RECAP:  The all-new Haunted Speedway Nights consists of three separate sections that flow one right after the other. The first takes off beneath the grandstands and through the general admission seating area. Once inside, the adventure races into motion through darkened corridors leading to slide-down panels that hide lurking monsters, and give rise to reaching and grabbing at unsuspecting guests.

Old racing signs and posters point the way into a room filled with deranged lunatics attacking from all sides, leaping on and off tables with reckless energy. The mayhem transitions into a winner’s celebration complete with flashing lights and a confetti send-off for today’s “champion.”  Next up is a visit through the sinister medical bay, where a deranged track physician has turned pit-side care into a scene of horror. Bodies lie scattered across gurneys, and one unfortunate soul waits chillingly in a freezer only to unexpectedly pop out without warning!

A fog-filled passage then leads into the garage area, featuring the #57 race car surrounded by various fire suit wearing assailants. A skeleton-like mechanic scoots out from beneath the car he was servicing on a creeper (under car roller), while another #57 vehicle surprisingly lurches forward on its own! Immediately, an irate pit crewman attacks with a noisy impact wrench sending patrons fleeing as distempered crew members give chase from behind!

The path then barrels into the concession area, now repurposed into a gruesome butcher’s kitchen where human flesh is on the menu. Bloody bodies hang from the rafters as a mad chef, cleaver in hand, grins and asks if you’d like to “stay for dinner.” Thinking better of the idea, departure soon takes the course into an elevator delivering a double shock! First a mechanical monster springs out from the doors, then zombies follow suit emerging from the opposite side! The journey culminates in a Walking Dead-style graveyard of old race cars, where the spirits of former drivers of the past rise again and mechanical walkers burst from under hoods, etc. Air blasts explode throughout the scene before an undead clown unleashes an all-out chainsaw chase that sends survivors screaming their way out of Mansfield Speedway’s Haunted Nights!

ANALYSIS:  Haunted Speedway Nights stays true to form, incorporating sights and sounds of the race track including old race cars and appropriately attired zombies and characters throughout the attraction. It’s an impressive start for a first-year haunt, capturing the spirit of a night at the track gone terribly wrong. This year might be compared to the Xfinity Series, but with a little more polish, next season could easily reach Cup Series standards!

Memorable highlights include the race car that moves of its own volition, the mechanic sliding out from under the vehicle he’s working on, and the crewman attacking with his “thunder gun” (impact wrench). Costuming, led by numerous individuals wearing fire-suits, is certainly appreciated and perfectly fits the theme helping to tie the attraction together in fun and surprising ways.

Transition zones are mostly unadorned and will benefit from additional décor that we fully expect to be added in years to come. Open ceilings enable the underside of the grandstand to be more visible than it should, which could potentially be compensated for with altered lighting. Character interaction can likewise be supplemented with better dialogue, and overall length is short as well. Addressing these minor details will strengthen the atmosphere considerably and up the score!

Haunted Speedway Nights is open Fridays and Saturdays from 6:45 PM - Midnight. Cost of admission is $30, which is bit pricey for a first year haunt of this duration.

Games, photo ops, and a variety of food vendors occupy the Midway helping to entertain waiting customers. Come for the haunt, stay for the fun, and leave with a stuffed animal or other souvenir! Haunted Speedway Nights lays a solid foundation to build upon in its debut lap around the track of terror! Pay them a visit and enjoy some seasonal fun at this uniquely themed Halloween experience.