Heartland Motorsports Park, formerly known as Heartland Park Topeka, was a multi-purpose motorsports facility 8-mile (13 km) south of downtown Topeka, Kansas near the Topeka Regional Airport. It operated from 1989 until its closure in 2023.
| House of Speed | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Location | Topeka, Kansas, USA |
| Time zone | UTC−6 / UTC−5 (DST) |
| Coordinates | 38°55′35.82″N 95°40′34.31″W / 38.9266167°N 95.6761972°W |
| Owner | Shelby Development, LLC |
| Address | 7530 SW Topeka Boulevard Topeka, KS 66619 |
| Opened | 1989 |
| Closed | 2023 |
| Major events | National Hot Rod Association NHRA Heartland Nationals (1989–2019, 2021–2023) NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 275 (1995–1999) ChampCar Endurance Series (2012) AMA Superbike Championship (1989–1991, 2009) SCCA National Championship Runoffs (2006–2008) Trans-Am Series (1989, 2006) Mazdaspeed Miata Cup (2003) Star Mazda Championship (1999) NASCAR Winston West Series (1998) NASCAR Midwest Series (1998) SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge (1997–1998) NASCAR Southeast Series (1996–1997) ARCA Racing Series (1991–1992) IMSA GT Championship (1989–1991) Barber Pro Series (1989–1990) |
| Grand Prix Road Course (2008–2023) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.500 miles (4.023 km) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Grand Prix Road Course (2004–2007) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.500 miles (4.023 km) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:39.558 ( Tomy Drissi, Jaguar XKR, 2006, Trans-Am) |
| Original Road Course (1989–2003) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.500 miles (4.023 km) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:27.880 ( Wayne Taylor, Intrepid RM-1, 1991, IMSA GTP) |
| 1⁄4 Mile Dragstrip | |
| Surface | Concrete |
| Length | 0.250 miles (0.402 km) |
| Autocross/Solo/Drift Pad | |
| Surface | Asphalt, 22 Acres |
History
editWhen it opened in 1989,[1] Heartland Motorsports Park was the first new auto racing facility to be built in the United States for 20 years. Its facilities include a road-race course with 4 possible configurations (ranging from 1.8 to 2.5 miles or 2.9 to 4.0 kilometres in length), a 3⁄8 mi (0.6 km) clay oval, off-road course and a 1⁄4 mi (0.4 km) drag strip. After several years of neglect from continual financial difficulties, the track surface and other facilities had deteriorated badly. The track's survival was in doubt until 2003, when Raymond Irwin, former owner (1986-2007) of Blackhawk Farms Raceway bought it and began major renovations.[1]
In December 2015, Chris Payne and Todd Crossley of Shelby Development, LLC.[2] purchased the track. Payne, the CEO of Shelby Development, became the track's sole owner in January 2017.[2] It was announced in 2018 that Kansas City International Raceway and I-70 Speedway were bought by Payne, and would become sister tracks of Heartland.[3]
The drag-strip was used by local clubs and the National Hot Rod Association. The road-course was mainly used by the SCCA, the National Auto Sport Association and marque-clubs. The track was the home of both the SCCA National Championship Runoffs and the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships from 2006 to 2008. In the past, it has hosted ARCA, ASA, IMSA, AMA, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series' race: O'Reilly Auto Parts 275,[1] NASCAR Winston West Series, NASCAR Midwest Series and the NASCAR Southeast Series.
The full 2.5 mile road course (and pit road) was completely repaved with a high-tech, polymer-enhanced asphalt in the fall of 2016.
On July 28, 2023 it was announced that due to tax disputes between the track owners and Shawnee County, the final running of the NHRA Nationals would be held August 11–13,2023. On September 19, 2023 the track announced that it would be shutting down completely. [4]
Lap Records
editThe fastest official race lap records at Heartland Motorsports Park Topeka are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Road Course: 4.023 km (2004–2007)[5] | ||||
| Trans-Am | 1:39.558[6] | Tomy Drissi | Jaguar XKR | 2006 Heartland Topeka Trans-Am exhibition race |
| Original Road Course: 4.023 km (1989–2003)[5] | ||||
| IMSA GTP | 1:27.880[7] | Wayne Taylor | Intrepid RM-1 | 1991 Camel Grand Prix |
| IMSA GTP Lights | 1:36.630[7] | Parker Johnstone | Spice SE90P | 1991 Camel Grand Prix |
| IMSA GTO | 1:41.130[8] | Robby Gordon | Mercury Cougar XR-7 | 1990 Camel Grand Prix |
| IMSA GTU | 1:47.720[8] | Bob Leitzinger | Nissan 240SX | 1990 Camel Grand Prix |
| AAC | 1:53.650[8] | Kenny Irwin, Jr. | Buick Somerset | 1990 Camel Grand Prix |
References
edit- ^ a b c Peterson, Rick (May 25, 2003). "'Special times': Heartland Park has attracted racing legends". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Topeka, KS. Archived from the original on August 19, 2003. Retrieved 2014-03-27.
- ^ a b The Topeka Capital-Journal, Payne becomes sole owner of Heartland Park Topeka by Kevin Haskin, January 26, 2017, Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ "Heartland Motorsports Park on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-27.[user-generated source]
- ^ Swarts, David (19 September 2023). "Heartland Motorsports Park Ceasing Operations And Closing". Roadracing World. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Heartland Park - Motor Sport Magazine". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ "TA: RACE: Rocketsports Racing Topeka race notes". 6 September 2006. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Topeka 300 Kilometres 1991". 5 May 1991. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Topeka 2 Hours IMSA GTO 1990". 6 May 1990. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
External links
edit- Heartland Motorsports Park race results at Racing-Reference
- Trackpedia guide to driving this track
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