Located in southern California, Highway 92 is a road that connects the cities of San Diego and Orange County. It is also the name of the international speedway that is situated near Lake Forest in northern Orange County. For years, the speedway has been associated with motorsport – hosting events such as the USA Grand Prix and the LA Grand Prix – but has also been the venue for various music concerts and other forms of social gatherings.
A Historical Perspective
The origins of the Highway 92 International Speedway can be traced back to the 1960s, when the area around Lake Forest was being developed as a suburb of San Diego. The construction of Interstate 605, which passes through the area, provided the impetus for the creation of a local speedway. The first track was officially opened in 1970 and was named after the city’s mayor, who was also a prominent motorsport enthusiast. The first race to take place at the speedway was the San Diego 500, and it was subsequently renamed after the mayor in his honor.
The following year, the track was expanded to three-quarters of a mile, with the aim of attracting more motorsport fans to the region. In 1973, the name of the track was once again changed, this time to its present-day form – Highway 92 International Speedway – while construction began on a second track, which was designed as a tri-oval. The first IndyCar-style race to be held at the speedway took place in 1974, with AJ Foyt taking home the victory. Since then, the track has regularly hosted IndyCar races and has also been the place of two NASCAR races. The most recent NASCAR race was the 2019 Aaron’s 312, which was won by Kyle Busch.
The Track & Its Facilities
Although it might not seem obvious, the pitch of the track surface is one of the most important factors in creating a fast and fair race. The asphalt used at Highway 92 International Speedway is a mixture of synthetic and natural fibers, and is designed to improve traction and reduce wear on the tires. The track also features a unique double-decker grandstand that provides fans with outstanding views of the entire track. The facility’s name, which takes its inspiration from the highway that runs nearby, is used for advertising and as a hashtag on social media. It also contains a museum that honors the region’s motorsport heritage and a large car collection that is open to the public.
Why Is Lake Forest Named After the Speedway?
Located just off of the San Diego Bay in southern California, the city of Lake Forest boasts a rich cultural history. It was originally a stop on the Santa Fe Railroad during the early 20th century, and this promoted growth in the area. The city’s main attraction is the Chula Vista Marine Stadium, which was built in 1929 and is the original home of the Chula Vista Pirates – who played in the Pacific Coast League until 1957. The city also boasts a world-class art museum, the de Young, that was established in the 1950s and is dedicated to the art and culture of the Pacific Rim.
It was this last attraction, along with the city’s association with motorsport, that was the incentive for the creation of the Lake Forest Speedway. The speedway was developed around a single track that is 3/4 mile in length and features some well-known and iconic bends. The inaugural race was the San Diego 500 in November 1970 and was won by Bobby Isaac – whose father, Bruce, also won the event in 1963 and 1969. The following year, the name of the track was changed to Highway 62 in honor of the San Diego Giants baseball team, who were playing in the California League at the time.
Why Is The Track & Its Names Changed?
The track in question, Highway 62, was just one of a number of Southern California sports venues that had to change their names following the 1971 season. The Los Angeles Rams, who had originally been based in New York before moving to Los Angeles, held the first of their eight consecutive Super Bowl victories at the Los Angeles Coliseum in January 1972. This prompted the Southern California sports franchises to try and cash in on their great success by attaching their names to their respective buildings and stadiums.
Is Highway 92 the Only International Speedway Located In The U.S.?
Not quite. There is also the Santa Ana Windsport Park in Santa Ana, California, which is a public park that features an open-air stadium where NASCAR races are held. Opened in 1965, the stadium has also been used for concerts and other social gatherings. Nearby, in Costa Mesa, there is the Costa Mesa State College Stadium – the home of the Division II football team. The school was previously named after the founder of the Costa Mesa Hotel and the stadium was renamed after him following his death in 2002.
What About The Austin Texas Speedway?
Another U.S. road that is synonymous with motorsport is the 14 mile, Texas Motor Speedway, located in Fort Worth. The track first opened in 1965 and has been the home of the Texanapolis 500 – a race that is named after the city that is located within the boundaries of the state of Texas – every spring since. The venue also hosts the annual Coke Zero Sugar Bowl, put on by the Fort Worth Stock Show & Fort Worth Zoo, and the Fort Worth Invitational, a prestigious golf tournament that has been taking place since 1924.
Will The San Francisco 49ers Be Attending The Super Bowl This Year?
The Bay Area will be hosting the 107th Super Bowl between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots in February next year at the Hard Rock Stadium – the first time the game has been held in the state of California since the 1994 tournament in Pasadena. Like many other U.S. cities, San Francisco was impacted by the sports world’s ultimate showpiece – the Rams’ eight consecutive Super Bowl victories – as the city itself was named after the football club’s flagship, the San Francisco 49ers.
The rivalry between the 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who also enjoy a large following in the Bay Area, has been one of the most compelling in the history of American football. The teams have met each other in the postseason numerous times, with the last matchup taking place during the 2016 AFC Championship game. The game, which was played at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, was won by the Steelers. Three of the game’s four subsequent overtime periods were decided by a touchdown or less, with the fourth being decided by a field goal by Jake Ariail.
What Impact Did The Super Bowl Have On Sports In America?
It is a common narrative in American history that sports helped lead the country out of the “traumas” of the ‘70s and into a new era, with many citing the rise of the “sports industry” as a major factor. The 1987-1994 period was dubbed the “Golden Age of Sports” in America, with the San Diego Chargers winning four AFL titles and the Chicago Bulls winning three NBA championships during this time. The Atlanta Hawks were the last team to win an NBA title before the current Golden Age began and the Chicago White Sox – last place in the AL in 2000 – became the first team to win a World Series since the ‘70s.
The year 2019 will be remembered as the “Year of the Race” in America, with the NBA, the NASCAR, and the IndyCar all holding events that focused mainly on honoring legendary drivers and their influence on the sport. Professional football returned to the city of Chicago in the form of the Chicago Bears, who were founded in 1916, with their first game being played in Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Rams. The game, which was played at the original Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, was won by the Bears.
It is debatable as to whether sports helped lead the American Revolution out of the ‘70s or if the ‘70s were just a precursor to a more vibrant and engaged public sphere in the digital age. Either way, sports will be a part of American history for the foreseeable future.