After more than $1 million in safety improvements, Roseville's All American Speedway opened its season Saturday as the new home to one of the only NASCAR-sanctioned race tracks in the state.

Local race fans began taking in the renovations at the Placer County Fairgrounds during Saturday's season-opening running of the Basalite Late Model 100.

Safety was paramount in bringing the half-century-old track up to NASCAR-quality status. Among the improvements along the quarter-mile track are new safety walls and fencing as well as a revamped pit row and improved, better protected fan areas.

"It's a blast. Better seating, better sides, better view of the track. They did a super job fixing it," fan Dan Broady of Marysville said.

The track is now one of five NASCAR-approved small tracks in California.