Riverside International Raceway

{{Short description|Former motorsport track in the United States}} {{Distinguish|text=Riverside International Speedway in Nova Scotia, or Riverside International Speedway (West Memphis, Arkansas)}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}}

{{Infobox motorsport venue |name = Riverside International Raceway |nicknames = |logo = RIRLogo.jpg |image = class=skin-invert|170px |image_caption = Grand Prix Layout (1969–1988) |location = 22255 Eucalyptus Avenue<br>Moreno Valley, California<br>92388 |coordinates = {{Coord|33|56|00.2|N|117|16|20.2|W|display=it}} |broke_ground = {{Start date and age|1956|12}} |opened = {{Start date and age|1957|09|21}} |closed = {{Start date and age|1989|07|02}} |owner = Sunnymead Land Investors (1971–1989) |construction_cost= Varies by source; $625,000 to $800,000 |former_names = Riverside International Motor Raceway (early years) |events = '''Former:'''<br>NASCAR Cup Series<br />''Winston Western 500'' (1958, 1961, 1963–1987)<br />''Budweiser 400'' (1963, 1970–1988)<br />IMSA GT Championship<br>''Los Angeles Times Grand Prix'' (1975, 1979–1987)<br />Trans-Am Series (1966–1972, 1980, 1983–1984, 1986)<br />CART<br>''Budweiser 500K'' (1967–1969, 1981–1983)<br />Formula One<br />''United States Grand Prix'' (1960) |capacity = |miles_first = true |layout = Long Grand Prix Road Course (1969–1989) |architect = William L. Duquette |length_km = 5.311 |length_mi = 3.300h |surface = Asphalt |turns = 9 |record_time = 1:30.656 |record_driver = {{flagicon|USA}} Kevin Cogan |record_car = Penske PC-10 |record_year = 1982 |record_class = CART |layout2 = NASCAR Course (1969–1989) |length2_km = 4.216 |length2_mi = 2.620 |surface2 = Asphalt |turns2 = 9 |record_time2 = |record_driver2 = |record_car2 = |record_year2 = |record_class2 = |layout3 = Sports Car Short Course (1969–1989) |length3_km = 4.099 |length3_mi = 2.547 |surface3 = Asphalt |turns3 = 9 |record_time3 = 1:11.079 |record_driver3 = {{flagicon|IRE}} Michael Roe |record_car3 = VDS-004 |record_year3 = 1984 |record_class3 = Can-Am |layout4 = Original Grand Prix Road Course (1957–1968) |length4_km = 5.230 |length4_mi = 3.250 |surface4 = Asphalt |turns4 = 9 |record_time4 = 1:40.400 |record_driver4 = {{flagicon|NZL}} Bruce McLaren |record_car4 = McLaren M6A |record_year4 = 1967 |record_class4 = Can-Am |layout5 = Sports Car Short Course (1957–1968) |length5_km = 4.176 |length5_mi = 2.595 |surface5 = Asphalt |turns5 = 9 |record_time5 = 1:20.000 |record_driver5 = {{flagicon|USA}} Mark Donohue |record_car5 = McLaren M6A |record_year5 = 1968 |record_class5 = Can-Am }}

'''Riverside International Raceway''' (formerly known as the '''Riverside International Motor Raceway''' in early years) was an auto racing complex in Moreno Valley, California, within Riverside County. The complex throughout its history featured multiple layouts, including various road course layouts, oval layouts, and a dragstrip. From its opening in 1957 until its closure in 1989, the facility hosted numerous major racing events, including Formula One, NASCAR, and IMSA GT Championship events. The track since its closure has been demolished, with a majority of the former track site now occupied by a shopping district highlighted by the Moreno Valley Mall.

After a failed proposal to build a complex in San Bernardino County the year prior, the West Coast Automotive Testing Corporation, led by Rudy Cleye and John Campbell Edgar, built and completed Riverside International Raceway in 1957. The facility soon fell into financial trouble despite the success of the annual Los Angeles Times Grand Prix, and after a brief stints under various owners, the facility was sold in 1962 to a group led by Edwin Pauley, Fred Levy, and Bob Hope. Under the leadership of longtime track president Les Richter, the track was able to enter financial stability and undergo some renovations. In 1969, with new funding from Lawrence LoPatin, the track underwent further renovations, including a redesign. LoPatin's reign was brief due to financial and organizational troubles with his company American Raceways, Inc., leading to the track's purchase by the Fritz Duda-led Sunnymead Land Investors in 1971.

After Richter's departure as president of the track in 1983, plans were made to build a replacement facility to move all operations of Riverside International Raceway to; however, these plans never materialized. After some delays in the construction of the mall, the track ran its last major events in 1988; demolition started in June of that year. After some local events on a shortened version of the track, the facility ran its final events in 1989.

== Description ==

=== Layouts and configuration === Riverside International Raceway (RIR) had multiple layouts designed by James E. Peterson.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}}<ref name="Heimann–2002">{{Cite magazine |last=Heimann |first=John B. |date=January 2002 |title=The Life and Death of Riverside International Raceway |url=https://legacy.allamericanracers.com/images/pdf/Riverside1.pdf |access-date=March 2, 2026 |magazine=Vintage Motorsport |pages=38–50}}</ref> In its final iteration, the main layout was measured at {{cvt|3.300|mi|km|abbr=on}} with nine turns. Its NASCAR layout, which bypassed the main layout's seventh turn with a straightaway, was measured at {{cvt|2.620|mi|km|abbr=on}}.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}} Before the ninth turn was changed in 1969 to include a left-turn kink leading into a sweeping right-handed turn, the main layout was measured at {{cvt|3.250|mi|km|abbr=on}}.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}} RIR also featured a dragstrip measured at a {{cvt|0.250|mi|km|abbr=off}}.<ref name="Redlands Daily Facts">{{Cite news |date=May 21, 1964 |title=Riverside track readied for June drags |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/redlands-daily-facts-riverside-track-rea/189887975/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 28, 2026 |work=Redlands Daily Facts |page=12}} {{Open access}}</ref>

=== Amenities === RIR was located in Moreno Valley, California, and served by U.S. Route 60 and U.S. Route 395 (now Interstate 215).{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}} The track's architecture was designed by William L. Duquette.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}} Permanent seats were constructed in some parts of the track, including turns six and seven alongside the start-finish line.<ref name="Rees–1969">{{Cite news |last=Rees |first=Ryan |date=May 22, 1969 |title=Riverside Will Have Two Stock Car Races |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/190206037/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=D1}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Living Up">{{Cite news |last=Rees |first=Ryan |date=August 28, 1969 |title=Riverside Raceway Finally Living Up to Its Promises |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/190223141/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=D3}} {{Open access}}</ref>

== Track history == === Planning and construction === ==== Failed San Bernardino County proposal ==== On January 26, 1956, the San Bernardino County Planning Commission approved a proposal submitted by the United States Automotive Testing Company (USAT), with preliminary plans set to build "an automotive testing plant and race track" on {{cvt|400|acre|ha|adj=on}} plot of land near the city of Ontario.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 27, 1956 |title=Site Approved For Auto Testing Plant |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-site-appro/189074702/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=11}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 1, 1956 |title=Auto Race Track May Be Built East of Ontario |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-auto-race-track-ma/189074954/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=IV-2}} {{Open access}}</ref> The project, the then-named "Los Angeles International Motor Raceway",<ref name="Lawless–1956">{{Cite news |last=Lawless |first=Fred |date=March 7, 1956 |title=Motor Racing Plant To Be 'World's Best' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-motor-raci/189075349/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-motor-raci/189075399/ 3]}} {{Open access}}</ref> was officially announced by USAT on March 6,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 29, 1956 |title=Motor Raceway Plans Will be Told March 6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-motor-raceway-plans-wil/189075026/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=1-1}} {{Open access}}</ref> which included plans to build "several tracks inside a major {{cvt|5.500|mi|km|abbr=on}} road course" over the span of four years on a budget of $12,000,000 (adjusted for inflation, ${{Inflation|index=US|value=12000000|start_year=1956|r=0|fmt=c}}), with an initial opening date in July 1956.<ref name="Lawless–1956" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Curnow |first=Jack |date=March 7, 1956 |title=Plans For Racing Plant Announced |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-plans-for-racing-p/189075449/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=IV-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-plans-for-racing-p/189075494/ IV-2]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In an interview with the ''Los Angeles Mirror'', USAT president Kermit M. Pollack stated that the project was largely funded by a wealthy Southern California family who invested in "lumber, oil, mining, real estate, and stocks".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stiles |first=Maxwell |date=March 15, 1956 |title=SC Coach Derby Gets Hotter |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-mirror-sc-coach-derby-gets-h/189107800/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Mirror |page=III-2}} {{Open access}}</ref> An initial groundbreaking date was set for April 1.<ref name="Lawless–1956" /> The opening of the track was first delayed mid-fall due to a construction project made to improve the access roads that were meant to serve the track, with track developers describing them as "totally inadequate" for the expected demand.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 2, 1956 |title=County Road Work In Raceway Area Okayed By Board |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-county-road-work-in-rac/189107869/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=1-1}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 14, 1956 |title=Multi-Million Dollar Raceway Opening Suffers Setback |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-multi-million-dollar-ra/189111141/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=1-5}} {{Open access}}</ref> After an opening race was scheduled for September 22,<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 1, 1956 |title=Sports Cars Set To Open Raceway On September 22 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-sports-cars-set-to-open/189111648/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=1-8}} {{Open access}}</ref> the opening was delayed further in June to the spring of 1957 due to slow progress on the access road improvement project.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 13, 1956 |title=Ontario Raceway Reslates Opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-ontario-raceway-reslate/189112085/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=1-8}} {{Open access}}</ref> By July, according to racing historian Dick Wallen, USAT was on the brink of collapse due to multiple project leaders departing the project with no work completed on the track.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}} In August, USAT pulled all support and stopped all work on the project, effectively killing the track. According to Pollack, he suspended the project due to "high costs, unusual site problems, and timing as related to area development, access and construction"; in addition, the land's material consisting of "sand and sandy loam" was unsuitable for road paving.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 13, 1956 |title=Motor Raceway Project Dropped By U.S. Automotive Corporation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-motor-raceway-project-d/189112744/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |pages=1-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-motor-raceway-project-d/189112753/ 1-4]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1956 |title=Ontario Track Job Called Off |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-ontario-tr/189112777/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=17}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Riverside County proposal ==== In September 1956, restaurant owner Rudy Cleye, who was involved with the San Bernardino County proposal, began proposing to the Riverside County Planning Commission to build a road course on a {{cvt|520|acre|ha|adj=on}} plot of land near March Air Force Base.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bryant |first=Jim |date=September 27, 1956 |title=Spotlight On Sports |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-spotlight-on-sports/189113384/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=2-10}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Reinhold–1956">{{Cite news |last=Reinhold |first=Jim |date=December 31, 1956 |title=New Motor Raceway Sets 5 Major Events |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-new-motor/189113874/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=13}} {{Open access}}</ref> On November 26, the commission approved the proposal by a vote of 3–2.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 27, 1956 |title=Race Course OK'd |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wilmington-daily-press-journal-race-cour/189113716/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=Wilmington Daily Press Journal |page=6 |agency=United Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> In comparison to the San Bernardino County proposal, Cleye wanted to have "no elaborate press conferences, no expensive public relations treatments, no fancy words, or exaggerated promises".<ref name="Eastman–1956">{{Cite news |last=Eastman |first=Chuck |date=December 8, 1956 |title=Sports Car News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times-sports-car-news/189113722/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=Valley Times |page=13}} {{Open access}}</ref> The project, known as "Riverside International Motor Raceway" by December 8,<ref name="Eastman–1956" /> was projected to cost, "without frills", approximately between $750,000 to $1,000,000. As part of the approval, at least $100,000 worth of the track's development was required to be completed within one year.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garner |first=Bob |date=December 19, 1956 |title=R. P. M. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-peninsula-times-tribune-r-p-m/189113834/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=Peninsula Times Tribune |page=23}} {{Open access}}</ref> At the time of the approval, Cleye's funding for the facility had run out; soon after, he partnered a frequent visitor at his restaurant, John Campbell Edgar, who invested the initial $100,000 needed.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}}

