The sensory experience of a late-May race week in Northern Ohio is undeniable. Long before the first green flag drops, the air grows thick with the sweet, stinging scent of burning race fuel and the rumbling anticipation of hundreds of horsepower echoing through the rural landscape.
This week, that rumble is about to turn into a deafening roar.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is embarking on a grueling, high-stakes, four-race swing. The action actually kicks off Wednesday with a subtle but important stop just across the border at Pennsylvania’s Marion Center Raceway—a makeup date for the Connor Bobik Memorial that rained out earlier this month. From there, the national haulers cross into the Buckeye State for a mid-week clash on the gritty 3/8-mile clay of Wayne County Speedway, before heading north for a blockbuster, two-day weekend at the newly revived Mansfield Speedway.
Adding even more firepower to the entry list: the rival Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is off this weekend. With no conflicting events on their schedule, a heavy contingent of Lucas Oil stars are expected to invade the pit areas at Wayne County and Mansfield to try and poach the Outlaws’ massive payouts.
Here is everything you need to know before the massive haulers roll into the pit areas.
Wednesday, May 27: The Prelude in Pennsylvania
Venue: Marion Center Raceway (Marion Center, PA)
The Stakes: $30,000-to-win
Before the Ohio swing begins, the Outlaws have unfinished business in Western Pennsylvania. Persistent rain earlier this month washed out the finale of the Connor Bobik Memorial, forcing officials to reschedule the massive $30,000-to-win feature for Wednesday night. It serves as the perfect high-stakes appetizer for the Ohio dates to follow, and gives teams an early chance to dial in their setups and build momentum for the grueling days ahead.
Thursday, May 28: Grassroots Glory Meets National Muscle
Venue: Wayne County Speedway (Orrville, OH)
The Stakes: $12,000-to-win LoneWolf 40
Wayne County Speedway knows exactly how to host a blockbuster event. While the Orrville oval is widely celebrated for its fierce commitment to the weekly warrior and affordable family entertainment, Thursday night will be an entirely different beast.
When the national tours squeeze into the local pit area, Wayne County shines on a national stage. The 3/8-mile dirt oval will transform into a battleground for heavy-hitting, fender-to-fender combat. Fans packing the wooden bleachers can expect the sport’s biggest Outlaw and Lucas Oil names to clash with the toughest local and regional late model hotshoes, all looking to steal the $12,000 mid-week payday. It is the perfect collision of million-dollar touring operations and the local open trailers that serve as the true heartbeat of Wayne County.
Friday, May 29: The Outlaws Hit Mansfield
Venue: Mansfield Speedway (Mansfield, OH)
The Stakes: $12,000-to-win
Following the highly anticipated, weather-delayed “Comeback Classic” earlier this month, the resurrection of Mansfield Speedway faces its most high-profile test yet. The lights are back on at the famous facility, and Friday night serves as the crucial opening round of a historic double-header.
Friday’s $12,000-to-win feature will give the touring stars their first taste of Mansfield’s dirt this season. With track conditions sure to evolve over the weekend, this opening night is as much about gathering data as it is about taking home the winner’s check. Expect drivers to be testing the limits of the cushion as they dial in their cars for Saturday’s massive finale.
Saturday, May 30: The Blaster 57 Showdown
Venue: Mansfield Speedway (Mansfield, OH)
The Stakes: $57,000-to-win | $5,700-to-start
This is the one they’ve all had circled on the calendar since the schedule dropped in November.
Saturday night at Mansfield isn’t just another race; it’s a career-defining payday. The Blaster 57 Showdown is putting up a staggering $57,000 to the winner, instantly making it one of the most lucrative prizes of the early summer schedule.
But it’s not just the winner who walks away with heavy pockets. The event boasts an incredible $5,700 just to start the A-Main. That kind of starting money is virtually unheard of and guarantees that every heavy hitter in the Late Model world—whether they run with the Outlaws, Lucas Oil, or independently—will be towing to Northern Ohio. The Last Chance Showdowns alone are going to feature the kind of desperate, elbows-up racing usually reserved for a feature finish, as drivers battle tooth and nail just to make the starting grid.
The Weekend at a Glance:
- Wednesday: Marion Center Raceway ($30,000 to win) Rescheduled
- Thursday: Wayne County Speedway ($12,000 to win)
- Friday: Mansfield Speedway ($12,000 to win)
- Saturday: Mansfield Speedway – Blaster 57 Showdown ($57,000 to win / $5,700 to start)
With the stakes this high, a combined field of Outlaw and Lucas Oil stars, and the regional dirt track scene experiencing a massive resurgence, you won’t want to miss a single lap. Grab a pit pass or secure your seat in the grandstands, and get ready for a weekend of raw speed and Saturday night fights.
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