Florence Motor Speedway Will Not Race in 2027, Citing Costs and Falling Attendance

Florence Motor Speedway announced it will not race in 2027, citing increasing operating costs, declining car counts and lower fan attendance, Yahoo reported on October 29, 2026. The South Carolina track said it plans to finish its 2026 schedule before pausing operations.

Florence's Decision to Sit Out 2027

Florence has hosted major Late Model events, including the South Carolina 400, and has attracted NASCAR drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Since its current ownership took over in 2020. The track's own site carries its schedule and event information.

The announcement places Florence alongside other short tracks that have stopped racing. California's Irwindale Speedway closed in December 2024 after 25 years, and Ontario's Sunset Speedway ended racing following the 2025 season. A redevelopment proposal for Sunset would replace the racetrack with more than 1,200 self-storage units.

Other facilities are moving in the opposite direction. Former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft purchased Mansfield Speedway in Ohio and invested millions into reopening the facility in 2026 after seven years without racing. The track returned in May with a sold-out opening event and a schedule extending beyond racing to concerts and other entertainment.

The contrast points to the pressures on track operators. Rising expenses and smaller fields can make traditional weekly racing difficult to sustain, while larger investments and additional events may offer another approach. For drivers, fewer local tracks can mean longer trips and higher costs to compete, and for fans, closures eliminate opportunities to watch grassroots racing close to home.

Florence's 2026 Schedule Before the Pause

Florence plans to complete its 2026 schedule before pausing operations. Whether racing eventually returns to the track remains uncertain.