Iconic Willow Springs Raceway surviving and thriving with new owners

As things in Southern California go, Willow Springs Raceway is on the old side.

"The track was founded in 1953," said Rick Fedrizzi, its general manager.

But this place also has an emerging newness, and new sense of purpose.

"There was a lot of questions in the very beginning when they heard it went up for sale," said Fedrizzi. "But we're here to prove that it's going to live on for a long, long time."

It's located north of Lancaster, near the town of Rosamond, in the Antelope Valley. For decades Willow Springs has been a go-to for track action from familiar names in pro racing to first-timers.

You may know it even if you've never been here, by seeing it in the 2019 movie "Ford v Ferrari." A period look was an easy one for filmmakers, as it still looked like it did in the story's mid-1960s time period.

Now, with new owners, a slow remodeling and modernizing has been taking place. Safety improvement first, then newer buildings and viewing areas. A more world-class venue to attract a wider audience. For example, a more gourmet touch to the food service available.

"We did upgrade our food and beverage offerings. We renovated the diner, which was a classic building. Totally new menu," said Kai Lerman, V.P. of Summit Speed Events, which recently hosted "Willow Springs Reimagined" at the venue.

But one thing hasn't changed: the famous Willow Springs layout that's had rubber burned on it since the 1950s. A place that anyone can test their skill on. Especially those who might be inclined to do so on the street, which often leads to some kind of trouble.

"Cars are getting faster and people want to have a place to go run 'em, and having a track to do that is really important in that whole story," Fedrizzi noted.

When it was announced a few years ago that the long-time owners were going to put this place up for sale, there was some concern among enthusiasts that the land would be turned into something else. Then relief by those same people that the track was not only going to be saved, but improved upon.

As for the continuing future of this iconic track?

"A lot of different new buildings, a lot of different new infrastructure that's going to take a little bit longer to build. It's all part of that multi-phase five to seven-year buildout," said Fedrizzi.