Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway is officially reopened for competition. California Speedway President Gillian Zucker, Automobile Club of Southern California President and CEO Tom McKernan and NHRA President Tom Compton participated in the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday morning.

“We are thrilled to be reopening Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway,” said California Speedway President Zucker. “We’ve hosted drag racing at California Speedway since 2001 and we are honored to have been the recipient of the 2005 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Track of the Year, an award voted on by the competitors. The new surface is one of the smoothest in the nation and will provide many more years of competitive racing.

“All of us at California Speedway remain committed to grass roots racing and specifically drag racing. It’s clear the racing community is already embracing the new facility which is booked practically every weekend through the end of the year. We are proud to have a partner like the Automobile Club of Southern California who has been with us from the beginning and the support of San Bernardino County who recognizes the economic benefit of motorsports to this region.” Zucker said.

It was announced in November 2005 that the Automobile Club of Southern California signed a five-year entitlement agreement for the new quarter-mile strip, home to a very competitive Division 7 Junior Drag Racing program sponsored by the Auto Club and the AAA-sponsored NHRA Street Legal Drag Racing program. In addition to these events, NHRA’s Summit Series, Pacific Street Car Association and Super Categories use the strip.

“The Auto Club, along with our partner the NHRA, is a strong supporter of efforts to curtail illegal street racing,” said McKernan, Auto Club President and CEO. “The AAA-sponsored NHRA Street Legal Drag Racing program encourages enthusiasts to race in a safe and legal environment – not on the street. We have a long history in promoting traffic safety and working to make driving safer. This is one of many important programs we support that not only helps safety on the roads but also encourages young people to be responsible and obey the laws.

“The Auto Club Dragway is a high quality track, and participants can demonstrate their skills in a controlled and safe environment,” McKernan added. “We applaud California Speedway and the NHRA for their leadership in providing such an outstanding facility. We also are pleased to support on behalf of thousands of enthusiastic members, the NHRA national and divisional drag races.”