A significant factor in the success of Irwindale Speedway is that it’s located within 30 miles of Hollywood. Movie studios do not have to pay per diem and hotel expenses for actors and technicians if a union shoot is within the 30 miles.
Numerous movies, television shows and commercials have been shot at Irwindale Speedway, with the track rental fee going toward the bottom line.
The track also derives rental income from companies such as Greyhound, which uses the parking lot to train new drivers. Local police and fire departments also use it to train officers.
Irwindale has hosted numerous national touring series, including the USAC Silver Crown Series, the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship, the SouthWest Tour Truck Series, the World RallyCross Series and the King of the Wing Series. It has also hosted events as part of the X Games.
Irwindale is known as “The House of Drift” because drifting competition in this country started there. The speedway annually hosts the final points race of the Formula Drift season, drawing standing-room-only crowds. Additional temporary grandstands are rented for such events.
Through the years, events at Irwindale have been broadcast to national television audiences on ESPN, SPEED, FOX and MAVTV.
The track has a TV broadcast booth next to race control and the press box. There are 12 suites that are rented annually or by the event. The pit area has a drive-through tech building with two lanes for pre-race inspections.
Promoters recently improved the track lighting and upgraded the two elevators that serve the three-story grandstand.
When interviewed in his office overlooking the fourth turn, Huddleston said the original five-year lease has been extended.
“We are able to race here as long as we want — indefinitely. It’s up to us to make it a financial success,” he said.
To accomplish that goal, Huddleston attended the annual Racing Promoters Workshops in Reno, Nev., for the first time last December. “I met with other racing promoters from Bakersfield and Madera. We talked about coordinating race car specs and race dates. It is a work in progress.”
Huddleston continues to plan for the future.
“We intend to increase the purse for all three divisions next year in our second Sunrise Ford All-Star Showdown,” he explained. “On Feb. 1, we paid $25,000 to the super late model 200-lap winner, $10,000 to the pro late model 100 winner and $5,000 to the modifieds 75 winner.”
Huddleston was pleased by the turnout of fans and the racers for the inaugural event that attracted 32 super late models, 22 late models and 17 modified entrants.
“Pro late model racing on the third-mile brought out drivers who had not raced at Irwindale and it will be continued,” he added. “The ARCA Menards West, Spears Manufacturing Southwest Tour super late models, Spears Modifieds, Southwest Tour Trucks and King of the Wing sprint cars are scheduled this season.”
Divisions competing on NASCAR-sanctioned programs at the track include late models, spec late models, super stocks, Legend Cars, enduros, trucks and at times super late models, pro late models and modifieds.
An innovation last season was a 12-turn “roval” course for enduro cars. The layout used portions of the half- and third-miles and the infield. Racers and fans loved the innovative event. Huddleston said, “It will be repeated.”
Irwindale Speedway has graduated many drivers to the three NASCAR national divisions and regional series. The pipeline for even more talented young drivers to develop racing skills is continuing into the foreseeable future.
Drivers who have raced at Irwindale include Cole Custer, Riley Herbst, Hailie Deegan, Ryan Reed, Dylan Lupton, Alex Bowman, David Gilliland, Brendan Gaughan, Greg Pursley, Rip Michels, Ryan Partridge, Travis Thirkettle and Trevor Huddleston, Tim Huddleston’s son.
Huddleston’s wife, Lisa, runs the office, interviews grandstand spectators and coordinates the awards banquet. They do their best to give racers and fans value for their money.
Officials recently revised the track’s website and implemented methods in addition to social media and radio ads to increase attendance. Based on Huddleston’s successful business and his love for racing, odds are favorable Irwindale Speedway will see more and more success.