Carol Johnson | Southern Indiana Business Report
SALEM – A historic southern Indiana racetrack famous for its high banks that have tested the skills of legendary drivers Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, A.J. Foyt, Jeff Gordon, Mario Andretti and many more opened for the season last weekend under new ownership.
Melissa Middleton and Brent Harmon are the new owners of the Salem Speedway and spent the past few months making improvements to the track and track facilities including the grandstands, concessions, parking area and VIP room.
The Salem Speedway has been around since 1947 and the new owners are dedicated to honoring that history along with adding some new events.
The 2026 season will include traditional stock car racing along with special events like school bus races, a demolition derby and monster truck shows.
The Speedway is located just outside the Salem city limits, Salem Mayor Justin Green said the investment by the new owners is a positive for the city.
“From an economic impact standpoint, certainly our restaurants, hotels and local merchants will benefit as more visitors come to Salem to attend races at the Salem Speedway,” said Green, who is also president of the Washington County Economic Growth Partnership. “And we believe people who visit will want to come back here.”
In an interview with WDRB last week, Middleton described the improvements to the facility as a year’s worth of work in about 90 days. The owners have documented the work on their social media pages, giving their followers an up-close view of the progress.
“There’s a lot of excitement around the track,” Green said. “I love their enthusiasm and glad they are embracing what the property can do.”
The racing season runs through Nov. 8. For more information about Salem Speedway, visit www.salemspeedway.com.