phmacao 777 DHAKA, Bangladesh , Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With the popularity of electric vehicles in Bangladesh , the globally renowned AIMA brand has also arrived in Bangladesh . The esteemed DX Group has brought the AIMA F-626 to customers. This environmentally friendly battery-operated electric motorbike has already been approved by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) now. In light of the increasing popularity of electric motorcycles in the country, the internationally-leading brand AIMA has entered the market. By the end of 2023, AIMA electric two-wheelers had established a presence in over 50 countries worldwide, with 11 global production bases, including overseas factories in Indonesia and Vietnam . In 2022, AIMA collaborated with Rob Janoff , the designer of the Apple logo, to refresh the brand’s VI system with a youthful and fashionable image. In 2023, AIMA teamed up with PANTONE, the global authority in color expertise, to create the trending color of the year. As an industry leader, AIMA spearheads the electric two-wheeler sector and showcases the prowess of a leading electric two-wheeler brand on a global scale. As of March 31, 2024 , AIMA’s total electric two-wheeler sales had reached 80 million units, earning certification from Frost & Sullivan, a globally recognized business growth consulting firm, as the “Global Leading Electric Two-wheeler Brand”. Over the years, AIMA has always been a product trendsetter in the electric two-wheeler sector. As of March 31, 2024 , the total sales volume of AIMA electric two-wheelers reached 80 million, and Frost & Sullivan, a world-renowned market consulting company, awarded AIMA with the market status certification of the “Global Leading Electric Two-wheeler Brand (by Sales)”. AIMA adhere to the customer-centered product philosophy and technologies that support long-term innovation and breakthroughs. We believe that the efficiency and modern technology of the AIMA F-626 will present an excellent alternative means of communication for our customers. SOURCE AIMA TechnologyNew York state government to monitor its use of AI under a new law

NEW YORK — Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Greg Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” said Berson. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season.

Menai community rallies around family after lossNo. 14 Ole Miss seeks consolation win over Miss. State in Egg Bowl

The Balatro Takeover Has Only Just Begun

KBC Group NV raised its stake in Albany International Corp. ( NYSE:AIN – Free Report ) by 28.9% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,058 shares of the textile maker’s stock after buying an additional 237 shares during the period. KBC Group NV’s holdings in Albany International were worth $94,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in AIN. Hilltop National Bank lifted its stake in Albany International by 14.7% in the second quarter. Hilltop National Bank now owns 1,045 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $88,000 after acquiring an additional 134 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in Albany International by 27.4% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 674 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning lifted its holdings in Albany International by 3.0% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 5,018 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $424,000 after buying an additional 147 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of Albany International by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 8,744 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $738,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the period. Finally, Dakota Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Albany International by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 13,211 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $1,116,000 after acquiring an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. 97.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Albany International Stock Up 2.7 % AIN stock opened at $84.78 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.94, a current ratio of 3.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Albany International Corp. has a 52 week low of $67.39 and a 52 week high of $99.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.65 billion, a PE ratio of 25.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 1.29. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $78.90 and a 200 day moving average of $84.64. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In AIN has been the topic of several analyst reports. TD Cowen cut their target price on Albany International from $95.00 to $81.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 4th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of Albany International from $91.00 to $85.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 1st. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Albany International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price target on Albany International from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $85.50. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Albany International Insider Buying and Selling at Albany International In other Albany International news, CEO Gunnar Kleveland purchased 1,400 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $71.25 per share, with a total value of $99,750.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 8,284 shares in the company, valued at $590,235. This trade represents a 20.34 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, SVP Robert Alan Hansen acquired 1,050 shares of Albany International stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of $71.26 per share, with a total value of $74,823.00. Following the purchase, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,387 shares in the company, valued at approximately $597,657.62. The trade was a 14.31 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . In the last 90 days, insiders have bought 3,450 shares of company stock worth $245,813. 