Work on the facility began in December of that year,<ref name="Eastman–1956" /> with track developers stating hopes of hosting five major events each racing season.<ref name="Reinhold–1956" /> Grading on the track was completed by the end of January 1957,<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 21, 1957 |title=Motoraceway Grading Completion Date Set |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-motoraceway-grading-com/189117178/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |pages=1-8}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 21, 1957 |title=Raceway Slates Opener April 27 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-raceway-slates-ope/189117215/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=IV-2}} {{Open access}}</ref> with paving of the track starting three months later.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eastman |first=Chuck |date=April 5, 1957 |title=Sports Car News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times-sports-car-news/189143492/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=Valley Times |page=19}} {{Open access}}</ref> By June, master plans had expanded to include a capacity of 200,000, five road course layouts (including a {{cvt|5|mi|km|abbr=on}} layout), three oval layouts, a restaurant, and a hotel at an expected cost of $3,500,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 1, 1957 |title=Motor Racing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-motor-racing/189146946/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=1-8}} {{Open access}}</ref> In the same month, the track hosted a testing session open to the media, with multiple drivers, including Ken Miles, John McGlaughlin, and John Marcotte participating in the test.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 22, 1957 |title=Motor Racing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-motor-racing/189146973/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=1-8}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reinhold |first=Jim |date=July 1, 1957 |title=Speedy Laps Recorded At Riverside Raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-speedy-lap/189147384/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=6}} {{Open access}}</ref> On August 11, Paul Wallace of the ''Press-Telegram'' announced the first event for the facility: a Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) event from September 21–22.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wallace |first=Paul |date=August 11, 1957 |title=New Riverside Motor Raceway Making Plans for First Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-new-riverside-motor-racew/189200637/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=Press-Telegram |page=C6}} {{Open access}}</ref> Wallace's report was confirmed later in the month by the track's developers, with the races taking place on a completed {{cvt|3.250|mi|km|abbr=on}} layout.<ref name="September Opening">{{Cite news |date=August 28, 1957 |title=Riverside Motor Raceway Slates September Opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-riverside-motor-raceway/189200717/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=3-6}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Reinhold–1957">{{Cite news |last=Reinhold |first=Jim |date=September 2, 1957 |title=Riverside Raceway Opens Sept. 21-22 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/189200728/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=6}} {{Open access}}</ref> At the time of its first race, the track had a reported capacity of 7,000.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reinhard |first=Jim |date=September 16, 1957 |title=Nation Eyes Opening Of New Raceway! |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-nation-eye/189201234/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=7}} {{Open access}}</ref> The construction cost varies by source. Sources at the time of its construction list a price of $800,000.<ref name="September Opening" /><ref name="Reinhold–1957" /> This figure is disputed by ''MotoRacing''<nowiki/>'s Gus Vignolle, who estimated a price of $625,000.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}} The five-mile circuit, which consisted of an approximate {{cvt|2|mi|km|abbr=on}} circuit at the northeast part of the track, was never constructed due to financial issues.<ref name="Heimann–2002" />

=== Early years === {{Multiple image | total_width = 450 | image1 = Richie_Ginther_and_Roger_Penske,_1964_(cropped).jpg | image2 = Jerry Unser Jr., 23-01-1953.png | image3 = Stirling_Moss.jpg | footer = Richie Ginther (left), Jerry Unser Jr. (middle), and Stirling Moss (right) won the first feature race, the first stock car race, and the first Formula One race held at the facility, respectively. }} Riverside International Motor Raceway opened as scheduled on September 21, 1957, with Chuck Daigh, Richie Ginther, and Ricardo Rodríguez winning the first events at the facility on the 21st and 22nd; Ginther won the first feature event held at the track.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 22, 1957 |title=Daigh Wins; Shelby Hurt |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-daigh-wins-shelby-hurt/189237819/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2026 |work=Press-Telegram |page=C3 |agency=United Press}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reinhold |first=Jim |date=September 23, 1957 |title=Ritchie Ginther Wins Thrilling Riverside Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-ritchie-gi/189239208/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=16, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-ritchie-gi/189239309/ 17]}} {{Open access}}</ref> After the event, the sixth turn of the track, which was the scene of a fatal accident on the 22nd,<ref name="Eastman–1957">{{Cite news |last=Eastman |first=Chuck |date=September 23, 1957 |title=Fatality Mars Track Opening In Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times-fatality-mars-track-opening/189239342/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2026 |work=Valley Times |page=11}} {{Open access}}</ref> was redesigned in time for events in November.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reinhold |first=Jim |date=November 11, 1957 |title=Raceway Gets $10,000 Worth of Gravel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-raceway-ge/189267134/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=7}} {{Open access}}</ref> The first drag racing event was held two weeks after the first event, hosting a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) event on October 5–6.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2, 1957 |title=Drag Racing Set At New Riverside Speedway Strip |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-drag-racin/189242865/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=25}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 1957 |title=Cal Rice Turns Top Drag Speed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-cal-rice-t/189242889/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=28}} {{Open access}}</ref> Two months later, the first stock car racing event was held, with Jerry Unser Jr. winning a United States Auto Club (USAC) event on December 1.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 31, 1957 |title=Stock Cars At Raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times-stock-cars-at-raceway/189275512/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 19, 2026 |work=Valley Times |page=16}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Curnow |first=Jack |date=December 2, 1957 |title=Jerry Unser Drives to Riverside Victory |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-jerry-unser-drives/189275550/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 19, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=IV-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-jerry-unser-drives/189275581/ IV-5]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1958, the first NASCAR-sanctioned race was held at the facility, with Eddie Gray winning a Grand National (now known as the Cup Series) event on June 1.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 8, 1958 |title=McCorkindale Seeking 500-Mile Race Berth |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-mccorkindale-seeking-50/189344030/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 19, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=2-5}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Curnow–1958">{{Cite news |last=Curnow |first=Jack |date=June 2, 1958 |title=Purse Hassle Delays Race; Gray Triumphs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-purse-hassle-delay/189350425/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 19, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=IV-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-purse-hassle-delay/189350461/ IV-6]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The first Riverside-hosted event billed as the United States Grand Prix was held four months later, with Daigh winning a sports car race.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ray |first=Pat |date=July 25, 1958 |title=Local Race Officials Hail First Grand Prix |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-mirror-local-race-officials/189389686/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Mirror |page=IV-3}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Dredge–1958">{{Cite news |last=Dredge |first=Bill |date=October 13, 1958 |title=70,000 See Daigh Win Grand Prix |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-70000-see-daigh-w/189398486/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=I-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-70000-see-daigh-w/189398644/ IV-2]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1959, approximately $30,000 worth of renovations were made to the facility, adding 10,000 parking spots, access roads, a "greater paved area around the start-finish line", and improvements to other fan amenities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 24, 1959 |title=Riverside Race Set for July 19 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/progress-bulletin-riverside-race-set-for/189400839/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 22, 2026 |work=Progress-Bulletin |page=3-3}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |date=July 15, 1959 |title=Riverside Track Wears 'New Look' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-riverside-track-we/189400882/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 22, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=IV-5}} {{Open access}}</ref> A year later, the first and only Formula One race hosted at Riverside was held on on November 20, with Stirling Moss winning the event.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hyland |first=Dick |date=June 10, 1960 |title=Riverside Gets Famed Sebring Race Classic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-riverside-gets-fam/189523105/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 22, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=IV-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-riverside-gets-fam/189523115/ IV-6]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Hyland–1960">{{Cite news |last=Hyland |first=Dick |date=November 21, 1960 |title=Stirling Moss in Easy Win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-stirling-moss-in-e/189110649/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=IV-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-stirling-moss-in-e/189110684/ IV-9]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

