the race joined the circuit in 1989, it was added as a replacement for the budweiser 400 at riverside, which closed in 1988, the race had undergone several name and length changes throughout the year, the nascar west series is held as combination race from 1989 to 1997 and has held as a standalone race since 2006. due to the track's unique layout, the race generates annual discussion, with media, fans and participants both in favor and against racing this event, due to the speedway's layout, road course ringers are common, a nascar term standing for drivers only on road course races.