Written by Jim Foose/Speedway Action Magazine
For over seven decades, the summer air in Summit County, Ohio, was defined by a distinct, unmistakable roar. It was the sound of Friday and Saturday nights spent under the lights, the smell of burning rubber and high-octane fuel, and the cheering of a devoted, working-class crowd.
But as the 2026 racing season approaches, the grandstands will remain silent. Norton Raceway Park—known to generations of fans and drivers as Barberton Speedway—has officially crossed its final finish line.
According to the new owner, Keith Luck, the historic quarter-mile asphalt bullring is permanently closed. The 27-acre property, steeped in local motorsports history, will soon become an expansion of the neighboring Mulch Makers of Ohio facility.
Here is a look back at the track’s legacy and the stark realities that led to its bittersweet end.
A Blue-Collar Bullring Born in 1948
Opening its gates in 1948, Barberton Speedway held the prestigious title of being the oldest paved oval track in Ohio. Its roots were deeply tied to the demographic shift in nearby Akron. As workers migrated from the Appalachian region to power the booming rubber industry, they brought their love of short-track racing north with them.
Throughout the 1950s, the track even drew the attention of the NASCAR Sportsman Series. But its true identity was forged in the decades that followed. Barberton was a distinctly local phenomenon—a hidden gem that may have flown under the national radar but occupied a massive space in the hearts of Northern Ohioans.
For the drivers, it was an accessible and affordable proving ground. Racers didn’t need to haul their trailers hundreds of miles; they could build, tune, and race their Late Models, Compacts, and Legends right in their own backyard. The pits were a family affair where generations grew up turning wrenches together, and the hillside grandstands felt like a neighborhood reunion every single weekend.
The Long Yellow Flag: Struggles and Survival
Like many local short tracks across the country, Barberton Speedway faced mounting challenges in the 21st century. Encroaching suburban development, changing entertainment habits, and the ever-increasing costs of maintaining a mid-century facility took their toll.
The track’s survival was thrown into serious jeopardy following the unexpected passing of former owner Greg Prunty in 2022. The ensuing years were a turbulent ride of probate struggles, zoning controversies, and desperate attempts by business partners and the local community to keep the gates open. Despite the passion of the fans who packed zoning board hearings to rally for the track, the aging facility required extensive, costly repairs that proved financially impossible for the track’s operators to absorb.
The Checkered Flag: A New Chapter with Mulch Makers
In December 2025, the inevitable became reality. The track was sold to Good Luck Properties for approximately $500,000.
Keith Luck, the founder of Barberton Tree Service and owner of Mulch Makers of Ohio, which operates adjacent to the speedway, confirmed that the track will not reopen. Luck’s connection to the facility is deeply personal; he grew up in Barberton and spent his childhood attending races there with his father.
In a statement regarding the closure, Luck acknowledged the community’s profound attachment to the speedway. He noted that over the past decade, he had intentionally passed on opportunities to purchase the property—despite the obvious value it held for expanding his mulch business—so that other interested parties could try to keep the racing tradition alive. Unfortunately, the math simply no longer worked to keep the facility operational as a racetrack.
Now, the property will officially be absorbed into the Mulch Makers operation to accommodate the company’s continued growth.
The Dispersal of History
The physical remnants of Barberton Speedway’s 78-year history are currently being dismantled. An online auction managed by Kiko Auctions is slated to run from late March into early April 2026. Everything that made the track what it was is going on the block—from the grandstands and the track equipment right down to the concession stand’s hot dog machines and the iconic, towering Union 76 gas sign.
Leaving a Void in Ohio Motorsports
The permanent closure of Norton Raceway Park is a profound loss for the local racing ecosystem. Leagues that relied on the track, such as the ACE Racing League and the local Bandolero and Legend racers, have been left scrambling to find new asphalt for the 2026 season, looking toward surviving venues like Midvale and Painesville Speedways.
While it is always incredibly difficult to see a piece of local history paved over and repurposed, Barberton Speedway’s story is a testament to the resilient community that sustained it for 78 years. It stands as a stark reminder for racing fans everywhere: if you love your local short track, buy a ticket and support it while the lights are still on.
Share your favorite memory of Norton Raceway Park/Barberton Speedway with us, as we will share a gallery of photos from the nearly 80 year history of the Speedway.
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