The facility quickly experienced financial issues. An highly advertised event consisting of three {{cvt|500|mi|km|adj=on}} races over three days on the Memorial Day weekend of 1958 lost promoters $50,000 (adjusted for inflation, ${{Inflation|index=US|value=50000|start_year=1958|r=0|fmt=c}}) and had a reported combined three-day attendance of 12,000, which was blamed on high ticket prices of $5 (adjusted for inflation, ${{Inflation|index=US|value=5|start_year=1958|r=0|fmt=c}}) per day.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 2, 1958 |title=Riverside Race Event Proves Financial Flop |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/progress-bulletin-riverside-race-event-p/189371450/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2026 |work=Progress-Bulletin |page=2-11 |agency=United Press International}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Eastman |first=Chuck |date=June 7, 1958 |title=Sports Car News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times-sports-car-news/189371461/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2026 |work=Valley Times |page=13}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Boxberger–1958">{{Cite news |last=Boxberger |first=Bob |date=June 7, 1958 |title=Motor Racing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-motor-racing/189371470/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=2-9}} {{Open access}}</ref> During the event, the facility was reportedly paying off creditors involved in the track's construction with ticket sales revenue from the event.<ref name="Boxberger–1958" /> Although the newly created Los Angeles Times Grand Prix, an annual professional sports car event first run in 1958, was considered a major success with high attendance starting in its first iteration,<ref name="Dredge–1958" />{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=30–33}} Wallen remarked that most of RIR's races were unprofitable, stating that "a few good races couldn't balance the books". He further stated that despite Edgar's funding "between $200,000 and $250,000" for the track by 1960, "even that couldn't stem the red ink".{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|p=20}} [[File:Les Richter, 1967-11-22.png|alt=Refer to caption|thumb|270x270px|Les Richter (pictured in 1967) was hired by Riverside International Raceway in 1961, becoming the president a year later. He remained as president until 1983.]] In January 1960, the facility was sold at an undisclosed price to Dean Mears, an amateur sports car racer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 21, 1960 |title=Mears to Buy Racing Plant at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-mears-to-buy-racin/189413685/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=IV-2}} {{Open access}}</ref> The price was later listed as "about $300,000" according to Wallen.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=21–27}} Mears' tenure was short; he soon after left and cut all ties with the facility,{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=21–27}} and by June 10, Roy G. Lewis was listed as the new owner of the facility according to the ''Los Angeles Mirror''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ray |first=Pat |date=June 10, 1960 |title=Riverside Track Lures Grand Prix From Florida |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-mirror-riverside-track-lures/189591948/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 6, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Mirror |page=2-5}} {{Open access}}</ref> On June 25, the first oval race was held on a {{cvt|0.500|mi|km|abbr=on}} layout which incorporated the ninth turn of Riverside's road course.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=21–27}} The following month, Paul Schisser was appointed as general manager of the facility. With his appointment, Schisser stated hopes of expanding the facility to include a replica of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway alongside a shopping and housing area.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scalzo |first=Joe |date=July 24, 1960 |title=Motor Racing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-motor-racing/189447693/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=C3}} {{Open access}}</ref> In September 1960, Fred Levy and Edwin Pauley bought considerable amounts of stock of the facility.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/redlands-daily-facts-ram-owners-buy-rive/189518259/|title=Ram Owners Buy Riverside Raceway Stock|date=September 5, 1960|access-date=January 23, 2026|url-status=live|work=Redlands Daily Facts|page=8}} {{Open access}}</ref> According to the ''Redwood City Tribune'', the duo invested "about $1 million".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/redwood-city-tribune-rodger-ward-enters/189518273/|title=Rodger Ward Enters Laguna Seca Road Race|last=Garner|first=Bob|date=October 12, 1960|access-date=January 23, 2026|url-status=live|work=Redwood City Tribune|page=15}} {{Open access}}</ref> Despite the investment, the facility was reported to still be in financial trouble. The only Formula One race ever ran at the facility, a highly advertised event promoted by Alec Ulmann, had an actual attendance of 25,000 according to the ''Los Angeles Times''; Ulmann expected 100,000.<ref name="Hyland–1960" />{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|p=44}} The race, which was considered a financial failure, was moved after one iteration to Watkins Glen International for 1961.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hogue |first=Josh |date=September 7, 1961 |title=Grand Prix Site Selected |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle-grand-prix-site/189592130/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2026 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |page=40}} {{Open access}}</ref> In February 1961, Schisser appointed former football player Les Richter as the assistant general manager of the track.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1961 |title=Les Richter Joins Staff of Raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-les-richter-joins/189546349/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 22, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=II-7}} {{Open access}}</ref> According to Richter, he was hired to head the track after it experienced continued financial troubles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gandy |first=Jerry |date=November 12, 1976 |title=Les' transition to gridiron to raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-les-transition-to-gridi/189519127/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 22, 2026 |work=Richmond Independent}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Edwin Pauley, Fred Levy, Bob Hope, and Les Richter years ==== [[File:Bob Hope 1969 Publicity Photo.jpg|alt=Refer to caption|left|thumb|250x250px|Bob Hope (pictured in 1969) was a co-owner of Riverside International Raceway from 1962 until 1969 alongside Edwin Pauley and Fred Levy.]] In 1962, Lewis gave up his ownership in the facility, with ownership transferring to stockholders Edwin Pauley and Fred Levy. With the ownership, they brought entertainer Bob Hope as part of the ownership group of the track.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=21–27}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 28, 1962 |title=Riverside Will Have $41,935 Auto Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/189655437/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=A9 |agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> In addition, Schisser retired as president of the track; as a result, Joe W. Perry was appointed as his replacement,<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 1962 |title=Auto News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-register-auto-news/189616550/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2026 |work=The Orange County Register |page=B14}} {{Open access}}</ref> and Richter was promoted to become the executive director of the track.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 22, 1962 |title=Richter Named Executive Head |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-richter-na/189618802/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=C4}} {{Open access}}</ref> In June of that year, a second, shorter layout was created after a short-cut straight was paved that connected the sixth and eighth turns, bypassing the entire seventh turn.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=49–52}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 23, 1962 |title=50 cars to race in Riverside enduro Sunday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/redlands-daily-facts-50-cars-to-race-in/189657435/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2026 |work=Redlands Daily Facts |page=6}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 25, 1962 |title=Ken Miles Scores Racing Double |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-ken-miles-scores-r/189657467/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-6}} {{Open access}}</ref> Four months later, a $25,000 pedestrian bridge was constructed over the facility's backstretch and grandstand capacity was increased to 16,000, adding grandstands in the sixth turn and in an area "opposite [of] turn 7".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |date=October 2, 1962 |title=Bridge Placed Over Raceway at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-bridge-placed-over/189656865/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=II-1}} {{Open access}}</ref> In January 1963, the track's pit areas was relocated from outside of the track to the infield of the track, with grandstands being built in the old pit area.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Randolph |first=Hugh |date=December 5, 1962 |title=Riverside '500' Lures Top Talent |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-riverside-500-lures-to/189657842/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2026 |work=Oakland Tribune |page=42}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Comroe |first=George |date=January 12, 1963 |title=500 Miles of Twisting Speed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin-500-miles-of-twisting-s/189803958/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2026 |work=Anaheim Bulletin |page=C2}} {{Open access}}</ref> According to Wallen, the change was made due to the arrival of annual NASCAR racing in 1963.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=1–9}} In May, a $24,000 retaining steel wall was installed at the ninth turn alongside the announcement of new garage amenities; the steel wall was installed in the wake of two deaths within the span of four months at the same turn in similar fashions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |date=May 9, 1963 |title=Changes Due At Riverside Raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-changes-due-at-riv/189805424/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-changes-due-at-riv/189805466/ III-4]}} {{Open access}}</ref>{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=53–54}}

In August 1963, Perry resigned as president of RIR, with Richter retaining his position as executive director and general manager.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pivernetz |first=Ken |date=August 23, 1963 |title=Raceway Prexy Resigns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/independent-raceway-prexy-resigns/189833029/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2026 |work=Long Beach Independent |page=C8}} {{Open access}}</ref> In January 1964, a $9 million master plan for RIR was revealed by Richter, which included plans to construct facilities to hold a capacity of up to 150,000, an automotive museum, a hotel, a golf course, and a gun club.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bryant |first=Jim |date=January 9, 1964 |title=Ontario Speedway Hopes Get Setback |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-ontario-speedway-hopes/189866380/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 28, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-ontario-speedway-hopes/189866410/ A10]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |date=January 10, 1964 |title=Riverside Track 'New Look' to Cost $9 Million |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-riverside-track-n/189866567/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 28, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-5}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Grant |first=Bruce |date=January 10, 1964 |title=Riverside Raceway Plans Sports Center |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/189866534/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 28, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=C3}} {{Open access}}</ref> Within the year, the track's dragstrip was revamped, with 18,000 grandstand seats being installed on the track's straightaway and a paved pit area within the track's infield being constructed in time for that year's Hot Rod Magazine Drag Races in June.<ref name="Redlands Daily Facts" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |date=June 10, 1964 |title=Track 'Rebuilt' for Dragsters at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-track-rebuilt-fo/189888144/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 28, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-2}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1966, a $200,000 renovation project was completed, which included the construction of two permanent garage buildings and a retaining wall at the track's frontstretch.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin-riverside-improvement-p/190084869/|title=Riverside Improvement Plan Progressing Well|date=August 24, 1966|access-date=January 29, 2026|url-status=live|work=Anaheim Bulletin|page=C1}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-miles-fatal-crash/190084875/|title=Miles' Fatal Crash Cause Still Unknown|last=Thomas|first=Bob|date=August 25, 1966|access-date=January 29, 2026|url-status=live|work=Los Angeles Times|page=III-9}} {{Open access}}</ref> Several additions were made in 1967 in time for that year's Los Angeles Times Grand Prix: the first turn was widened by {{cvt|70|ft|m|abbr=on}}, a concrete wall from the first turn to the sixth turn was installed, and other fan amenities were constructed at a cost of $300,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin-riverside-gets-usac-san/190085199/|title=Riverside Gets USAC Sanction|last=Wolcott|first=Jim|date=March 9, 1967|access-date=January 30, 2026|url-status=live|work=Anaheim Bulletin|page=C1}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/redwood-city-tribune-rambler-tests-drags/190107987/|title=Rambler Tests Dragster at Fremont|last=Garner|first=Bob|date=June 23, 1967|access-date=January 30, 2026|url-status=live|work=Redwood City Tribune|page=17}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-top-drivers-arrive/190109685/|title=Top Drivers Arrive for Times Grand Prix|last=Thomas|first=Bob|date=October 23, 1967|access-date=January 30, 2026|url-status=live|work=Los Angeles Times|page=III-5}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1968, with construction impending on the nearby Ontario Motor Speedway oval track, Richter announced plans to construct a {{cvt|1.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} tri-oval with a budget of $3,600,000<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/190139807/|title=Riverside Raceway Plans Oval|last=Grant|first=Bruce|date=May 22, 1968|access-date=January 30, 2026|url-status=live|work=The San Bernardino Sun|page=C1}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-riverside-tells-3/190139836/|title=Riverside Tells $3.6 Million Expansion Plan|date=May 22, 1968|access-date=January 30, 2026|url-status=live|work=Los Angeles Times|page=III-2}} {{Open access}}</ref> and a planned capacity of 30,000;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-richter-plans-rive/190158680/|title=Richter Plans Riverside Raceway Expansion|last=Thomas|first=Bob|date=July 21, 1968|access-date=January 30, 2026|url-status=live|work=Los Angeles Times|page=D11}} {{Open access}}</ref> however, the plans were suspended by May 1969.<ref name="Glick–1969">{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-richter-gets-jump/190159556/ |title=Richter Gets Jump, Plans 2 Stock Car Races Yearly |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=May 22, 1969 |access-date=January 30, 2026 |url-status=live |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-12}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Early fatalities ==== RIR oversaw numerous fatalities in its early years, with most occurring in the 1960s. The track's first fatality occurred on September 22, 1957, with sports car racer John Lawrence dying after crashing at the track's sixth turn during a production car race, dying due to brain damage.<ref name="Eastman–1957" /><ref name="Stahler–2012">{{Cite web |last=Stahler |first=Tom |date=March 30, 2012 |title=The Legend of Riverside Raceway |url=https://www.drivingline.com/articles/the-legend-of-riverside-raceway/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2026 |website=Driving Line |language=en}}</ref> On April 3, 1960, racer Pedro Von Dory died after crashing at the track's fifth turn during a sports car race, with Dory dying after being thrown out of the car and sustaining a broken back and a fractured skull.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Daly |first=Tom |date=April 4, 1960 |title='Waiting Game' Returns $7,500 Reward to Texan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pasadena-independent-waiting-game-retu/189424329/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2026 |work=Pasadena Independent |page=14}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 4, 1960 |title=Van Dory's Death Mars Grand Prix, Won By Shelby |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-register-van-dorys-death-mars-grand/189424350/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2026 |work=The Orange County Register |page=A14 |agency=United Press International}} {{Open access}}</ref> Three months later, Leslie Howard Brokin died after crashing into a guardrail during a sports car training session on July 24.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 25, 1960 |title=Sports Car Pilot Killed In Wreck |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/progress-bulletin-sports-car-pilot-kille/189424591/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2026 |work=Progress-Bulletin |page=1-9 |agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> On August 27, 1961, drag racer Bruce Johnson died after crashing during a time trial race on the track's dragstrip.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 28, 1961 |title=Huntington Park Dragster Killed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-huntington-park-dr/189550853/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 22, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=IV-3}} {{Open access}}</ref> Two deaths occurred in 1962. Sports car racer Peter Hessler died on March 11 after crashing a Lotus junior formula car during a test session,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 13, 1962 |title=Driver Killed in Riverside Race Crackup |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-driver-killed-in-r/189568420/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 22, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-4}} {{Open access}}</ref> and Pat Piggott died on October 14 during that year's Los Angeles Times Grand Prix after suffering a suspension failure and subsequently crashing into the guardrail at the track's ninth turn in a "flying wedge impact".{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=49–52}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |date=October 15, 1962 |title=Penske Wins Grand Prix Before 76,400 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-penske-wins-grand/189657870/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-penske-wins-grand/189657889/ III-2]}} {{Open access}}</ref> On February 2, 1963, Gordon Stuart Dane died in a crash described by Wallen as "a virtual replay of Pat Piggott's fatal crash", dying from internal injuries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 3, 1963 |title=Inglewood Driver Dies After Crash |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-inglewood-driver-d/189801924/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 25, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=D5}} {{Open access}}</ref>{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=53–54}} Three deaths occurred in 1964. On January 19, stock car racing driver Joe Weatherly died after crashing at the track's sixth turn during the 1964 Motor Trend 500, dying from head injuries when his head hit a retaining wall during the impact; Weatherly was not wearing a harness belt nor did his car have a window net when the accident occurred.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |date=January 20, 1964 |title=Weatherly Killed In Riverside Crash |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-weatherly-killed-i/189867639/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-weatherly-killed-i/189867685/ III-3]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonkowski |first=Jerry |date=December 13, 2022 |title=The Tragic Death of 'The Clown Prince of NASCAR' Joe Weatherly at Age 41 |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/more-racing/a42220361/the-tragic-death-of-the-clown-prince-of-nascar-joe-weatherly-at-age-41/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2026 |website=Autoweek |language=en-US}}</ref> Ten months later, George Koehne Jr. crashed in a fiery accident on October 11 during a practice session for that year's Los Angeles Times Grand Prix,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 12, 1964 |title=Texas Driver Critically Hurt in Practice Run |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-texas-driver-criti/189924533/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-4}} {{Open access}}</ref> dying from his burn injuries almost two months later on December 4.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 5, 1964 |title=Driver Koehne Dies of Injuries |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-driver-koehne-dies/189924555/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=II-5|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> A month after Koehne's crash, Jim Ladd Jr. died in a crash on November 15 at the track's first turn, dying from head injuries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |date=November 16, 1964 |title=Driver Killed in Riverside Racing Finale |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-driver-killed-in-r/189924656/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-driver-killed-in-r/189924674/ III-7]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

