Milan Dragway Auction Puts Track’s Future in Focus

09 Oct, 2026 - Tranzon Atlas

As seen in the Sun Times News

Milan Dragway is up for sale again, about 18 months after its latest ownership change, as Darana Motorsports Holdings moves to sell a dozen racing properties across the country.

The 317-acre property at 10860 Plank Road is being offered through Tranzon Atlas, with sealed bids due Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. Central. Pre-auction offers are also being accepted, meaning the property could sell sooner.

Darana Motorsports Holdings CEO Darryl Cuttell told Drag Illustrated that the company’s business had taken “a different direction” than originally anticipated and that he had decided to exit the racing business. He said the goal is to complete the sales by the end of the year.

Cuttell also owns the International Hot Rod Association, which finalized its purchase of Milan Dragway in April 2025. At the time, track officials announced plans for improvements and said the goal was to make Milan one of the country’s premier drag strips.

Darana Dragway-Milan posted on Oct. 6 that it was “Business as usual” while promoting upcoming racing. 

What happens after a sale is less certain.

Tranzon describes the property as a functioning motorsports facility with a quarter-mile racing surface, pits and event facilities, café and grill facilities and the Milan MX Track, which is leased to an outside operator.

The listing also highlights the property’s acreage and road frontage as offering potential for “expansion or development.”

That language has raised questions among some residents about whether the property could eventually be used for something other than racing, including a data center. There is currently no public indication that a data center developer is pursuing the Milan property or that it is being marketed specifically for that use.

The dragway is in London Township, which recently adopted new regulations for data centers. On Sept. 14, the Township Board approved a zoning ordinance allowing data centers as a special use in industrial zoning districts and establishing standards for their siting, operation and decommissioning. The ordinance says data centers are permitted only in industrial zoning districts with special approval. 

The township also adopted a temporary moratorium on considering data center applications while officials continue studying their potential impacts and local regulations.

The sale comes amid a federal contract dispute involving another Cuttell-owned company and Elon Musk’s xAI. Darana Hybrid performed data center work for xAI in the Memphis area. xAI and related companies sued Darana Hybrid, Cuttell Motorsports and Cuttell in August. The defendants have denied allegations against them and are seeking dismissal of the amended complaint.

Cuttell has not publicly said the dispute led to the decision to sell the racing properties.

Milan is one of 12 tracks being offered for sale by Darana Motorsports Holdings. Tranzon has said it expects interest from the racing community, while also noting that some properties could appeal to developers and real estate investors.

The Milan property is being sold as is, with a 10% buyer’s premium, a 10% deposit and closing within 30 days.

For racers and fans, nothing has changed immediately. The track remains open and events are still being promoted.

The larger question is what happens when a buyer is found: Will Milan Dragway remain a racetrack?