Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, more often called simply "Pomona Dragstrip," is a legendary venue for drag racing, situated east of Los Angeles in Pomona, California. Since 1961, this quarter-mile track has been a cornerstone of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), hosting the season-opening Winternationals and the season-ending Finals. Expect a high-energy atmosphere with roaring engines, intense competition, and the smell of burning rubber. It's a serious racing venue; the grandstands are sizable, catering primarily to dedicated drag racing fans. If you’re new to drag racing or a seasoned pro, Pomona is a must-visit. The focus is squarely on the NHRA events, but the venue also hosts corporate events and other spectator activities throughout the year. Attending a race here means experiencing a piece of motorsports history. Given its location in Southern California, expect large crowds, especially for major NHRA events, and plan accordingly for parking and traffic. If you're looking for a truly authentic drag racing experience, complete with nitro-burning Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars, this is the place.
Watch: In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip (Auto Club Raceway)
Know Before You Go
- Test & tune nights
- Most strips run open 'test and tune' or 'run what ya brung' sessions for $20-40 entry. Make as many passes as time allows — perfect for street cars and bracket prep.
- Required gear
- A helmet is required once you run faster than 13.99 in the quarter-mile (or 9.99 in the eighth). Anything quicker than 11.49 typically requires a roll bar and SFI gear.
- Tech inspection
- Cars go through a basic safety check: battery hold-down, throttle return, seatbelt condition, tire condition. Faster cars need NHRA tech and current chassis cert.
- Bracket racing
- Saturday-night bracket programs pit dial-in handicap races. You declare your ET, race against a 'pro tree,' and closer to your dial without going under wins.
- Timeslip souvenir
- Most tracks print your ET, trap speed, reaction time, and 60-foot on a timeslip after each pass — a fun keepsake even if you're just there to mess around.