On January 17, 1965, spectator Ronald Pickle was killed in what was described as a "freak accident" by Wallen.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|p=223}} Pickle alongside several spectators were watching the 1965 Motor Trend 500 on a forklift placed on a hill. The forklift fell and tumbled down the hill after fans on the forklift noticed the spinning car of Dick Powell, turning to see the accident and subsequently causing a weight shift. Pickle was crushed and killed by the tumbling forklift.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|p=223}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1965 |title=Fan Killed, 4 Injured by Truck at Raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-fan-killed-4-inju/189968129/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 29, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=I-2}} {{Open access}}</ref> On August 17, 1966, sports car driver Ken Miles died in a crash at the track's ninth turn after his car "turned right while braking... and veered down the ten-foot embankment" of the track's infield at around {{cvt|175|mph|km/h}}. Miles was thrown out of the car during the accident and died instantly.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|p=69}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |date=August 18, 1966 |title=Ken Miles Killed in Riverside Crash |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-ken-miles-killed-i/190084019/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 29, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-ken-miles-killed-i/190084023/ III-4]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Four months after Miles' death, motorcycle racer Viktor Scheiermann died after a crash at the track's first turn on December 11, with his head hitting the retaining guardrail. Scheiermann died due to head injuries a day later.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-motorcycle-racer/190099911/|title=Motorcycle Racer, 21, Dies After Spill|date=December 13, 1966|access-date=January 29, 2026|url-status=live|work=Los Angeles Times|page=III-5}} {{Open access}}</ref> On January 20, 1967, Billy Foster died in a crash at the track's ninth turn during a practice session for the 1967 Motor Trend 500; like Weatherly's crash, Foster's car lost brakes and crashed into the retaining wall, with Foster's head hitting the wall and subsequently dying instantly.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-billy-foster-dies/190100225/|title=Billy Foster Dies in 140-m.p.h. Crash at Riverside Track|date=January 21, 1967|pages=II-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-billy-foster-dies/190100256/ II-3]|access-date=January 29, 2026|url-status=live|work=Los Angeles Times}} {{Open access}}</ref> On April 27, 1968, amateur racing driver Vic Tandy died after crashing at the fourth turn, flipping several times with Tandy being partially thrown out of the car after a car door came loose.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-racer-kill/190133964/|title=Racer Killed at Riverside; Hall Sets Lap Record|last=Grant|first=Bruce|date=April 28, 1968|access-date=January 30, 2026|url-status=live|work=The San Bernardino Sun|page=D2}} {{Open access}}</ref>

=== Brief American Raceways tenure === alt=refer to caption|thumb|270x270px|In 1969, RIR's layout was changed to its final iteration (shown in black). The previous layout of the track is shown in red. In February 1969, Michigan International Speedway owner Lawrence LoPatin bought 47% interest in RIR for $1,200,000 (adjusted for inflation, ${{Inflation|index=US|value=1200000|start_year=1969|r=0|fmt=c}}), with an option to buy up to 65.5%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-michigan-speedway/190161447/|title=Michigan Speedway to Purchase 47% of Riverside Raceway Stock|last=Glick|first=Shav|date=February 8, 1969|access-date=January 30, 2026|url-status=live|work=Los Angeles Times|page=III-5}} {{Open access}}</ref> With LoPatin's investment, track officials announced plans for numerous renovations, and Richter was appointed as president at four LoPatin-owned tracks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-mis-puts-r/190179931/|title=MIS Puts Richter in Charge of Four Racing Facilities|last=Rees|first=Ryan|date=February 16, 1969|access-date=January 31, 2026|url-status=live|work=The San Bernardino Sun|page=D2}} {{Open access}}</ref> LoPatin, who merged with the Atlanta International Raceway (now known as the Atlanta Motor Speedway) prior to his investment in RIR,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Latshaw|first=Bob|date=December 20, 1968|title=Speedways to Merge|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-speedways-to-merge/153541470/|url-status=live|access-date=August 18, 2024|work=Detroit Free Press|pages=3D|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=September 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903025715/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-speedways-to-merge/153541470/}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Zier|first=Pat|date=December 20, 1968|title=AIR Merges With Track In Michigan|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-air-merges-with/144948388/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408031226/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-air-merges-with/144948388/|archive-date=April 8, 2024|access-date=April 7, 2024|work=The Atlanta Constitution|pages=68, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-air-merges-with/144948418/ 71]|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> eventually formed American Raceways, Inc. (ARI),<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 22, 1969|title=France Proposes Pension|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-france-proposes-pens/144974265/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408053920/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-france-proposes-pens/144974265/|archive-date=April 8, 2024|access-date=April 7, 2024|work=The Atlanta Journal|pages=2D|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> announcing plans to build the Texas International Speedway<ref>{{Cite news |last=Truly |first=Pat |date=January 26, 1969 |title=Even McElreath Has Race Track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-even-mcelreath/153643493/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |pages=7B |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903025747/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-even-mcelreath/153643493/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> and a track in Burlington County, New Jersey.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 24, 1969 |title=LoPatin Planning New Jersey Track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-lopatin-planning-new/153977622/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903025646/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-lopatin-planning-new/153977622/ |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |access-date=August 25, 2024 |work=Detroit Free Press |pages=3D |via=Newspapers.com }} {{Open access}}</ref> In April, plans were announced to reconfigure RIR's ninth turn, which had been the site of numerous fatalities since the track's opening.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=April 3, 1969 |title=Lethal Riverside Turn Due for Modification |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-lethal-riverside-t/190181019/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-10}} {{Open access}}</ref> In addition, the southern part of the track, which included turn nine, was affected due to construction of the California State Water Project, with a pipe across the track being constructed.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=83–86}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wolfe |first=Allen |date=May 23, 1969 |title=Riverside Raceway Moving Fast to Combat Opposition |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-riverside-raceway-moving/190206372/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2026 |work=Press-Telegram |page=C6}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Rees–1969" /> Several facility improvements were announced soon after, including the construction of permanent grandstands at various parts of the track, expansion of the paddock parking area, the smoothing of hills and ditches that obstructed spectators' views, and the moving of the track's control tower from the start-finish line to the second turn of the track.<ref name="Rees–1969" /><ref name="Living Up" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 14, 1969 |title=Riverside Raceway Tower Moved Again |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/190223768/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=D7}} {{Open access}}</ref> The renovation project was done by September. The new turn nine, which featured a left-turn kink "about {{cvt|1000|ft|m|abbr=on}}" from the backstretch bridge that led into a banked and wider right-turn sweeper, changed the length Grand Prix layout of the track from {{cvt|3.275 to 3.300|mi|km|abbr=on}}.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=83–86}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=September 25, 1969 |title=Riverside Raceway Faster, Safer and Better for Fans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-riverside-raceway/190224232/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-11}} {{Open access}}</ref>

