The NASCAR Mexico Series (formerly NASCAR Corona Series and other names) is a NASCAR series in Mexico. It is the most prestigious stock car racing series in the country.
85-576: The Desafío Corona was established in 2004 by NASCAR Mexico , a joint-venture between NASCAR and Mexican entertainment group OCESA , with the idea of developing stock car racing in Mexico, and fueling a transition from the country's historically Open-wheel car racing fan base to stock car racing. From 2004 to 2006, the Desafío Corona grew considerably in infrastructure, as well as in number of fans, drivers and sponsors. The NASCAR Mexico Corona Series
170-630: A record unlikely to be seriously threatened anytime soon given the smaller seating capacities of today's baseball parks. In May 1959, an exhibition game between the Dodgers and the New York Yankees in honor of legendary catcher Roy Campanella drew 93,103, the largest crowd ever to see a baseball game in the Western Hemisphere until a 2008 exhibition game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and
255-542: A critical editorial "Every Sixth Hit a Homer!" Players also complained, with Milwaukee Braves ace Warren Spahn calling for a rule that would require any home run to travel at least 300 feet (91 m) before it could be considered a home run. Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick ordered the Dodgers to erect a 42 feet (12.8 m) screen in left field to prevent pop flies from becoming home runs. Its cables, towers, wires, and girders were in play. The "short porch" in left field looked extremely attractive to batters. In
340-418: A football gridiron, but the playing surface was just barely large enough to accommodate a baseball diamond. As a result, foul territory was almost nonexistent down the first base line, but was expansive down the third base line, with a very large backstop for the catcher. Sight lines also left much to be desired; some seats were as far as 710 feet (216 m) from the plate. Also, from baseball's point of view,
425-711: A full 2017 season. Also in 2017 two supporter series were created: the NASCAR FedEx Challenge Series and NASCAR Mikel's Truck Series . The series lost its sponsorship with PEAK Antifreeze in 2023, which was when a playoff system was implemented to the series. In its 14 seasons, the NASCAR Mexico Series has used 16 tracks in 14 venues (two in Santiago de Querétaro and two in San Luis Potosí ). Currently, six oval tracks are used, only Autódromo Monterrey
510-496: A full list of 1932 and 1984 Olympic gold medalists (the complete roster of honorees can be seen below). For many years, the Coliseum was capable of seating over 100,000 spectators. In 1964, the stadium underwent its first major renovation in over three decades. Most of the original pale green wood-and-metal bench seating was replaced by individual theater-type chairs of dark red, beige and yellow; these seats remained until 2018, although
595-704: A home field for a number of other teams, including the 1960 inaugural season for the Los Angeles Chargers, the Los Angeles Raiders of the NFL from 1982 to 1994 , and UCLA Bruins football . From 1959 to 2016, the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena was located adjacent to the Coliseum before it closed in March 2016. BMO Stadium , formerly Banc of California Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium and
680-409: A home run. However, the umpires ruled it a ground-rule double. The fans shook the screen, causing the ball to fall into the seats. The umpires changed the call to a homer, only to rule it a ground-rule double while Adcock was left stranded on second. The game was tied at the end of nine innings, and the Dodgers won in the tenth inning. At the end of the regular season, the Dodgers and Braves finished in
765-621: A permanent seating capacity of 93,607 for USC football and Rams games, making it the largest football stadium in the Pac-12 Conference and the NFL. The stadium also was the temporary home of the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1958 to 1961 , and was the host venue for games three, four, and five of the 1959 World Series . It was the site of the first AFL–NFL World Championship Game (later called Super Bowl I ) and Super Bowl VII. Additionally, it has served as
850-456: A race where 26 cars started the race, a big number for Mexican motorsports. This race was won by Jorge Goeters ( Canel's #18 Pontiac), after 90 laps to the 1-mile (1.6 km) oval. The series then went to Guadalajara and Querétaro , races won by Carlos Contreras , but bad luck came in the 4th race in Monterrey , where in lap 37 of the race, driver Marcelo Núñez lost control of his car, and
