino 400—held on February 26, 2023.[9][11] Demolition of the existing structure began shortly thereafter, and NASCAR sold a significant portion of the 540-acre property to developer Hillwood for commercial use, retaining about 90 acres for potential racing.[2][12] However, as of 2025, the redevelopment plans have been paused due to high costs and logistical challenges, with the site increasingly converted into a warehouse and commerce complex, leaving the future of racing at the location uncertain and no return to the NASCAR schedule anticipated in the near term.[13][14][15]History
Construction and opening
The Auto Club Speedway was developed on the site of the former Kaiser Steel Mill in Fontana, California, an industrial area that had been abandoned after the mill's closure in the 1980s. Demolition of the remaining steel mill buildings began on November 22, 1995, marking the start of site preparation, with the iconic 100-foot water tower preserved as a landmark. The California Environmental Protection Agency granted permission for construction after the mill's owner, Kaiser Resources, agreed to allocate $6 million for hazardous waste remediation to address environmental concerns from decades of steel production.[6][16] Construction, led by Roger Penske's Penske Motorsports, commenced in 1995 and was completed in late 1996 at a cost of approximately $120 million. The project transformed the contaminated industrial land into a modern motorsports facility, with initial funding provided by Penske to capitalize on the growing demand for West Coast racing venues. The track's original design featured a 2-mile D-shaped oval superspeedway, modeled after [Michigan International Speedway](/page/Michigan International Speedway), with 14 degrees of banking in the turns, 11 degrees on the frontstretch, 3 degrees on the backstretch, and a 75-foot-wide racing surface including a 15-foot apron.[17][18][19][1] The speedway's official opening occurred on June 20, 1997, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed two days later by the inaugural NASCAR Winston Cup Series event, the California 500 on June 22. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won the 250-lap race, leading 113 laps and securing victory by a narrow fuel margin after a strategic pit stop gamble. Approximately 85,000 spectators attended the event, marking a significant debut for the new facility in Southern California.[20][21] The construction phase generated hundreds of jobs for local workers in Fontana, fostering community goodwill and stimulating economic activity through wages and related services, while the opening was anticipated to drive long-term development in the Inland Empire region by attracting tourism and ancillary businesses. Penske's emphasis on hiring regional labor during the build helped integrate the project into the local economy, setting the stage for the speedway's role as an economic engine.[22][23]Expansions and reconfigurations
Following its opening in 1997, Auto Club Speedway underwent several physical expansions to diversify its facilities and enhance its versatility for various motorsports. In 2001, the infield was reconfigured to include a multi-purpose road course, integrating sections of the main oval with an intricate infield layout measuring approximately 1.55 miles, specifically designed to accommodate sports car racing, motorcycles, and driving schools.[24][6] To further broaden its offerings, a 1/4-mile NHRA-certified drag strip, known as Auto Club Dragway, was completed in the infield in 2007, enabling professional drag racing events alongside the oval activities.[1][25] Additional infield developments included go-kart tracks operated by CalSpeed Karting, providing recreational and competitive kart racing opportunities.[26] In support of fan engagement, a dedicated fan zone was added behind the main grandstand in 2006, featuring interactive exhibits, vendor areas, and entertainment to complement race weekends.[7][3] Over time, seating capacity was expanded through grandstand additions, reaching 68,000 fixed seats with 28 skyboxes, allowing for a total attendance of up to 122,000 when including temporary infield and lawn seating.[27][28]Name changes and sponsorships
