Toledo Speedway
Location
Toledo, Ohio, USA
Current Local Time
Track Info
Toledo Speedway - Toledo, Ohio, USA
Fast Midwestern short track near the Michigan border - known for winged open-wheel cars, ARCA stock cars and the historic Glass City 200
When was the track built?
Toledo businessman Herb Koester developed the speedway on land near the Ohio-Michigan border. The property had previously been used as a tomato field and briefly contained dirt tracks for go-karts.
The half-mile speedway opened in 1960 with a dirt surface. Koester, whose business specialised in asphalt, paved it for the 1961 season. The basic oval remains in use today.
When was its first race?
The first meeting was held in June 1960 and featured Supermodifieds. Local driver Al Beale won the opening race and later became the circuit's first season champion.
His brother Rollie also became closely associated with Toledo before winning the 1973 USAC Sprint Car championship. The speedway's modern Silver Crown race is named the Rollie Beale Classic.
What's the circuit like?
- Fast for a half-mile: Winged sprint cars and Supermodifieds use aerodynamic grip to maintain very high cornering speeds.
- Short laps: Leaders quickly reach slower traffic during longer races, making careful overtaking essential.
- Several racing lines: Drivers can move higher or lower through the bends as tyres wear and grip changes.
- Busy infield: A smaller paved oval and Figure 8 course allow stock cars, school buses and other divisions to race inside the main track.
Toledo rewards smooth steering and confidence. A driver who slides the car too much may be quick for one lap but struggle as the tyres lose grip.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Winged Sprint Car: 0:12.096 - Brian Gerster, 2018.
- Supermodified: 0:12.893 - Chris Perley, 2009.
- 305 Sprint Car: 0:13.718 - Ryan Gillenwater, 2010.
- Late Model: 0:14.628 - JR Roahrig, 2012.
- USAC Silver Crown qualifying: 0:14.809 - Kody Swanson, 2011.
Most short-track records are set during qualifying on a clear circuit. Race laps are normally slower because drivers must manage traffic, tyres and changing conditions.
Why is it famous?
Toledo has hosted many forms of American short-track racing, including ARCA stock cars, USAC open-wheel machinery, ASA Late Models, sprint cars and Supermodifieds.
Its signature stock-car event is the Glass City 200. ARCA founder John Marcum created the race in 1968, and Joy Fair won the first edition. The event later attracted leading regional racers and future NASCAR competitors.
What events are held here?
The modern calendar includes the ARCA Menards Series, the ASA STARS National Tour, USAC Silver Crown, Outlaw Late Models, Late Model Sportsman and Factory Stocks.
Entertainment events also use the infield Figure 8 course, including school-bus and boat races. The 2026 programme features the Owens Corning 200, Glass City 200 and season-ending Stars, Stripes and Speed Fest.
Why go?
The compact oval is easy for first-time spectators to follow because most of the racing can be seen from one position. Cars pass frequently, and battles can change within only a few seconds.
General admission normally includes grandstand seating and access to the spectator hill beside Turns 3 and 4. Visitors may bring chairs for the hill, creating a relaxed picnic-style viewing experience.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Upper main grandstand: The clearest overall view of the oval, traffic and developing race strategy.
- Turns 1-2: Watch tightly grouped cars enter the first corner after starts and restarts.
- Spectator hill at Turns 3-4: A relaxed viewing area where visitors can use their own chairs.
- Start and finish area: Best for qualifying laps, final-lap battles and victory celebrations.
Tickets, reserved seating, paddock access and spectator areas vary between standard races and Figure 8 events. Check the organiser's current information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Toledo Speedway (Ohio)
Toledo Speedway is on the northern side of Toledo, close to Interstate 75 and the Michigan state line. Driving is the easiest way to arrive, although Toledo's bus network and Amtrak station provide useful options for visitors without a car.
Driving & parking (easiest way)
- From Detroit: take I-75 south into Toledo and leave at the Alexis Road exit. Continue towards Hagman Road and Benore Road for the speedway.
- From downtown Toledo or the south: take I-75 north to the Alexis Road exit, then follow navigation to Benore Road.
- From US-23: connect with I-475 and I-75 before continuing to the Alexis Road area.
- Parking: a large spectator parking area is located around the speedway. Follow event signs and staff directions when you arrive.
Tip: The circuit is very close to I-75, so there is normally no reason to drive through downtown Toledo first.
Bus & public transport
- TARTA: Toledo's public bus network reaches the Alexis Road area near the speedway.
- Route 16: serves the Alexis & Hagman stop, which can be useful when travelling from elsewhere in Toledo.
- Final section: check the TARTA trip planner for your event date and consider a taxi or rideshare if the remaining walk or connection is inconvenient.
- Evening races: check your return bus before entering the circuit, as races can finish later than expected.
Train
- Toledo Amtrak Station: located at 415 Emerald Avenue and served by long-distance Amtrak trains.
- Station → speedway: there is no direct passenger train to the track, so continue by TARTA, taxi, rideshare or rental car.
