THE NERD PAYOFF
Why This Pin Earned Its Place
Pomona is a rare surviving link between Southern California car clubs, law enforcement, timing technology, safety standards, and modern professional drag racing.
01
Site of NHRA’s first official race in April 1953
02
Winternationals home since 1961
03
Active season-opening and season-closing national events
LOOK CLOSER
The Gloriously Specific Details
Track lineage
• Opened in 1950 to move racing off public streets
• NHRA-sanctioned Pomona racing began in 1952
• First official NHRA race held in 1953
Event heritage
• Winternationals held here since 1961
• Current NHRA Finals venue
Plan precisely
• Admission, entrances, seating, parking, and permitted items are event-specific
• The track is not a drop-in attraction outside published events
CONFIRMED · SAFETY ORIGIN
The track opened in 1950 through cooperation among a car club, Pomona police, and the fairgrounds to provide organized racing away from public streets.
CONFIRMED · FIRST EVENT
NHRA held its first official race at Pomona in April 1953, and the track has hosted the Winternationals since 1961.
CONFIRMED · ACCESS
Public access is tied to ticketed events; the venue is not presented as a daily walk-in attraction.
PLAN THE VISIT
Useful Before You Leave the House
Address
2780 Fairplex Drive, Pomona, CA 91768
Hours
Current structured hours are unknown. Check the official site.
Price
Tickets, parking, upgrades, and child policies vary by event and date.
Access
Enter only for a published Fairplex or NHRA event with the appropriate ticket. Use the gate and parking instructions for that exact date.
Transit
Event transit and shuttle arrangements vary. Use only the current organizer’s published instructions.
Parking
Parking lots and gates change with Fairplex events. Follow the ticketed event’s instructions rather than routing directly to the track surface.
Photography
Personal-camera and lens rules vary by event; credentialed or commercial work requires organizer approval.
Age note
All-ages policies and child pricing vary by event; sustained extreme noise requires appropriate hearing protection for every age.
Amenities
Event-dependent concessions · Event-dependent restrooms · Grandstand seating
Check tickets and availability ↗