The track opened in 1997 as the California Speedway, reflecting its location in the Inland Empire region of Southern California.[29] On February 21, 2008, the facility was renamed the Auto Club Speedway of Southern California following a 10-year naming rights agreement with the Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC), the regional affiliate of AAA.[30][4] The deal, estimated at $50 million to $75 million, marked the first time International Speedway Corporation (ISC) sold naming rights for one of its venues and emphasized enhanced fan experiences through ACSC initiatives.[30][3] Over time, the name was shortened to Auto Club Speedway, aligning with the sponsor's branding.[4] Originally constructed by Roger Penske and opened under his ownership, the speedway was acquired by ISC in 1999 for approximately $600 million in cash, stock, and assumed debt as part of ISC's merger with Penske Motorsports.[29] ISC operated the facility until October 18, 2019, when NASCAR completed a $2 billion merger with ISC, integrating its operations into a unified entity under NASCAR Track Enterprises.[31][32] This consolidation placed control of Auto Club Speedway directly with NASCAR, the sport's sanctioning body.[31] Beyond the track's naming rights, ACSC served as the title sponsor for key NASCAR events, such as the Auto Club 400 in the Cup Series.[1] Additional corporate partnerships included race-specific deals, like Production Alliance Group's two-year title sponsorship for the NASCAR Xfinity Series event from 2020 to 2021.[33] Toyota, as a prominent NASCAR partner, maintained strong ties to the venue—often called its "home track"—through broader marketing activations, though specific infrastructure sponsorships like grandstands were not uniquely formalized there.[34] The renaming and sponsorships reinforced the speedway's connection to Southern California's automotive heritage, with ACSC's involvement highlighting the region's emphasis on roadside assistance, travel, and motorsport enthusiasm among local drivers and fans.[30] This branding evolution helped solidify the track's identity as a cornerstone of West Coast racing culture.[4]Decline, closure, and demolition
In the early 2000s, Auto Club Speedway enjoyed peak attendance exceeding 100,000 spectators per NASCAR event, driven by the sport's national surge in popularity.[35] By the 2010s, however, crowds had dwindled to under 50,000, influenced by the 2008 economic recession, increased competition from closer venues like Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the addition of a second annual NASCAR race in 2004 that diluted fan interest and led to a drop of up to 20,000 attendees per event.[36][37] This decline prompted operational adjustments, including a 26% reduction in grandstand seating from 92,000 to 68,000 seats by 2014 to better match demand.[36] The track's major racing series gradually phased out events leading to its closure. The IndyCar Series held its final race, the MAVTV 500, on June 27, 2015, after which the series opted not to return despite strong on-track action, citing scheduling and promotional challenges.[38] NASCAR's Cup Series concluded with the Pala Casino 400 on February 26, 2023, won by Kyle Busch for Richard Childress Racing in a dominant performance that marked the end of Cup racing on the 2-mile oval configuration.[39][40] NHRA drag racing events, which had occurred sporadically in prior years at the Auto Club Dragway, ceased in 2021 following the permanent closure of the drag strip.[41] In September 2022, NASCAR announced the track's closure after the 2023 Cup race, revealing plans to redevelop the site into a short-track venue to align with the series' emphasis on intermediate and shorter ovals under the Next Gen car era.[42] This decision stemmed from broader strategic needs to enhance racing quality and fan engagement in Southern California, where the 2-mile layout had become less viable amid declining attendance and logistical costs.[43] Demolition commenced in October 2023, shortly after the final NASCAR events, with heavy machinery removing the banking and pavement of the oval.[44] By early 2024, major structures including most of the track surface and infield facilities had been dismantled, leaving primarily the frontstretch intact temporarily.[45] As of November 2025, the site is partially cleared, with portions repurposed for industrial warehouses on the 433 acres sold by NASCAR for approximately $544 million in 2023, while remnants like sections of the grandstands remain visible but continue to deteriorate.[44][46] Redevelopment into a proposed 0.5-mile short track has faced significant delays, with NASCAR pausing the project in early 2025 due to escalating costs estimated at over $300 million and bureaucratic hurdles in California.[13][47] No firm timeline for resumption exists, leaving the site's future as a racing venue uncertain amid ongoing industrial development.[15]Track design and facilities
