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| Fontana Raceway | |
|---|---|
| Name | Fontana Raceway |
| Location | Fontana, California |
| Built | 1997 |
| Capacity | 50,000 |
| Owner | Auto Club Speedway (formerly) |
| Length mi | 2.0 |
| Turns | 12 |
Fontana Raceway is a motorsport complex located in Fontana, California, adjacent to the Ontario International Airport and within the Inland Empire. The facility hosts a variety of roads course and motorsport events, attracting competitors from NASCAR, IndyCar Series, IMSA, SCCA and Motorcycle Road Racing championships. Its proximity to Los Angeles, San Bernardino County, and major transportation corridors has made it a regional hub for auto racing, motorcycle racing, drifting and club competition.
The circuit was developed in the late 1990s on land originally associated with Ontario International Airport expansion and industrial projects in San Bernardino County. Early planning involved consultants with experience at Laguna Seca, Road America, Watkins Glen International and Sebring International Raceway, drawing on design elements from Paul Pfanner-era layouts and American road course trends. The inaugural events featured regional rounds from the SCCA Runoffs, American Le Mans Series support races, and AMA Superbike exhibitions, while promotional partnerships were established with Auto Club Speedway and the Automobile Club of Southern California.
Fontana Raceway's development intersected with regional planning debates involving City of Fontana officials, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, and environmental review processes under California Environmental Quality Act guidelines, with input from community groups and motorsport promoters such as The Road Racing Company and private investors tied to the IndyCar and NASCAR ecosystems.
The complex features a multi-configuration road course measuring approximately two miles with 12 turns, combining elements reminiscent of Laguna Seca Raceway turn sequences, Buttonwillow Raceway Park technical sections, and a high-speed straight influenced by Auto Club Speedway geometry. Ancillary facilities include garages and paddocks used by teams from IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and regional Trans Am Series entrants; an FIA-grade pit lane; timing and scoring infrastructure compatible with MotoAmerica requirements; and spectator grandstands aligned with the start/finish straight.
Support infrastructure comprises control towers used by marshals trained to international standards from FIA and FIM programs, medical centers coordinated with Paramedics and American Red Cross affiliates, fueling stations certified to NFPA directives, and hospitality suites employed during corporate promotions by partners such as Mobil 1, Castrol, Pirelli, Firestone and Goodyear.
The venue has hosted rounds of national and club series, including appearances by SCCA National Championship Runoffs, Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, IMSA Continental Tire Challenge, Indy Lights support races, and regional NASCAR K&N Pro Series West events. Motorcycle programs have included rounds for AMA Superbike, MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, and club weekends sanctioned by AHRMA. Special events and festivals have featured the Goodwood Festival of Speed-style car meets organized by private enthusiasts and corporate track days run by Porsche Club of America, Ferrari Club of America, BMW Car Club of America and Lamborghini Club Americas.
Additionally, the complex has been used for testing by manufacturers and teams from Toyota Racing Development, Honda Performance Development, Chevrolet Racing, Ford Performance, and privateer outfits campaigning in GTD and GTLM classes.
The circuit record lap times have been set in prototype and GT categories during IMSA test sessions and professional touring car races, with notable performances by teams associated with Chip Ganassi Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Andretti Autosport, Team Penske, and Ganassi-supported prototypes. Standout races include rain-affected endurance rounds that drew参rivals from Mazda, Acura, Porsche, BMW, Audi Sport, and Mercedes-AMG squads, as well as dramatic last-lap passes reminiscent of historic finishes at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Memorable motorcycle contests featured championship-deciding rounds with riders linked to Valentino Rossi-era star development programs, factory teams from Yamaha Motor Racing, Ducati Corse, Suzuki Motor Corporation and Kawasaki Racing Team.
Operational control has shifted among regional promoters, commercial track operators, and motorsport management firms with ties to ISC (International Speedway Corporation), International Speedway Corporation partners, and private equity groups involved in circuit management. Agreements have been made with local governments such as City of Fontana and regulatory coordination with California Highway Patrol for event-day traffic management. Day-to-day operations rely on staff experienced in event logistics drawn from organizations including Motorsport UK-trained marshals, FIA Institute alumni, and commercial partners like IMS and SRO Motorsports Group for international series coordination.
Safety infrastructure follows standards promoted by FIA Circuit Safety Guidelines and FIM circuit homologation where motorcycle events occur. Recent upgrades implemented energy-absorbing barriers from suppliers like TechPro and HANS-compliant rescue equipment, expanded run-off areas modeled after improvements at Silverstone Circuit and Circuit of The Americas, and resurfacing projects using materials developed with input from Michelin and Bridgestone engineers. Track lighting, drainage, and spectator ingress/egress have been modernized to meet requirements similar to those at Daytona International Speedway and Suzuka Circuit for endurance and night events.
The venue has appeared in television and film productions tied to Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and automotive programming on MotorTrend Channel, Discovery Channel series, and documentary projects linked to BBC automotive shows. Celebrity charity races and promotional events have involved personalities from Top Gear USA, Jay Leno's Garage, The Grand Tour associates, and athletes from Los Angeles Lakers and LA Galaxy during off-season appearances. The track's presence has influenced regional motorsport culture alongside nearby circuits such as Auto Club Speedway, Willow Springs International Raceway, and Buttonwillow Raceway Park, contributing to grassroots racing through clubs like Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sport Association.
Category:Motorsport venues in California