By Jim Foose/Speedway Action Magazine
As the snow melts and the haulers begin to hum, the 2026 racing season in Northern Ohio is shaping up to be one of the most transformative in recent memory. It is a year defined by sharp contrasts: the heartbreaking silence falling over some of our most hallowed grounds, balanced against the roar of engines returning to a sleeping giant and the fresh energy breathing life into a local battleground.
From the ashes of closures comes the phoenix of revival, and the schedule is packed with high-stakes touring series, massive paydays, and new leadership. Here is your comprehensive preview of the 2026 season.
The Asphalt Landscape: Closures and Survivors
We must start with the hard reality facing local asphalt racing. The landscape has changed irrevocably this winter. The most shocking blow is the confirmed closure of Sandusky Speedway. After waving its final checkered flag, the “Home of the Supermodifieds” has gone dark, leaving a void that will be felt for generations.
Similarly, Norton Raceway Park (formerly Barberton Speedway) has closed its gates, a victim of a property sale that has displaced its weekly warriors. Adding to the uncertainty is the current status of Lorain Raceway Park. Following a “make or break” 2025 campaign, “The County” is currently listed for sale or lease and remains dormant with no scheduled events.
Painesville Speedway: A Fresh Start at the Battleground
While uncertainty clouds Lorain, the picture has cleared beautifully for Painesville Speedway. In a major offseason development, the “World’s Toughest Motorsports Battleground” enters a new era under the leadership of Scott Skufca and the Skufca family.
Taking over the lease from the Maggio family, Skufca—a longtime racer himself—has launched a “Save the Track” campaign with a clear mission: returning the historic 1/5-mile bullring to its glory days. The fresh approach for 2026 includes a simplified schedule and the consolidation of classes to boost car counts and competition. With a focus on the “customer experience” and a return to hard-nosed short-track racing, Painesville is poised to be the breakout facility of the year for fans seeking a Saturday night fight.
Toledo Speedway: Carrying the Torch
Toledo Speedway stands tall as a beacon for pavement racing, filling the void left by its neighbors.
In a massive development for open-wheel fans mourning the loss of Sandusky, Supermodifieds will make a triumphant return to the high banks of Toledo. The Outlaw 350 Supermodified Sprint Series will open the season in the Glass City on Saturday, April 18th, bringing the unique roar of the “Supers” back to the region.
The ARCA Menards Series will hit the half-mile May 16th, a change from the championship race of the past four years.
Toledo will also bookend the season with national prestige. The track will once again host the USAC Silver Crown Series season finale in October. The prestigious Rollie Beale Classic will serve as the battleground where the 2026 Silver Crown Champion is crowned.
Midvale Speedway: Thunder in the Valley
Down in Tuscarawas County, the 3/10-mile asphalt oval of Midvale Speedway is ready to deliver another season of “Thunder in the Valley.” As one of the stabilizing forces in Ohio’s pavement scene, Midvale kicks off its points chase for Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Compacts on Saturday, April 25th.
The track has stacked its 2026 calendar with high-profile events, including its traditional Memorial Day “Salute to Fallen Heroes,” the massive Firecracker 250 in July, and the multi-day Fall Classic in late September. Midvale has also become a premier destination for regional tours. It will host the Outlaw 350 Supermodified Sprint Series on August 22nd, and the Ohio Wheelman Series will invade the valley three times. Additionally, the Buckeye Buggy Super Series will lean heavily on Midvale, stopping three times and using the track to host their Championship Finale on September 19th.
Homegrown Heroes: Ohio’s Regional Touring Series
With local tracks closing, Ohio’s regional touring series have become more vital than ever, serving as mobile sanctuaries for displaced racers and fans alike.
The Outlaw 350 Supermodified Sprint Series steps into the spotlight as the primary guardian of supermodified racing in the state. Beyond their headline-grabbing opener at Toledo, the winged warriors will zigzag across the region, ensuring the unique sound and speed of the “Supers” remain a staple of Ohio summers despite the loss of their spiritual home at Sandusky.
Meanwhile, the fendered battles will rage on under the banner of the Ohio Wheelman Series. As refugees from Norton and Sandusky look for a place to race, the Wheelman Series has emerged as the premier playground for street stock gladiators. Known for their no-holds-barred competition and deep fields, they will bring their aggressive show to surviving asphalt ovals like Painesville and Midvale.
The Buckeye Buggy Super Series returns to the track in 2026, with stops at Painesville Speedway and Midvale Speedway solidified. The Buggy’s bridge the gap between kart racing and full size cars often putting on nail-biting races with close finishes wherever they go.
The Revival: Mansfield Returns
On the dirt side, the headline of the year is undoubtedly the resurrection of Mansfield Speedway. The 2026 season will see the lights turn back on at the famous facility, kicking off with the “Comeback Classic” on Saturday, May 2nd.
