Memphis International Raceway: Difference between revisions
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{{Motorsport venue |
{{Motorsport venue |
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| Name = Memphis International Raceway |
| Name = Memphis International Raceway |
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| Former_names = Memphis Motorsports Park (June 1998–March 2011)<br />Memphis International Raceway (1986–May 1998) |
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| Time = GMT-6 |
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| Nicknames = "Where the Racing Rocks" |
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| Time = [[Central Time Zone|UTC−6]] ([[UTC−05:00|UTC−5]] [[Central Daylight Time|DST]]) |
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| Location = 5500 Victory Lane, {{nowrap|[[Millington, Tennessee]]}}, 38053 |
| Location = 5500 Victory Lane, {{nowrap|[[Millington, Tennessee]]}}, 38053 |
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| Coordinates = {{coord|35|16|58|N|89|56|51|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |
| Coordinates = {{coord|35|16|58|N|89|56|51|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |
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| Logo = Memphis_International_Raceway_logo.png |
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| Image = Memphis_International_Raceway_diagram.svg |
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| Image_Caption = |
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| Image_caption = D-oval (1998–2022) |
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| Capacity = 35,000 (Oval) - 25,000 (Drag Strip) |
| Capacity = 35,000 (Oval) - 25,000 (Drag Strip) |
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| Owner = IRG Sports & Entertainment<br />[[Palm Beach International Raceway]] (2011–2022)<br />[[Speedway Motorsports#Dover Motorsports|Dover Motorsports]] (July 1998–December 2010)<br />[[Grand Prix of Long Beach|Grand Prix Association of Long Beach]] (1996–1998)<br />Ed Gatlin (1986–1995) |
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| Owner = IRG Sports & Entertainment |
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| Opened = |
| Opened = 1986 |
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| Closed = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2022|06|17}} |
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| Events = '''[[International Hot Rod Association|IHRA Nitro Jam]]''' <br /> [[Summit Racing Equipment World Finals]] <br /> |
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| Events = [[International Hot Rod Association|IHRA]] (2011–2022)<br />[[ARCA Menards Series]]<br>''[[Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200 (Memphis)|Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200]]'' (1998, 2001, 2017–2020)<br />[[NASCAR Busch Series|NASCAR Nationwide Series]]<br>''[[Kroger On Track for the Cure 250]]'' (1999–2009)<br />[[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|NASCAR Camping World Truck Series]]<br>''[[MemphisTravel.com 200]]'' (1998–2009)<br /> [[NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series]] (1988–2009)<br />[[AMA Superbike Championship]] (1987)<br />[[Trans-Am Series|Trans-Am]] (1987) |
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| Layout1 = D-oval |
| Layout1 = D-oval (1998–2022) |
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| Surface = Asphalt |
| Surface = Asphalt |
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| Miles_first = |
| Miles_first = True |
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| Length_km = 1. |
| Length_km = 1.207 |
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| Length_mi = . |
| Length_mi = 0.750 |
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| Banking = Turns - 11° <br> Straights - 4° front, 3° back |
| Banking = Turns - 11° <br> Straights - 4° front, 3° back |
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| Layout2 = Drag Strip |
| Layout2 = Drag Strip |
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| Surface2 = Asphalt |
| Surface2 = Asphalt |
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| Length_km2 = 1. |
| Length_km2 = 1.340 |
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| Length_mi2 = .8326 |
| Length_mi2 = 0.8326 |
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| Layout3 = Road Course |
| Layout3 = Road Course (1987–1998) |
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| Surface3 = Asphalt |
| Surface3 = Asphalt |
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| Length_km3 = 2. |
| Length_km3 = 2.848 |
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| Length_mi3 = 1. |
| Length_mi3 = 1.770 |