Main oval specifications
The main oval at Auto Club Speedway is a D-shaped superspeedway with a perimeter of 2.0 miles (3.2 km).[48] The track features progressive banking, with 14 degrees in the turns, 11 degrees along the 3,100-foot frontstretch, and 3 degrees on the 2,500-foot backstretch.[48][49] This configuration, combined with the track's overall length, allowed for high-speed racing, where qualifying lap averages often exceeded 200 mph due to the relatively low banking that emphasized momentum over grip.[49] The racing surface consists of asphalt measuring 75 feet wide, plus a 15-foot apron, providing ample room for multi-line racing.[1] The track opened in 1997 without subsequent full repaving, resulting in a progressively bumpy and grippy surface that developed multiple grooves—up to four in the turns and straights—facilitating side-by-side and three-wide passing opportunities throughout its operational history.[50][51] Safety features included SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barriers, first installed along key sections of the walls in the early 2000s and expanded in subsequent years, such as additional coverage added in 2014 following a notable incident and further extensions in 2015 along the straights.[52][53] Catch fences lined the perimeter to contain debris and vehicles during incidents.[54] Track length measurements varied slightly by sanctioning body; while NASCAR and the Indy Racing League officially recognized 2.0 miles for timing and scoring, Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) measured it at 2.029 miles (3.265 km) and used that figure for their event records.[6]Road course and infield tracks
In addition to the main oval, Auto Club Speedway featured a versatile road course configuration added in 2001, designed to integrate the oval's frontstretch with an intricate infield section characterized by sweeping turns and technical challenges. This setup provided multiple layouts to accommodate different racing disciplines, including a full road course measuring 2.8 miles with 19 turns that utilized portions of the oval for high-speed sections, and shorter infield-only variants such as the 1.55-mile south road course with 10 turns and the 1.45-mile interior test circuit featuring 13 turns. The asphalt surface supported diverse vehicle types, while lighting installed around the facility in 2004 enabled night racing and extended testing sessions.[7] A dedicated motorcycle road course, also introduced in 2001, spanned 2.36 miles across 21 turns and modified the banking in the oval's turns 1 and 2 to flat for enhanced safety during two-wheeled events. The infield area housed supplementary facilities for various activities. Outside the backstretch, a quarter-mile drag strip built to NHRA specifications in 2001 hosted local and regional drag racing competitions starting around 2003 and was paved with asphalt for straight-line acceleration runs; it was permanently closed in December 2021.[55] These configurations facilitated a range of activities, such as sports car racing under the Grand American Road Racing Association (now part of IMSA), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) superbike events, and extensive manufacturer testing for automotive development. The road course's design emphasized flow and speed, with the full layout combining the oval's banking for overtaking opportunities alongside the infield's tighter corners to test driver precision.Seating and infrastructure
The Auto Club Speedway featured extensive seating accommodations designed to host large crowds for motorsport events. The main grandstand along the front stretch provided permanent seating for 68,000 spectators, reduced from an earlier capacity of 92,000 in 2014 to enhance sightlines and comfort. Additional permanent options included the Auto Club Speedway Club with 12,530 seats offering premium amenities such as covered seating and dedicated concessions. Luxury facilities comprised 28 skyboxes for high-end viewing, along with broader club-level seating integrated into the grandstand structure. Temporary bleachers could expand capacity by up to 54,000 seats, bringing the total venue attendance potential