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| Pomona Raceway | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pomona Raceway |
| Location | Pomona, California, Los Angeles County, California |
| Coordinates | 34.0606°N 117.7617°W |
| Opened | 1930s |
| Owner | National Hot Rod Association |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length mi | 0.25 |
| Length km | 0.40 |
| Events | NHRA Winternationals, NHRA Finals (Pomona), Drag racing |
| Capacity | 30,000 |
Pomona Raceway is a premier quarter-mile dragstrip located in Pomona, California within Los Angeles County, California, known for hosting major National Hot Rod Association events and professional drag racing. The venue has a long association with the NHRA Winternationals and serves as a focal point for racers associated with the Sports Car Club of America, American Hot Rod Association, and local motorsport clubs. Its proximity to Los Angeles, Ontario, California, and Glendora, California positions it as a major West Coast motorsport facility.
The site originated in the 1930s near Fairplex and evolved as drag racing grew in Southern California alongside organizations like the National Hot Rod Association and promoters such as Wally Parks. Postwar hot rodding culture tied to figures from SoCal car culture — including contributors who worked with publications like Hot Rod (magazine) and Rod & Custom — helped formalize meets that later became annual fixtures. The track became synonymous with the early expansion of professional drag racing, hosting inaugural events associated with names such as the Winternationals and featuring competitors who later became legends in NHRA history. Throughout the late 20th century the facility underwent multiple renovations influenced by developments at venues like Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, and Gainesville Raceway, adapting to professional standards set by sanctioning bodies including the NHRA and technical committees from FIA-aligned organizations.
The dragstrip features a straight quarter-mile (0.25 mi) asphalt surface with modern starting lights and a return lane layout comparable to tracks at Bandimere Speedway and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona-era configurations. Spectator infrastructure includes grandstands, VIP suites, timing towers, and pits arranged to accommodate entrants affiliated with teams represented in NHRA Camping World series and independent builders observed in Hot Rod (magazine), Car Craft, and Super Stock competition. Supporting facilities integrate hospitality areas used by sanctioning representatives from NHRA, media contingents including staff from Motor Trend, and technical inspection stations patterned after those at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
The venue is most famous for staging marquee events like the NHRA Winternationals and season-closing series such as the NHRA Finals (Pomona), attracting professional classes including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. It also hosts regional races affiliated with organizations including the Sports Car Club of America, American Hot Rod Association, and club-level meets tied to communities around San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and the Inland Empire (California). Special events often feature exhibition runs by historic entries connected to collections like the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame and appearances by personalities tied to media outlets such as Speed Channel and publications like Hot Rod (magazine).
The facility has witnessed record-breaking passes and milestone performances by teams and drivers who also set marks at venues such as Lucas Oil Raceway, Englishtown, and Gainesville Raceway. Champions in Top Fuel and Funny Car historically noted for wins at the site include competitors whose careers intersect with the NHRA championship lineage and Hall of Fame inductees from the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Notable engine builders, chassis tuners, and crews profiled by outlets like Car Craft have used the venue to debut technological innovations mirrored later at national events including U.S. Nationals and the Winternationals circuit.
Safety improvements implemented over time referenced standards promoted by the NHRA and design practices similar to those adopted by FIA-sanctioned tracks include upgraded barrier systems, improved track surface compounds, enhanced timing equipment, and expanded runoff and containment measures. Facility investments have reflected broader industry responses to high-speed incidents seen across venues such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway, while conforming to inspection protocols employed by technical committees associated with the NHRA and equipment manufacturers profiled in Motor Trend and Road & Track.
As an anchor motorsport venue near Fairplex, the track influences tourism tied to hotel stays across Pomona, California, Ontario, California, and Claremont, California and supports businesses in sectors covered by publications like Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register. Its event calendar stimulates local employment, vendor activity, and partnerships with institutions including regional chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus in Los Angeles County, California. Community engagement includes outreach with driving-education programs, historic-car gatherings connected to museums such as the Petersen Automotive Museum, and collaborations with motorsport heritage organizations including the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
Category:Motorsport venues in California