935-400: A reduction in capacity of about 16,000 seats, with the final total at approximately 78,500 seats. The plans were met with mixed reactions from the public. The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic bid committee contemplated additional renovations to support its bid. On January 8, 2018, USC began the project to renovate and improve the Coliseum. The project, which was solely funded by the university,
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#17328584673951020-417: A scoreboard and video screen that towered over the peristyle dating back to 1983; they replaced a smaller scoreboard above the center arch installed in 1972, which in turn supplanted the 1937 model, one of the first all-electric scoreboards in the nation. Over the years new light towers have been placed along the north and south rims. The large analog clock and thermometer over the office windows at either end of
1105-462: A tie. The Dodgers won the ensuing playoff and went on to win the World Series. Although less than ideal for baseball due to its poor sight lines and short dimensions (left field at 251 feet (77 m) and power alleys at 320 feet (98 m)), the Coliseum was ideally suited for large paying crowds. Each of the three games of the 1959 World Series drew over 92,000 fans, with game five drawing 92,706,
1190-404: A week and a half before the series race at Phoenix International Raceway . To date, three women have started a NASCAR Mexico Series race, three started a Trucks Mexico Series race and one started a NASCAR Challenge race. Mara Reyes scored a pole position in her first race. Regina sirvent was the first woman to win a Trucks Mexico Series race. *In Challenge Series (run in the same races at
1275-471: Is 77,500, with 42 suites, 1,100 club seats, 24 loge boxes, and a 500-person rooftop terrace. USC's women lacrosse and soccer teams use the Coliseum for selected games, usually involving major opponents and televised games. USC also rents the Coliseum to various events, including international soccer games, musical concerts and other large outdoor events. In May 2021, due to the previous year of local COVID-19 restrictions, USC held commencement ceremonies in
1360-517: Is a road circuit. Three tracks have been used in two configurations. Autódromo Monterrey long and frijol, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in NASCAR Nationwide and oval, Autódromo Miguel E. Abed in a 2.840 km (1.765 mi) layout and oval. Autódromo Potosino is the shortest track with a distance of 0.402 km (0.250 mi) and Autódromo Monterrey the longest track with a distance of 3.200 km (1.988 mi). San Luis Potosí
1445-738: Is considering changes to the Canadian Tire and Corona Series where the two series adopt the Busch rules as to allow the competitors to use the same cars in NASCAR Busch Series races. The winner of the series championship received an invitation to the UNOH Battle at the Beach , formerly the Toyota All-Star Showdown . All other drivers may also attempt to qualify by entering the heat races. After
1530-721: Is jointly owned by the State of California's Sixth District Agricultural Association, Los Angeles County , and the city of Los Angeles. It is managed and operated by the Auxiliary Services Department of the University of Southern California (USC). USC granted naming rights to United Airlines in January 2018. After concerns were raised by the Coliseum Commission, which has public oversight of USC's management and operation of
1615-697: Is the venue with more races (34, 32 in Autódromo Potosino and 2 in Parque Tangamanga II ) NASCAR Mexico had powered the construction of oval tracks in México, Autódromo Potosino was remodeled in 2001, Aguascalientes , Chiapas , Querétaro had new tracks for NASCAR events. In 2012, a speedway in Chihuahua was scheduled for inauguration. For 2013, a race in the Southwestern United States
1700-541: The 2028 Summer Olympics , previously hosting in 1932 and 1984 . It was designated a National Historic Landmark on July 27, 1984, a day before the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics . The stadium serves as the home of the University of Southern California Trojans football team of the Big Ten Conference , and is located directly adjacent to the school's main University Park campus. The Coliseum
1785-607: The American Football League (AFL)'s Los Angeles Chargers played at the Coliseum before relocating to San Diego the next year; the team moved back to the L.A. area in 2017 . The United States men's national soccer team played its first match at the stadium in 1965, losing to Mexico in a 1966 World Cup qualifier. Also, the Los Angeles Wolves of the United Soccer Association played their home games at
