Structure Type: built works - recreation areas and structures

Designers: Benham - Kite and Associates, Incorporated Architects (firm); Stolte, Inc. Building Contractors (firm); Benham (architect); Robert Woodville Kite (architect)

Dates: constructed 1970, demolished 1981

Ontario, CA

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Sited on 300 acres, the Ontario Motor Speedway was a 2.5 mile oval track that hosted Indy Car and NASCAR racing; its first race was the California 500 for Indy cars, staged 09/06/1970; when it opened, the bleachers and grandstands could hold 140,000 people; the grandstand's permanent seating accommodated 85,000; the form of the oval was taken from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; in 1970, it boasted the most powerful public address system in the world at 28,000 watts; on 03/19/1978 - 03/20/1978,'California Jam,'a rock concert with multiple acts, attracted 250,000-300,000 people to the Ontario Speedway.

Closed in 12/1980, and was demolished by developers soon thereafter.

PCAD id: 3298