“Such a shame,” Bubba Wallace reacts to Auto Club’s reconfiguration  

The Cup and Xfinity series drivers are chasing a historic win at the track on Monday.

“Such a shame,” Bubba Wallace reacts to Auto Club’s reconfiguration  

Bubba Wallace

The 2023 Pala Casino 400 will be the final race hosted by the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. The 2miles oval will be reconfigured after Sunday’s Cup race. ACS’s redevelopment was postponed to 2023 following the supply chain issues due to the Covid-19 pandemic. NASCAR will convert the ACS into a short track.

ACS is one of the most appreciated tracks among drivers. The worn-out pavement, the five-lane racing, and the importance of strategy make it a special track to race on. Though the track doesn’t necessarily get the same appreciation from the fans as the spread-out field and lack of close-quarter racing, make it is less entertaining.

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23Xi Racing’s Bubba Wallace recently opened up about his remorse on the track being repaved. He wasn’t happy to see one of his favorite tracks undergoing such a big change, He said, “It’s one of the best circuits. I wish we could just pick it up and move it. Move it to my backyard – it’s not that big, but move it somewhere where we could go race there weekly. It’s that type of racetrack. It’s fun. It’s bumpy. It’s worn out,”.

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“It always provides great racing, I feel like. You just slip and slide. It’s a bigger Homestead. I think the best tracks are in the middle of nowhere. Fontana is in L.A., yes, but in Miami, you have to travel so far to get there. It’s going to be bittersweet, but hopefully, we can win it,” Wallace added.

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Bubba Wallace’s best friend Ryan Blaney shares a similar opinion on re-pavement  

Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney (Credits: NASCAR)

Ryan Blaney, who is one of the closest friends of Bubba Wallace, shared similar feelings about the development. The Penske Racing driver pointed out that the track is unique and produces a fun racing experience for drivers.

“I definitely care. I wish they would leave it. I think you talk to any driver who is going to come through there, and they will tell you the same thing. That place is one of the funnest, coolest race tracks that we go to. We all said the same about Atlanta. We all said the same about Chicago and Texas. And they have evolved and changed. So, I hate to see that place go,” Blaney said.

“I am sure the half-mile is going to be fun, and it will be different, but that place is so unique, and the drivers have so much fun there, and it puts on great racing. It is just a shame that something like that is going to have its last (race). There will be a big emphasis on trying to win the last one,” Blaney added.

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