The event promises to be a spectacle, featuring a triple-header of the American Late Model Iron-Man Series, FAST 410 Sprints, and UMP Modifieds. It marks a triumphant return for a track that has seen its share of ups and downs.
Fremont’s Diamond Anniversary
Celebrating 75 years of speed, Fremont Speedway Fueled by FriendShip Kitchen has unveiled a “Diamond Anniversary” schedule that leans heavily into its history while offering massive modern payouts. Promoter Rich Farmer has curated a “Decades” series, dedicating specific nights to the 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond throughout the summer. But the crown jewel of the schedule lands on Tuesday, May 12th, when the track hosts its “75th Birthday Bash” featuring the All Star Circuit of Champions competing for a massive $20,000 top prize. The “Track That Action Built” also welcomes High Limit Racing for a high-stakes showdown on Monday, July 13th, and bookends the season with the traditional Jim Ford Classic in September.
Attica’s Big Money Slate
Just down the road, Attica Raceway Park is pulling no punches for 2026, offering one of the richest schedules in its history. The action heats up early with the Spring Nationals in April, but the spotlight burns brightest in mid-summer. On Tuesday, July 14th, the track hosts the 38th Annual Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic. Sanctioned by the World of Outlaws, this prestigious event has seen its winner’s share bumped to a staggering $20,000, ensuring the best in the world will be fighting for space on the cushion. Additionally, Attica celebrates its own milestone on May 14th with an Anniversary Special that also pays $20,000 to win.
Millstream’s Momentum Continues
Now a few years into its successful revival, Millstream Speedway in Findlay has transitioned from a “restoration project” to a staple of the Ohio sprint car scene. The 1/2-mile oval continues to gain momentum with a focused schedule of special events. Highlights for 2026 include a key stop during Ohio Sprint Speedweek on Sunday, June 14th, where the All Stars will test the daunting high-speed layout. The track also strengthens its ties with Mansfield through a “Challenge Weekend” in late August, before welcoming the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars on Thursday, October 8th as part of the “Buckeye Brawl” swing.
Wayne County’s “Orrville Speed Palace” Shines
Further south, Wayne County Speedway in Orrville continues to solidify its reputation as a destination track with a blockbuster 2026 slate. The World of Outlaws Late Models make a rare Thursday night appearance on May 28th, bringing the best fendered drivers in the country to the 3/8-mile oval.
The track will also serve as a key stop for the All Star Circuit of Champions, hosting the Rick Susong Memorial in May, a Speedweek date in June, and the prestigious Pete Jacobs Memorial over Labor Day weekend. Perhaps the most grueling test of man and machine will arrive on Sunday, July 12th, when the DIRTcar Summer Nationals “Hell Tour” invades Orrville for its Week 5 Finale.
Sharon Speedway: A Big-Game Hunter
Over in Hartford, Sharon Speedway has constructed a schedule that reads like a “Who’s Who” of American motorsports. The track hosts the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars twice, first for the “Border Battle” on May 2nd and again to close the year at “Sheldon’s Buckeye Brawl” on October 10th.
The World of Outlaws Late Models also arrive for a massive double-header July 10-11 for the “Battle at the Border.” But for many, the highlight remains the Lou Blaney Memorial on August 1st, featuring the BRP Modified Tour and 410 Sprints. Just days later, on Wednesday, August 12th, the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds thunder into town.
Raceway 7: Reshaping the Friday Night Fight
Up in Conneaut, Raceway 7 is preparing for a massive 2026 season with some serious facility upgrades. The 7/16-mile semi-banked dirt oval is physically changing its shape. Over the offseason, crews moved tons of material to widen, shorten, and flatten the track. This reconfiguration is designed to better balance the top and bottom grooves, promising more side-by-side action for their Friday night faithful. Running weekly from May through August, the track will feature a strong regular card including UMP Modifieds, RUSH Late Models, RUSH Mods, Economods, and Mini Stocks/Crown Vics. Adding to the excitement, their traditional September Shootout has been expanded to a two-day weekend spectacular, giving fans even more racing and camping to close out the year.
Good’s Raceway: The Grassroots Clay Bullring
Meanwhile, in Deerfield, Good’s Raceway remains a vital hub for grassroots dirt racing. The 1/4-mile clay oval provides a crucial proving ground for the next generation and a home for unique divisions. Kicking off with their first of five 200-Lap Enduros on Sunday, April 19th, Good’s operates primarily on Saturday nights. Their weekly program is built around Jr. Sprints, Jr. Sportsmans, 270 Micros, Mod Lites, and Sportsman Modifieds/Classics. What makes Good’s truly special is its eclectic schedule, frequently rotating in Quads, 3-Wheelers, and Vintage Series cars to supplement the regular divisions. It’s the kind of family-oriented, elbows-up bullring that keeps the foundation of local dirt track racing strong week in and week out.
See you at the track.
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