Oakshade Raceway is gearing up for an exciting 2026 race season ‘Where The FASTEST Meet To Race’ on the fast 3/8-mile dirt oval just north of Wauseon, Ohio, with a schedule packed full of weekly favorites, marquee events, and an exciting new addition for fans and racers alike.
Among the biggest highlights of the season are two of Oakshade’s signature events. The 37th Annual Barney Oldfield Race takes place on June 20 and will feature the American Late Model Iron Man Series battling for a $5,000 top prize. Another major date is July 11, when Oakshade hosts the 29th Annual Birthday Race in conjunction with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals paying $10,000 to win, bringing another huge night of racing to the historic oval.
New for 2026 is the addition of eight $1,200-to-win Sportsman Mod specials. This combined-class division featuring Sportsman and UMP Modified competitors will be a major attraction throughout the year, with special events scheduled for opening night on May 2, along with May 23, June 6, June 27, July 18, August 8, August 15, and September 5. These events add even more variety and excitement to the Oakshade schedule while giving modified racers several big-paying opportunities during the season.
The 2026 season opens on May 2 with the Bill Reckner Memorial with the first Sportsman Mod event paying $1,200 to win, alongside Dominator Super Stocks and Compacts. Weekly Saturday night racing throughout the summer will continue featuring Oakshade’s popular DIRTcar Late Models, Sportsman, Dominator Super Stocks, and Compacts, with special appearances from Vintage Cars on July 4 and August 15.
Championship Night is scheduled for August 29, capping off another competitive season for Oakshade’s weekly divisions. The season then continues into September with special events including the Papa Boiler Super Stock Spectacular on September 19 and the Hammer Down Showdown to wrap of the season on September 26 pitting Oakshade’s Dominator Super Stocks against the Dirt Trucks of Fremont.
Gates at Oakshade Raceway will open at 4:00 p.m., with hot laps and qualifying at 6:00 p.m. and racing set to begin at 7:15 p.m most Saturday nights. Please follow Oakshade Raceway on social media or visit oakshaderaceway.com for any updates.
With major specials, strong weekly racing, and the addition of the new Sportsman Mod events, Oakshade Raceway’s 2026 season is shaping up to be one fans will not want to miss.