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Darana Motorsports Lists Ohio Raceway Amid Legal Battles

The National Trail Raceway in Hebron is for sale through a sealed-bid process closing in November.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Motorsports

Wide shot of an empty drag racing track surrounded by rural Ohio fields under a clear autumn sky.
Darana Motorsports has listed the 230-acre National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio, for sale through a sealed-bid process closing in November. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Darana Motorsports Holdings has listed the 230-acre National Trail Raceway for sale as part of a larger divestment of 12 motorsports facilities. Owner Darryl Cuttell intends to exit the racing industry by the end of 2026.

Why it matters

The sale occurs as Darana faces an ongoing federal lawsuit from x.AI LLC and other entities alleging massive overbilling on data center projects. This legal conflict involves hundreds of millions of dollars in claims and counterclaims regarding construction fees.

National Trail Raceway spans 230 acres and is one of 12 facilities currently being sold. Bids for the property are due by November 17, 2026.

The players

Darryl Cuttell

He is the owner of Darana Motorsports Holdings and Cuttell Motorsports who has stated his intent to leave the racing industry.

x.AI LLC

This is a technology company that filed a federal lawsuit against Darana Motorsports alleging significant overbilling on construction projects.

The details

The federal lawsuit, filed August 4, 2026, alleges Darana misbilled equipment costs for IHRA headquarters as data center expenses, while Darana has countersued for $136.9 million in unpaid fees. A federal judge consolidated the legal proceedings on September 4, 2026, and Darana moved to dismiss portions of the complaint on October 1, 2026.

Timeline

  1. December 2024: Cuttell Motorsports acquired the International Hot Rod Association.

  2. August 4, 2026: x.AI LLC and affiliates filed a federal lawsuit against Darana.

  3. September 4, 2026: A federal judge consolidated the lawsuits.

  4. October 1, 2026: Darana filed motions to dismiss portions of the federal complaint.

  5. November 17, 2026: Deadline for sealed bids on the National Trail Raceway property.

Market Landscape

The liquidation of these motorsports assets marks a major contraction in Cuttell's portfolio following his rapid expansion into the racing industry in late 2024. This divestment strategy effectively pulls the company back from the racing market while it defends itself in complex construction litigation.

The sale of the Hebron facility introduces significant uncertainty for local race organizers, sponsors, and racing enthusiasts who rely on the venue. Potential buyers will determine the future accessibility and operational schedule of the track following the conclusion of the bidding process.

The takeaway

The move signals a rapid exit for Darana from the racing sector as it faces severe legal scrutiny over its construction business. Potential facility buyers and industry observers are watching the November bid deadline to see which operators may take over these regional tracks.

Further reading

For more on the changing landscape of local racing venues, visit the Ohio Motorsports section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC4i.

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