Track History

February 28, 2026

The Monett Motor Speedway, affectionately known as the "Grand Ol' Lady," is the oldest operational dirt track in Missouri. Built in 1970, the 3/8-mile red clay oval with 11-degree banking has hosted racing seasons without interruption for over 55 years.

Ownership and Leadership

The speedway has seen several key leadership eras throughout its history:

Early Years: The track was built in 1970 and was owned by John Williams of Berryville, Arkansas.
The Mooneyham Era: Randy Mooneyham purchased the track in 1980 or 1981. He operated it for nearly 40 years, with only a brief three-year period in the 1990s when it was leased to Ken Essary.
Recent Changes: In early 2025, Steve Andrews officially purchased the speedway after leasing it for the 2024 season. Under his ownership, the track joined the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series for its 55th anniversary season.

Notable Events and Traditions

Four-State Dirt Track Championship: The speedway has been the home of this prestigious event since 1971.
Weekly Classes: The track's weekly divisions have been announced for 2026, and includes B-Mods, PORi Midwest Mods, Pure Stocks, POWRi Super Stocks, Legends Cars and Bombers.
Special Events: In addition to sponsored and charity race nights, several specific classes and traveling series are slated to make an appearance in 2026, including the Ozark Limited Late Model Series and Show-Me Vintage Racing.
Scheduling: Historically, the track held races on Sunday nights, though it has occasionally shifted to Friday nights to accommodate different crowds and series. Monett will race on Saturdays in 2026.

Modern Improvements

Following the 2025 ownership change, the track underwent several capital improvements, including:
Adding 150 loads of clay to the track surface.
Remodeling the concession stands and replacing the announcer’s booth and scoring tower.
Updating the technical inspection area and pit entrance.

For the most current schedules and event information, visit MonettMotorSpeedway.com.