Crews implode grandstand at Hollywood Park racetrack in Inglewood

Monday, June 1, 2015

The skeleton of the former iconic Hollywood Park racetrack was destroyed Sunday morning, clearing the way for a proposed $1.86 billion NFL stadium.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Several explosions were set off at about 6 a.m. Sunday imploding the grandstand canopy at the former Hollywood Park racetrack.

St. Louis Rams fans were out cheering and chanting "L.A. Rams," hoping to bring their team to the site.

The city of Inglewood approved plans to build an 80,000-seat football stadium on this site in anticipation of the Rams moving back to L.A.

Rams owner Stan Kroenke designed a stadium for two clubs with two home locker rooms, identical sets of office space and two owners' suites.

A rendering of St. Louis Rams' owner Stan Kroenke's proposed $1.86-billion venue at the former Hollywood Park racetrack site in Inglewood.

A rendering of Los Angeles Rams' owner Stan Kroenke's proposed $2-billion venue at the former Hollywood Park racetrack site in Inglewood.

His plans for an NFL stadium are in direct competition with a joint proposal by the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders to build a $1.7 billion two-team stadium in Carson.

The NFL reportedly considers L.A. a two-team market and wants a stadium that could accommodate both teams. An NFL team has not played in L.A. since 1994.

"This is absolutely happening," Rams fan Randy Troy said. "This is the beginning of all of the construction, the infrastructure, everything is being started. Shovels will be on the ground on this site to build the NFL stadium in December. It's happening."

Under current rules, the next opportunity for a team to file to relocate would be in January 2016.

Any franchise would need the support of at least 24 of the league's 32 owners to move to the nation's second-largest market.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.