Niss Family’s Roots in Mansfield Go Further Than Racing

By Jim Foose – Speedway Action Magazine

How Dan and Brenda Niss injected six-figure energy into Mansfield Speedway’s historic return—and why their investment in Richland County goes far beyond the dirt track.

The roar of dirt late models returning to Mansfield Speedway for the first time since 2019 was deafening, but it wasn’t just the 800-horsepower engines making noise over the May 29-30 weekend. The local motorsports community was buzzing about a completely different kind of horsepower: financial backing. When promoter Matt Tifft laid out his vision for the track’s highly anticipated “Comeback Classic,” he knew it had to be a destination event to truly revive the struggling facility. Enter Dan and Brenda Niss.

In a move that sent shockwaves through the dirt racing world, the Niss family stepped up to completely revolutionize the weekend’s payoff for the World of Outlaws Dirt Late Models. Thanks to their unprecedented generosity, Friday’s purse skyrocketed from an already respectable $12,000 to a staggering $100,000—claimed in a hard-fought battle by Tyler Erb. The next night, they outdid themselves, pushing Saturday’s payout from $57,000 to an eye-watering $100,057, which Nick Hoffman ultimately took home. These became the season’s first two six-figure paydays for Dirt Late Models, firmly planting the revived Mansfield Speedway back on the national motorsports map.

“I wouldn’t have what I have without Mansfield and Richland County.” – Dan Niss

For those outside of Richland County, the sudden cash injection might have seemed like the work of anonymous racing benefactors. But for the residents of Mansfield and the surrounding Ohio communities, Dan and Brenda Niss are well-known catalysts for local revitalization. Dan, the president of Charter Next Generation (CNG)—a specialty film and packaging manufacturer employing over 1,000 employee-owners locally—has never forgotten his roots. A Minnesota native and former college football player, he frequently credits his farmer parents, Jerry and Judy, for instilling a relentless work ethic and a deep appreciation for the community.

A Blueprint for Community Revival

Instead of retiring to a quiet estate in Florida or fleeing the Midwest, Dan and Brenda have chosen to pour tens of millions of dollars directly back into north-central Ohio. Their investments are aggressively reshaping the region’s infrastructure, recreation, and now, its beloved historic speedway.

Their footprint is everywhere. In 2020, they purchased Westbrook Country Club, launching a multi-million dollar renovation that included a new pool complex and widespread upgrades, alongside the development of Country Club Estates on neighboring property. They acquired the decaying West Park Shopping Center for $1 million simply to clean up a local eyesore, envisioning future green space or family attractions. Furthermore, at the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, Dan operates Niss Aviation and is investing $1.5 million to build the Mansfield Sky Club—a premier restaurant allowing locals to watch planes take off in style.

The couple’s philanthropic reach also extends heavily into local athletics. They served as the lead donors for the massive 125,000-square-foot Niss Athletic Center at Ashland University and have generously funded massive improvements to the Niss Stadium football complex at Ontario High School.

Preserving the Soul of the Region

The story of the Niss family is ultimately one of preservation and progress. It is a deeply personal mission, carrying on the legacy of hard work taught by Dan’s late father, Jerry, and honoring the memory of his brother, David, who passed away in 2024 after working alongside Dan at CNG for years.

In short-track racing, the survival of a facility often hangs by a thread. Reviving a lost track like Mansfield requires more than just fresh clay, painted walls, and open gates; it takes vision, immense effort from dedicated promoters like Tifft, and the uncompromising support of community pillars. By injecting six figures into the winner’s purses, Dan and Brenda Niss didn’t just reward a couple of lucky drivers. They sent a loud, unmistakable message: Mansfield is open for business, its history is worth preserving, and its dirt-track future is brighter than ever.

Mansfield needs more people like Dan and Brenda Niss, their investment in Richland County is second to none. For Mansfield Speedway, the support of Dan & Brenda Niss shows a strong sense of pride in the community to have the track revived after seven years of dormancy.