MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—A legendary racetrack in town is leaving the dust behind as it undergoes a rebirth and transforms itself into “Ohio’s Home of Horsepower.”

Mansfield Speedway, 400 Crall Road East, has reopened after a major overhaul of its dirt racetrack and 170-acre property. Nearly $8 million in renovations designed to make it a premier motorsports and entertainment destination.

“Our philosophy is not focused around the drivers as much as it is around the spectators, the fans that come out to see us,” said Robbie Devore, the racetrack’s official announcer. “We’re trying to reach as many new fans as possible.”

In an era where many dirt racetracks around the country are dying, Devore said, Mansfield Speedway has resurfaced its 0.44-mile dirt oval, added grandstand seating, and installed a $1 million state-of-the-art Jumbotron on the backstretch.

The revival, which started in June 2025, also includes a new LED lighting system, an opened-up infield, an in-house broadcasting system, a studio for social media content, and other improvements to the historic track, Devore said.

The investment, he said, comes from the racetrack’s new owner, Matt Tifft, a former NASCAR driver who inherited a speedway closed since 2019 and in total disrepair. “He wanted to bring back a racetrack in full form,” Devore explained.

Safety features such as wireless caution lights have also been installed, Devore said, with more upgrades planned. “The racing crowd is going to speak for itself, however what we’re trying to do is create new fans just to show them what we’re capable of.”

Originally opened in1959 as Mansfield Raceway, the dirt track was paved in 1999 and renamed Mansfield Motorsports Speedway. It hosted NASCAR events until 2008 and was a major national stage for stock car and regional asphalt series.

The revamped raceway now features sprint cars and late models, including the FAST 410 Sprints and B.O.S.S. Non-Wing Sprints, as well as other special races throughout the season. Hillside and grandstand seating options are available.

It is also gearing up for the Freedom 250 Festival on July 4, featuring a car show, fireworks, live music, and more. Its first-ever concert – “Russell at the Racetrack” – is August 8, featuring Russell Dickerson in “the loudest show on dirt.”

Other festivals, motocross events, and drive-in movie nights are also in the works, Devore said, with a goal of making Mansfield Speedway a year-round destination not just for racing but also for music and family fun.

“It’s the rebirth of a world-class facility,” he said. “We’ve changed the game. We’ve created the story. We’ve created the drama.”