The Last Pass – Some of the Final Images from Irwindale Dragstrip, as the Track Closes After More Than Two Decades in Operation
As we originally reported at the end of October of this year, the California-based Irwindale Dragstrip would shut its gates permanently.
Along with sister half-mile circle track Irwindale Speedway, the tracks would be the latest casualty in a 2024 season that saw multiple tracks shut down or sold for re-development.
You could win this rare ‘69 Camaro Pace Car! Every dollar you spend, from merchandise to a subscription to the Sick the Mag print magazine, gets you an entry! Don’t wait - Click HERE to visit our store!
The Irwindale tracks first opened in 1999 for the Speedway, and 2001 for the Dragstrip. When the announcement came about the tracks’ future, the remaining events would become the final time for drag racing enthusiasts to make a trip down Irwindale’s eighth-mile saw a sharp increase in attendance.
With the final dragstrip event scheduled for December 8th, over 200 tickets were sold for the last dragstrip event.
When all was said and completed, Irwindale Dragstrip summed up the experience in a Facebook post:
TO THE FANS, THE DRIVERS, THE CREWS AND OUR TEAM: Thank you for joining us this Sunday for FINAL SHOWDOWN—the last event to ever take place at Irwindale Dragstrip.
It was an amazing weekend filled with emotion, energy and excitement, and we couldn’t have asked for a better day! The weather was perfect, the grandstands were packed, the pits were filled, and we got to experience an absolutely epic day of drag racing before we sent our final cars down the track.
To anyone (and everyone) who has ever made a memory with us on the dragstrip, thank you.
We couldn’t have been able to make it this far without you. It takes a village to make a dream like this continue for as long as it has, and we are forever grateful for the incredible run we had with all of you.
Bob Beck, announcer at Irwindale Dragstrip, reflected his feelings after the ‘Thursday Night Thunder Finale’ on December 5th:
Last night was the end of a 14 year joy ride.
Irwindale Dragstrip will be silenced December 8, 2024.
Nothing can be done to stop its death.
I have made many new friends and saw old friends at this track over these 14 years.
I will miss my 2 hour drive and the joy of talking to all the race fans and racers.
My voice will not be silenced, but will have to find a new home.
So long for now my friends.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Irwindale Dragstrip.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com