0.76% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Albany International ( Free Report ) Albany International Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the machine clothing and engineered composites businesses. The company operates in two segments, Machine Clothing (MC) and Albany Engineered Composites (AEC). The MC segment designs, manufactures, and markets paper machine clothing for use in the manufacturing of papers, paperboards, tissues, towels, pulps, nonwovens, building products, tannery, and textiles, as well as fiber cement and several other industrial applications. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AIN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Albany International Corp. ( NYSE:AIN – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Albany International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Albany International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Vancouver-based bookkeeping service Bench Accounting has announced its sudden closure, potentially putting hundreds of staff out of work. The company that has described itself as North America’s largest bookkeeping service for small businesses says on its website in a “notice of closure” dated Friday that the platform is “no longer accessible.” The statement acknowledges that the closure is “abrupt and may cause disruption,” and says the firm is committed to helping customers “navigate through the transition.” Bench has previously said it had more than 600 employees and had received investor funding of US$113 million. It said it moved to Vancouver and changed its name to Bench in 2013, having started out in 2012 as 10sheet Inc in the U.S. Calls to Bench’s Vancouver office went to voice mail and did not immediately receive a response. But the company’s former CEO and co-founder Ian Crosby released a statement on social media on Friday, saying he was “very sad” about the closure. Crosby, who said he was ousted by the company’s board about three years ago, said there was a lesson in the fate of the company. “I hope the story of Bench goes on to become a warning for VCs (venture capitalists) that think they can ‘upgrade’ a company by replacing the founder. It never works,” he said. The University of British Columbia Sauder Business School alumni said he had been avoiding speaking publicly about Bench since his exit, but wanted to make a statement in light of the company’s demise. He said that in 2021 he had been battling with some board members over their strategy for a “new direction” that he thought was a “very bad idea.” “Rather than continuing to fight with me, they opted to just replace me, thinking that they could run the company better themselves,” he said. “I was totally convinced that their approach would destroy the company. I opted to resign rather than fight.” Other bookkeeping companies were quick to reach out to Bench’s former clients, with rivals such as Acuity and Better Bookkeeping making reference to Bench’s closure in social media pitches. A spokeswoman for B.C.‘s jobs ministry said they were looking into a request for comment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024.

Preview: Sheffield United vs. Sunderland - prediction, team news, lineupsHis Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said today that Dubai remains committed to continuously enhancing its services, facilities, and infrastructure to consolidate its position as one of the world’s best cities to live, work, and visit. Speaking during a visit to Hatta, His Highness also emphasised the vital role of youth in driving sustainable development. "Our projects empower people, create opportunities, and ensure prosperity. Our objective is to make Hatta a global model for harmony between humans and nature, driven by innovation in sustainable development," he added. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reviewed the progress of key development projects aligned with Dubai’s Vision 2030, the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and the Dubai Social Agenda 33. Upon arrival, His Highness was welcomed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Chairman of the Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta; Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA); and other senior officials. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by Mattar Al Tayer on the progress of 65 initiatives in Hatta, featuring a total value of AED3.6 billion, 41 of which have been completed. The projects are part of the Hatta Master Development Plan, aimed at improving quality of life, enhancing services for residents and visitors, and accelerating the region’s social, economic, and educational development. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and his entourage visited the Hatta Winter Festival, one of the five festivals that form part of Hatta Winter 2024. Launched earlier this month by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, Hatta Winter, running until 22nd January, 2025, spotlights Hatta’s growing profile as a must-visit winter destination, combining cultural, entertainment, educational and sports activities catering to people of all ages. Shaima Al Suwaidi, Director of Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, briefed His Highness about the initiative, which includes four other festivals: Hatta Cultural Nights organised by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Hatta Honey Festival and Hatta Agricultural Festival, both organised by Dubai Municipality, and Hatta x DSF organised by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the initiative’s focus on promoting local projects, creating opportunities for the private sector and entrepreneurs based in Hatta, and highlighting the offerings of members of Brand Dubai’s Proudly From Dubai network. His Highness commended Brand Dubai's efforts to support tourism and commercial development in the area through the Hatta Winter initiative. