POMONA — Beginning in 2023, the legendary drag racing strip on Fairplex property will become known as the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip instead of the Auto Club Raceway.
A new multiyear sponsorship deal with the hamburger chain that serves California and six other western states was announced Tuesday, ending a long-term association with the Auto Club.
Camping World will remain the sponsor for the NHRA season and Lucas Oil will continue its relationship with the Winternationals, an ongoing event since 1961. The track opened in 1953.
It was also announced that the track has extended its contract with Fairplex from 2028 to 2033, aimed to ensure that there will be drag racing in Pomona for the next decade.
The Auto Club Raceway will host one more event this year, the NHRA Finals from Nov. 10-13. The NHRA Finals have been run on the Pomona track since 1984.
In 2023, the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip will host the Lucas Oil Winternationals March 30-April 2 and the In-N-Out NHRA Finals Nov. 9-12.
NHRA president Glen Cromwell, in a statement, said: “In-N-Out Burger is an iconic brand. To have such a terrific company as the title sponsor of both our historic track in Pomona and our season-ending NHRA Finals means a great deal to NHRA, our race teams and our fans, and shows the continued growth of NHRA drag racing.”
On Oct. 22, 2023, the Pomona track will host an event celebrating In-N-Out’s 75th anniversary. Billed as a festival, the event will feature non-professional drag racing, a car show, concerts and celebrity guests.
Said In-N-Out president Lynsi Snyder: “Drag racing and hot rods have been such an important part of our history at In-N-Out, and a love for racing has been a big part of my family as well. I have many special memories being at the Pomona dragstrip, many of them with my dad, and I’m really looking forward to In-N-Out’s involvement there for many years to come.”