As reported by Lou Whitmire from the Mansfield News Journal, (f)ormer NASCAR driver and entrepreneur Matt Tifft, along with his wife Jordan Tifft, have officially acquired Mansfield Speedway.
Once a national stage for racing, Mansfield Speedway had been sitting dormant — until now. The Tifft family plans to transform the 178-acre property into a multi-use entertainment destination, blending grassroots motorsports, high-energy car culture, concerts and seasonal festivals into a “one-of-a-kind experience for fans and families,” according to a news release.
“This track has so much history and we couldn’t stand to see it waste away,” Matt Tifft said. “Jordan and I are building something that’s way more than a racetrack. This is about community, horsepower and unforgettable events all year long.”
Renovation efforts are underway, including grandstand repairs, facility upgrades and new infrastructure. The couple’s vision focuses on fan-first experiences, content creation and turning Mansfield Speedway into a destination for Ohio and beyond.
Matt and Jordan are collaborating with brands, creators and local businesses to bring the project to life. Local to the area, Simonson Construction Services will lead the project. The first wave of events launches later this year, with a reopening slated for spring 2026, according to the news release.
Matthew Tifft is an entrepreneur, NASCAR team owner and American professional stock car racing driver who grew up in Hinckley, south of Cleveland. He posted on social media over the weekend and Monday, saying it will cost about $2.5 million to return the Crall Road track back to asphalt just for the paving itself.
“Right now, we’re planning to bring this back as a dirt race track,” Tifft said on social media. “For the first few years, it is going to be dirt. We’re hoping we are going to be in a good cash flow position to maybe look at doing asphalt in the future.”
The historic race track has operated under various names including Mansfield Motorsports Park. It opened in 1959 as Mansfield Raceway as a 3/8-mile dirt track.
The track was paved in 1999 and ran multiple NASCAR Series events, including five Craftsman Truck Series races.
The track has undergone multiple ownership changes over the years and has remained idle. Local businessman and philanthropist Grant Milliron, who died in 2023 at the age of 88, bought the track at a sheriff’s sale in the winter of 2013, the News Journal reported earlier.
Milliron bought it and 178 acres of land it sits on for $800,000 after former owner Mike Dzurilla lost it for owing $308,000 in taxes, the News Journal reported.
No races were held after the 2019 season.
The facility has been sold in pieces. Some of the bleachers were donated to Shelby High School.
The property has not yet changed hands at the Richland County Auditor’s Office, according to property records. Tifft purchased the property from the Milliron Foundation. Details of the sale have not been made public.
“We are elated to have someone of Matt’s stature and knowledge of the sport want to breathe life back into the speedway,” Destination Mansfield-Richland County President Lee Tasseff said. “From everything we’ve heard from Matt, his group has a solid vision on what to do to get it back up and running. In particular, they have a good handle on how to position and market the facility, which is exciting to us. Our team is ready to work with his marketing team.”
“We are thrilled and extremely fortunate to have Matt and Jordan investing in our region!” said Ellen Heinz, president and CEO of the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. “They are extremely talented with an amazing vision for the project. We are grateful for this enormous opportunity for Richland County and Ohio!”
Tifft has an Instagram page, @Mansfieldspeedway, and a YouTube channel, @Matt_Tifft, to update the public on the project’s progress.