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed unveiled the Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project, implemented by DEWA as part of the Hatta Master Development Plan. The project features a stunning waterfall descending from the Hatta Dam, and the world’s largest mosaic panel on the waterfall’s slope, recognised by Guinness World Records. Covering 2,200 square metres and crafted from 1.2 million pieces of natural marble, the mosaic pays tribute to the UAE’s founding fathers, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project aims to boost tourism and investment in the region, with retail stores and F&B outlets offered free of charge to local Emirati citizens. His Highness was also briefed on DEWA’s projects in Hatta, including the 250 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant, the 30 million imperial gallon water reservoir, the strategic water interconnection projects with other emirates, and the Shams Dubai Initiative, which encourages residents and businesses to install photovoltaic panels on rooftops to generate solar energy and connect to DEWA’s electricity grid. During the tour, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed visited successful projects launched by Khalifa and Ahmed Al Bedwawi, two young engineers from Hatta. Their GoGravity project, launched in 2018, manufactures electric bikes for mountainous areas and rugged terrain. Embodying the ‘Made in the UAE’ spirit, the project has now expanded to include international exports. His Highness was briefed on the project and saw a model of their four-wheeled electric bikes.His Highness also visited the Al Bedwawi Honey project, where he learned about its beekeeping and honey production activities from Emirati entrepreneur Mohammed bin Ham Al Bedwawi. During the visit, His Highness engaged with Hatta's citizens and discussed ongoing development efforts. Sheikh Mohammed listened to their ideas and suggestions for further developing Hatta's potential, leveraging its natural and heritage resources. His Highness was briefed on three ongoing projects in Hatta being implemented in partnership with the private sector. The Hatta Beach project, covering 53,000 square metres, aims to transform the area into a year-round tourist destination. It features a 10,000-square-metre beach, an artificial ‘Crystal Lagoon’, service facilities, rest areas, pedestrian pathways, cycling tracks, restaurants, food trucks, and an outdoor cinema, in addition to offering swimming and water sports activities. The other two projects include the development of hotels and resorts and the Hatta Downtown project. His Highness also reviewed 24 ongoing projects in Hatta, including a world class model school for 700-1,000 students. He also reviewed the Hatta Majlis project, a community gathering space for 100 people. Other projects include a 1,000-guest wedding hall, the Hatta Dam Amphitheatre, the Hatta Service Centre, 200 homes for Emirati citizens, and a model residential neighbourhood. The project portfolio also includes expansion of cycling and mountain biking trails, the first-of-its-kind hydroelectric power station in the GCC region with a capacity of 250 MW and 1,500 MWh storage, and the Dubai Mountain Peak cable car. The 5.4-kilometre cable car will transport tourists from Hatta Dam to the summit of Um Al Nesoor Peak, the highest natural summit in Dubai, passing over the Hatta Lake, the hydroelectric power station, and the surrounding mountains. Other projects include the development of the Hatta Hospital, enhancements to the Hatta Sports Club, and the maintenance of dams across the region. Follow Emirates 24|7 on

C hilly weather and early nights make the winter months ideal for cuddling up with your favorite games. Relaxing board games are great for a lazy afternoon with friends or an after-dinner activity. They often feature cooperative play or minimal competition, beautiful artwork and straightforward gameplay ideal for all ages. Here are some games that can provide a whimsical escape for you or a crowd. Patchwork is a chill two-player puzzle game where you and your opponent compete to create the best quilt. The tactile experience and cozy results are relaxing on a chilly day. If you have more than two players, try Calico instead, where you’ll create quilts for cats. In Carcassonne, players compete to build Medieval cities and fields by laying tiles. The game takes a bit of strategy and luck, and it will generate some friendly competition among children and adults alike. The charming artwork also will transport you on a road trip from the comfort of your home. For those looking for longer gameplay, Everdell will have you playing as cute forest creatures building new cities during a game that averages a little over an hour. Flamecraft is another delightfully whimsical game where players try to attract dragons to improve the reputation of their shops. Each of these games is simple to pick up and, with every playthrough offering something new, they’ll get you through the season. Everdell and Flamecraft can also be single-player games if you need a break from socialization. If having everything in its place provides calm in the chaos, you’ll love Unpacking. This puzzle game, available on Switch, PC and Xbox, has you unpacking boxes and putting items away. Playing games like Unpacking can be a meditative experience. Other puzzle games like A Little to the Left and Spiritfarer blend stories into the gameplay. Maintaining a virtual farm or building a make-believe castle from your sofa can be a great stress reliever. Stardew Valley is a quintessential farming game surrounded by charming townspeople. Palia, a massively multiplayer online game, features farming, quests and community building with other players. It’s also free. For those with a Nintendo Switch, the Animal Crossing series has you interacting with other animal players in a peaceful village. With multiplayer modes, these games are great options for playing with friends and family from afar. For a single-player escape, try the recently released Tiny Glade on PC where you’ll build castles. This cozy game’s detailed artistry and conflict-free gameplay will bring hours of relaxation. Or build a world from tiles in Dorfromantik. The game can be entirely chill or provide a bit of strategy if you want to go for a high score. A pack of cards is reliable entertainment at any gathering. From classics to innovative new card games, having a few in your collection can be worthwhile. Card games can range from simple to complex, a few minutes to a few hours and single-player to dozens of players. If you have a standard deck of playing cards, Blitz is a great option for any number of players. Also known as Thirty One, this game gives every player three cards and lets them trade out a card on each turn, trying to get a value of thirty-one. President is another simple social card game where players race to get rid of their cards in ascending order. Some people play it as a drinking game. For a two-player card game, try The Fox in the Forest. This trick-taking card game features cozy graphics, and its fast, simple gameplay is perfect for a winter date night. For two to four players, Arboretum has darling tree graphics on its cards. Players lay cards down with the goal of creating a beautiful garden.

