| Willow Springs | |
|---|---|
 Circuit map | |
| Location | Kern County, near Rosamond, California, United States |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (UTC-7 DST) |
| Coordinates | 34°52′30″N 118°15′52″W / 34.87500°N 118.26444°W |
| Broke ground | 1952 |
| Opened | 23 November 1953 |
| Former names | Willow Springs Raceway (1953-1982) |
| Major events | Former: Trans-Am West Coast Series (2017) Can-Am (1987) NASCAR Cup Series (1956–1957) |
| Big Willow (1953–present) | |
| Surface | Paved |
| Length | 2.500 miles (4.023 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Race lap record | 1:15.900 (Al Lamb, Frissbee GR2, 1987, Can-Am) |
| Streets of Willow Extended Course (2003–present) | |
| Length | 1.800 miles (2.897 km) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Streets of Willow Long Course (2003–present) | |
| Length | 1.500 miles (2.414 km) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Streets of Willow Long Course (1988–present) | |
| Length | 1.300 miles (2.092 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Horse Thief Mile (2003–present) | |
| Length | 1.000 miles (1.609 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
Willow Springs International Motorsports Park (commonly referred to as Willow Springs) is located in Willow Springs near Rosamond, California, about 80 mi (130 km) north of Los Angeles. It is the oldest permanent road course in the United States.[1] Construction began in 1952, with the inaugural race held on November 23, 1953.[2] The main track is a 2.500 mi (4.023 km) long road course that is unchanged from its original 1953 configuration. The elevation changes and high average speeds make it a favorite of many road racing drivers.
Willow Springs hosted two NASCAR Grand National races in 1956 and 1957 on the original road course (then known simply as Willow Springs Speedway), won by Chuck Stevenson and Marvin Panch, respectively.[3] The track also hosted five NASCAR Winston West Series events, the first two in 1955 and 1956 and the other three between 1984 and 1986. Willow Springs also hosted one NASCAR Southwest Series race in 1986.
There are seven tracks at Willow Springs. The largest and most well known track is Willow Springs International Raceway (commonly referred to as Big Willow). Other racing facilities include The Streets of Willow (1.8-mile road course), The Horse Thief Mile (road course), The Speedway at Willow Springs (1/4-mile paved oval), Willow Springs Kart Track (a .625-mile, nine-turn paved sprint track), The Playpen (a 1/4-mile paved training track), and the Walt James Stadium (Clay Oval and Paved Oval).
Efforts by fans resulted in the State of California declaring Willow Springs International Raceway as a California Point of Historical Interest in 1996.[4]
- ^ Berk, Brett (May 2013). "Will Ellis Drive?". Road & Track. 64 (8): 80.
- ^ "1tail Resource Database - Willow Springs International Motorsports Park". Retrieved 2009-09-28.
- ^ "Willow Springs Speedway in Lancaster CA Road Course". NASCAR Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
- ^ "WILLOW SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY". Office of Historic Preservation. State of California. Retrieved 26 August 2012.