Soon after their investment in RIR, ARI experienced major financial and organizational troubles in its ventures.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/progress-bulletin-raceways-play-corporat/190231097/|title=Raceways Play Corporate Game|last=Houlgate|first=Deke|date=October 30, 1969|access-date=January 31, 2026|url-status=live|work=Progress-Bulletin|page=E6}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-anatomy-of/190312878/|title=Anatomy of An Empire|last=Rees|first=Ryan|date=November 9, 1969|access-date=January 31, 2026|url-status=live|work=The San Bernardino Sun|page=D16}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hudspeth|first=Ron|date=January 23, 1970|title=Granatelli to Become Part Owner of AIR|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-granatelli-to-become/144974665/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408053921/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-granatelli-to-become/144974665/|archive-date=April 8, 2024|access-date=April 7, 2024|work=The Atlanta Journal|pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-granatelli-to-become/144974686/ 5C]|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> In addition, the organization had multiple disputes with various sanctioning bodies, including the United States Auto Club (USAC), NASCAR, and the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) over numerous issues.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Houlgate |first=Deke |date=October 30, 1969 |title=Raceways Play Corporate Game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/progress-bulletin-raceways-play-corporat/190231097/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2026 |work=Progress-Bulletin |page=E6}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Detroit Free Press–1969">{{Cite news |last=Latshaw|first=Bob|date=February 15, 1969|title=Why No Indy-Type Races Here? Money!|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-why-no-indy-type-race/154005530/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903030206/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-why-no-indy-type-race/154005530/|archive-date=September 3, 2024|access-date=August 25, 2024|work=Detroit Free Press|pages=3B|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> Richter left ARI in October;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle-les-richter-quit/190230609/|title=Les Richter Quits Auto Racing Post|date=October 22, 1969|access-date=January 31, 2026|url-status=live|work=San Francisco Chronicle|page=54|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> however, he opted to remain in his position as president of RIR. In December, Richter entered a battle with LoPatin over the control of the track.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-richter-st/190313999/|title=Richter Still President of Riverside|last=Rees|first=Ryan|date=December 18, 1969|access-date=January 31, 2025|url-status=live|work=The San Bernardino Sun|page=D1}} {{Open access}}</ref> On the 19th, ARI and LoPatin filed a lawsuit against Richter in efforts of obtaining controlling interest of RIR. At the time, ARI owned 48.4% of RIR, with LoPatin threatening the firing of Richter if he was able to gain controlling interest of the track.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-suit-seeks-control/190314498/|title=Suit Seeks Control of Riverside Raceway|date=December 19, 1969|access-date=January 31, 2026|url-status=live|work=Los Angeles Times|page=III-10}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-lopatin-lo/190314033/|title=LoPatin Loses Again|last=Rees|first=Ryan|date=December 19, 1969|access-date=January 31, 2026|url-status=live|work=The San Bernardino Sun|page=D1}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''The Sacramento Union''<nowiki/>'s Jack Woodard later remarked that with the lawsuit, "LoPatin got almost everybody who is anybody in racing mad at him".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woodard |first=Jack |date=January 18, 1970 |title=Les' Formidable Army Faces LoPatin Empire |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-union-les-formidable-arm/190315407/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2026 |work=The Sacramento Union |page=C6}} {{Open access}}</ref> In January 1970, after amassing $15,000,000 (adjusted for inflation, ${{Inflation|index=US|value=15000000|start_year=1970|r=0|fmt=c}}) in debt, ARI merged with the STP Corporation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Matthews |first=Dave |date=January 25, 1970 |title=Granatelli Buys Major Racing Plant |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-granatelli-buys-ma/154008848/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903030206/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-granatelli-buys-ma/154008848/ |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |access-date=August 25, 2024 |work=Lansing State Journal |pages=D3 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> Throughout the first half of 1970, ARI faced additional financial troubles due to low attendance from its racetracks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Gerald |date=June 14, 1970 |title=The 5th Turn |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-the-5th-turn/154009096/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903030237/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-the-5th-turn/154009096/ |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |access-date=August 25, 2024 |work=The News & Observer |pages=5–II |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> In addition, LoPatin faced criticism for his handling of Atlanta International Raceway,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zier |first=Pat |date=June 23, 1970 |title=LoPatin --- No Rain --- AIR's 'Hex' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-lopatin-no/144974986/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408053925/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-lopatin-no/144974986/ |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |access-date=April 7, 2024 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |pages=5C |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bisher |first=Furman |date=August 5, 1970 |title=Now Playing First Chair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-now-playing-first-ch/144984920/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408053919/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-now-playing-first-ch/144984920/ |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |access-date=April 7, 2024 |work=The Atlanta Journal |pages=1D |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> with Atlanta track officials leading campaigns to sack LoPatin after several Atlanta track executives either left or were fired by him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zier |first=Pat |date=June 26, 1970 |title=Lopatin Ouster Is AIR Goal? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-lopatin-ouster/144975027/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408053925/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-lopatin-ouster/144975027/ |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |access-date=April 7, 2024 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |pages=2D |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hudspeth |first=Ron |date=June 29, 1970 |title=AIR Fights LoPatin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-air-fights-lopatin/144975083/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408053917/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-air-fights-lopatin/144975083/ |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |access-date=April 7, 2024 |work=The Atlanta Journal |pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-air-fights-lopatin/144975116/ 5D] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> LoPatin was fired from his position as chairman of ARI on July 30, 1970,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Latshaw |first=Bob |date=July 31, 1970 |title=LoPatin Fired as Boss at MIS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-lopatin-fired-as-boss/154010029/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903030208/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-lopatin-fired-as-boss/154010029/ |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |access-date=August 25, 2024 |work=Detroit Free Press |pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-lopatin-fired-as-boss/154010048/ 5D] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> with Richter named as the president of ARI soon after.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Bob |date=August 2, 1970 |title=Richter Gets Presidency Of Raceways |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-richter-gets-pres/154010720/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903030209/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-richter-gets-pres/154010720/ |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |access-date=August 25, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=6D |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Mike |date=August 4, 1970 |title=Richter Named Boss for American Raceways |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-richter-na/190398965/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=B7}} {{Open access}}</ref> With LoPatin's ouster, ''The Daily Report''<nowiki/>'s Deke Houlgate remarked that monies previously not available due to the lawsuit were freed, with the track now being freely able to compete with the Ontario Motor Speedway.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Houlgate |first=Deke |date=August 11, 1970 |title=Racing Noise Heard Again as Riverside Comes Alive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-racing-noise-heard-agai/190399049/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2026 |work=The Daily Report |page=B7}} {{Open access}}</ref>

=== Fritz Duda era === In January 1971, a group of investors known as Sunnymead Land Investors, headed by Fritz Duda and consisting of Duda, William Norris, William Austin, and David Logan, purchased 80% controlling interest of RIR for approximately $400,000 (adjusted for inflation, ${{Inflation|index=US|value=400000|start_year=1971|r=0|fmt=c}}), with Richter retaining his role as president.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rees |first=Ryan |date=January 8, 1971 |title=RIR Purchased by Sunnymead Group |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-rir-purcha/190436520/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=D1}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=January 8, 1971 |title=Petty Wins Pole For 500; Riverside Track Purchased |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-petty-wins-pole-fo/190436613/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-8}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=August 7, 1988 |title=And Now, Riverside Roars Into History |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-and-now-riverside/189243898/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-and-now-riverside/189243918/ III-12]}} {{Open access}}</ref> According to the autobiography of then-NASCAR executive Ken Clapp, who was heavily involved with racing on the American West Coast and RIR, with Duda's purchase, "the good news was that he liked racing, so we figured that Riverside would hang in there for a while". However, Duda, who was a real estate investor, "knew a sweet deal when he saw one, and, given the soaring land valuations in the area [around Riverside], it was only a matter of time before the right offer crossed his desk".{{Sfnp|Clapp|Bourcier|2022|p=244}} In 1977, new concrete washboard curbs were installed in seven of the track's turns to deter short-cutting the track and approximately {{cvt|300|ft|m|abbr=on}} of concrete barrier was added at the exit of the ninth turn; the project costed approximately $100,000.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wolfe |first=Allen |date=April 22, 1977 |title=Riverside curbs Petty-style racing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-riverside-curbs-petty-sty/190748613/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=Press-Telegram |page=C4}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Les Richter departure, failed track replacement ==== [[File:Prado Dam Coverimage.jpg|alt=Refer to caption|thumb|Numerous plans to build a replacement track for Riverside International Raceway were proposed in the 1980s. A location near the Prado Dam (pictured above) was considered by track officials; however, it was dropped in 1985.]] The first rumors of Richter's potential departure as president of RIR were published on June 9, 1983, by the ''Los Angeles Times''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=June 9, 1983 |title=U.S. Speedway Riders Go in American Final Saturday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-us-speedway-ride/190977397/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-6}} {{Open access}}</ref> The ''Times''<nowiki/>' rumor was confirmed on June 15, with Richter stating his reasoning was because of "philosophical differences" with the handling of the track compared to Duda. At around this time, rumors of the track's potential closure were published in local Californian newspapers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dodds |first=Tracy |date=June 16, 1983 |title=Les Richter Quits as President of Riverside Raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-les-richter-quits/190977511/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-3}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bainbridge |first=Jim |date=June 16, 1983 |title=Richter resigns as Riverside president |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-richter-resigns-as-river/190977636/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2026 |work=Oakland Tribune |page=F5}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Gordon |date=June 16, 1983 |title=Riverside President Quits |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle-riverside-presid/190977616/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2026 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |page=76}} {{Open access}}</ref> In February 1984, plans were announced to build a new track within three years at an undetermined site in the Southern California area to replace RIR due to urban residential expansion around RIR that would force the track's closure and demolition.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Chris |date=February 2, 1984 |title=Riverside Raceway Days Are Numbered |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-riverside-raceway/191093930/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-5}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Castator–1984">{{Cite news |last=Castator |first=Katie |date=February 2, 1984 |title=Riverside Raceway to close, move |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/191093956/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/191093983/ A4]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Garcia |first=Dan |date=February 2, 1984 |title=Riverside Raceway to be relocated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-desert-sun-riverside-raceway-to-be-r/191121771/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2026 |work=The Desert Sun |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-desert-sun-riverside-raceway-to-be-r/191121782/ C2] |agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> According to the announcement, the proposed complex included a {{cvt|1.500 to 2.000|mi|km|abbr=on}} superspeedway oval, a road course, and a dragstrip.<ref name="Castator–1984" /> In the following months, locations in Rialto,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rinehart |first=Floyd |date=March 3, 1984 |title=Rialto looking for Raceway nod |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-rialto-loo/191121849/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-rialto-loo/191121853/ B3]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Sunnymead-Edgemont,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rinehart |first=Floyd |date=March 23, 1984 |title=Raceway site hunt is still on |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-raceway-si/191146525/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=B1}} {{Open access}}</ref> and the Glen Helen Regional Park were considered.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Bill |date=June 1, 1984 |title=Riverside raceway will bid for Glen Helen location |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/191165086/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/191165881/ A9]}} {{Open access}}</ref> By late August, ''San Bernardino Sun'' writer Bill Rogers remarked that the battle for the location of the potential complex had "not only brought San Bernardino and Riverside counties into conflict but also has unleashed pressures from throughout Southern California for developing new tracks now that auto racing has been almost completely phased out of the urban jungles of Los Angeles and Orange counties".<ref name="Rogers–1984">{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Bill |date=August 26, 1984 |title=Raceway may be latest Glen Helen venture |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-raceway-ma/191166049/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-raceway-ma/191166185/ B8]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Although the Glen Helen area was well-received for its weather patterns, lack of noise pollution, and highway access,<ref name="Rogers–1984" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Bill |date=September 13, 1984 |title=Expert cites pluses for raceway at Glen Helen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-expert-cit/191167061/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-expert-cit/191167078/ A5]}} {{Open access}}</ref> track officials in October stated that they selected a regional park site for the replacement complex.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Bill |date=October 3, 1984 |title=Riverside County maneuvers for space in race for raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/191167524/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=B1}} {{Open access}}</ref> On October 5, RIR track officials announced in a press conference plans to build the track near the Prado Dam in Corona, with plans to open the facility in early 1987.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stanton |first=Russ |date=October 5, 1984 |title=Riverside raceway reported moving to site near Corona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/191167541/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=A1}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=October 6, 1984 |title=A New Riverside Raceway Slated for Corona in 1987 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-a-new-riverside-ra/191167854/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-a-new-riverside-ra/191167866/ III-9]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lundahl |first=Mark |date=October 6, 1984 |title=Raceway will move to Corona site |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-raceway-wi/191210369/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-raceway-wi/191210388/ A4]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

