Dawson County Raceway

About Dawson County Raceway

Dawson County Raceway is a 3/8 mile semi banked dirt oval at the Dawson County Fairgrounds in Lexington, Nebraska. Its slogan says most of what you need to know: where only the best go three abreast. The track runs IMCA sanctioned racing on Sunday nights from May through September, which makes it one of the few Sunday programs in the state and a natural finish to a full racing weekend.

Sunday Night Racing in Central Nebraska

The Sunday schedule is the track’s signature. Nearly every other dirt track within driving distance runs Friday or Saturday, so a Nebraska racer can compete two or three nights in a row and end the weekend at Lexington. That works in the track’s favor and it explains why the car counts hold up in a county of about 24,000 people.

Racing typically starts in the early evening, and the season runs from May through September with championship night closing the points chase.

The facility was formerly known as Lexington Raceway and sits on the county fairgrounds, which gives it the parking, restrooms and crowd infrastructure that a standalone track of this size would not have.

IMCA Classes and National Points

The weekly program runs under the IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing Series, with IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco Stock Cars, Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Northern Sport Mods and Mach-1 Sport Compacts. A Crown Vic class has also run on the card.

Because the weekly series feeds national points, drivers here are racing for standings well beyond the track championship. The track has noted that two of the winningest drivers in IMCA history compete on its weekly cards, which for a Sunday night show in central Nebraska is a real draw. Fans at Lexington are watching national caliber IMCA competition, not just a local field.

Promoters and Recent History

Bobby and Janelle Lincoln took over as promoters in 2022 from Chad Dolan, who had led a substantial rebuild of the facility. The Lincoln family has deep roots in Nebraska dirt racing and has also run US 30 Speedway in Columbus, so the two tracks have shared operational knowledge and, usefully for racers, non conflicting race nights.

The handover was framed at the time as keeping the track open rather than as a business acquisition, which reflects how these operations work in rural Nebraska. Several tracks in the state have closed over the past decade, and continuity of ownership is often the difference.

Getting There and What to Know

The track is at 1000 Plum Creek Parkway in Lexington, on the Dawson County Fairgrounds, just off I-80 in central Nebraska. That interstate access is a genuine advantage. Racers hauling between Denver and Omaha pass within minutes of the gate.

The track line is 308-746-3829 and the fairgrounds office is 308-324-3600. Admission is family priced with reduced rates for children and free entry for the youngest, and pit passes are available.

Weather calls and schedule changes go out through the track’s Facebook page, which is the fastest source on race day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What night does Dawson County Raceway race?

Sunday nights, from May through September. It is one of the few Sunday dirt programs in Nebraska.

How long is the track?

It is a 3/8 mile semi banked dirt oval.

What classes race there?

IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco Stock Cars, Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Northern Sport Mods and Mach-1 Sport Compacts, with a Crown Vic class also appearing on the card.

Do drivers earn national points there?

Yes. The weekly program runs under the IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing Series, so results count toward regional and national IMCA standings.

Was the track called something else before?

Yes. It was formerly known as Lexington Raceway.

Who promotes the track?

Bobby and Janelle Lincoln, who took over in 2022 from Chad Dolan.

Is it family friendly?

Yes. Admission is priced with separate adult and child rates and free entry for the youngest children, and pit passes are available for those who want to be closer to the action.

Where is Dawson County Raceway located?

1000 Plum Creek Parkway, Lexington, Nebraska 68850, at the Dawson County Fairgrounds just off I-80. The track phone is 308-746-3829.

More information on Dawson County Raceway; Click here http://www.racedawsoncounty.com/

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