Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside is better known for Barona Resort & Casino. But drive a few miles past the casino, and the road turns into a motorsports corridor that draws gearheads from all over Southern California. Three separate venues operate within a few miles of each other, and on racing weekends, the sound of engines carries across the canyon.
Barona Speedway
Barona Speedway at 1754 Wildcat Canyon Rd is a quarter-mile clay oval that runs dirt track racing on Saturday nights. The track sits between mile markers 11 and 11.5, about 5.8 miles north of the casino. Gates open at 2pm, racing starts at 6pm, and the action runs until about 9pm.
The divisions include stock cars, modified, bombers, mini dwarfs (drivers must be at least 6 years old per California insurance regulations), and lightning sprints. It''s grassroots racing, the kind where the drivers know the fans by name and the pit area is open enough to smell the exhaust and feel the heat off the engines. Pit passes are $20, driver entry is $40. With 374 reviews and a 4.7 rating, Barona Speedway has earned its reputation as one of the best small-track venues in the state.
Barona Drags
Barona Drags at 1750 Wildcat Canyon Rd is a 1/8-mile drag strip. It hosts amateur bracket racing throughout the season and serves as the venue for national events like Race Wars, which brings import and domestic drag racers from across the country. The strip has 216 reviews and a 4.7 rating. It''s not NHRA-sanctioned, which keeps the vibe more local and accessible. If you''ve ever wanted to race your car on a real strip, Barona Drags is where you do it.
Barona Motocross
Barona Oaks Sports Center Motocross at 1800 Wildcat Canyon Rd rounds out the motorsports lineup with dirt bike racing and practice days. It draws riders from beginner to expert, with 122 reviews and a 4.5 rating. The track layout changes periodically, and practice days are a good way to get familiar with the course before racing.
Plan Your Visit
All three venues are on Wildcat Canyon Road, north of Highway 67 in Lakeside. Check each venue''s schedule before heading out; race days vary by season and weather. If racing gets rained out, the speedway typically posts cancellations on their website and social media.
Barona Resort is close enough for dinner before or after the races. Barona Oaks Steakhouse does a proper sit-down meal. Sage Cafe is the casual option. And if you''re staying overnight, the resort hotel is right there. Check the full Lakeside entertainment directory for more weekend plans.