On October 22, 1984, vice president of corporate relations for the 1984 Summer Olympics, Daniel D. Greenwood, was appointed as RIR's president, replacing Richter.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 23, 1984 |title=Riverside Raceway names new chief |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/191168169/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=C3}} {{Open access}}</ref> With the appointment, the track lost almost all of its older management team led by Richter, with the exception of "the medical safety director... and the chief track announcer".{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=313–315}} In June 1985, Greenwood announced plans to continue operations at RIR until the end of the 1986 season, stating that the track's management was now considering five potential sites to move the track.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Castador |first=Katie |date=June 5, 1985 |title=Racing at RIR certain through '86 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-racing-at/191338245/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-racing-at/191338255/ C6]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Within the month, the Prado Dam plan came under heavy doubt due to the proposed area being a migratory area for the least Bell's vireo, an endangered species of bird in Southern California. In addition, the area was in an indigenous American burial site.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lundahl |first=Mark |date=June 14, 1985 |title=Rare bird may clip wings of Prado Dam development |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-rare-bird/191338278/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-rare-bird/191338281/ A4]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Negotiations for the Prado Dam proposal stopped late in the month, effectively killing the proposal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 26, 1985 |title=Mieuli's Angel Is Ex-Bucks Owner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-mieulis-angel-is/191338314/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-9}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hick |first=Larry |date=June 27, 1985 |title=Prado Dam area dead as site for Riverside raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-prado-dam/191338321/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-prado-dam/191338328/ B4]}} {{Open access}}</ref> By July, San Bernardino County Regional Parks Department director Gary Patton, who was involved with the Glen Helen proposal to build a track, stated to the ''San Bernardino Sun'' that "it's my opinion that the Riverside people do not intend to build a race track anywhere", noting the lack of RIR support for the Glen Helen proposal. In addition, writer Katie Castador wrote accusations from racing insiders that the replacement track proposal was a "smoke screen" to not make racing partners "uneasy about their future in Southern California".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Castador |first=Katie |date=July 23, 1985 |title=RIR may not relocate at Glen Helen, or anywhere else |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-rir-may-no/191338409/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=C1}} {{Open access}}</ref> In August 1986, Greenwood stated possibilities of keeping the track open until June 1987 due to delays in finding a location for the replacement track;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Castador |first=Katie |date=June 14, 1986 |title=Riverside Raceway could extend operations into '87 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/191411559/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/191411579/ C6]}} {{Open access}}</ref> it was officially extended in November.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=November 13, 1986 |title=Riverside Raceway Will Stay Open Until June of '87 – Maybe Longer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-riverside-raceway/191415047/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-6}} {{Open access}}</ref> The track's closure was later pushed back to June 1988 by October 1987.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Castador |first=Katie |date=August 15, 1987 |title=Desert raceway plan takes early lead |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-desert-rac/192231840/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=C2}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1987 |title=Ex-NHL Player Acquitted on Murder Charge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-ex-nhl-player-acqu/192232122/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-4}} {{Open access}}</ref> In June 1988, the Glen Helen proposal was scrapped, now being replaced by a housing development plan. By this point, Duda stated that he had "no prospects" of building a replacement track "in the near future".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Bill |date=June 20, 1988 |title=Park raceway plan is dropped; homes proposed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-park-racew/192279418/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-park-racew/192279450/ B2]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Final events ==== Although delayed several times, by January 1988, ''Los Angeles Times'' writer Shav Glick wrote that "the signs are strong" of the track's impending shutdown in 1988 due to its traditional NASCAR Cup Series race in November being moved to Phoenix International Raceway (now known as Phoenix Raceway).<ref name="Glick–1988">{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=January 14, 1988 |title=Is This the Year That Riverside Finally Closes? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-is-this-the-year-t/192235191/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-13}} {{Open access}}</ref> For its final season, the track scheduled three major events, which included a doubleheader International Race of Champions (IROC) and NASCAR Cup Series weekend in June alongside a SCORE International event in August.<ref name="Riverside Raceway Cancels">{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=March 10, 1988 |title=Riverside Raceway Cancels May 1 Road Races |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-riverside-raceway/192235354/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-3}} {{Open access}}</ref> The IROC and NASCAR races were won by Scott Pruett and Rusty Wallace on June 11 and 12, respectively.<ref name="Pruett v Wallace">{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=June 12, 1988 |title=Pruett Muscles Way Past His IROC Rivals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-pruett-muscles-way/192277045/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-4}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=June 13, 1988 |title=Wallace Wins One for Road |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-wallace-wins-one-f/127805363/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-wallace-wins-one-f/127805395/ III-10]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The final SCORE International event was run on August 14, with Robby Gordon winning the final off-road event of the weekend.<ref name="Ray–1988">{{Cite news |last=Ray |first=Pat |date=August 15, 1988 |title=Gordon, Stewert Win to Close Down Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-gordon-stewert-wi/192282746/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-2}} {{Open access}}</ref> By the time of the event weekend, demolition of the track started.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lovato |first=Vince |date=August 6, 1988 |title=Locals help close famed track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-locals-help-close-famed-trac/192281658/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Daily Press |page=B4}} {{Open access}}</ref> alt=Refer to caption|left|thumb|300x300px|Riverside International Raceway in 1989. During the year, races sanctioned by the California Sports Car Club were held on the southern portion of the track. Construction of the mall, now-named as the TownGate Mall (currently known as the Moreno Valley Mall), was delayed due to a financial recession and a subsequent lack of tenants.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=313–315}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Deters |first=Barbara |date=January 29, 1989 |title=Area mall remain on drawing board |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-area-mall/192283544/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=B8, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-area-mall/192283563/ B7]}} {{Open access}}</ref> As a result, both the Skip Barber Racing School and the California Sports Car Club became tenants of RIR, with Skip Barber hosting driving schools and the California Club hosting races.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=313–315}}<ref name="Kendall">{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=October 20, 1988 |title=Kendall Hopes to Finish Season With a Flourish |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-kendall-hopes-to-f/192282827/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-19}} {{Open access}}</ref> As demolition of the facility already started on the northern parts of RIR, the organizations used the southern portions of the track.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=313–315}}<ref name="Kendall" /> The California Sports Car Club ran several events at the track, leading to their final event on the weekend of July 1–2, which was the last "true" final event ran at RIR.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=313–315}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 6, 1989 |title=Hansen races to victory at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-barbara-news-press-hansen-races-to/192285552/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Santa Barbara News-Press |page=C6}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Demolition ==== Initial grading on the mall started in September 1989.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Galperin |first=Ron |date=April 22, 1990 |title=Owner of High-Rises Turn Attention to Trash |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-owner-of-high-rise/192286420/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=K28, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-owner-of-high-rise/192286450/ K29]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Two months later, a housing development built on the track's backstretch opened, with ''Los Angeles Times'' writer Shav Glick proclaiming that the development would "shut the doors for good".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=October 26, 1989 |title=Wingless Shuman Favored to Win Sprint, Midget Titles at Ascot Park |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-wingless-shuman-fa/192285654/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=C14}} {{Open access}}</ref> In August 1990, the Goodyear Tower, RIR's observation tower, was toppled.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 18, 1990 |title=Raceway tower razed for mall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-raceway-to/192286520/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=C6 |agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> By March 1992, the project expanded to include housing developments, parks, schools, and offices.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitehair |first=John |date=March 3, 1992 |title=Grand Design |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-grand-desi/192286897/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=B8}} {{Open access}}</ref> The Moreno Valley Mall formally opened on October 14, 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 14, 1992 |title=Moreno Valley mall opening set for today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-californian-moreno-valley-mall-openi/192287301/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=The Californian |page=B6}} {{Open access}}</ref> As of 2020, the former RIR complex consists of the Moreno Valley Mall, a Lowe's store, a Costco store, hotels, restaurants, and housing developments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunkins |first=Johnny |date=October 7, 2020 |title=Rare NASCAR Photos: Motor Trend 500 Riverside, CA |url=https://www.hotrod.com/features/nascar-vintage-photos-riverside-raceway-motortrend-500 |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |website=Hot Rod |language=en}}</ref>

==== 1970s and 1980s fatalities ==== Up until the track's final event, RIR experienced several fatalities in the 1970s and 1980s. On April 24, 1971, racer Mel Andrus crashed at the first turn during a Formula A qualifying session, dying an hour later in surgery.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rees |first=Ryan |date=April 25, 1971 |title=L&M Qualifying Marred by Death |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-lm-qualif/190445072/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-lm-qualif/190445099/ B2]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 25, 1971 |title=Driver Mel Andrus Dies After Crackup |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-driver-mel-andrus/190439131/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-driver-mel-andrus/190439182/ D2]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1974, sports car racer Frank Davis died on March 17 after suffering a heart attack on a straightaway and subsequently crashing into a brick wall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 19, 1974 |title=Sports Car Driver Dies During Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-sports-car-driver/190521407/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-5}} {{Open access}}</ref> Two deaths occurred in 1975. On January 18, NASCAR driver Bill Spencer died in a crash during a NASCAR Late Model Sportsman race, losing brakes and crashing at the sixth turn and dying due to "multiple chest injuries".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=January 19, 1975 |title=Spencer, 26, Killed in Riverside Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-spencer-26-kille/190540957/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-6}} {{Open access}}</ref> Four months after, motorcycle rider Marvin LaBlanc died during an off-road motorcycle event after crashing and being hit by another racer during the crash.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 6, 1975 |title=Cyclist Dies After Colliding With Son |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-cyclist-dies-after/190566939/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-2}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 8, 1975 |title=Son Not Involved in Death of Motorcyclist at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-son-not-involved-i/190566969/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-5}} {{Open access}}</ref> On September 19, 1976, sports car racer Dave Miller died in a Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) race after losing brakes on the backstretch and crashing into the turn nine wall, dying instantly.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 20, 1976 |title=Driver killed at Riverside Raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/redlands-daily-facts-driver-killed-at-ri/190667098/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2026 |work=Redlands Daily Facts |page=6 |agency=United Press International}} {{Open access}}</ref> On May 15, 1977, United States Navy member W. F. Bogard died in a crash during a motorcycle race, dying from a broken neck.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 16, 1977 |title=Sports briefs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/progress-bulletin-sports-briefs/190749099/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2026 |work=Progress-Bulletin |page=17 |agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> On January 15, 1978, during a practice session for a NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division race, driver Sonny Easley crashed on an escape road after losing control due to getting a wheel into a muddy area, leading him to slide sideways and collide with a trailer connected to a truck, which subsequently pushed the truck into a van. A crewman for Tiny Keith, Douglas B. Gruntz, was killed after he was trapped between the truck and the van. Easley was also killed when he was hit by stray sheet metal from the crashed vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 16, 1978 |title=Riverside race crash kills two |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/190756423/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/190756441/ C4] |agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> On August 26, 1979, a group of six people on a pickup truck illegally broke into the track and crashed, killing passenger Douglas Brune.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 27, 1979 |title=Passenger Killed as Pickup Flips on Riverside Raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-passenger-killed-a/190868805/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=I-19 |agency=United Press International}} {{Open access}}</ref>

