A night of high-speed action at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville turned chaotic Tuesday when a sprint car left the racing surface and plowed into spectators in the infield, authorities said.
Three people were injured in the crash. Two were reported in critical condition, while a third suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening. Officials at the scene said one victim was airlifted and another was taken by ambulance to a hospital, with the third also transported for treatment.
According to News 5 Cleveland, the incident happened during an Ohio Sprint Speedweek event and triggered an immediate response from the Apple Creek-East Union Township Fire Department and on-site medical crews. Fire officials told the outlet that Wayne County Speedway staff, track EMS, dispatchers, law enforcement, and other first responders moved quickly to reach the victims and get them care.
Authorities have not released the names of those injured and asked the community to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts as they recover.
At The Track
Wayne County Speedway is a 3/8-mile dirt oval south of Wooster with an address listed as 1083 North Carr Road in Orrville. The race was part of the Ohio Sprint Speedweek circuit, according to the series' event bulletin posted by the tour.
Those touring sprint car teams typically roll in from across the Midwest, bringing larger car counts, packed infields, and boosted pit and medical staffing on race nights.
Emergency Response
Officials said one of the injured was airlifted by MedFlight and another was transported by ground ambulance. The third victim was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.
In a statement to News 5 Cleveland, fire personnel praised the coordinated response among track staff, on-site EMS, and regional first responders, crediting that teamwork with helping stabilize patients at the scene.
Investigators have opened an inquiry into how the car managed to leave the racing surface and reach spectators. Authorities did not immediately release additional details about the cause of the crash or the driver involved.
What Comes Next
Local officials said the incident and the speedway's safety procedures will be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation. Track event listings indicate organizers typically provide emergency medical coverage for major touring shows, including Ohio Sprint Speedweek, though it is not yet clear whether upcoming events will see any operational changes.
We will update this story as officials release more information.
