Ontario Motor Speedway

Known as ‘The Big O,’ Ontario Motor Speedway was the most expensive and grandest racing venue of its time. It was the first and only complex built to host major races from the four biggest sanctioning bodies: NASCAR, NHRA, USAC, and the FIA for Formula One. It covered 800 acres next to and northeast of Ontario International Airport, took 22 months to build and cost $22.5 million. The design copied the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with changes to handle other kinds of racing.

The first event, the Indy-style California 500 on September 6, 1970, drew 178,000 spectators and grossed $3.3 million. Next came the Mattel Hot Wheels Supernationals on November 20-22, 1970, which drew a drag racing crowd second only to the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. On Sunday 42,000 people watched Rick Ramsey win top fuel, Gene Snow win funny car and Ronnie Sox take pro stock. Ontario began hosting the NHRA World Finals in 1974.

Mismanagement, ownership changes and competition for entertainment money wore the track down, and even big rock concerts didn’t save it. The 1980 World Finals were among the last big races before the sale. Chevron Land Company bought the failing speedway for $10 million, against an estimated commercial value of $120 million. The track was torn down in 1981, and after several vacant years the land was slowly built up with hotels, businesses and condominiums.