I have always been a big fan of racing, and I have always wanted to go to the Mansfield Motorsports Speedway. So, a few weeks ago, I finally made the trip. It was a bit of a drive, but I figured it would be worth it. I packed up my car with some snacks and drinks and hit the road.
When I arrived, the first thing I did was check out the track’s location. It’s at 100 Crall Road East Mansfield, easy to find. Then I tried to figure out what kind of track it was. Turns out, it was a 0.440-mile dirt track. I walked around the facility, taking in the sights and sounds. There were people everywhere, getting ready for the races. The atmosphere was electric!
- The place was formerly called Mansfield Motorsports Park and it shut down in 2010.
- It used to host the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
- They were planning a drag strip since 2006.
I did some digging around and found out a few things:
I learned that the track has a moderately high banking and a wide racing surface. I also discovered that they used to host a variety of events, including the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ohio 250 from 2004 to 2008. Man, I wish I could have seen one of those races!
I also found out some of the track records. For the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series qualifying, Ron Hornaday Jr. set the record in 2005 with a time of 16.277 seconds. And for the race, Bobby Hamilton holds the record with a time of 1 hour, 55 minutes, and 37 seconds, also in 2005. Pretty impressive stuff.
I spent the whole day there, soaking up the experience. I watched some practice laps and enjoyed some racing events. The roar of the engines, the smell of the dirt, the cheers of the crowd – it was awesome! After everything wrapped up, I decided to make my way back home. It was a long drive, but I had a blast. I can’t wait to go back again someday!
Turns out, this place used to attract all sorts of big-name racing tours, from ASA to USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup. And from what I gathered, they’re turning this into a full-blown dirt track and planning to host some major short-track events. It’s like they’re giving the place a whole new life, and I’m all for it.
My trip to the Mansfield Motorsports Speedway was a memorable one. It was everything I hoped for and more. If you’re a racing fan, I highly recommend checking it out. You won’t regret it!