- Arriving late at night: some Amtrak services call at Toledo overnight, so arrange your onward transport before travelling.
Airports & transfers
- Toledo Express Airport (TOL): the closest commercial airport. Current scheduled flights are operated by Allegiant to a small number of leisure destinations.
- Rental car: Alamo, Enterprise, National, Avis and Budget are available at Toledo Express.
- Taxi & rideshare: local car services, Uber and Lyft are also available from the airport.
- Detroit Metro Airport (DTW): the better choice if you need a much wider selection of domestic or international flights. Hiring a car is the simplest onward option.
Race-day tips
- Seating: most race nights include general-admission grandstand seating, plus the spectator hill at Turns 3 and 4.
- Lawn chairs: you may bring your own chair for the spectator hill.
- Food & drink: outside food, drinks, cans, bottles and coolers are not permitted in spectator areas.
- Tailgating: permitted in the spectator parking lot before entering the gates.
Special events can use reserved seating or different gate times, so check the individual event page before travelling.
Camping
- Major events: at-track camping is free and normally available in the speedway parking lot.
- No hookups: there are no electrical, water or sewer connections, so RVs should be self-contained.
- Busy weekends: camping can be first-come, first-served, so arrive early for major meetings such as the Glass City 200.
Accessibility
- Spectator areas: the speedway has stated that accessible locations are available throughout the facility, including its three grandstands.
- Public transport: TARTA's fixed-route services are accessible, with paratransit also available for eligible passengers.
- Before travelling: contact the speedway if you need the most suitable parking area or seating location for your event.
Quick guide
- Driving? Take I-75 to Alexis Road and navigate to 5639 Benore Rd.
- Coming by train? Use Toledo Amtrak Station, then continue by taxi, rideshare or TARTA.
- Flying? Toledo Express is closest; Detroit Metro is more useful if you need a wider choice of flights.
Check Toledo Speedway and TARTA shortly before travelling, as race times, seating, transit schedules and event-specific access arrangements can change.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Toledo Speedway (Toledo, Ohio)
Whether you’re here for ARCA, Late Models, Supermodifieds or one of the speedway’s unusual Figure 8 events, Toledo Speedway puts you close to Lake Erie - with family museums, wildlife, waterfront parks and plenty of local history nearby.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Toledo Zoo & Aquarium: One of the city's biggest family attractions, with thousands of animals, an aquarium and natural-history exhibits that can easily fill most of a day.
- Imagination Station: Hands-on science exhibits and demonstrations make engineering, physics and technology approachable even for younger visitors.
- National Museum of the Great Lakes: Explore interactive exhibits about shipping and life on the Great Lakes, then tour historic vessels beside the Maumee River when available.
- Glass City Metropark: A modern riverfront park with playgrounds, open spaces and activities that make an easy stop before an evening race.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- Toledo Museum of Art: General admission is free, and the collection covers everything from ancient art to modern works and Toledo's famous glassmaking tradition.
- National Museum of the Great Lakes: More than a simple maritime museum, it explains how shipping, industry and enormous lake freighters shaped cities around the Great Lakes.
- Imagination Station: A particularly useful indoor option when rain or summer heat makes outdoor sightseeing less appealing.
Eat & drink like a local
- Tony Packo's: This Toledo institution has served Hungarian-inspired food since 1932 and is famous for its hot dogs, chili, pickles and peppers.
- Downtown Toledo: Head towards the riverfront and Warehouse District for restaurants, cafés and an easy evening after the racing.
- Toledo's Hungarian heritage: Look beyond ordinary track food and try dishes influenced by the city's long-established Hungarian community.
Active outdoors away from the track
- Oak Openings Preserve: Toledo's largest Metropark covers around 5,000 acres, with hiking and cycling through oak savanna, woodland and wetland landscapes.
- Maumee Bay State Park: Walk, cycle or birdwatch beside Lake Erie, with trails crossing marshes, meadows, ponds and shoreline habitat.
Easy day trips if you’re extending your stay
- Maumee Bay: Spend a relaxed day beside Lake Erie with walking, cycling, birdwatching and beach time when conditions allow.
- Oak Openings Preserve: Make a full nature day of the park's longer trails, rare habitats and family recreation areas southwest of Toledo.
- Perrysburg & Maumee River: Explore the historic communities south of Toledo, combine riverfront walks with local restaurants and use the area as a quieter contrast to the speedway.
Good to know when visiting Toledo Speedway
- The track is active: Toledo has a full 2026 programme including ARCA, Late Models, Supermodifieds, sprint cars and Figure 8 events.
- Glass City 200 is a major weekend: The historic Late Model event dates back to 1968 and remains one of the speedway's signature races.
- Free camping is available: The speedway allows camping in its parking lot for major events, but there are no hookups.
- Bring hearing protection: The high-banked half-mile keeps powerful cars close to spectators, so ear defenders are sensible for children and first-time visitors.
Race schedules, camping, museum hours, park facilities and Lake Erie conditions can change - check live event and attraction information before travelling.