Game-day experience
What surrounds the action
The California 500 is not a musical act, but a landmark auto race that helped shape American open-wheel racing in the 1970s. Held at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, this event brought together top IndyCar talent and racing fans for ten years of adrenaline-fueled competition. Though the race concluded in 1980, its impact echoes in racing history, venues, and the broader motorsport community. Here, you’ll find a concise biography of the era, notable races, and how the California 500 fits into the broader story of IndyCar racing in Southern California.