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| Record_time3 = 1:05.692<ref>{{cite web |title=Trans-Am Memphis 1987 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Memphis-1987-09-13.html |date=13 September 1987 |access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref> |
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| Record_driver3 = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Pete Halsmer]] |
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| Record_car3 = [[Merkur XR4Ti]] |
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| Record_year3 = [[1987 Trans-Am Series|1987]] |
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| Record_class3 = [[Trans-Am Series|Trans-Am]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Memphis International Raceway''' (formerly known as '''Memphis Motorsports Park''') |
'''Memphis International Raceway''' (formerly known as '''Memphis Motorsports Park''') was an [[auto racing]] park located near the [[Loosahatchie River]] in [[Shelby County, Tennessee]], United States, approximately ten miles south of [[Millington, Tennessee|Millington]], and a few miles north of the city of [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Memphis International Raceway |
The Memphis International Raceway (more commonly known as MIR) was founded in 1986 by Ed Gatlin, who along with a group of investors, bought a 400-acre tract of land within the northeastern section of Shelby County, and built a drag strip with an adjacent road course, including a dirt track and a go-kart track.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wade|first=Kelly|date=2020-12-15|title=Can't Help Falling In Love With Memphis International Raceway|url=https://winlightnews.com/2020/12/15/cant-help-falling-in-love-with-memphis-international-raceway/|access-date=2021-11-20|website=WinLightNews.com|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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The facility opened in 1987 with a drag strip and {{cvt|1.770|mi|km|abbr=on}} road course. It includes a {{cvt|0.750|mi|km|abbr=on}} [[Short track motor racing|tri-oval short track]], built in 1998, which once hosted the [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|NASCAR Nationwide Series]] and [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|NASCAR Camping World Truck Series]], as well as an [[ASA Late Model Series]] race. The {{convert|4400|ft|m|-1|sing=on}} drag strip hosts events such as International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) World Finals and Nitro Jam, Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA), HOT ROD Power Tour, Super Chevy Show, Fun Ford Series and Mega Mopar Action Series. |
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The entire facility was purchased by the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach in 1996, and in 1997, a ¾-mile paved tri-oval was added on the site of the old dirt track, while a new dirt track was built on the site of the former go-kart track. The name of the facility was also changed |
The entire facility was purchased by the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach in 1996, and in 1997, a ¾-mile paved tri-oval was added on the site of the old dirt track, while a new dirt track was built on the site of the former go-kart track. The name of the facility was also changed to Memphis Motorsports Park and the tri-oval opened on June 5, 1998. |
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The following month, Memphis Motorsports Park was acquired by [[Dover Motorsports |
The following month, Memphis Motorsports Park was acquired by [[Speedway Motorsports#Dover Motorsports|Dover Motorsports]] in connection with its purchase of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. Memphis Motorsports Park closed October 30, 2009, due to lack of finances. Its parent company, Dover Motorsports, Inc. announced that it was ceasing all operations at Memphis Motorsports Park and that it would not be promoting any events in Memphis in 2010. The Memphis facility was under an agreement of sale to Gulf Coast Entertainment but Gulf Coast was unable to secure financing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dovermotorsports.com/track/press/article.php?dir=200910&id=3283 |title=Dover Motorsports, Inc. Announces Closing of Memphis Motorsports Park and Realignment of Racing Dates (press release) |date=October 30, 2010 |access-date=October 31, 2010}}</ref> The track's Camping World Truck Series date was moved to [[Nashville Superspeedway]] and its Nationwide Series date to [[Gateway International Raceway]], and later abandoned after a year. Dover Motorsports, Inc. auctioned off the complex on December 14, 2010, to [[Palm Beach International Raceway]] for $1.9 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=54128|title=Motorsports Park Set for Auction Block |author=Memphis Daily News|date=November 11, 2010|access-date=January 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=54887|title=Memphis Motorsports Park Sells for $1.9M |author=Memphis Daily News|date=December 14, 2010|access-date=January 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://biz.yahoo.com/e/101220/dvd8-k.html|title=Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement |author=Yahoo! Finance|date=December 20, 2010|access-date=January 16, 2011}}</ref> |