Two deaths occurred in 1980. On January 12, NASCAR driver Tim Williamson died due to multiple chest injuries in a crash at the end of the track's esses section, crashing at approximately {{cvt|100|mph|km/h}} into a concrete barrier after one of the wheels of Williamson's car went off-track into a muddy section.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=January 13, 1980 |title=Tim Williamson Dies in Crash at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-tim-williamson-die/190873445/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-1}} {{Open access}}</ref> On December 7, motorcycle racer John West died in a crash during a practice run for a motorcycle event; according to witnesses, West had been holding his chest before the accident.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 8, 1980 |title=Motorcycle racer dies at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-motorcycle/190906539/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=C2}} {{Open access}}</ref> Three deaths occurred in 1983. On April 2, sports car racer Jim Harris died in a Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Solo I race, crashing into another car and the hitting the turn one retaining wall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 3, 1983 |title=Driver killed in RIR crash |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-driver-kil/190974707/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 10, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=E7 |agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> On April 24, endurance racing driver Rolf Stommelen died due to blunt force trauma in a crash during an IMSA GT Championship event, with his car lifting and crashing at the entrance of turn nine, proceeding to flip numerous times before landing and catching on fire.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=April 25, 1983 |title=Stommelen Dies After Crash |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-stommelen-dies-aft/190976643/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 10, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-stommelen-dies-aft/190976659/ III-10]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=May 12, 1983 |title=Stommelen's Road to Death |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-stommelens-road-t/190999812/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 10, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-stommelens-road-t/190999836/ III-12]}} {{Open access}}</ref> On October 16, racer John Goss died in a crash at the track's backstretch during a vintage-car racing event.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1983 |title=Race Driver John Goss Killed in Vintage-Car Crash at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-race-driver-john-g/190978826/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 10, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-3 |agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> On July 2, 1989, during the track's final event, Formula C driver Mark Verbofsky died in a crash; with the death, RIR experienced deaths on its first and last days of racing.{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=313–315}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Matt |date=November 11, 2025 |title=Magnificent, merciless Riverside: the F1 circuit too lethal for racing |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/magnificent-merciless-riverside-the-f1-circuit-too-lethal-for-racing/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |website=Motor Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Events and uses == === Auto racing === ==== NASCAR ==== {{See also|NASCAR Cup Series at Riverside International Raceway}}[[File:RiversideInternationalRaceway 1988.jpg|alt=Refer to caption|thumb|A photo of Riverside International Raceway's straightaway during the NASCAR-sanctioned 1988 Budweiser 400. From 1963 until 1988, the NASCAR Cup Series raced at the track annually.]] From 1963 until 1988, RIR held at least one annual NASCAR race. From 1963 until 1969, RIR ran one annual NASCAR race in January. In 1970, a second annual NASCAR Cup Series race was added to RIR's schedule, taking place in June.<ref name="Glick–1969" /> In 1981, RIR held a one-off Cup Series race in November after the closure of the Ontario Motor Speedway the year prior, running three Cup Series races in one year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 7, 1981 |title=Stock race at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-stock-race-at-riverside/190949449/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=Oakland Tribune |page=D6}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=November 23, 1981 |title=Allison Wins, and Loses Out |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-allison-wins-and/190949555/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-allison-wins-and/190949583/ III-12]}} {{Open access}}</ref> After 1981, RIR's January race was moved to November,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=January 14, 1982 |title=Anaheim Motorcross Is the First Big Event of 1982 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-anaheim-motorcross/192316337/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-9}} {{Open access}}</ref> remaining on the schedule until 1987 when the race was moved to Phoenix Raceway.<ref name="Glick–1988" /> RIR also held one-off NASCAR Cup Series races in 1958 and 1961, with the latter being a race that permitted sports cars.<ref name="Curnow–1958" />{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|p=23}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dredge |first=Bill |date=May 22, 1961 |title=Lloyd Dane Wins 100-Mile NASCAR Race At Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-lloyd-dane-wins-10/192680956/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=IV-2}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Open-wheel racing ==== {{See also|United States Grand Prix|Budweiser 500K}} In 1960, RIR hosted the United States Grand Prix, which was part of that year's Formula One World Championship.<ref name="Hyland–1960" /> Another Formula One race was announced in August 1966 and scheduled for November 26, 1967;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Gordon |date=August 4, 1966 |title=Riverside Gets '67 Grand Prix |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle-riverside-gets/190083863/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 29, 2026 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |page=50}} {{Open access}}</ref> however, in March 1967, the race was swapped in favor of a USAC Championship Car event, with then-general manager Les Richter stating that a Formula One race was an "expensive race to promote".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grant |first=Bruce |date=March 9, 1967 |title=Indianapolis Cars Will Race at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-indianapol/190083909/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 29, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=D1}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wolcott |first=Jim |date=March 10, 1967 |title=Local Formula One Race May Be Long Time Coming |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin-local-formula-one-race/190083915/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 29, 2026 |work=Anaheim Bulletin |page=C3}} {{Open access}}</ref> An annual open-wheel race was run under the sanction of USAC from 1967 until 1969;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=December 8, 1969 |title=Andretti Scores Unexpected Win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-andretti-scores-un/192318363/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-2}} {{Open access}}</ref> a race was scheduled for 1970, but was scrapped.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rees |first=Ryan |date=October 2, 1970 |title=Rex Mays Race Off |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-rex-mays-r/190420228/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=D2}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In 1972, plans were made for RIR to host the Formula One-sanctioned United States Grand Prix West on April 7.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rees |first=Ryan |date=November 26, 1971 |title=Riverside Is Busy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-riverside/190445686/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 3, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=D3}} {{Open access}}</ref> However, the plans were dropped in February of that year due to a lack of sponsorship for the race.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=February 17, 1972 |title=Grand Prix West Abandoned by Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-grand-prix-west-ab/190448385/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 3, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-9}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1981, after the closure of the Ontario Motor Speedway the year prior, Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) moved their annual race in Ontario to RIR.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=February 26, 1981 |title=Indy Cars Run at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-indy-cars-run-at-r/190945640/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-indy-cars-run-at-r/190945652/ III-12]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=August 31, 1981 |title=Mears First Survivor in Race of Attrition |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-mears-first-surviv/190946241/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-mears-first-surviv/190946265/ III-7]}} {{Open access}}</ref> CART ran annual races at the track until 1983, when it was dropped from the 1984 CART season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 16, 1983 |title=Stern Is Named to Succeed O'Brien |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-stern-is-named-to/191209025/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-6}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Sports car racing ==== {{See also|Los Angeles Times Grand Prix}} Throughout most of the track's history, RIR hosted the Los Angeles Times Grand Prix, a professional sports car event that ran under various sanctioning bodies over RIR's existence. The race ran its first iteration in 1958,<ref name="Dredge–1958" /> and ran annually until 1973, when it was dropped the following year after the ''Los Angeles Times'', the title sponsor of the race, pulled its sponsorship.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 21, 1974 |title=Times To Stage Grand National Stock Car 500 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-times-to-stage-gra/192329616/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-times-to-stage-gra/192329628/ III-14]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 28, 1974 |title=Riverside cancels Can-Am |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-riverside-cancels-can-am/192329638/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=Press-Telegram |page=C2}} {{Open access}}</ref> From 1966 until 1973, the race ran under the sanction of Can–Am. The event came back in 1979 under the sanction of IMSA GT Championship,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 24, 1978 |title=Six-Hour Race Is Set for Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-six-hour-race-is-s/192330509/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-six-hour-race-is-s/192330526/ III-16]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=April 23, 1979 |title=Whittingtons Win Times Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-whittingtons-win-t/192330871/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-whittingtons-win-t/192330874/ III-6]}} {{Open access}}</ref> running until 1987.<ref name="Riverside Raceway Cancels" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=April 27, 1987 |title=Al Holbert Is Denied Again at Riverside – on Next-to-Last Lap |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-al-holbert-is-deni/192331018/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-al-holbert-is-deni/192331027/ III-12]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Off-road racing ==== SCORE International held its first event at RIR in 1973, racing on a off-road circuit of the track that used the "gullies and hills adjacent to the track" alongside portions of the actual RIR track.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 12, 1973 |title=New race concept debuts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-breeze-new-race-concept-debuts/192474966/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2026 |work=The Daily Breeze |page=39}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=October 8, 1973 |title=Bakersfield Driver, 21, Wins Off-Road Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-bakersfield-driver/192474989/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-5}} {{Open access}}</ref>{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=285–286}} The sanctioning body continued hosting at the facility annually until the track's closure in 1988.<ref name="Ray–1988" />{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|p=311}}

====Other racing events==== RIR hosted numerous racing series throughout its existence, including the American Motorcyclist Association,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oberjuerge |first=Paul |date=October 4, 1976 |title=Roberts rides 76 miles for a Camel series win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-roberts-ri/192436855/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 1, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |pages=B5, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-roberts-ri/192436877/ B7]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Formula Atlantic,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=April 24, 1983 |title=Moore, McDaniel Win at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-moore-mcdaniel-wi/192437017/ |url-status=live |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-14}} {{Open access}}</ref> the International Race of Champions (IROC),<ref name="Pruett v Wallace" /> the Trans-Am Series,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shavenau |date=September 19, 1966 |title=Titus Wins Sedan Race At Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-titus-wins-sedan-r/192464748/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 1, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-6}} {{Open access}}</ref> and the World Sportscar Championship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=April 27, 1981 |title=Fitzpatrick's Team Wins It |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-fitzpatricks-team/192474342/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 1, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=III-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-fitzpatricks-team/192474701/ III-8]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

=== Other events and uses === ==== Filming production ==== Riverside International Raceway was used as a location for numerous films. The facility was used in the filming of ''On the Beach'' (1959),{{Sfnp|Wallen|2000|pp=21–27}} ''Viva Las Vegas'' (1964),<ref name="Stahler–2012" /> ''The Killers'' (1964),<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Killers |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/23813 |url-status=live |access-date=February 7, 2026 |website=AFI Catalog of Feature Films |publisher=American Film Institute}}</ref> ''Red Line 7000'' (1965),<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 11, 1965 |title=Auto Race Pic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-desert-sun-auto-race-pic/189968704/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 27, 2026 |work=The Desert Sun |page=8 |agency=United Press International}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Fireball 500'' (1966),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gundy |first=Jerry |date=July 28, 1966 |title=Racing Man Blasts Movie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-racing-man-blasts-movie/189544275/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 22, 2026 |work=Richmond Independent |page=18}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Grand Prix'' (1966),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Kevin |date=October 29, 1966 |title=Fast Look at 'Grand Prix' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-fast-look-at-gran/189544327/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 22, 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=IV-7}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''The Love Bug'' (1968),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Flowers |first=Paul |date=February 5, 1968 |title='Sweet Charity' starts shooting at Universal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-vanguard-sweet-charity-starts/189244867/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2026 |work=Venice Vanguard |page=10}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Winning'' (1969),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-evening-citizen-news-winnin/190205968/|title='Winning' Premieres At Loew's|date=May 16, 1969|access-date=January 30, 2026|url-status=live|work=Los Angeles Evening Citizen News|page=11}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Stacey'' (1973),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arbuckle |first=Geoff |date=September 9, 2022 |title=Stacey (1973) |url=https://bmovieenema.com/2022/09/09/stacey-1973/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 7, 2026 |website=B-Movie Enema |language=en}}</ref> and ''The Betsy'' (1978).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Betsy |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/56205-THE-BETSY |url-status=live |access-date=February 7, 2026 |website=AFI Catalog of Feature Films |publisher=American Film Institute}}</ref> In addition, the track also served as a location for several television series, including ''Route 66'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kerr |first=Bruce |date=January 13, 1961 |title=Winner Of Ladies Event At Pomona Still Undecided |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times-winner-of-ladies-event-at-p/189543546/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 22, 2026 |work=Valley Times |page=15}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Where the Action Is'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 30, 1965 |title=Raceway Serves As Background For TV Program |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-raceway-se/190075165/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 28, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=A9}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''The F.B.I.'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-richter-keeps-rive/190117781/|title=Richter Keeps Riverside Raceway Humming|last=Maher|first=Charles|date=November 22, 1967|access-date=January 29, 2026|url-status=live|work=Los Angeles Times|page=III-5}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''CHiPs'', ''The Rockford Files'', ''Knight Rider'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lech |first=Steve |date=July 11, 2019 |title=Riverside International Raceway closed 30 years ago this month |url=https://www.pressenterprise.com/riverside-international-raceway-closed-30-years-ago-this-month/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 7, 2026 |website=The Press-Enterprise |language=en-US}}</ref> and ''Simon & Simon.''<ref name="Stahler–2012" />