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#17328584673951870-586: The Boston Red Sox to mark the 50th anniversary of MLB in Los Angeles. The Coliseum also hosted the second 1959 MLB All-Star Game . The Coliseum was also the site of John F. Kennedy 's memorable acceptance speech at the 1960 Democratic National Convention . It was during that speech that Kennedy first used the term "the New Frontier ". The Rams hosted the 1949 , 1951 and 1955 NFL championship games at
1955-579: The Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League relocated to the West Coast in 1958. The Dodgers played here until Dodger Stadium was completed in time for the 1962 season . Even allowing for its temporary status, the Coliseum was extremely ill-suited for baseball due to the fundamentally different sizes and shapes of football and baseball fields. A baseball field requires roughly 2.5 times more area than
2040-583: The Los Angeles Coliseum or L.A. Coliseum ) is a multi-purpose stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California , United States. Conceived as a hallmark of civic pride, the Coliseum was commissioned in 1921 as a memorial to Los Angeles veterans of World War I . Completed in 1923, it will become the first stadium to have hosted the Summer Olympics three times when it hosts
2125-1181: The NASCAR Cup Series driving No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing. In 2019, he moved to the No. 41 driving for Stewart-Haas Racing before moving to the No. 96 driving for Gaunt Brothers Racing , then moved to the No. 99 for Trackhouse Racing Team . On June 12, 2022, Suárez won his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway . Five drivers have raced both the NASCAR PEAK Mexico and NASCAR Cup Series . 2004 C. Pardo 2005 J. Goeters 2006 R. López 2007 R. Martínez 2008 A. Pérez 2009 G. Quiroga 2010 G. Quiroga 2011 G. Quiroga 2012 J. Goeters 2013 R. Peralta 2014 A. Calderón 2015 R. García Jr. 2016 not held 2017 A. Calderón 2018 R. García Jr. 2019 R. García Jr. 2020 R. Rovelo 2021 S. de Alba Jr. 2022 R. García Jr. Desaf%C3%ADo Corona The Desafío Corona
2210-517: The North American Soccer League used the Coliseum as their home ground in 1977 and 1981. The Coliseum was also home to the USFL 's Los Angeles Express between 1983 and 1985. In this capacity, the stadium also is the site of the longest professional American football game in history: on June 30, 1984 (a few weeks before the start of the 1984 Summer Olympics), a triple-overtime game between
2295-647: The Rose Bowl in Pasadena in 1982 . In 1932, the Coliseum hosted the Summer Olympic Games , the first of two Olympic Games hosted at the stadium. The Coliseum served as the site of the field hockey , gymnastics , the show jumping part of the equestrian event, and track and field events, along with the opening and closing ceremonies. The 1932 games marked the introduction of the Olympic Village , as well as
2380-572: The Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The Coliseum was also the site of the 1982 Speedway World Final , held for the first and only time in the United States. The event saw Newport Beach native Bruce Penhall retain the title he had won in front of 92,500 fans at London's Wembley Stadium in 1981 . An estimated 40,000 fans were at the Coliseum to see Penhall retain his title before announcing his retirement from motorcycle speedway to take up an acting role on
2465-510: The United States , with fiberglass composite bodies and spec engines. Although there are various cars, they are all under the same rules, which are often modified in the course of the season. In 2005, most previous and current champions of all of the racing series in Mexico moved into the series (with the notable absence of open-wheel champions, like Homero Richards ), leaving other closed wheel series with young and inexperienced drivers, so
2550-399: The University of Minnesota , with the game being televised on ABC . After USC took over the Coliseum master lease in 2013, they began making plans for major renovations needed and as stipulated in the master lease agreement. On October 29, 2015, USC unveiled an estimated $ 270 million project for a massive renovation and restoration the Coliseum. The upgrades included: replacing all seats in
2635-522: The "new/old" style, and all new ballparks since then have been allowed to set their own distances. Late that season, the screen figured in the National League pennant race. When the Braves were playing the Dodgers at the Coliseum on September 15, 1959, Joe Adcock hit a ball that cleared the screen but hit a steel girder behind it and got stuck in the mesh. According to ground rules, this should have been
NASCAR Mexico Series - Misplaced Pages Continue
2720-440: The 1984 games, burnable Olympic Rings and a 25-step hydraulic staircase were added inside in the front of the coliseum to allow the cauldron to be lit by lifting up the stairs to the burnable Olympic Rings, which brought the flame to the cauldron on top. The football field runs east to west with the press box on the south side of the stadium. The current jumbotrons to each side of the peristyle were installed in 2017, and replaced
