TOPEKA (KSNT) – Big developments are on the way for racing enthusiasts in the Topeka area as a local drag strip is brought back to life in 2026.
Racing fans in and around Topeka had to say ‘goodbye’ to Heartland Motorsports Park back in 2024 as the owner of the event space sold it at auction. The future of the park was left up in the air as the months ticked by until the recent arrival of the International Hot Rod Association.
The IHRA picked up ownership of the park near the close of 2025, promising to revive the drag racing venue. Now, racing fans will only have to stay patient for a few more months for the first events to come to the park.
$402,000 cabins get green light at Lake Shawnee Campground
We got in touch with Emily Mawhinney, general manager of the IHRA‘s Darana – Heartland Motorsports Park, who shared some exciting details for local fans of the park. She said she has seen high interest from locals about the park, stating that thousands of people signed on as followers to the newly launched Facebook page for Darana – Heartland Motorsports Park.
“We’re all full-steam ahead to get it going,” Mawhinney said when talking about reviving Heartland Motorsports Park.
Mawhinney said renovation work is currently underway at the park, but many people won’t see much of it as the majority of the action is taking place indoors and not in the exterior areas. She said much of the exterior areas got through the past several months of dormancy in good condition.
Blackout plates claim #1 spot as most popular distinctive license plates in Kansas
“We need to get the power and the water back on,” Mawhinney said. “Overall, for being a vacant park for two-and-a-half years, it survived pretty well.”
Mawhinney said IHRA staff recently met with road course-sanctioning officials who examined the venue. She said the IHRA received mostly good news with only some minor updates and repairs needed to get things going.
The IHRA has already announced the first big event that’ll be taking place at the revamped motorsports park: the Outlaw Nitro Series scheduled for Oct. 8-10. Tickets are currently on sale for this event.
Mawhinney said the Outlaw Nitro Series will feature both top fuel dragsters and funny cars. However, she said racing enthusiasts may also see some smaller-scale events come to the park prior to October.
“I think I want people to know that we plan on having events this year,” Mawhinney said. “We don’t exactly have a timeline yet, because there are so many hurdles to get through.”
Tax agents seize over 1,000 illegal kratom alcohol products in vape shop raids across Kansas
(Photo Courtesy/Darana Heartland Motorsports Park)
Heartland Motorsports Park in 2023. (Photo By: Keith Horinek)
Heartland Motorsports Park in 2023. (Photo By: Keith Horinek)
Heartland Motorsports Park in 2023. (Photo By: Keith Horinek)
Heartland Motorsports Park in 2023. (Photo By: Keith Horinek)
Heartland Motorsports Park in 2023. (Photo By: Keith Horinek)
Heartland Motorsports Park in 2023. (Photo By: Keith Horinek)
Heartland Motorsports Park in 2023. (Photo By: Keith Horinek)
Racing fans can expect to see the dirt track make a return at the motorsports park. Mawhinney also said the IHRA is keeping a lot of the previous staff who worked at the park and are knowledgeable of how to keep the venue in good working order.
What should you do if you find a baby bunny nest in your yard?
“I hope we can be a good steward of the property, I know it’s a very historical place,” Mawhinney said.
Mawhinney said the IHRA is looking to bring the next chapter of racing to Darana – Heartland Motorsports Park. She encourages people to follow the park on Facebook to keep up with the latest announcements.
“We’re here to stay,” Mawhinney said.
Darana – Heartland Motorsports Park can be found just south of Topeka. You can learn more about the IHRA and find upcoming events happening at the park by clicking here. You can follow the park on Facebook by clicking here.
West Ridge Mall enforcing new parental escort policy
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf
