MANSFIELD – After five years of idling, the short track is ready to be put into gear.
Spitzer Motor Speedway, formerly Mansfield Motorsports Park, will host its first racing event since July 2010 when it reopens Sunday afternoon.
The News Journal and MansfieldNewsJournal.com will have plenty more on the relaunch as it gets closer to the Fathers Day special event, but here are the particulars.
Gates open at noon Sunday, with hot laps at 1 p.m., qualifying at 3 p.m. and racing at 4:30 p.m. Fans will be treated to some of the fastest short track cars on the planet when the Midwest Supermodified Association headlines the card with a 30-lap feature. Modified vehicles and front-wheel drive cars will offer support races.
Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for kids ages 6 to 12. Children age 5 and younger get in for free. Pit passes are $30.
“Everything has been positive,” said Doug Dock, general manager of K&B Promotions, which is bringing the races to Mansfield. “There have been a lot of positive comments from fans to drivers. You can monitor a lot of that on Facebook, and we have not had any negative comments.”
Dock expects up to 15 super-modifieds to come to Mansfield, with 20 to 25 modifieds expected to race as well. As for the front-wheel drive cars, he said, it’s hard to gauge, but another 20 to 25 could be at the track.
Dock hopes it adds up to a big day for the town.
“It’s great to be down there. People love that place,” he said.
•PRACTICE THURSDAY: Spitzer Motor Speedway will be open to the public and racers from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Fans can see the grounds and watch for free as drivers get their cars set up for the half-mile oval during a practice session.
Rob McCurdy covers motorsports at the News Journal and can be reached at rmccurdy@gannett.com or 419-521-7241. On Twitter, follow @McMotorsport.