2805-546: The Beach). In 2011 Daniel Suárez, Germán Quiroga and Rubén Rovelo took part. They finished in 11th, 12th and 30th, respectly. The 2012 Series champion, along with international counterparts in Canada and Europe, will be invited to participate with an automatically exempt entry in any of the three divisions (Late Model, K&N Pro, Whelen Modified) in the Battle at the Beach, which will be held
2890-481: The Coliseum and the adjacent BMO Stadium property and the capital renewal of the Coliseum. The 98-year agreement required the university to make approximately $ 100 million in initial physical repairs to the Coliseum. Additionally, it requires USC pay $ 1.3 million each year in rent to the State of California for the state-owned land the property occupies in Exposition Park; maintain the Coliseum's physical condition at
2975-665: The Coliseum for a year (1967) before moving to the Rose Bowl. In June 1970, the first Senior Olympics (known as the Senior Sports International Meet) took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. In July 1972, the Coliseum hosted the "Super Bowl" of Motocross . The event was the first motocross race held inside a stadium. It evolved into the AMA Supercross championship held in stadiums across
3060-401: The Coliseum for graduating students from the classes of 2020 and 2021. Ceremonies were held in the Coliseum twice a day for a week, with over 36,000 diplomas (including undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates) were awarded. It was the first time in 70 years that USC had held its commencement in the stadium. In September 2024 the university announced that its main commencement ceremony
3145-462: The Coliseum was undoubtedly inspired by the earlier Yale Bowl which was built in 1914. The now-signature Olympic torch was added, and the stadium was briefly known as Olympic Stadium . The Olympic cauldron torch which burned through both Games remains above the peristyle at the east end of the stadium as a reminder of this, as do the Olympic rings symbols over one of the main entrances. Originally for
3230-523: The Coliseum's large size, Rams (and later Raiders) games were often blacked out in Southern California , even in the teams' best years. From 1964 to the late 1970s, it was common practice to shift the playing field to the closed end of the stadium and install end zone bleachers in front of the peristyle, limiting further the number of seats available for sale. For USC– UCLA and USC– Notre Dame games, which often attracted crowds upward of 90,000,
3315-536: The Coliseum, jumping the cars in the center of the field, and stopping high atop the other end. The jump was broadcast on ABC 's Wide World of Sports . Also in 1973, the Coliseum was host to Super Bowl VII, which saw the AFC champion Miami Dolphins defeat the NFC champion Washington Redskins 14–7, becoming the only team in NFL history to attain an undefeated season and postseason. The Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group hosted
3400-654: The Coliseum, the airline agreed to become the title sponsor of the playing field, naming it United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum . The Coliseum was the home of the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) from 1946 to 1979 , when they moved to Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim , and again from 2016 to 2019 , prior to the team's move to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood . The facility had
3485-511: The Coliseum. The Coliseum was also the site of the first NFL–AFL Championship Game in 1967, an event since renamed the Super Bowl . It also hosted Super Bowl VII in 1973, but future Super Bowls in the Los Angeles region would instead be hosted at the Rose Bowl, which has never had an NFL tenant. The Coliseum was also the site of the NFL Pro Bowl from 1951 to 1972 , and again in 1979 . In 1960 ,
NASCAR Mexico Series - Misplaced Pages Continue
3570-759: The Desafio Corona decided to include those series in a supporting role. First they included the Dodge Challenge, which included Neon T4 and Dodge Ram pickups , and for 2006, they concentrated on giving a push to the T4 Series. In some races, they included the Clio Cup Mexico series. In 2007, the NASCAR Mexico T4 Series became the main support series. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Former The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (also known as
