Santa Maria Speedway
| Location | 1900 Hutton Road, Nipomo, California[1][2] |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°00′09″N 120°26′31″W / 35.0026°N 120.4419°W |
| Opened | 1964 |
| Major events | IMCA USAC CRA High Limit Racing NASCAR Winston West Series (formerly) World of Outlaws (1981–2021) |
| Surface | dirt |
| Length | 0.333 mi (0.536 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
Santa Maria Speedway is a motorsports facility located in Nipomo, California. The track, a dirt oval short track, has for decades been a regular host of sprint car races in several series. It also has a history of stock car races.
Description
[edit]A short track, Santa Maria Speedway is a high-banked,[3] 0.333 miles (0.536 km) dirt surfaced oval.[2] It is considered to be in a scenic location, built into the side of a mountain near to the Pacific Ocean.[3] The track was originally 0.25 miles (0.40 km) when it opened.[4]
History
[edit]Opened on May 30, 1964,[3] the Santa Maria Speedway was constructed and long operated by Doug Foot, an electrical and plumbing business owner. [3] Doug and his wife, Nettie, long ran the track.[5] In his decades of promoting races held at the track, Foot received national racing industry accolades.[3]
Stock car racing was a significant form of racing at the track in its early history. Several NASCAR-sanctioned races were held at the track in the 1970s.[4]
The opening event at the track was a sprint car race sanctioned by the California Racing Association.[5] By the 1980s, sprint car racing had become the more prominent form of racing held at the track. Many World of Outlaws races held there.[4] World of Outlaws first raced at the track in 1981, and by 2000 had held 17 races at the track.[3] World of Outlaws had most-recently planned to race at the track in 2020 and 2021, but canceled these races due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
In more recent decades, many wingless sprint car races have been held at the track,[4] including races sponsored by United States Auto Club (USAC) and Champion Racing Association (CRA).[2][4]
In 2021, it was announced that the track would close. Increased expenses and complaints from neighbors being cited.[4] The race closed in November 2022. In May 2024, the track re-opened under the new ownership of David Castaneda, the track's former general manager.[7][8] Races that have been held at the track since reopening include ones sanctioned by International Motor Contest Association (IMCA), High Limit Racing, West Coast ProStocks, and Hobby Stocks.[9]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Santa Maria Speedway | California's Central Coast Dirt Track Racing". Santa Maria Speedway. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Jennings, Lance (September 4, 2024). "USAC CRA Sprints Return to Santa Maria on Saturday, Sept. 7!". USA Racing. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Day, Richard (May 8, 2001). "World of Outlaws Mourns Doug Fort's Passing". au.motorsport.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Santa Maria Raceway (CA)". SpeedwayandRoadRaceHistory. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- 1 2 "Santa Maria Speedway celebrates 50 years". Santa Maria Times. August 3, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Santa Maria Raceway Archives". World of Outlaws. February 17, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ↑ Chavez, April (April 4, 2024). "Santa Maria Speedway to reopen this month, host sprint car, go-kart races". Santa Maria Times. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ "Santa Maria Speedway to Reopen". Performance Racing Industry. April 9, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Schedule". Santa Maria Speedway. 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- Sports in San Luis Obispo County, California
- Motorsport venues in California
- ARCA Menards Series tracks
- World of Outlaws Sprint Car tracks
- Tourist attractions in San Luis Obispo County, California
- ASCS Sprint Car Series tracks
- 1964 establishments in California
- Sports venues completed in 1964
- Dirt oval race tracks in the United States