After more than three decades as a cornerstone of dirt track racing in Southern Ohio, the owners of Portsmouth Raceway Park say they are holding out hope that new ownership can restore the track to its former glory in 2026.
The Coleman family, who operated the track for 34 years, first announced last December that the speedway would not open for the 2025 season. In a Dec. 13 post shared just before Christmas, the owners thanked fans, drivers, sponsors, and staff for decades of support, saying they would “see what the future holds at a later date.”
That message became clearer on Christmas Eve, when the family publicly announced the track was officially for sale.
“She deserves someone who can put the time and love into it like we did,” the post read, inviting serious inquiries from potential buyers. The owners emphasized the relationships and memories built over more than three decades, crediting the racing community with making PRP “the place to be.”
On New Year’s Day, the family struck an optimistic tone once again, expressing hope that 2026 could mark a comeback.
“We are hopeful that, this year, the track will sell, and new owners will take over where we left off and once again make ‘PRP THE PLACE TO BE IN 2026,’” the post stated.
While the owners have not indicated whether any offers are currently pending, their recent messages suggest a strong desire to see the historic track preserved and revived rather than fade away.
The track, located near the Ohio River, has long faced challenges tied to frequent flooding and the rising costs of operation. Those issues were cited as key factors behind the decision to step away after a limited 2024 season and to not operate at all in 2025. The December 2024 announcement marked the first time the property had ever been put up for sale.
Portsmouth Raceway Park has played a major role in dirt track racing history, hosting the prestigious Dirt Track World Championship for years and serving as a regular stop for national touring series, including the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. For generations of fans and racers, PRP was more than a racetrack—it was a regional institution.
As 2026 approaches, longtime supporters are watching closely, hoping the right buyer steps forward to breathe new life into a venue that helped define dirt racing in Ohio. For now, the future of PRP remains uncertain—but its owners are clear about one thing: they want to see the track roar back to life.