3655-590: The Express and the Michigan Panthers that was decided on a 24-yard game-winning touchdown by Mel Gray of the Express, three and a half minutes into the third overtime, to give Los Angeles a 27–21 win. Until 2012, this game marked the only time in the history of professional football that there was more than one kickoff in overtime play in the same game. In 1982 , the former Oakland Raiders moved in. The same year, UCLA decided to move out, relocating its home games to
3740-614: The Mexican series. Along with the other international series, the K&N Pro Series East and West , and the ARCA Menards Series , the Mexico Series has General Tire as an exclusive tire supplier. Six drivers have won the championship. The Telcel team is the most successful with four drivers' championships. Rubén García, Jr. is the youngest champion (20 years old), and Rafael Martínez
3825-674: The PEAK Mexico Series but had also run in the Cup Series. Rubén Pardo , Rogelio López and Rubén García Jr. have won in the K&N Pro Series East ; while Daniel Suárez has won in the K&N Pro Series East , the NASCAR Xfinity Series , NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and NASCAR Cup Series . In 2016, Suárez won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing . In 2017 and 2018, he moved to
3910-524: The Raiders were put on hold indefinitely. The Raiders then redirected their efforts toward a proposed stadium at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood before electing to move back to the Oakland Coliseum prior to the 1995 NFL season . In 2000, Bentley Management Group (BMG) was hired as the project manager to complete work at the Coliseum and Sports Arena funded by FEMA. In addition to seismically bracing
3995-519: The Sports Arena while it remained open for events, BMG also coordinated the Coliseum's new press box elevator, various concession stands, restroom improvements, and concrete spalling repairs. In August 2011, construction began on the Coliseum's west end on a new 6,000-square-foot (560 m ) HD video scoreboard, accompanying the existing video scoreboard on the peristyle (east end) of the stadium. The video scoreboard officially went into operation on September 3, 2011, at USC football's home opener versus
4080-468: The United States and Canada. The Coliseum last hosted the event in 1998. On August 20, 1972, Wattstax , also known as "Black-Woodstock", took place in the Coliseum. Over 100,000 black residents of Los Angeles attended this concert for African-American pride. Later in 1973, a documentary was released about the concert. In 1973, Evel Knievel used the entire distance of the stadium to jump 50 stacked cars. Knievel launched his motorcycle from atop one end of
4165-444: The bleachers were moved eastward and the field was re-marked in its original position. When a larger east grandstand was installed between 1977 and 1978, at the behest of Rams owner Carroll Rosenbloom , the capacity was just 71,500. With the upcoming 1984 Summer Olympic Games, a new track was installed and the playing field permanently placed inside it. However, the combination of the stadium's large, relatively shallow design, along with
4250-416: The eldest. (45 years old). Rubén García Jr. has the most championships to his name with 5. Final Four Final Four *in 2022 there were no rookies in the main category, the best rookie was awarded from the challenge category Updated after 2024 Aguascalientes 2 (September, 2024) Mexico Series champions are invited to the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown (now the University of Northwestern Ohio Battle at
4335-487: The end of the 2015 season, the series was suspended supposedly due to the fact that organizers of the series wanted to instead support the Formula One Mexican Grand Prix , which had just been revived for 2015. Several of the teams and drivers that participated in the series moved to the Super Copa Telcel "V8" series. In October 2016 it was announced that the series would return with new sponsorship from PEAK Antifreeze , with an exhibition race that December to be followed by
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#17328584673954420-441: The end of the trucks chapter, and the start of a new era: stock car racing in Mexico. After that, working together with NASCAR, they started to work on safety aspects of cars, adoption of new rules, and rebuilding existing race tracks, or even building new ones. Their first season started with a schedule of 14 races, with Mara Reyes ( Telmex #1 Pontiac) taking pole position for the season opener in Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez ,
4505-444: The expansion Los Angeles Angels joined the American League in 1961, Frick rejected their original request to use the Coliseum as a temporary facility. This rule was revoked (or perhaps, simply ignored) when the Baltimore Orioles launched the "retro ballpark" era in 1992, with the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards . With a right field corner of only 318 feet (97 m), this fell short. However, baseball fans heartily welcomed
