Florence Motor Speedway’s announcement that it will not race in 2027 is the latest reminder of how difficult it has become to keep local short tracks operating. But while some facilities are closing, others are investing millions to bring racing back.
The South Carolina track cited increasing operating costs, declining car counts, and lower fan attendance as reasons behind its decision. Florence has hosted major Late Model events, including the South Carolina 400, and attracted NASCAR drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. since its current ownership took over in 2020.
Florence isn’t alone. California’s Irwindale Speedway closed in December 2024 after 25 years, while Ontario’s Sunset Speedway ended racing following the 2025 season. A redevelopment proposal for Sunset would replace the racetrack with more than 1,200 self-storage units.
However, not every short track is facing the same outcome.
Former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft purchased Mansfield Speedway in Ohio and invested millions into reopening the facility in 2026 after seven years without racing. The track returned in May with a sold-out opening event and a schedule extending beyond racing to concerts and other entertainment.
The contrast highlights the challenges facing track operators. Rising expenses and smaller fields can make traditional weekly racing difficult to sustain, while larger investments and additional events may offer another approach.
For drivers, fewer local tracks can mean longer trips and higher costs to compete. For fans, closures eliminate opportunities to watch grassroots racing close to home.
Florence plans to finish its 2026 schedule before pausing operations. Whether racing eventually returns remains uncertain, but its situation raises a question facing short tracks nationwide: what will it take to keep them open?