MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—A beloved chapter of North Central Ohio’s racing history is about to be rewritten as Mansfield Speedway prepares to reopen on Saturday, May 2, 2026, marking the return of a track that has shaped generations of drivers, fans, and families.
First opened in 1959, Mansfield Speedway quickly became a proving ground for aspiring racers throughout the region. Among them was Jim Copper, now 90 and a Crawford County resident, who built his first race car—a 1949 Ford known as the “Pink 97”—just six years after the track’s debut. Gifted the car by his father, Copper transformed it into a stock car, beginning a lifelong connection to the sport.
In the 1960s, the speedway drew competitors from across North Central Ohio, creating a tight-knit yet fiercely competitive community. Copper raced alongside friends and family, including Brad Dummitt, Ryan and Alan Swim, Bobby Powers, Don Evans, and John McGloughlin, going wheel-to-wheel with rivals like Bob Cowen, Cliff Chandler, and Jack Johnson. It was an era defined by raw horsepower, determination, and the unmistakable roar of engines echoing through the grandstands.
“I was hooked the first time I heard an engine echo off those stands,” said Copper. “Seventy
years later, it still sounds the same in my head.” Copper’s passion has endured for more than six decades, growing into a family tradition that now spans four generations. Despite changes in ownership, name, and racing styles over the years, the track remained a constant—until it fell silent in 2018.
Now, after eight years of stillness, Mansfield Speedway is set to return. The revival is led by former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft, who has spent the past year restoring the facility, rebuilding grandstands, and revitalizing the spirit that once defined the venue. His efforts have transformed the dormant speedway into a modern racing destination while preserving its historic roots.
Opening night carries deep significance for the Copper family and countless others. When the track closed and Copper’s health declined, he believed he had witnessed his final race there. With the addition of enclosed skybox seating, he will now be able to comfortably return and experience the excitement once more.
Brian Copper, Jim’s son, has kept the connection alive in the years since, often driving past the quiet track while hoping for its return. “I’ve been coming here since 1966,” Brian said. “I helped my dad as a young boy and have loved racing ever since. When I heard the track was reopening, I was thrilled. Now my dad and I—along with my son, grandson, and son-in-law—will be back watching the races and remembering all the ones before. It’s the return of something timeless.”
Anticipation is building across Richland County and surrounding communities, with thousands expected to fill the stands for opening night. The May 2 event is not only a celebration of racing’s past, but the beginning of what promises to be a best-in-class season at Mansfield Speedway.
For longtime fans like Jim Copper and a new generation of racing enthusiasts, the sound of engines returning to Mansfield marks more than just another race—it signals the revival of a legacy.