By Allen Basallaje
EBC Los Angeles Bureau

(Eagle News) — Since 1997, the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California has been a familiar site for NASCAR races.  However, California’s pandemic restrictions in 2021 meant omitting the usual West Coast racetrack from the NASCAR circuit that year.  But with the easing of COVID-19 related mandates for the 2022 season, NASCAR once again activated the Fontana speedway and welcomed fans back for a weekend of Xfinity and Cup Series motorsports.

Clocking in at over 100 miles per hours, cars thundered along the two-mile oval track, intermittently bumping, spinning out, and crashing as drivers and pit crews pushed both mechanical and human machines to their limits. 

At the end of two days, it was Cole Custer in car #07 who took the checkered flag for the 23rd Production Alliance Group 300 in the Xfinity category, and Kyle Larson driver of car #5 who secured first place in the 25th Wise Power 400 for the Cup Series.  Both races were highly contested, as proven by the numerous caution flags and restarts.

Several first-time attendees took the opportunity to sample the offerings of the fan event before enjoying the races, and to their delight there was no shortage of amusements to experience. 

With a wide-range of attractions like race simulators, luchador wrestling, and even live performances from 90’s band Collective Soul, plenty of fun was had by individuals of every age. 

While the fan event in and of itself was worth writing home about, the races themselves commanded the mainstage, as evidenced by the myriad of folks proudly strutting about in their favorite team jerseys.

One article though that was seen less of were facemasks which isn’t to say that none were present, only that such sightings were rare.  One would need to strain their eyesight looking into the crowd or scan the ground below in order to spot an occasional face covering.  But by all accounts, the masked and the maskless appeared to treat everyone respectfully and with politeness.  This showing of common goodwill is an encouraging sign that if NASCAR racing in California continues as scheduled, relations between guests should remain pleasant regardless of which side of the conversation a person is leaning towards.

(Eagle News Service)