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It was announced on January 31, 2011 that the deal between Palm Beach International and Dover Motorsports was finalized, and the track re-opened in April 2011. The track was also renamed to ''Memphis International Raceway,'' and a new logo was created to reflected the change which adopted a similar theme with its sister track in Palm Beach.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2011-01-31-3021058989_x.htm |title=Deal closed on sale of Memphis Motorsports Park |date=January 31, 2011 |access-date=January 31, 2011 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racepbir.com/news/pbir-news/382-moroso-investment-partners-closes-on-memphis-motorsports-park-facility-.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210112359/http://www.racepbir.com/news/pbir-news/382-moroso-investment-partners-closes-on-memphis-motorsports-park-facility-.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 10, 2011 |title=Moroso Investment Partners closes on Memphis Motorsports Park facility |date=January 31, 2011 |access-date=February 3, 2011 }}</ref> |
It was announced on January 31, 2011, that the deal between Palm Beach International and Dover Motorsports was finalized, and the track re-opened in April 2011. The track was also renamed to ''Memphis International Raceway,'' and a new logo was created to reflected the change which adopted a similar theme with its sister track in Palm Beach.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2011-01-31-3021058989_x.htm |title=Deal closed on sale of Memphis Motorsports Park |date=January 31, 2011 |access-date=January 31, 2011 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racepbir.com/news/pbir-news/382-moroso-investment-partners-closes-on-memphis-motorsports-park-facility-.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210112359/http://www.racepbir.com/news/pbir-news/382-moroso-investment-partners-closes-on-memphis-motorsports-park-facility-.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 10, 2011 |title=Moroso Investment Partners closes on Memphis Motorsports Park facility |date=January 31, 2011 |access-date=February 3, 2011 }}</ref> The track became sanctioned with IHRA, which has held the IHRA Nitro Jam finale at Memphis since 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ihra.com/article/7292.html |title= Memphis International Raceway joins IHRA family |date= February 8, 2011 |access-date= February 14, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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===2013=== |
===2013=== |
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[[File:NASA November 2012.jpg|thumb|Picture of a NASA Autocross in November 2012 at Memphis International Raceway.]] |
[[File:NASA November 2012.jpg|thumb|Picture of a NASA Autocross in November 2012 at Memphis International Raceway.]] |
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In 2013, MIR gained more events for the park, including the 2nd annual Ford Fun Weekend at Memphis (was hosted at MIR in 2012 as well),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://funfordweekend.com/2013/05/memphis-announces-2013-fun-ford-weekend-schedule-race-and-car-show-classes/ |title=MEMPHIS ANNOUNCES 2013 FUN FORD WEEKEND SCHEDULE, RACE AND CAR SHOW CLASSES |author=Ford Fun Weekend |date=May 1, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122231605/http://funfordweekend.com/2013/05/memphis-announces-2013-fun-ford-weekend-schedule-race-and-car-show-classes/ |archive-date=January 22, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Mega Mopar Action Series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racemir.com/news/press-releases/item/190-memphis-international-raceway-joins-mega-mopar-action-series.html |title=Memphis International Raceway joins Mega MOPAR Action Series |author=Memphis International Raceway |date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206053427/http://www.racemir.com/news/press-releases/item/190-memphis-international-raceway-joins-mega-mopar-action-series.html |archive-date=December 6, 2013 }}</ref> This was the first year where the three major domestic manufacturers ([[Chevy]], [[Ford]], and [[Dodge]]) held an event at Memphis in the same year under the new owners. The track also drew attention to the Mid South Region of [[National Auto Sport Association|NASA]], which uses the road course for track events featuring High Performance Driving Events (HPDEs), Time Trial, Wheel to Wheel Racing, and NASA-X autocross