New Tulsa Speedway is a straight-up dirt oval tucked into the open landscape just east of Tulsa, off Highway 412 near the small community of Inola. This isn’t a polished stadium with luxury boxes—it’s where pickup trucks and race haulers line up on dusty access roads, and the smell of fuel and fried food hangs in the air by mid-afternoon. Fans in cowboy boots and worn ball caps fill the grandstands, drawn by the raw, close-quarters action of late models, modifieds, and sprint cars kicking up rooster tails of red clay. What sets this track apart is its no-frills authenticity. It’s a local favorite because the racing stays unpredictable and the crowd stays engaged—every slide, bump, and last-lap pass happens within shouting distance. The track surface changes with every heat race, making driver adaptability as important as horsepower. Concessions are basic but reliable: expect burgers, soft drinks, and the occasional food truck. Families, grassroots racing fans, and anyone looking to see real wheel-to-wheel competition without the corporate gloss will feel at home here. It’s not about spectacle; it’s about staying connected to how dirt track racing has been run in eastern Oklahoma for decades. Shows typically run on weekend nights during the warmer months, drawing a mix of regional drivers and hometown regulars who treat every night like a grudge match.
Watch: New Tulsa Speedway
Know Before You Go
- Race nights
- Most short tracks run Friday or Saturday night events from April through October. Always check the season calendar — many venues take rain dates or holiday breaks.
- Ticket pricing
- General admission is typically $15-40 for adults, pit passes $50-100. Children are often free or half-price. Bigger sanctioned events (touring series) cost more.
- What's racing
- Local oval classes commonly include late models, modifieds, sprint cars, hobby stock, and street stock. Bigger ovals also host NASCAR Weekly Series feature races.
- Bring earplugs
- Open-exhaust race cars push 130-145 dB at the fence — well above the threshold for hearing damage. Bring foam plugs or over-ear protection for kids.
- Schedule rhythm
- Race nights follow a consistent flow: hot laps and qualifying, heat races, then feature events. Plan for a 4-5 hour evening from gates open to checkered flag.