to 122,000. Infrastructure supported both racing operations and visitor logistics efficiently. Pit road measured 2,200 feet in length and included 44 individual stalls for quick service during races. Three garages provided a total of 100 bays for team preparations and vehicle maintenance. A dedicated media center facilitated press operations, equipped with modern broadcasting capabilities. Medical facilities included an infield care center staffed for emergency response, handling incidents like driver injuries during events. Amenities enhanced the fan experience across the 568-acre site. The Fan Zone, added in 2006 behind the main grandstand, offered interactive displays, live entertainment, and merchandise areas for souvenirs and apparel. Parking encompassed approximately 32,000 paved spaces onsite, with free access via color-coded passes, supplemented by RV lots in the infield for premium camping (starting at around $600 for front-row spots) and offsite options at lower rates. Sustainability efforts incorporated solar panels covering about 8,000 square feet on the suite building and media center, generating renewable energy as recognized by NASCAR Green in 2013.[56] Following the track's closure after the 2023 season, most infrastructure has been demolished as part of a redevelopment into the Speedway Commerce Center, an industrial and commercial complex. NASCAR retained key elements including the main grandstands, front straightaway, pit road, and garages on approximately 90 acres for potential future short-track reconfiguration, though plans remain paused as of 2025.[14]Events and competitions
NASCAR series races
Auto Club Speedway hosted NASCAR Cup Series races annually from 1997 through 2023, totaling 33 events across its history, with no race held in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions in California. The inaugural event, the California 500 on June 22, 1997, marked the track's debut in the series and was won by Jeff Gordon at an average race speed of 155.012 mph. Subsequent races, such as the Auto Club 400, maintained a standard distance of 400 miles over 200 laps on the 2-mile D-shaped oval, with event names evolving to reflect sponsorships like the Pepsi Max 400 during the mid-2000s. Winner average race speeds typically ranged from 140 to 155 mph, influenced by caution periods, though qualifying speeds often surpassed 180 mph, as seen in poles like Matt Kenseth's 187.315 mph in 2014. From 2004 to 2010, the schedule expanded to two Cup Series races per year—one in spring and one in fall—to capitalize on West Coast demand—before consolidating to a single spring event starting in 2011. The NASCAR Xfinity Series conducted concurrent races at the speedway from 1997 to 2023, featuring 300-mile events over 150 laps, often titled the Stater Bros. 300 or Production Alliance Group 300 in later years. The series' inaugural race, the 1997 Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300, was won by Todd Bodine, setting a pattern of high-speed, multi-car battles on the wide, low-banked surface that favored passing and strategy. These events mirrored the Cup schedule's evolution, including dual weekends during 2004–2010 and a single annual race thereafter, with stage lengths structured as 35 laps, 70 laps, and a 45-lap final stage in recent formats. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races complemented the weekend program from 1997 to 2009, comprising 13 events at a consistent 200-mile distance over 100 laps, such as the Long John Silver's 200. These shorter, durable-format races emphasized truck handling on the 2-mile oval, with winners like Ron Hornaday Jr. securing multiple victories early in the series' tenure at the track. The Truck Series aligned with the Cup and Xfinity scheduling shifts, hosting events during both spring and fall weekends in the mid-2000s before ending after the 2009 season as part of broader series adjustments. Attendance for NASCAR weekends at Auto Club Speedway peaked in the late 1990s amid the sport's national surge, drawing over 100,000 fans per event and contributing substantially to the venue's role as a West Coast hub. The combined series races generated major economic revenue for the region, with each weekend impacting the Inland Empire economy by approximately $100 million through tourism, hospitality, and local spending. This financial significance underscored the speedway's importance in expanding NASCAR's footprint beyond the Southeast, hosting 79 total national series events overall. Notable Cup Series victors, such as Jimmie Johnson with seven wins, highlight the track's legacy in the sport.Open-wheel and IndyCar events
