MANSFIELD, Ohio — After sitting vacant for years, Mansfield Speedway is set to roar back to life this spring, marking a major comeback for one of north central Ohio’s most storied racing venues.
The 67-year-old track, located between Columbus and Cleveland, will officially reopen to the public on Saturday, May 2, with the “Comeback Classic.” Gates open at 5 p.m. A Test & Tune event is scheduled for April 12 ahead of the first race.
The revival comes after former NASCAR driver and Ohio native Matt Tifft and his wife, Jordan Tifft, purchased the long-shuttered 180-acre property in 2025. Tifft said he was inspired to act after repeatedly passing the deteriorating facility on his way to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and reflecting on its history and potential.
Originally opened in 1959 as a 3/8-mile dirt track, Mansfield Speedway later became a premier half-mile asphalt facility. It hosted NASCAR Truck Series races from 2004 to 2008 before closing that same year. The track briefly reopened as a dirt venue in 2017 but operated for only two seasons.
Now, the Tifft team is undertaking extensive renovations aimed at restoring the speedway to national prominence. Improvements include a newly constructed dirt racing surface designed without rocks or sand, new grandstands, and a 70-by-40-foot Jumbotron. The facility can accommodate more than 20,000 fans and will offer weekend camping.
Organizers say the goal is to create an affordable, family-friendly racing destination. General admission tickets will average $20, children 10 and under will be admitted free, and season passes are priced at $350. Additional information, schedules, and tickets are available at TheSpeedway.com.
Plans for the revitalized speedway extend well beyond weekly races. Organizers are developing a diverse calendar of events that may include late-model sprint cars, motocross, off-road ATV and side-by-side racing, car shows, monster truck and burnout competitions, concerts, and a Freedom 250 Festival featuring Fourth of July fireworks. Open ride days are also being considered.
Future plans could also include a motorsports museum highlighting Mansfield’s deep racing roots. The area’s racing history dates back to Civil War-era horse racing, followed by motorcycle races beginning in 1910 and automobile racing in 1912. The region was also home to Rupp Manufacturing, a popular kart maker in the 1950s and 1960s that later produced early ATVs and snowmobiles.
The speedway’s return adds to Mansfield’s reputation as a racing destination. Just 15 miles away, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course continues to host major national series including IndyCar, IMSA, NASCAR, MotoAmerica, and vintage racing events.
Local tourism officials say the reopening complements the city’s broader attractions, which include outdoor recreation, cultural destinations, historic sites, and a growing food and beverage scene.
With its reopening, Mansfield Speedway aims to blend its historic legacy with a new era of high-energy motorsports and community events.