4590-420: The first of a multi-stage renovation designed by HNTB that would have turned the Coliseum into a split-bowl stadium with two levels of mezzanine suites (the peristyle end would have been left as is). However, after the 1994 Northridge earthquake , the $ 93 million was required from government agencies (including the Federal Emergency Management Agency ) to repair earthquake damage, and the renovations demanded by
4675-400: The first stadium short course off-road race at the Coliseum in 1979. The event was last held in 1992. The Los Angeles Rams played their home games in the Coliseum until 1979, when they moved to Anaheim prior to the 1980 NFL season . They hosted the NFC Championship Game in 1975 and 1978, in which they lost both times to the Dallas Cowboys by lopsided margins. The Los Angeles Aztecs of
4760-554: The first week of play during the 1959 season , the media's worst preseason fears seemed to be realized when 24 home runs were hit in the Coliseum, three of them by Chicago Cubs outfielder Lee Walls , not especially distinguished as a hitter. However, pitchers soon adapted, throwing outside to right-handed hitters, requiring them to pull the bat hard if they wanted to hit toward left. Perhaps no player took better advantage than Dodgers outfielder Wally Moon , who figured out how to hit high fly balls that dropped almost vertically just behind
4845-439: The first, it would have been a ground-rule double. However, the Dodgers discovered that the earthquake safety provisions of the Los Angeles building code forbade construction of a second screen. Unable to compel the Dodgers to fix the situation, the major leagues passed a note to Rule 1.04 stating that any stadium constructed after June 1, 1958, must provide a minimum distance of 325 feet (99 m) down each foul line. Also, when
4930-471: The franchise merged with its NFL cousins just before the two leagues merged. The Coliseum hosted the NCAA Men's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 1934 , 1939 , 1949 , and 1955 . It also hosted several Coliseum Relays and several Compton-Coliseum Invitational (track and field) events from the 1940s until the 1970s. Among other sporting events held at the Coliseum over the years were Major League Baseball (MLB) games, which were held when
5015-403: The home of Major League Soccer (MLS)'s Los Angeles FC , was constructed on the former Sports Arena site, and opened in 2018. In 2019, USC completed a two year long major renovation of the stadium that included replacing the seating along with the addition of luxury boxes and club suites. The $ 315 million project, funded solely by the university and managed by architectural firm DLR Group ,
5100-414: The improvised park as "O'Malley's Chinese Theatre" or "The House that Charlie Chan Built", drawing protests from the Chinese American community in the Los Angeles area. They also expressed concern that cherished home run records, especially Babe Ruth 's 1927 seasonal mark of 60, might easily fall as a result of 250-foot (76 m) pop flies going over the left-field fence. Sports Illustrated titled
5185-435: The inaugural game at the Coliseum, with the Trojans prevailing 23–7. Situated just across the street from Exposition Park, USC agreed to play all its home games at the Coliseum, a circumstance that contributed to the decision to build the arena. From 1928 to 1981 , the UCLA Bruins also played home games at the Coliseum. When USC and UCLA played each other , the "home" team (USC in odd-numbered years, UCLA in even), occupied
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#17328584673955270-415: The locker rooms were huge as they were designed for football (not baseball) teams. In order to shoehorn even an approximation of a baseball field onto the playing surface, the left-field fence was set at only 251 feet (77 m) from the plate. This seemed likely to ensure that there would be many " Chinese home runs ", as such short shots were called at the time. Sportswriters began jokingly referring to
5355-465: The name of the stadium by the condition of the Coliseum Commission's requirement in its master lease agreement with USC. However, veterans groups and the new president of the Coliseum Commission raised concern about the new name, while United did not approve of any change from the stadium and stated that they were willing to step away from the deal. On March 29, 2019, USC suggested the name United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum instead of
5440-424: The north sideline and bench, and its band and rooters sat on the north side of the stadium; the "visiting" team and its contingent took to the south (press box) side of the stadium. Excepting the mid-1950s and 1983–2007, the two teams have worn their home jerseys for the rivalry games for the Victory Bell . This tradition was renewed in 2008 , even though the two schools now play at different stadiums. UCLA moved to
