Track Hopes New Pit Stop Worth a Spin

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At $2,500 each, the best tickets for next month’s NASCAR race in Fontana might seem on the pricey side.

But Auto Club Speedway bosses are banking on fans paying for the privilege of being both comfortable and close to the action.

March 20’s Auto Club 400 will see the debut of Richter’s Club, a VIP lounge offering the best seats in the house. Auto Club Speedway created it from a space on pit row that had previously been used for manual timing and scoring. Now that technology allows for digital timing and scoring, the trackside space was freed up.

“It’s a fantastic view and a high-end space. Every track has its own unique club experience, but there are only two or three at this level,” said Fritz Maskrey, Auto Club Speedway’s vice president of marketing.

The suite will hold 75 people. In addition to all-you-can-eat premium food and beverage, ticket holders will have access to walk through pit row and the garages before and during the race. There will also be VIP experiences such as driver meet-and-greets in the club. Maskrey expects a mix of affluent fans, business owners and sponsors to buy tickets. Normal grandstand tickets range from $41 to $151 for adults with discounted rates for kids.

The name Richter’s Lounge was chosen based on the sporting contributions of Les Richter, a former Los Angeles Rams linebacker who later became NASCAR’s senior vice president of operations.

Maskrey expects the suite to be used year round. The track itself is booked 280 days a year with a variety of events such as filming, corporate events and driving experiences.

“It’s an amenity we will be able to offer business in our whole region for corporate lunches, meetings and special events,” he said.

– David Nusbaum

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