The Auto Club Speedway hosted Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) open-wheel events from 1997 to 2005, with the annual 500-mile race serving as a season finale multiple times. Known as the Marlboro 500 in several editions, including 1997, 1999–2001, the event showcased high-speed racing on the 2-mile oval, where drivers frequently exceeded 230 mph due to the track's 14-degree banking and wide layout.[57] This configuration promoted close, multi-car drafting battles, emphasizing the aerodynamic efficiency of open-wheel cars in superspeedway-style competition. Following the CART-Indy Racing League (IRL) split and the rebranding to Champ Car World Series, the track continued to feature 500-mile races through 2005, though some events like the 2001 edition were shortened to 446 miles due to rain.[57] The oval's design, modeled after Michigan International Speedway but with improved sightlines and straights, allowed for sustained high speeds and intense pack racing, distinguishing it as a premier venue for open-wheel superspeedway action during this period. In 2006, the IRL's IndyCar Series assumed the slot vacated by Champ Car, running 400-mile events on the oval through 2011 as part of efforts to align with a more compact calendar.[58] The series returned to a full 500-mile distance in 2012 with the MAVTV 500, maintaining that format until the final event in 2015, won by Graham Rahal in a race marked by an IndyCar-record 80 lead changes.[59] IndyCar introduced double-file restarts for oval races in 2011, first implemented at venues like Texas Motor Speedway but applied series-wide including Auto Club, to bunch the field and enhance passing opportunities.[60] Attendance for IndyCar events at Auto Club Speedway peaked in the early 2000s with crowds exceeding 90,000, reflecting strong interest in open-wheel racing during the post-split era.[61] However, figures declined sharply by the mid-2010s, with the 2015 MAVTV 500 drawing estimates as low as 10,000 spectators amid broader challenges in oval racing popularity.[61] The series discontinued events after 2015 due to scheduling conflicts with NASCAR's expanded presence at the track and unsuccessful negotiations for a return, prioritizing calendar balance and fan accessibility.[58][62] The oval's superspeedway characteristics—long straights, moderate banking, and minimal grip—made it particularly suited for open-wheel cars, enabling average lap speeds over 220 mph and fostering the close-quarters racing that defined both Champ Car and IndyCar eras at the venue.Other motorsports and non-racing activities
Beyond the major NASCAR and IndyCar series, Auto Club Speedway hosted a variety of niche motorsports events on its road course and infield facilities. The track's 1.52-mile road course, introduced in 2001, supported sports car racing under the Grand American Road Racing Association (Grand-Am), including the Rolex Sports Car Series' Lexus Grand American 400 in 2004.[63] Motorcycle racing featured prominently with the AMA Superbike Championship, which utilized the road course for events like the Suzuki Superbike Challenge from 2002 to 2008, where races often saw close finishes, such as Ben Spies' victory by 0.011 seconds in 2008.[64] The facility's drag strip, operational intermittently from 2001 to 2009 and reopened as Auto Club Dragway from 2010 to 2021, hosted local and regional drag racing events, including NHRA-sanctioned Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitions, though noise complaints from nearby residents led to its early closures.[65] Top Fuel dragsters during these meets achieved elapsed times under 4 seconds, showcasing the strip's capability for high-performance runs despite its limited schedule.[66] In addition, the infield areas facilitated short-track events and automotive testing sessions for manufacturers; Ford and Toyota teams, among others, conducted vehicle development and tire evaluations there, such as Goodyear's 2019 test involving Cup Series drivers.[67] Non-racing activities diversified the venue's use, emphasizing community engagement and entertainment. Driving schools, including Fast Lane Racing School programs, operated year-round, offering advanced training on the oval and road course to enthusiasts and professionals.