5525-409: The original bowl's initial construction costs were $ 954,873. When the Coliseum opened in 1923, it was the largest stadium in Los Angeles, with a capacity of 75,144. In 1930, however, with the Olympics due in two years, the stadium was extended upward to seventy-nine rows of seats with two tiers of tunnels, expanding the seating capacity to 101,574. The physical structure of a bowl-shaped configuration for
5610-417: The peristyle were installed in 1955. In the mid- and late 1950s, the press box was renovated, and the "Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum" lettering and Olympic rings, lighted at night, were added to the eastern face of the peristyle tower. Between the double peristyle arches at the east end is the Coliseum's "Court of Honor" plaques, recognizing many of the memorable events and participants in its history, including
5695-455: The planned United Airlines Memorial Coliseum. Although United also did not support this and considered withdrawal, the two parties agreed to the name on June 7. During Los Angeles Rams home games for the 2019 season , the stadium reverted to its original name, and all signage indicating "United Airlines Field" was covered due to the franchise's sponsoring partnership with American Airlines . On October 6, 1923 , Pomona and USC played in
5780-520: The presence of the track between the playing field and the stands, meant that some of the original end zone seats were as far from the field by the equivalent length of another football field. To address these and other problems, the Coliseum underwent a $ 15 million renovation before the 1993 football season, which included the following: Additionally, for Raiders home games, tarpaulins were placed over seldom-sold sections, reducing seating capacity to approximately 65,000. The changes were anticipated to be
5865-406: The same standard used on the USC Campus; and assume all financial obligations for the operations and maintenance of the Coliseum and BMO Stadium Complex. The Coliseum is primarily the home of the USC Trojans football team. Most of USC's regular home games, especially the alternating games with rivals UCLA and Notre Dame , attract a capacity crowd. The current official capacity of the Coliseum
5950-422: The same time with NASCAR Mexico Series) **In Trucks Mexico Series Some drivers of NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series have taken part in Xfinity Series and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (now Craftsman Truck Series), action, but only Jorge Goeters and Daniel Suárez have both raced in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series. Scott Riggs , Cody Ware , and Kevin O'Connell all only made one start in
6035-399: The screen. By the end of the season, he had hit 19 homers, all but five of them in the Coliseum. In recognition, such homers were dubbed " Moon Shots ". Nonetheless, the number of home runs alarmed Frick enough that he ordered the Dodgers to build a second screen in the stands, 333 ft (101 m) from the plate. A ball would have had to clear both screens to be a home run; if it cleared
6120-570: The stadium, construction of a larger and modern press box (with new box suites, premium lounges, a viewing deck, a V.I.P. section, and the introduction of LED ribbon boards), adding new aisles and widening some seats, a new sound system , restoration and renaming of the peristyle to the Julia and George Argyros Plaza, stadium wide Wi-Fi , two new HD video jumbotrons , new concession stands , upgraded entry concourses, new interior and exterior lighting, modernization of plumbing and electrical systems, and
6205-416: The stadium. Those agreements were limited to the university only renting the stadium for USC home football games. On July 29, 2013, after the previously governing Coliseum Commission failed to deliver promised renovations, the Coliseum Commission and USC implemented a significantly more extensive master lease agreement that transferred to USC the responsibility for the long-term management and operation of both
6290-524: The university has year-round day-to-day management and operation responsibility for both the Coliseum and BMO Stadium properties. USC's Vice President of Auxiliary Services is the Chief Operating Officer of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and Coliseum employees are employees of the university. Until 2013, USC had a series of mostly one and two year agreements with the Coliseum Commission – which up to that time had been directly operating