==== Miscellaneous events ====

* On April 22, 1978, RIR held the Giant Country Spring Festival, a one-day country music festival that had an estimated crowd of 5,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 13, 1978 |title=Country festival coming |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-breeze-country-festival-coming/190756909/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2026 |work=Daily Breeze |page=C7}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="5,000 see festival">{{Cite news |date=April 23, 1978 |title=5,000 see festival |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-5000-see/190756701/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2026 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |page=B4}} {{Open access}}</ref> According to ''The San Bernardino Sun'', promoters expected a crowd of 60,000.<ref name="5,000 see festival" />

==Race lap records==

The fastest official race lap records at Riverside International Raceway for different classes are listed as:

{| class="wikitable" !Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Event |- ! colspan=5 | Long Grand Prix Road Course (with Dogleg) (1969–1989): {{cvt|5.311|km|mi|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name='riverside_racingcircuits'>{{Cite web |url=https://www.racingcircuits.info/north-america/usa/riverside.html |title=Riverside - Racing Circuits |website=RacingCircuits.info |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref><ref name='riverside_msportmagazine'>{{cite web |title=Riverside - Motor Sport Magazine |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/circuits/riverside/ |website=Motor Sport Magazine |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> |- | CART || '''1:30.656'''<ref>{{cite web |title=1982 Riverside Champ Cars in CART at the Riverside circuit - Full information |url=https://autosportworld.info/en/cart/seasons/1982/riverside-champ-cars/ |date=29 August 1982 |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> || Kevin Cogan || Penske PC-10 || 1982 Budweiser 500K |- | Group 7 || '''1:34.030'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Can-Am Riverside 1972 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1972-10-29.html |date=29 October 1972 |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> || George Follmer || Porsche 917/10 TC || 1972 Riverside Can-Am round |- | IMSA GTP || '''1:35.610'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Riverside 6 Hours 1986 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1986-04-27.html |date=27 April 1986 |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> || John Paul Jr. || March 85G || 1986 Los Angeles Times/Ford Grand Prix of Endurance Riverside |- | IMSA GTX || '''1:40.710'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Riverside 6 Hours 1981 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1981-04-26.html |date=26 April 1981 |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> || John Paul Jr. || Porsche 935 JLP-3 || 1981 Los Angeles Times/Toyota Grand Prix of Endurance Riverside |- | Formula Atlantic || '''1:41.350'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Riverside International Raceway, 23 Avril 1983 - CASC / SCCA Formula Mondial North American Cup - Round 2 |url=http://www.autocourse.ca/archives/usa/fatlantic/1983-fatlantic.htm |date=23 April 1983 |access-date=3 June 2022}}</ref> || John David Briggs || Ralt RT-4 || 1983 Riverside Formula Atlantic round |- | IMSA GTO || '''1:44.701'''<ref name='imsa_riverside_1985'>{{cite web |title=Riverside 600 Kilometres 1985 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1985-04-28.html |date=28 April 1985 |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> || Wally Dallenbach Jr. || Ford Mustang || 1985 Los Angeles Times/Nissan Grand Prix |- | IMSA GTP Lights || '''1:47.507'''<ref name='imsa_riverside_1985' /> || Kelly Marsh || Argo JM16 || 1985 Los Angeles Times/Nissan Grand Prix |- | IMSA GTU || '''1:51.850'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Riverside 6 Hours 1984 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1984-04-29.html |date=29 April 1984 |access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref> || Elliot Forbes-Robinson || Porsche 924 Carrera || 1984 Los Angeles Times/Nissan Grand Prix |- ! colspan=5 | Sports Car Short Course (1969–1989): {{cvt|4.090|km|mi|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name='riverside_racingcircuits' /><ref name='riverside_msportmagazine' /> |- | Can-Am || '''1:11.079'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Can-Am Riverside 1984 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1984-10-07.html |date=7 October 1984 |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> || Michael Roe || VDS-004 || 1984 Riverside Can-Am round |- | F5000 || '''1:12.922'''<ref>{{cite web |title=1976 Riverside F5000 |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1976-riverside-f5000/ |date=17 October 1976 |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref> || Jackie Oliver || Shadow DN6B || 1976 Riverside F5000 round |- | IMSA GTP || '''1:13.080'''<ref name='riverside_1987_imsa_500'>{{cite web |title=Riverside 500 Kilometres 1987 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Riverside-1987-04-26.html |date=26 April 1987 |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> || Sarel van der Merwe || Chevrolet Corvette GTP || 1987 Los Angeles Times Grand Prix |- | Trans-Am || '''1:19.880'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Trans-Am Riverside 1972 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1972-10-29t.html |date=29 October 1972 |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> || Bobby Allison || Datsun 510 || 1972 Riverside Trans-Am round |- | IMSA GTP Lights || '''1:21.270'''<ref name='riverside_1987_imsa_500' /> || Jeff Kline || Spice Pontiac Fiero GTP || 1987 Los Angeles Times Grand Prix |- | IMSA GTO || '''1:22.200'''<ref name='riverside_1987_imsa_300'>{{cite web |title=Riverside 300 Kilometres 1987 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1987-04-26g.html |date=26 April 1987 |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> || Chris Cord || Toyota Celica Turbo || 1987 Riverside 300 Kilometers |- | IMSA GTU || '''1:28.660'''<ref name='riverside_1987_imsa_300' /> || Tom Kendall || Mazda RX-7 || 1987 Riverside 300 Kilometers |- ! colspan=5 | Short Oval Circuit (1960–1988): {{cvt|0.805|km|mi|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name='riverside_racingcircuits' /> |- | Sports car || '''0:27.700'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Riverside [EM+FM+GM+HM] 1961 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1961-08-12-19880.html |date=12 August 1961 |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> || Art Snyder || Lola Mk1 || 1961 Riverside Sports Car race |- ! colspan=5 | Original Grand Prix Road Course (without Dogleg) (1957–1968): {{cvt|5.230|km|mi|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name='riverside_racingcircuits' /><ref name='riverside_msportmagazine' /> |- | Can-Am || '''1:40.400'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Can-Am Riverside 1967 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1967-10-29.html |date=29 October 1967 |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> || Bruce McLaren || McLaren M6A || 1967 Los Angeles Times Grand Prix |- | Formula One || '''1:56.300''' || Jack Brabham || Cooper T53 || 1960 United States Grand Prix |- | Group 4 sports car || '''2:01.000'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Grand Prix Riverside 200 Miles 1961 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1961-10-15.html |date=15 October 1961 |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref> || Bruce McLaren || Cooper T57 Monaco || 1961 United States Grand Prix for Sports Cars |- ! colspan=5 | Sports Car Short Course (1957–1968): {{cvt|4.176|km|mi|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name='riverside_racingcircuits' /><ref name='riverside_msportmagazine' /> |- | Group 7 (Can-Am) || '''1:20.000'''<ref>{{cite web |title=USRRC Riverside 1968 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1968-04-28.html |date=28 April 1968 |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> || Mark Donohue || McLaren M6A || 1968 Riverside USRRC round |- | Group 4 || '''1:26.400'''<ref>{{cite web |title=USRRC Riverside 1967 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1967-04-30.html |date=30 April 1967 |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> || Mark Donohue || Lola T70 Mk.II || 1967 Riverside 300 |- | Sports car || '''1:26.800'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Riverside 200 Miles 1965 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1965-10-31.html |date=31 October 1965 |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref> || Bruce McLaren || McLaren Elva MkII || 1965 Los Angeles Times Grand Prix |- | Group 3 || '''1:36.500'''<ref>{{cite web |title=USRRC Riverside - GT Race 1965 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Riverside-1965-05-02g.html |date=2 May 1965 |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> || Ed Leslie || Shelby Cobra || 1965 Riverside USRRC round |- |}

==See also== * Riverside International Automotive Museum

==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ===Book sources===

* {{cite book |last=Clapp |first=Ken |title=Sea to Shining Sea: Racing From the Wild West to Daytona |last2=Bourcier |first2=Bones |publisher=Coastal 181 |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-73625-611-4 |edition=1st |location=Newburyport, Massachusetts}} * {{Cite book|title=Riverside Raceway: Palace of Speed|last=Wallen|first=Dick|publisher=Ben Franklin Press|edition=1st|year=2000|editor-first=Michael|editor-last=Jordan}}

==External links== * {{commons category-inline|Riverside International Raceway}}

{{Formula One circuits}} {{World Sportscar Championship circuits}} {{NASCAR Cup Series racetracks}} {{NASCAR K&N Pro Series racetracks}} {{Trans-Am tracks}} {{Atlantic Championship circuits}} {{International Race of Champions tracks}} {{MotoAmerica circuits}} {{IMSA GT circuits}} {{Can-Am circuits}} {{NHRA dragstrips}} {{USAC tracks}} {{USAC Stock Car racetracks}} {{Champ Car tracks}} {{NASCAR Elite Division Southwest racetracks}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Motorsport venues in California Category:Defunct drag racing venues Category:Defunct motorsport venues in the United States Category:Defunct sports venues in California Category:Buildings and structures in Riverside, California Category:Sports venues in Riverside, California Category:USAC Stock Car tracks Category:Sports venues completed in 1957 Category:1957 establishments in California Category:1989 disestablishments in California Category:Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles Category:Champ Car circuits Category:Atlantic Championship Series circuits Category:Formula One circuits Category:Trans-Am tracks Category:NASCAR tracks Category:World Sportscar Championship circuits Category:International Race of Champions tracks Category:NASCAR races at Riverside International Raceway Category:IMSA GT Championship circuits Category:United States Grand Prix Category:Demolished sports venues in California Category:Sports venues in the Inland Empire