Ascot Park (speedway)
| Location | Gardena, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°51′52″N 118°17′21″W / 33.86444°N 118.28917°WCoordinates: 33°51′52″N 118°17′21″W / 33.86444°N 118.28917°W |
| Capacity | 7,500 |
| Owner | J. C. Agajanian |
| Operator | J. C. Agajanian |
| Opened | 1957 |
| Closed | November 22, 1990 |
| Major events | NASCAR Grand National AMA Grand National Championship USAC events |
| outer oval track | |
| Surface | dirt |
| Length | 0.5 mi (0.8 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| inner oval | |
| Surface | dirt |
| Length | 0.2 mi (0.4 km) |
Ascot Park, Gardena, California, was a famous dirt racetrack located near Los Angeles, California. The track opened in 1957[1] on the site of a former city dump. Before it was closed in 1990, it hosted the United States Auto Club (USAC) championship series, the AMA Grand National Championship motorcycle series and was used in movies like the original Gone in 60 Seconds, A Very Brady Christmas, and CHiPs. Ascot was also the site of the annual USAC Turkey Night Grand Prix midget race on Thanksgiving.
With seating for only 7,500, Ascot Park was smaller than the other famous tracks of the area, such as Riverside International Raceway (closed in 1989) and Ontario Motor Speedway (closed in 1980). Yet, the park was equally well-known, because its location was surrounded by freeways, its regularly scheduled races, and its heavy radio advertising. The half-mile course featured tight semi-banked turns, long straight-ways, and a tacky surface that was conducive to dramatic sprint car racing. Other motorsport events, such as Figure 8 racing and motorcycle flat track and TT racing, were also held at Ascot.
It remained unused after a failed development project occupied the former site for a number of years. The park was later replaced by commercial buildings and paved over for parking.
Contents |
Notable weekly series alumni [edit]
NASCAR race results [edit]
Three NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) events were held at the track. The 1957 event was held on the 0.5-mile (0.80 km) track. It won by Eddie Pagan. The second NASCAR event was a 500 lap event on the 0.4-mile (0.64 km) track, and it was won by Parnelli Jones. The final event was held in 1961 on the 0.5-mile (0.80 km) track. Eddie Gray lapped the field for the win.[2] Wes Scott Flat champion 1966-67
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Stein, John L. (February 20, 2012). "Ascot Park Reunion Set for May". Autoweek 62 (4): 19.
- ^ Ascot Stadium NASCAR results, Retrieved November 27, 2007
External links [edit]
- Aerial image of Ascot Park MSRmaps.com
- Topographic map of Ascot Park MSRmaps.com
- Ascot Park track photos & video garbell.com
- Ascot Park Fan Page Facebook Fan Page
- "Impact '66": A vintage Chevrolet sales film; one segment depicts figure 8 racing at Ascot Park
