If you searched "In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip" expecting a burger stand, here's the first thing to know: it's not a restaurant. It's the track. Since 2023, In-N-Out Burger has held the naming rights to the historic quarter-mile drag strip inside the Fairplex fairgrounds in Pomona, California — the same strip that hosted the very first NHRA-sanctioned event back in 1953 and has opened or closed the NHRA season at Pomona every year since the Winternationals debuted there in 1961.
Once you know that, the real question is the one every group actually has: when 30,000-plus fans converge on White Avenue and McKinley Avenue for a race weekend, where does a bus full of people actually go?
A charter bus or party bus to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip drops your group at Fairplex, waits nearby while the racing happens, and pulls back around when it's time to go — no caravan of cars hunting for a lot, no one designated to sit out the tailgate because they're driving. Below is what the track's own dates and the surrounding transit options actually look like for 2026, along with how to size and price the vehicle for your group. Fill out the quick quote form or call 840-226-2850 and Pomonaminibuscompany.com can line up pricing for the trip in about a minute.
What Is In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Exactly?
In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip is the drag strip built into the Fairplex fairgrounds complex at Pomona, California, roughly 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The track itself has carried several names over the decades — Los Angeles Dragstrip, then Auto Club Raceway at Pomona — before In-N-Out Burger's ownership took over the naming rights in 2023, a fitting turn given the burger chain's Southern California roots and its founder's family ties to the sport. Under any name, the strip has been the permanent home of the NHRA Winternationals since 1961 and, since 1984, the NHRA Finals that crowns the season's champions, on a quarter-mile concrete surface with roughly 40,000 spectator capacity, per the track's history on Wikipedia's Auto Club Raceway at Pomona entry.
The strip sits inside the much larger Fairplex fairgrounds — the same grounds that host the LA County Fair and dozens of expos through the year — at an address the NHRA's own ticketing pages list as 1801 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768, per the official NHRA schedule and tickets page. Fairplex as a whole is bounded by White Avenue and McKinley Avenue, and its paved lots handle upward of 30,000 vehicles on the fairgrounds' busiest days, according to Fairplex's Wikipedia entry. That's the scale a group is up against on a Winternationals Sunday — and exactly why splitting a group into individual cars, each hunting its own space in a fairground-sized lot, is the slow way to do it.
Why Rent a Pomona Charter Bus or Party Bus to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip
A race weekend at the dragstrip isn't a two-hour event — qualifying runs Friday and Saturday, eliminations run Sunday, and a lot of fans post up in the same lot for all three days. That means the group that drove in separately has to coordinate three separate arrivals, three separate parking hunts, and someone sober enough to drive out each night. A Pomona charter bus rental or party bus turns that into one pickup, one drop, and one pickup window arranged in advance for the ride home.
It also solves the part nobody plans for: the surface streets. White Avenue and McKinley Avenue are ordinary two-lane fairground-adjacent roads the rest of the year: they were not built for 30,000 cars converging in a single morning. A single bus replaces a dozen or more cars worth of that traffic and gets your group in as one unit instead of a scattered caravan trying to regroup once everyone's inside the gate.
It's the same logic behind Pomona sporting event transportation for any big regional draw — one vehicle beats a dozen cars converging on the same two streets at once.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip
Fairplex assigns numbered gates along both McKinley Avenue and White Avenue for event parking, and which one your group uses depends on the parking pass or credential tied to your tickets — the NHRA sells that access as part of its event ticket packages rather than at a walk-up booth, per the official NHRA tickets page. Because gate assignments can shift between the Winternationals, the Finals, and smaller regional race weekends, the exact entrance for your specific date is worth confirming when your tickets are purchased, and it's a detail Pomonaminibuscompany.com can help you plan around once your group's dates are locked in.
What doesn't change is the math: Fairplex's lots are built to hold roughly 30,000 vehicles across the fairgrounds' paved acreage, and on a Winternationals or Finals weekend, most of that capacity gets used. A charter bus or minibus is one vehicle claiming one space instead of your group splitting into four or five cars each hunting its own spot in a lot that size.
Bus and RV Parking on Fairplex Race Weekends
Fairplex's grounds accommodate RVs and oversized vehicles as a matter of course — the property regularly hosts RV camping for fairground events on its paved lots, per Fairplex's Wikipedia entry. A charter bus or party bus falls into that same oversized-vehicle category and stages on Fairplex's grounds for the length of the event rather than leaving the area, which matters for a multi-day race weekend where your group wants the vehicle parked and ready each morning rather than shuttling back and forth from an off-site lot.
