MANSFIELD — It may be called Mansfield Speedway, but the 0.44-mile oval on the city’s north side belongs to all of north central Ohio.

Owners Matt and Jordan Tifft wouldn’t have it any other way.

A contingent of state and local dignitaries joined the Tiffts on Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Crall Road facility. 

The track already has hosted a handful of events this season, but Tuesday’s festivities marked the official re-birth of the racecourse first opened in 1959.

“This is more than just a racetrack, and we’ve seen so many people come who are in tears for their memories,” Matt Tifft said. “They’re so excited to come back through these gates.

“When I opened this track, I really had no idea how much this meant to so many families and so many people who grew up here as kids. It’s so amazing to see how much this meant to this community.”

None of it would have been possible without the cooperation of the region’s politicians and business leaders.

“We are so thrilled for the exciting opening of the legendary Mansfield Speedway,” said Jennifer Wagner, member services manager at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. “We are so thankful to the (Tifft) team for all that they’ve done.

“Since 1959, there have been many unforgettable memories made here. We are so thrilled to celebrate … this beginning of a new era of this iconic venue.”

City representatives were joined by members of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce.

“One thing I know about tourism is that the visitors don’t know county lines,” Ashland chamber president Amy Daubenspeck said. “They don’t care where the county line starts or finishes.

“We in Ashland love racing, too, and we want the visitors to come and enjoy our area.”

The early returns have been favorable. Matt Tifft said the track has pulled in fans from all corners of Ohio and neighboring states.

“Our heat maps are showing not only people from Richland County are coming here,” the former NASCAR Cup Series driver and team owner said. “People from Cleveland, from Columbus, from Cincinnati, from Indiana, West Virginia, Illinois. 

“They are coming here into Richland County and spending their dollars here in Mansfield, Ohio. That means a lot to this community.”

None of it would be possible without the the track operations team.

“This has been an incredible effort,” Jordan Tifft said. “This is just the most dedicated group of individuals you’ve ever met. 

“The hours they have invested is just tremendous. We’re really fortunate to have people who love this just as much as we do.”