James Trantina announced that he has purchased North Central Speedway, just south of Brainerd, Minnesota, from 82-year-old businessman Cliff Saskar, and will take control of the track at the end of May.

The track is a 1/3-mile dirt oval that originally opened back in 1960 and hosts Saturday night racing action from April to September each year. It can host up to 6,000 people with bleacher seating on both sides of the track as well as 31 fully enclosed and air-conditioned suits plus several booths.

The track becomes the third in Trantina’s portfolio. He already owns Granite City Motor Park in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota and recently purchased I-94 emr Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

In a press release posted to the Granite City Motor Park Facebook page, Trantina said, “I am very excited to have three tracks and to be able to bring some traveling series in to run all three tracks, along with having mini-series and bonuses in 2027 between all three tracks. We are excited to give the 65-year-old facility some much needed TLC and to be able to make it another race destination in Minnesota.”

With the purchase of the track, no changes are expected for its 2026 schedule. It “will remain unchanged, featuring WISSOTA Super Stocks and Mod Fours, along with IMCA Modifieds, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts with racing weekly continuing on Saturday nights at 6:45pm through Labor Day weekend.”

As for 2027, the plan is “to run a full slate of WISSOTA Auto Racing divisions with the possibility of several open sanction classes as well.”

In a separate post, Trantina shared more details about his plans for the track, “For NCS hobbystocks and compacts, I plan on having you non sanctioned next year in 2027. This is a 99.9% sure thing. You will have to follow your sanction rules. For the other classes, I am not 100% sure where you will end up.”

Additionally, he shared he’s “working on a $100,000 points fund for 2027 for a three track points series for certain classes. I am working on raising the payout for all classes top to bottom.”

NEXT: Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Begins May 16 At Eagle Raceway