MMP bringing back ARCA event, building larger summer schedule
By Rob McCurdy
April 14, 2010BY ROB MCCURDY • News Journal • April 9, 2010
MANSFIELD -- After a slow 2009, Mansfield Motorsports Park plans to pick up the pace in 2010. The half-mile oval on the north side has scheduled five race events and two motor sports entertainment shows for the summer. Last year, the track ran only two racing events and one entertainment show.
"It's going to be a great year and it should be tremendous," said Kevin Ruic, a longtime promoter who was hired to help track owner Mike Dzurilla this season. "My job is to make sure butts are in the seats and everyone has fun."
The centerpiece for the second straight year will be the Tim Richmond Memorial for the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards. It was moved from June to July 17.
There will be two Main Event Series races for super late models (June 16 and Aug. 21), plus an open-wheel show for supermodifieds (Aug. 14). The season kicks off June 5 with late models and modifieds.Over the two summer holiday weekends, MMP will host monster trucks and stunt shows capped by large fireworks displays.
"Here there are events every few weeks and there will always be a deal," Ruic said.
Tickets for every show will be $15 for adults with kids 12 and younger getting in free. Tickets also include free pit passes and general admission seating in the grandstand.
There will be a new concessionaire this season with everything priced between $2 and $3.
Also new this year will be an outdoor flea market every Saturday and Sunday starting April 24 and 25 and running through the fall. The first weekend will be free to vendors and visitors. Thereafter, vendors will be charged $10 for unlimited space and visitors $1 for entering. The hours for the flea market are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.
Fans can follow along with the developments at the track's new Web site at MansfieldMotorsportsParkOnline.com.
• Hilltop Speedway in Millersburg has already opened its season. The dirt track will welcome the sprint cars for the first time in 2010 on April 17. The O'Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions for late models will come May 15 with the touring sprints racing during Ohio Speedweeks on June 22.
• Holmes County's other dirt track, Lakeville Speedway, has also opened for business. It will run every Friday night.
• Wayne County Speedway starts its season Saturday night with late models, modifieds, pure stocks and mini stocks as part of its weekly staple.
• The O'Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions for sprint cars will invade Attica Raceway Park on Saturday night. The Friday night show was already canceled because of poor weather being expected.
The World of Outlaws for sprints takes over the track on May 21.
• As far as the drag strips go, Marion County International Raceway and Pacemakers Dragway Park in Mount Vernon will fire up in May, while Dragway 42, which has already begun, starts in earnest also in May.
Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk opens its season April 24. The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals return June 24 to 27.
Rob McCurdy has covered motor sports at the News Journal since 1998 and can be reached at rmccurdy@nncogannett.com or 419-521-7241.
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