Checkered flags soared in the night while skeletal statues soaked up the moonlight. Then, we saw them in the distance – the towering grandstands. It was a sight we’d never seen at a haunted attraction before!
A new and unique haunt has zoomed into town, setting its sights on the grandstands and surrounding buildings of the once-abandoned Mansfield Speedway. That’s right, folks – America’s first haunted racetrack is officially underway, and they’re coming in hot!
But, as any racer knows, danger always lurks on the track. Between the crashes, sirens, and racers who never made it off the track, this speedway has its fair share of ghostly legends. And now, the pits are crawling with the undead – a full-blown zombie wasteland has taken over!
Beyond the haunt itself, the crew has also set up a lively midway filled with games, great food, and plenty of photo ops to keep guests racing through the night.
With only a few months to build and this being their first season, we were impressed! We jumped, screamed, skipped, and had a blast!
A good number of cast members filled the attraction and kept us on our toes from start to finish. Most were believable and had solid timing, but since the majority were zombies, dialogue wasn’t their strong suit. Instead, they relied on menacing laughs, guttural growls, and bloodcurdling screams to get their point across.
When it comes to interactivity, we’d love to see this crew tune things up a notch. Most encounters were short and snappy, a quick spring, then a reset. We feel like most zombies would linger a bit longer, or at least stay locked on us until we were out of sight. However, the zombies inside the Fast Lane Grill section were definitely a lively bunch! As one crawled across the floor toward us, two others blocked and cornered us – for a moment, we were sure we were about to become their next feast! The zombie climbing the fence and the one who jumped up on a desk were also stand-outs!
The variety of characters ranged from lurking zombies who burst from the shadows to drop-panel jump-scare pros, a creepy helmet-wearing stalker, and even someone having an exceptionally bad day at the office. Outside, Kane, the stilt-walking clown, kept the energy high as he interacted with and chased guests waiting to enter. That clown can RUN on those stilts, now!
The costumes were mostly made up of basic clothing with some distressing and tattering here and there. We feel that giving them even more of a “lived-in” look would really help sell the apocalypse vibe – a few were just a little too clean. We spotted pit crews’ uniforms, coveralls, fire suits, and a lab coat among the mix.
Most of the characters wore makeup, though a few masks made appearances, such as the dead driver sporting a racing helmet. The zombies had a consistent, greenish “rotting flesh” look that tied them together well. Another worker had a green, glowing syringe… hmm… perhaps this is the means to all those flesh-eaters roaming about (also, we think his lab coat said Sex Therapist 🤨)
Adding additional extra layers, grime, distressing, colored contacts, and maybe some tangled or matted hair could really help send these zombies’ looks to the grave!
The speedway was super easy to find using Google Maps, and multiple signs at the end of the driveway confirmed we were in the right place. Parking was free and plentiful in a large lot, which was a nice bonus.
Staff were easy to identify in their red vests and Speedway shirts or hoodies, and everyone we encountered was friendly and welcoming. The owner, Matt Tifft, even came over to personally greet us and thank us for visiting. He and one of their media managers also shared some future plans, and if what we heard is any indication, haunt-goers are going to love what’s coming!
The area was spotless, too. We even spotted staff members walking around with brooms and dustpans to keep everything tidy. Navigating the grounds was simple – just head toward the haybales when you’re ready to line up, or follow the clearly marked Fast Lane entrance.
They also offer nice indoor restrooms (yes, real ones!), which is always appreciated.
Before our visit, we were able to find all the necessary information on their website, including a detailed FAQ section. We can’t wait until they add more photos and videos to give guests a sneak peek of the experience before they arrive!
Upon pulling in and seeing the towering skeletons, glowing carnival string lights, and looming grandstands, our excitement shot through the roof! The place looked alive with energy, filled with midway fun and festive fall décor. The upbeat music, witchy animatronics, and a mischievous roaming clown all helped set the tone before we even entered the haunt.
The haunt’s storyline can be found on their website, and it was clear from the start that we were inside a speedway-themed attraction. Posters lining the walls, the presence of real race cars, and the sound of revving engines all worked together to keep that theme alive. Adding a few more scenic layers, finer details throughout, and covering exposed ceilings would take the immersion to the next level. There were also a few longer transitions between areas that took us out of the haunt for a bit.
After escaping the chaos, we were dropped right back into the bustling midway, which was a great way to end the experience! We didn’t notice any merch for sale, but if it wasn’t there yet, the exit area would make the perfect spot for it.
The special effects at the track were more impressive than we expected for such a new attraction! When it came to audio, the ambient sounds we heard fit the theme perfectly. Adding even more racing noises, passing cars, and some crowd cheers (all from years’ past) would amp up the atmosphere, but the sudden sound cues they did have were timed perfectly and very effective.
For the most part, the walls and scenes were a bit sparse, with black walls decorated mainly with hanging pictures, posters, bodies, and barrels. The most detailed area, once again, was the indoor section; a chaotic kitchen-turned-zombie-feast that we had to navigate through! We also appreciated the area where there were random zombified limbs protruding from the walls!
Several props and animatronics stood out for their effectiveness. We’ve never been narrowly run over by a race car before – that was awesome! The “bad day at the office” scene also delivered a fun surprise, complete with paper flying everywhere. Also, be sure to watch your feet, an animated mechanic quickly sprang out at us from beneath a car!
They also utilized some sensory effects, such as fog and effective strobes, but we’d love to see more!
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 7.75
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 7.75
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 7
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 7.75
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 7
We got quite a few startles, jumps, and screams from the zombies and effects at the Speedway! There were even some double-tap and triple-tap scares in there, which is impressive. Triple taps are hard to come by these days!
Throughout the show, we encountered clever hiding spots, drop-panel surprises, sudden blasts of air, flying paper, sparks, several zombie chases, a few persistent stalkers, one eerie crawler, and plenty of sinister stares. One of the most effective moments was when a race car lunged toward us – followed by another that came crashing through a brick wall! The sudden air hammer blast and an aggressor scraping a metal pipe across the floor had us high-tailing it out of there in record time.
To top it off, our exit was far from safe – the roaming midway clown decided to send us off in style… with a chainsaw! Never trust those double C’s (clown with a chainsaw)!
Every ticket includes admission to the midway, where guests can enjoy themed photo ops and several creepy props for fun pictures. For an additional cost, guests can test their luck at the cash-only midway games. A nice selection of food and drink trucks was also on-site during our visit, so come hungry and ready to scream!
While the haunt itself is on the shorter side, and ticket prices increase closer to Halloween, this was still a unique experience that we’re thrilled we caught in its first season. We have no doubt this crew will continue to build and expand on fall fun in the years ahead. Extending the haunt and adding more midway entertainment would easily boost the overall value.
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind haunted experience unlike anything else in Ohio, give this one a spin! After all… how often do you get to scream at a haunted speedway?
400 Crall Road East, Mansfield, Ohio 44903