Getting to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip: Routes and Traffic
Fairplex sits about 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, and the drive in runs the length of the I-10 (San Bernardino Freeway) corridor before exiting toward White Avenue or Fairplex Drive. That stretch of the 10 carries regular commuter traffic on a weekday and race-weekend traffic on top of it Friday through Sunday during the Winternationals and Finals — the kind of grind where losing an exit lane to a slow-moving line of cars queuing for the same lot costs a group real time.
Once your group is on a bus, that stretch of the 10 becomes someone else's problem instead of the thing everyone in the car is white-knuckling through before the first qualifying run even starts. The bus works the same exits and the same lots, but your group rides together instead of splitting across however many cars it takes to get everyone there.
Flying In for a Race Weekend? Ontario Airport to the Dragstrip
For groups flying in from out of state for the Winternationals or the Finals, Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the closest major airport to Fairplex, roughly 10 miles to the east in Ontario, California. That short a distance makes a single coordinated pickup at the terminal curb a much cleaner option than splitting a group across several rideshares or rental cars on arrival day, especially with race gear, coolers, and luggage in tow.
A Pomona airport transportation pickup covers that leg cleanly: one bus meets the group at the terminal, holds the luggage and gear, and heads straight for Fairplex instead of leaving out-of-town fans to figure out an unfamiliar freeway exit on their own.
In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip: Bus vs. Rideshare vs. Transit vs. Driving Yourself
This is a bus-comparison page, but a private bus isn't the right call for every group — a couple with one ticket each has better, cheaper options. Here's how the realistic ways to reach a Pomona race weekend actually stack up.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrives together? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charter bus / party bus rental | One flat rate split across the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Car clubs, families, groups of 15 or more |
| Metro A Line + transfer | Roughly a few dollars per fare plus parking at the station | Only if riding the same train | Riders starting near a Foothill Extension stop |
| Rideshare | Per car each way, higher on race-weekend afternoons | No — multiple cars, multiple drop points | 1–4 people per car |
| Everyone drives | Gas plus a share of a packed lot per car | No — caravans split up on the 10 | 1–2 cars |
The Metro A Line's Foothill Extension runs park-and-ride stations at both the La Verne/Fairplex station (2327 Arrow Hwy, La Verne, CA 91750, 262 parking spaces at roughly $3 a day) and the Pomona North station (207 Santa Fe St, Pomona, CA 91767, 530 spaces at the same daily rate), per Metro's own parking lot listings. Both stations are workable for a rider or two coming from central LA, but neither one drops a group at Fairplex's gate — there's still a connecting ride from the station to the fairgrounds, which is exactly the leg a bus skips by taking your group door to door.
What Size Bus Fits Your Group at the Dragstrip
Car clubs and race-weekend groups come in every size, from a handful of teammates to a full grandstand section. Here's how the options line up for a trip to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Best for | Gear space |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van | Up to ~14 | Small groups, VIP hospitality groups | Modest — coolers, a few bags |
| 18-passenger minibus | ~18 | Car club chapters, family groups | Overhead plus some underfloor |
| 25-passenger minibus | ~25 | Mid-size race-weekend groups | Overhead plus underfloor bays |
| 35-passenger minibus | ~35 | Larger club or corporate outings | Underfloor luggage bays |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | ~15–50 | Groups that want the pregame atmosphere on the ride in | Onboard, lighter loads |
For a family or a single car club chapter, an 18- or 25-passenger minibus covers the group without paying for empty seats. For a full weekend outing that pulls together multiple chapters or a company's whole hospitality list, a party bus adds the pregame build-up with sound and lighting built in for the ride out to Fairplex. Compare the complete lineup on the vehicle options page before requesting a quote.
In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip Bus Rental Prices
Pomonaminibuscompany.com shows pricing online in under a minute, and there's no single number that fits every trip — the quote depends on a handful of clear factors: vehicle size, total hours the bus is reserved (including time parked at Fairplex during qualifying or eliminations), the specific event date, and how far the pickup point is from Pomona.
To give you an idea of how that shakes out: a 20-person car club group booking an 18-passenger minibus for a single Winternationals eliminations day — picked up locally in the morning, parked at Fairplex through the afternoon, and returned that evening — might run in the range of $900 to $1,300 for the day, or roughly $45 to $65 a person split across the group. Pricing shifts with the date, the hours booked, and the vehicle, so use the Pomona bus rental prices page or call 840-226-2850 for a number built around your actual date and headcount.
NHRA Race Weekends at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip: The 2026 Calendar
Three verified dates are on the books at the dragstrip for 2026, all confirmed on the official NHRA schedule:
- Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals — April 9–12, 2026. The season-opening national event that's run at Pomona every year since 1961.
- Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division 7 event — March 12–15, 2026. A regional Sportsman-class event returning to Pomona for the first time since 2002, per the NHRA's own announcement, which quotes In-N-Out Burger owner Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson calling it "a dream come true" for Sportsman racers who had been asking for a divisional race at Pomona for years.
- In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals — November 12–15, 2026. The season-closing event that crowns the year's national champions.
Each of those four-day windows draws fans from across Southern California and beyond, and vehicle availability for that specific weekend gets tighter the closer you get to the date. If your group already has tickets for one of the 2026 weekends, locking in a bus early — rather than a week or two out — keeps the right-size vehicle on the table.
Leaving In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip After the Race
The exit is the part that tests a group's patience most. When eliminations wrap and huge numbers of fans head for their cars at once, Fairplex's lots empty gradually and the surface streets around White Avenue and McKinley Avenue back up as everyone funnels back toward the 10. Anyone who drove in individually is stuck in that same crawl, car by car.
With a bus, your group sets a pickup time and meeting point before the day even starts, the bus is parked and ready nearby, and everyone climbs aboard together instead of hunting for their own car in a lot built for 30,000 vehicles. The ride out still has to work through the same street-level backup as everyone else, but your group does it as one unit, seated, gear already loaded — not standing in a lot trying to spot which row they parked in three days ago.
Frequently Asked Questions About In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip Transportation
Is In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip an actual restaurant?
No. It's the official name of the NHRA drag strip inside the Fairplex fairgrounds in Pomona, California, following a naming-rights partnership that took effect in 2023. The track has hosted the NHRA Winternationals every year since 1961 and the NHRA Finals since 1984.
What's the address for In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip?
The NHRA's own ticketing pages list the venue at 1801 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768, inside the larger Fairplex fairgrounds complex, which is bounded by White Avenue and McKinley Avenue.
How much does it cost to rent a bus to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours booked, the specific event date, and mileage to the pickup point. A single race day for a group of 20 in a minibus has run in the range of $900 to $1,300 as a rough example. Call 840-226-2850 or use the online quote tool for a number built around your date.
Where does a charter bus or party bus park during the race?
Fairplex's paved lots handle roughly 30,000 vehicles on the fairgrounds' busiest days, and charter buses and RVs are accommodated as oversized vehicles on the grounds during event weekends. The exact gate and lot assignment can shift by event, since access is tied to the parking credential included with your tickets.
What are the 2026 race dates at the dragstrip?
The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division 7 event runs March 12–15, the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals runs April 9–12, and the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals runs November 12–15, 2026, all confirmed on the official NHRA schedule.
What's the closest airport to the dragstrip?
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is closest, about 10 miles east of Fairplex — close enough for one bus to gather a group at the terminal and run straight to the venue instead of splitting the group across rental cars.
Is there transit access to Fairplex?
The Metro A Line's Foothill Extension runs park-and-ride stations at La Verne/Fairplex (262 spaces) and Pomona North (530 spaces), both around $3 a day. Neither station drops directly at the fairgrounds gate, so there's still a connecting ride to Fairplex itself.
How far in advance should we book a bus for the Winternationals or the Finals?
As early as your tickets are confirmed. Both weekends draw fans from across Southern California, and vehicle availability for those specific dates narrows the closer you get to race day.
Can the bus wait at Fairplex during qualifying and eliminations?
Yes. The bus is reserved as a block of hours, so it can drop your group, stay parked nearby through the day's runs, and be ready at an arranged pickup time and spot when eliminations wrap.
Book Your Bus to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip Today
Whether it's a car club chapter heading out for the Winternationals, a family group flying into Ontario for the Finals, or a Sportsman-class group catching the March Division 7 weekend, Pomonaminibuscompany.com makes it easy to compare charter bus, party bus, and minibus pricing for a trip to Fairplex — fill out the quick quote form or call 840-226-2850 any time to get a number for your group.
Also planning a day at the LA County Fair or another event at Fairplex, or a game night at the Toyota Arena? Those guides cover their own drop-offs and parking.
