Somewhat similar to flat track racing, speedway racing also takes place on a flat oval track made of dirt (or, sometimes, shale or other finely crushed rock).

Unlike flat track, however, which usually takes place on half- or full-mile ovals, speedway races happen on ultra-short oval tracks that are a quarter-mile or less — sometimes much less — in length. Speedway races are also quite short — typically just four laps — putting a premium on good starts and the ability to fearlessly slide the rear of the bike all the way around the compact oval track.  

Speedway bikes are highly specialized machines constructed specifically for this type of racing. These extremely lightweight bikes are often rigid framed and have no brakes. The engines, typically four-stroke singles less than 500cc in displacement, are fueled by methanol and mated to single-gear transmissions. Fearsomely fast, these bikes reach up to 70 mph on tight tracks and facilitate incredibly close and intense competition.  

Internationally, speedway is one of the most popular forms of motorsport racing. In the United States, most speedway activity is in California, where the sport has a large following and events frequently draw thousands of fans. One of the greatest speedway racers of all time on the world level is an American: four-time world champion and AMA Hall of Famer Greg Hancock.