Riverside International Raceway

Riverside International Raceway was a motorsport circuit near the San Bernardino foothills in Riverside, California, that ran through several miles of desert landscape with long straights and steep elevation changes. The track layout included uphill corners and banked sections that could be reconfigured depending on the racing series.

The facility opened in September 1957 and drew professional racing events from NASCAR and other series for more than three decades. Operations ended in July 1989 when the land was sold for residential development.

The track's proximity to Los Angeles made it a frequent filming location for television shows including The Rockford Files and Knight Rider during the 1970s.

Today the site sits under a residential neighborhood, but several street names in the development honor drivers who once competed there. Visitors passing through the area can see racing references on local signposts.

Several American television series from the 1970s and 1980s filmed chase scenes and driving sequences at the facility, including crime dramas and action shows. The desert backdrop and mountain scenery provided a setting for production crews working near Los Angeles.

Location: Riverside

Inception: September 22, 1957

GPS coordinates: 33.93700,-117.27256

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:38