Ranchi, Dec 26 (PTI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday condoled the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh and said the country lost one of its great sons. "Today the country lost one of its great sons. The news of the demise of former prime minister and world-renowned economist Manmohan Singh ji is extremely sad. A pioneer of developmental politics and governance, he had selflessly devoted his entire life to the service of the country and countrymen. Today he is not among us, but his ideals and thoughts will always inspire us," Soren said in a post on X. Also Read | Dr Manmohan Singh Passes Away: Remembering India's Visionary Leader Who Transformed Nation's Economy, Check Key Highlights From His Career. "May Marang Buru grant peace to the departed soul and give strength and courage to the bereaved family and the countrymen to bear this difficult moment of grief," the CM added. Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi also expressed grief over the ex-PM's demise. Also Read | Dr Manmohan Singh Passes Away at 92: PM Narendra Modi Condoles Demise of Legendary Economist and Former Prime Minister, Says 'India Mourns the Loss of One of Its Most Distinguished Leaders'. "I am saddened by the news of the demise of former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, a great economist and a man of simple, easy-going and gentle personality. His contribution to the country's economic reforms will always be unforgettable," Marandi posted on X. Jharkhand Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh said Singh's death has caused irreparable loss to the country, which cannot be compensated. Singh, 92, was brought to the emergency department this evening in a critical condition after "sudden loss of consciousness", AIIMS Delhi said. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 pm, it stated in a statement. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant , a projected first-round pick and the No. 25 player on The Athletic ’s Big Board , has declared for the NFL Draft. Grant joined forces with Mason Graham over the past three years to give Michigan one of the most dominant interior defensive lines in college football. Listed at 6 feet 3 and 339 pounds, Grant has unusual quickness and agility for his size, as he showed by chasing down Penn State running back Kaytron Allen from behind last season. He had a memorable sack of Washington ’s Michael Penix Jr. in the College Football Playoff title game and closed his Michigan career on a high note in the Wolverines’ recent upset of Ohio State . Advertisement Grant signed with Michigan as a three-star recruit from Merrillville, Ind., and quickly outplayed his recruiting ranking. After splitting snaps as part of a deep rotation last season, he showed he could handle a heavier workload while starting all 12 games as a junior. He finished his Michigan career with 69 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks. Grant is the fourth member of Michigan’s junior class to declare for the draft before Tuesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama , joining Graham , tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson . All four players are regarded as potential first-round picks. Go Blue 4L💙 pic.twitter.com/Z46HuY2wHN — Kenneth Grant (KG) 〽️ (@KennyGrant78) December 26, 2024 Analyzing Grant’s draft stock A bear on wheels, Grant is arguably the most athletic big man in this class. With a nearly 30-inch vertical and a top GPS speed of nearly 18 miles per hour, the member of Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List made several highlight-level tackles at Michigan simply by chasing down running backs from absurd angles. This play from Kenneth Grant is just wild to watch. This man is 6’3 340 LBS tracking down Kaytron Allen 🤯 pic.twitter.com/o3EUFbBsSu — Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) November 11, 2023 An undiscovered gem at Michigan, Grant has improved every year he’s been in college and has been a problem for offenses in the run since his arrival. Grant’s pass rush is still a work in progress, as a lot of his wins are based purely on the fact he’s a better athlete than the player across from him. He doesn’t have power everywhere the way his teammate Graham does — and Grant has been able to work next to Graham, the best defensive tackle in college football, creating more opportunity. Grant’s athleticism is first-round quality. Whether or not teams will be convinced his technique is ready to make an impact quickly remains to be seen. If he works out at the NFL Scouting Combine, it’ll be must-see television. (Photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)

LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — Quinton Cooley rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns, Billy Lucas added 131 yards and a score, and Liberty gained 419 on the ground with four touchdowns in a 38-21 victory over Western Kentucky on Saturday. Liberty (8-2, 5-2 Conference USA) has won eight-plus games for the sixth consecutive season to keep alive hopes of a second straight trip to the conference championship game. The Flames play Sam Houston (8-3, 5-2) on Friday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.There were funeral speeches — eulogies, if you like — tears and sadness. But there were also beach balls, cheers, flags and fireworks. In between there was racing — a lot of racing — with more than 140 drivers taking to the track in almost anything that had wheels and an engine before the final car crossed the finish line just before midnight. Irwindale has long been home to the weird, wacky and wonderful, from trailer and figure-8 races to all-female demolition derbies and RV auto soccer. It was where drifting got its start in the U.S., the wide, banked asphalt track perfectly suited for what has become one of the fastest-growing racing series in the country. And it was where a radio-controlled car hit a world-record speed of 111 mph. The track is — was? — historic and iconic so its closing after a quarter-century is another blow in what has been a long, slow decline of auto racing in southern California. A generation ago there were nearly a dozen tracks hosting regular events, from the Riverside International Raceway and the hulking Ontario Motor Speedway in the Inland Empire to Ascot Park’s half-mile dirt track near Gardena and Saugus Speedway, a third-mile oval built in a former rodeo arena in Santa Clarita. Just a handful are left with even NASCAR at least temporarily pulling up stakes, selling most of the land Auto Club Speedway stood on in Fontana and leaving Southern California off its racing schedule for just the second time since 1997. That has left racing fans out in the cold while depriving up-and-coming drivers of the time they need behind the wheel to learn the sport. “It’s devastating,” said 26-year-old Evelyn Vega, who has been making the 10-mile drive from San Dimas to Irwindale for more than half her life. “It’s just so close that we would come as a weekend activity,” Vega said as her 18-month nephew, Maximilliano, sat behind the wheel of a Menards Series West car in the garage area. “My dad loves the racing. We grew up with it.” Nearby, Donna Gunther, 67, who has been driving race cars twice as long as Vega has been alive, strapped into her battered No. 88 car — she would finish sixth in street stocks. Gunther’s home is Las Vegas and she once had several tracks scattered between here and there at which to race. No longer. “That’s what makes it so hard to race in Southern California,” said crew member Matt Jackson, who has seen more than a half-dozen tracks close. Land value Most of Southern California’s tracks met their demise in the final decade of the 20th century when the land they sat on became more valuable for warehouses, shopping centers, storage yards and townhouses. Even the 71-year-old Willow Springs International Raceway in Kern County, a 600-acre complex of eight tracks that is home to the oldest permanent road course in the U.S., is up for sale, although spokesman Rick Romo said plans are to keep the site a racetrack. Irwindale, which opened in 1999, was meant to help fill the void created by all those track closings, but it got off to an inauspicious start when a 23-year-old sprint-car driver named Casey Diemert died after hitting the wall during the track’s first practice session. The $7-million facility was unique because of its versatility, boasting half- and third-mile banked oval tracks, a drag strip and a 6,500-seat grandstand. And its location in the armpit of the 605 and 210 freeways made it easily accessible from anywhere in the Southland. In their heyday the tracks, nestled atop a former rock and sand quarry, were staples of NASCAR’s West Coast-based regional series, hosting nationally televised events, including the Toyota All-Star Showdown and NASCAR Cup Series drivers such as Tony Stewart, Jason Leffler and J.J. Yeley. But the track’s owners filed for bankruptcy in 2012 and plans were made to demolish the facility and replace it with an outlet mall. Those plans changed when Tim Huddleston, a former champion driver who won 45 races at the track — ranking him among the top 10 drivers all-time — took over management at Irwindale in the final week of 2017, giving the facility a second chance. That rebirth was short-lived, however, with Los Angeles-based IDS Real Estate purchasing the 63-acre site in 2022, then announcing in September the track would give way to an industrial park and commercial development. “Losing a track like Irwindale is definitely going to be a big blow to auto racing, NASCAR circle-track racing,” said Ryan Vargas, who watched his first race at Irwindale as a 9-year-old and returned to run in Saturday’s final event, only to have his night end in a crash with six laps left in the pro late model main event. “Irwindale was my home. There will definitely be a hole in that market.” But track closings aren’t just an issue in Southern California. Vargas, a La Mirada native who has