The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) continued its buying spree with the acquisition of the Heartland Motorsports Park located in Topeka, Kansas.

The facility originally opened as Topeka Dragway back in 1963, but expanded over the years to include a 2.5 mile asphalt road course, a 3/8 mile dirt/clay oval, a 2.1 mile motorcross and off-road track, a 23 acre paved paddock area where drifting, car shows, and high-performance education and exhibitions takes place.

The dirt track typically hosted winged sprint cars and hosted multiple events per year with the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) albeit the last time the series was there was in 2019. It also hosted the Midwest Late Model Racing Association. The facility also hosted the World of Outlaws in the late 90s on a temporary dirt track it built over top of the drag strip.

The entire facility was shuttered following the 2023 season with the then owner Shelby Development LLC stating it could “no longer operate under such an ever-increasing tax burden.”

IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell said, “Heartland Motorsports Park is one of those places that simply matters to racing. t has history, soul, and a footprint that allows us to think bigger than just a racetrack. Our goal is to restore this facility with respect for its legacy while building something that serves racers, fans, and the community for generations.”

In a press release, the organization shared its vision for the facility and property noting it “extends well beyond competition weekends.”

Specifically, IHRA has restoration and development plans already in the works for the facility that will turn it into “a year-round destination that blends motorsports with live entertainment and community engagement.”

Improvements and plans include:

• Revitalized drag racing operations with improved racer and fan amenities
• Expanded motorsports and special event programming
• Live music, concerts, and festival experiences
• Enhanced hospitality, vendor, and fan-experience areas
• Community-focused events designed to drive tourism and economic impact

“Motorsports has to evolve to stay strong,” Cuttell added. “The future is about creating places where racing, music, entertainment, and community come together. Heartland has all the pieces to become one of the premier motorsports and entertainment destinations in the country.”

The acquisition is also the company’s first big foray into dirt racing. Earlier this month, IHRA President Leah Martin informed Speed Sport at the Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis that the company would get involved with dirt racing, “We have had a ton of interest here at PRI and the guys keep coming to me, so I pulled Darryl [Cuttell, IHRA owner] aside and asked if he was ready to do this. He committed, so here we go.”

They have delivered on getting involved in dirt racing, but given the purchasing spree that IHRA and Cuttell have done the past year and specifically this month alone, it’s quite possible he makes an even bigger investment as well.

Cuttell and the IHRA did not provide any specifics on what they have planned for the dirt track, but did generally state, “Renovation planning will begin immediately, with additional announcements regarding redevelopment phases, event schedules, and community partnerships expected in the coming months.”

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