[68] The speedway served as a filming location for television and movies, with scenes from HBO's Entourage shot there in 2009 and action sequences in Charlie's Angels captured in 2000.[69][70] Concerts and festivals added to its appeal, though specific major acts like the Rolling Stones in 2005 were not documented; instead, events included music festivals tied to race weekends until 2023.[71] Community-oriented initiatives rounded out the facility's role, hosting auto shows such as the On Grid for Charity car show in 2018, which featured racecars, vendors, and live music to support local causes.[72] Charity runs and laps events, like the annual Track Laps for Charity from 2022, allowed public participants to drive their personal vehicles on the track for donations benefiting the Auto Club Speedway Foundation and NASCAR Foundation programs, including the Speediatrics Fun Day Festival for children with medical needs.[73][74] These activities persisted until the track's final racing season in 2023, after which demolition began in 2024.[75]Records and statistics
Lap and speed records
Auto Club Speedway's 2-mile D-shaped oval configuration produced some of the highest speeds in closed-course motorsport history, particularly during the late 1990s and early 2000s when low-downforce setups and fresh asphalt enabled exceptional performance. The track's banking (14 degrees in turns 1-2, 11 degrees in 3-4) and long straights facilitated average lap speeds exceeding 240 mph in open-wheel qualifying. Speeds were officially measured using electronic timing loops embedded in the track surface, providing precise elapsed times converted to average speeds; GPS data was occasionally used in practice but not for official records. Multiple repaves, including major resurfacings in 1997 (initial opening), 2005 (boosting grip and speeds), and 2011 (to address wear), influenced record progression, with fresher surfaces typically allowing faster laps until progressive deterioration from heavy use reduced performance in later years, such as the bumpy conditions in 2022 that dropped NASCAR qualifying speeds below 180 mph.[76] The all-time fastest unofficial practice lap on the oval was set by Mauricio Gugelmin at 242.333 mph during CART preparations in 1997, showcasing the track's potential before official qualifying constraints. In official competition, Champ Car (CART) holds the benchmark qualifying record at 241.428 mph (30.255-second lap) by Gil de Ferran in the No. 8 Penske Reynard-Honda on October 28, 2000, during the Marlboro 500 weekend—a mark that remains the world closed-course record and stood unchallenged due to subsequent series rule changes limiting downforce. For the NTT IndyCar Series, Sam Hornish Jr. set the pole at 226.757 mph in 2003, while NASCAR Cup Series records are lower due to higher drag setups, with Kevin Harvick's 188.744 mph lap in 2018 qualifying (first round) representing the fastest single-lap effort, though Jimmie Johnson's official pole in 2016 was 188.482 mph.[77][78][79][76][80][81]| Series | Record Type | Driver | Speed/Time | Date | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champ Car (CART) | Qualifying (one lap) | Gil de Ferran | 241.428 mph (30.255 s) | Oct. 28, 2000 | Reynard-Honda |
| NTT IndyCar | Qualifying pole (one lap) | Sam Hornish Jr. | 226.757 mph | Sep. 21, 2003 | Dallara-Chevrolet |
| NASCAR Cup | Fastest qualifying lap | Kevin Harvick | 188.744 mph | Mar. 16, 2018 | Toyota |
| NASCAR Cup | Official pole | Jimmie Johnson | 188.482 mph | Mar. 20, 2016 | Chevrolet |
Race winners by series
The NASCAR Cup Series has held 33 races at Auto Club Speedway since the track's debut event in 1997, with the final race occurring in 2023 before the facility's reconfiguration into a shorter oval. Jimmie Johnson holds the record for most victories with six, achieved between 2002 and 2016, while Kyle Busch follows with five wins from 2005 to 2023. Jeff Gordon secured three triumphs, including the inaugural race in 1997. The series' most recent winner was Kyle Busch in the 2023 Pala Casino 400, marking his first victory with Richard Childress Racing after 15 seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing.| Year | Date | Race Name | Winner | Car No. | Make | Margin of Victory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | June 22 | California 500 | Jeff Gordon | 24 | Chevrolet | 1.587 seconds |
| 1998 | May 3 | California 500 | Mark Martin | 6 | Ford | 0.382 seconds |