6375-477: The victory podium. The former Cleveland Rams of the National Football League relocated to the Coliseum in 1946 , becoming the Los Angeles Rams; however, the team later relocated again, first to Anaheim in 1980 , then to St.Louis in 1995 , only to move back to Los Angeles in 2016 . The Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference played in the Coliseum from 1946 to 1949, when
6460-559: The yellow color was eliminated in the 1970s. The seating capacity was reduced to approximately 93,000. The Coliseum was problematic as an NFL venue. At various times in its history, it was either the largest or one of the largest stadiums in the league. While this allowed the Rams and Raiders to set attendance records, it also made it extremely difficult to sell out. The NFL amended its blackout rule to allow games to be televised locally if they were sold out 72 hours before kickoff. However, due to
6545-539: Was a Craftsman Truck Series look-alike series, founded in 2002. After the intervention of OCESA, and with the help of SELCA, the Truck Series began to be operated by OCESA Automovilismo, while SELCA was responsible for running the show, being the sanctioning body of the series. After the end of the 2003 season, it was presented at the season finale, the Teleton 100, the new 2004 stock car, a Pontiac Grand Prix , which marked
6630-467: Was a stock car racing series in Mexico . NASCAR founded the series in 2004 in conjunction with OCESA, a Mexican entertainment company. The business partnership between NASCAR and OCESA resulted in the creation of a new entity, now officially known as NASCAR Mexico . The former Desafío Corona series is now known as NASCAR Mexico Series . The series was originally known as MasterCard Truck Series , which
6715-402: Was completed by the 2019 football season, and was the first major upgrade of the stadium in 20 years. The project budget increased from the initial estimate of $ 270 million to $ 315 million mainly due to the tight construction schedule. On January 29, 2018, Chicago -based United Airlines became the stadium's first naming rights partner. Originally, Memorial Coliseum was to be retained in
6800-657: Was held: a 75-lap, 75-mile (122 km) race at Phoenix International Raceway during the NASCAR Cup Series Subway Fresh Fit 500 weekend. For 2024, the series held an event as part of the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum , conducted at a temporary 0.402 km (0.250 mi) circuit around the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum . The Mexico Series race was a support race for the Clash, and it
6885-588: Was officially presented at the 2006 Desafío Corona award ceremony. Toyota assumed naming rights in 2012, dubbing it the NASCAR Toyota Series . The series is one of three NASCAR-sanctioned international series, the others are the NASCAR Pinty's Series and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series . Following North American short-track racing trends to cut costs and unify rules among different tours, NASCAR
6970-545: Was regularly attracting more than 60,000 guests and had outgrown all venues on campus, and beginning with the May 2025 ceremony it would be moving to the Coliseum. The Coliseum was commissioned in 1921 as a memorial to L.A. veterans of World War I (rededicated to all United States veterans of the war in 1968). The groundbreaking ceremony took place on December 21, 1921, with construction being completed in just over 16 months, on May 1, 1923. Designed by John and Donald Parkinson ,
7055-477: Was struck at full speed by Rafael Vallina. Núñez spent a week in intensive therapy, only to die of complications by the crash, including a broken pelvic bone and a perforated lung. At the end of the season, Carlos Pardo of Team Telcel emerged as champion, ahead of his brother Rubén Pardo (Telmex #2 Pontiac), with Rogelio López (2006 Champ) of Telcel 3rd. The series' competitors race stock cars similar to those used in late model classes at short tracks in
7140-402: Was the first major upgrade of the stadium in twenty years. The improvements and added amenities resulted in a reduced stadium capacity from 92,348 to 77,500. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission, which consists of six voting members appointed by the three ownership interests and meets on a monthly basis, provides public oversight of the master lease agreement with USC. Under the lease,
7225-587: Was won by Daniel Suárez . In the first season, only General Motors (through its Pontiac division) and Dodge participated in the series. Ford made its debut in 2005 with its Mustang model, but since 2006, the Fusion is the Ford model entry. In 2009, Toyota started its participation with its Camry . The Mazda 6 was first entered in 2010. As with the other NASCAR divisions in the United States, Dodge subsequently pulled its factory support and no longer participates in
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