relocated to North Carolina, said iconic short tracks have also been shuttered recently in places like Greenville, S.C., and Midland, N.C., the heart of stock-car country. “There’s so many drag strips, so many short tracks falling victim to land development and stuff like that,” said Vargas, who called Irwindale the best short track in the country. “It’s happening everywhere. It’s a really tough world for racing because of all the valuable real estate.” Many tracks, such as the ones in Riverside and Santa Clarita, were built in rural areas when the land was cheap. As suburban sprawl pushed cities farther and farther out, that land became more valuable for shopping centers and warehouses while neighbors began complaining of the noise from the thundering, angry bark of the stock-car engines. Promoters were also hurt by falling attendance, which cut into their already narrow profit margins. “These race tracks, they’re passion projects right? They don’t really turn big profits,” Vargas said. “These tracks don’t have TV dollars. These tracks just have ticket sales and entry fees. That’s their only source of income. “That’s difficult. It’s hard to keep up with the changing times.” Drivers affected That’s bound to have an impact on the development of young drivers, who have traditionally depended on short tracks to learn their craft the same way baseball players rely on the minor leagues. “That teaches you racing right there,” said Ron Hornaday Jr., who began his career driving stock cars at Saugus Speedway and went on to become a four-time champion in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series. “It taught you moving people out of the way and getting moved out of the way, of not running into them. And doing it with finesse. “You can’t teach that; just being in a race car and making laps.” Consider Vargas’ driver’s education. After watching that first race from the stands at Irwindale, he was hooked on the sport and by age 12 he was racing Bandoleros — entry-level cars that are slow to accelerate and top off at 70 mph — at the track. He quickly advanced to super late models and before his 20th birthday he had graduated to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he now races full time. “This is where I learned to race,” said Vargas, who brought his family back for Saturday’s finale, which seemed appropriate since Irwindale has long been a family track, with sons — and daughters — following their fathers and grandfathers from the stands to the pits and into the driver’s seat. Huddleston’s son Trevor dominated Saturday’s first race, an ARCA Menards Series West exhibition, and will finish as Irwindale’s all-time leader with 87 career wins, according to track officials. “Everybody likes to think of NASCAR as being an East Coast, Southern sport,” said Vargas, 24, whose primary sponsor is Santa Fe-based Swann Security. “But there a lot of very, very talented drivers on the West Coast. Without having a short track there, they may not even have a chance.” That was especially true for Vargas, who couldn’t drive himself to the races in those early days since he wasn’t old enough to get a license. If there hadn’t been a track 15 miles from his parents’ house, Vargas might never had gotten the opportunity to race. There are still places that provide that in Southern California, but they are shrinking in number. The Orange Show Speedway, a quarter-mile asphalt oval in San Bernardino, has been around for 77 years, helping launch the careers of NASCAR Cup champions Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch. It still offers races in various stock car divisions as does the Perris Auto Speedway in Riverside County and the Ventura Raceway. Meanwhile Huddleston, who squeezed a few final seasons out of the Irwindale track, is moving to Bakersfield, where he has teamed with Harvick, a Bakersfield native, to refurbish the former Kern County Raceway Park as Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, a 120-acre motorsports facility with a half-mile asphalt oval and a one-third-mile dirt one. Yet for beginning drivers from L.A. and Orange County, who are struggling to race on a shoestring budget, that track might just as well be on another planet. “It’s just a two-hour drive but that’s gas money, that’s towing a trailer, that’s potentially hotel stays,” Vargas said. “So it’s a struggle if you’re operating on a budget. When we were getting our foot in the door we drove to Bakersfield and then drove home the night of practice because we didn’t want to buy a hotel room.” Getting started in racing has always been expensive and for many drivers — and fans —- Irwindale’s closing will raise those costs. So as much as Saturday’s finale was a party and a wake, it also marked the end of an era for racing in Southern California when Jeffrey Peterson took the final checkered flag in track history. Sometime in the wee hours Sunday morning, the lights over the speedway went dark for the last time.

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