| 1999 | May 2 | California 500 | Jeff Gordon | 24 | Chevrolet | 1.134 seconds |
| 2000 | April 30 | California 500 | Jeremy Mayfield | 12 | Ford | 1.051 seconds |
| 2001 | April 29 | NAPA Auto Parts 500 | Rusty Wallace | 2 | Ford | 1.323 seconds |
| 2002 | April 28 | California Rebate 500 | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | Chevrolet | 1.309 seconds |
| 2003 | April 27 | Auto Club 500 | Kurt Busch | 97 | Ford | 0.100 seconds |
| 2004 | May 2 | Auto Club 400 | Jeff Gordon | 24 | Chevrolet | 0.820 seconds |
| 2004 | September 5 | Pop Secret 500 | Elliott Sadler | 38 | Ford | 1.774 seconds |
| 2005 | February 27 | Auto Club 500 | Greg Biffle | 16 | Ford | 0.370 seconds |
| 2005 | September 4 | Sony HD 500 | Kyle Busch | 5 | Chevrolet | 0.607 seconds |
| 2006 | February 26 | Auto Club 500 | Matt Kenseth | 17 | Ford | 1.365 seconds |
| 2006 | September 3 | Sony HD 500 | Kasey Kahne | 9 | Dodge | 0.483 seconds |
| 2007 | February 25 | Auto Club 500 | Matt Kenseth | 17 | Ford | 0.724 seconds |
| 2007 | September 2 | Sharp AQUOS 500 | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | Chevrolet | 1.312 seconds |
| 2008 | February 24 | Auto Club 500 | Carl Edwards | 99 | Ford | 9.267 seconds |
| 2008 | August 31 | Pepsi 500 | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | Chevrolet | 3.335 seconds |
| 2009 | February 22 | Auto Club 500 | Matt Kenseth | 17 | Ford | 0.707 seconds |
| 2009 | October 11 | Pepsi 500 | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | Chevrolet | 0.646 seconds |
| 2010 | February 21 | Auto Club 500 | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | Chevrolet | 0.285 seconds |
| 2010 | October 10 | Pepsi Max 400 | Tony Stewart | 14 | Chevrolet | 2.643 seconds |
| 2011 | March 27 | Auto Club 400 | Kevin Harvick | 29 | Chevrolet | 1.241 seconds |
| 2012 | March 25 | Auto Club 400 | Tony Stewart | 14 | Chevrolet | 3.250 seconds |
| 2013 | March 24 | Auto Club 400 | Kyle Busch | 18 | Toyota | 1.206 seconds |
| 2014 | March 23 | Auto Club 400 | Kyle Busch | 18 | Toyota | 1.323 seconds |
| 2015 | March 22 | Auto Club 400 | Brad Keselowski | 2 | Ford | 1.807 seconds |
| 2016 | March 20 | Auto Club 400 | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | Chevrolet | 6.547 seconds |
| 2017 | March 26 | Auto Club 400 | Kyle Larson | 42 | Chevrolet | 0.943 seconds |
| 2018 | March 18 | Auto Club 400 | Martin Truex Jr. | 78 | Toyota | 0.454 seconds |
| 2019 | March 17 | Auto Club 400 | Kyle Busch | 18 | Toyota | 0.341 seconds |
| 2020 | March 1 | Auto Club 400 | Alex Bowman | 88 | Chevrolet | 15.568 seconds |
| 2022 | February 27 | Wise Power 400 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Chevrolet | 0.927 seconds |
| 2023 | February 26 | Pala Casino 400 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Chevrolet | Under caution |
| Year | Date | Race Name | Winner | Team | Chassis/Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | September 28 | Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota | Mark Blundell | Mercedes | Reynard-Mercedes |
| 1998 | November 1 | The 500 Presented by Toyota | Jimmy Vasser | Team Rahal | Reynard-Honda |
| 1999 | October 31 | Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota | Adrián Fernández | Patrick Racing | Reynard-Ford |
| 2000 | October 29 | Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota | Christian Fittipaldi | Newman/Haas Racing | Reynard-Ford |
| 2001 | November 4 | Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota | Cristiano da Matta | Newman/Haas Racing | Lola-Toyota |
| 2002 | March 24 | Yamaha Indy 400 | Sam Hornish Jr. | Panther Racing | Reynard-Chevrolet |
| 2002 | November 3 | The 500 Presented by Toyota | Jimmy Vasser | Patrick Racing | Reynard-Toyota |
| 2003 | September 21 | Toyota Indy 400 | Sam Hornish Jr. | Panther Racing | G-Force-Toyota |
| 2004 | October 3 | Toyota Indy 400 | Adrián Fernández | Fernández Racing | Panoz-Toyota |
| 2005 | October 16 | Toyota Indy 400 | Dario Franchitti | Andretti Green Racing | Panoz-Honda |
| 2012 | September 15 | MAVTV 500 Presented by Lucas Oil | Ed Carpenter | Ed Carpenter Racing | Dallara-Chevrolet |
| 2013 | October 19 | MAVTV 500 | Will Power | Team Penske | Dallara-Chevrolet |
| 2014 | August 30 | MAVTV 500 | Tony Kanaan | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara-Chevrolet |
| 2015 | June 27 | MAVTV 500 | Graham Rahal | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing | Dallara-Honda |