events. Retired NASCAR driver, [[Rusty Wallace]] opened up his driving experience and go kart facility on the NASCAR Oval in May 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racemir.com/news/press-releases/item/187-mir-new-home-of-rusty-wallace-racing-experience.html |title=New Home of Rusty Wallace Racing Experience |author=Memphis International Raceway |date=May 8, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206040825/http://www.racemir.com/news/press-releases/item/187-mir-new-home-of-rusty-wallace-racing-experience.html |archive-date=December 6, 2013 }}</ref> MIR also picked up the Xtreme Xperience Supercar venue which allows anyone to drive vehicles such as Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, and Audi's around the track for a fee. Its first event was February 9 and 10, but the event was prematurely canceled on the 10th due to weather.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://events.wmctv.com/Xtreme_Xperience_Supercar_Racetrack_Event/268630733.html |title=Xtreme Xperience Supercar Racetrack Event |author=WMCTV 5, NBC |date=February 8, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205080706/http://events.wmctv.com/Xtreme_Xperience_Supercar_Racetrack_Event/268630733.html |archive-date=December 5, 2013 }}</ref> A make-up event was rescheduled for a Sunday run on October 20, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thextremexperience.com/tracks/memphis-international-raceway/ |title=Memphis International Raceway |author=Xtreme Xperience |date=October 20, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive. |
In 2013, MIR gained more events for the park, including the 2nd annual Ford Fun Weekend at Memphis (was hosted at MIR in 2012 as well),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://funfordweekend.com/2013/05/memphis-announces-2013-fun-ford-weekend-schedule-race-and-car-show-classes/ |title=MEMPHIS ANNOUNCES 2013 FUN FORD WEEKEND SCHEDULE, RACE AND CAR SHOW CLASSES |author=Ford Fun Weekend |date=May 1, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122231605/http://funfordweekend.com/2013/05/memphis-announces-2013-fun-ford-weekend-schedule-race-and-car-show-classes/ |archive-date=January 22, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Mega Mopar Action Series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racemir.com/news/press-releases/item/190-memphis-international-raceway-joins-mega-mopar-action-series.html |title=Memphis International Raceway joins Mega MOPAR Action Series |author=Memphis International Raceway |date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206053427/http://www.racemir.com/news/press-releases/item/190-memphis-international-raceway-joins-mega-mopar-action-series.html |archive-date=December 6, 2013 }}</ref> This was the first year where the three major domestic manufacturers ([[Chevy]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], and [[Dodge]]) held an event at Memphis in the same year under the new owners. The track also drew attention to the Mid South Region of [[National Auto Sport Association|NASA]], which uses the road course for track events featuring High Performance Driving Events (HPDEs), Time Trial, Wheel to Wheel Racing, and NASA-X autocross events. Retired NASCAR driver, [[Rusty Wallace]] opened up his driving experience and go kart facility on the NASCAR Oval in May 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racemir.com/news/press-releases/item/187-mir-new-home-of-rusty-wallace-racing-experience.html |title=New Home of Rusty Wallace Racing Experience |author=Memphis International Raceway |date=May 8, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206040825/http://www.racemir.com/news/press-releases/item/187-mir-new-home-of-rusty-wallace-racing-experience.html |archive-date=December 6, 2013 }}</ref> MIR also picked up the Xtreme Xperience Supercar venue which allows anyone to drive vehicles such as Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, and Audi's around the track for a fee. Its first event was February 9 and 10, but the event was prematurely canceled on the 10th due to weather.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://events.wmctv.com/Xtreme_Xperience_Supercar_Racetrack_Event/268630733.html |title=Xtreme Xperience Supercar Racetrack Event |author=WMCTV 5, NBC |date=February 8, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205080706/http://events.wmctv.com/Xtreme_Xperience_Supercar_Racetrack_Event/268630733.html |archive-date=December 5, 2013 }}</ref> A make-up event was rescheduled for a Sunday run on October 20, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thextremexperience.com/tracks/memphis-international-raceway/ |title=Memphis International Raceway |author=Xtreme Xperience |date=October 20, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131203031940/http://thextremexperience.com/tracks/memphis-international-raceway/ |archive-date=December 3, 2013 }}</ref> The [[Automobile Racing Club of America|ARCA]] series also made a return to the oval, making it the first racing event held on the oval since the new ownership in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racemir.com/news/press-releases/item/192-cra-powered-by-jegs-series-to-be-featured-in-twin-125%E2%80%99s---rwre-shootout-on-tap.html |title=Racing's Back! Memphis 250- Coming to Memphis International Raceway on October 26th |author=Memphis International Raceway |date=June 5, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206040828/http://www.racemir.com/news/press-releases/item/192-cra-powered-by-jegs-series-to-be-featured-in-twin-125%E2%80%99s---rwre-shootout-on-tap.html |archive-date=December 6, 2013 }}</ref> The Memphis 250 was held on October 26 with Brian Campbell being the race winner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arcaracing.com/news.php?contentid=16694 |title=Campbell wins in return to Memphis |author=ARCA Racing |date=October 28, 2013 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-date=December 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205105330/http://www.arcaracing.com/news.php?contentid=16694 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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The track was sold sometime around March 2022, and held its last event on June 17, 2022.<ref>[https://dragillustrated.com/on-the-road-saying-goodbye-to-memphis-international-raceway/ On The Road: Saying Goodbye To Memphis International Raceway]</ref> |
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==Tracks== |
==Tracks== |
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===Paved oval=== |
===Paved oval=== |
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[[Image:MemphisMotorsportsParkOval.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Start-finish line of the NASCAR oval]] |
[[Image:MemphisMotorsportsParkOval.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Start-finish line of the NASCAR oval]] |
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On September 13, 1998, before a sold-out crowd and a national television audience, the facility hosted its first NASCAR event—the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series [[MemphisTravel.com 200|Memphis 200]]. NASCAR returned every year since with two events—the Truck Series in the summer, and the Nationwide Series in the fall. Ron Hornaday took home his second consecutive Elvis trophy in the last MemphisTravel.com 200 Camping World Truck Series race held at the oval. A late caution forced a [[Green-white-checker finish|green-white-checkered finish]] which gave Hornaday the edge on the restart to beat Brian Scott. On October 24, 2009, Brad Keselowski won the race at the oval by holding off Kyle Busch to the finish line on the 11th and final annual racing event, for both the Nationwide Series and the oval, as the track would not carry any racing events in 2010, when Dover Motorsports, Inc. announced the closure of Memphis Motorsports Park, a week after that race. |
On September 13, 1998, before a sold-out crowd and a national television audience, the facility hosted its first NASCAR event—the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series [[MemphisTravel.com 200|Memphis 200]]. NASCAR returned every year since with two events—the Truck Series in the summer, and the Nationwide Series in the fall. Ron Hornaday took home his second consecutive Elvis trophy in the last MemphisTravel.com 200 Camping World Truck Series race held at the oval. A late caution forced a [[Green-white-checker finish|green-white-checkered finish]] which gave Hornaday the edge on the restart to beat Brian Scott. On October 24, 2009, [[Brad Keselowski]] won the race at the oval by holding off Kyle Busch to the finish line on the 11th and final annual racing event, for both the Nationwide Series and the oval, as the track would not carry any racing events in 2010, when Dover Motorsports, Inc. announced the closure of Memphis Motorsports Park, a week after that race. |
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==Records== |
==Records== |
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!Layout |
!Layout |
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|ARCA CRA Super Series||[[ |
|ARCA CRA Super Series||[[Derek Griffith]]||[[Holden VF Commodore|Chevrolet SS]]||October 26, 2013||{{convert|124.804|mph|km/h|2}}||21.634||NASCAR Oval |
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|NASCAR |
|NASCAR Busch Qualifying||[[Jeff Green (NASCAR driver)|Jeff Green]]||[[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]]||October 28, 2000||{{convert|120.267|mph|km/h|2}}||22.450||NASCAR Oval |
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|- |
|- |
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|NASCAR |
|NASCAR Busch Race||[[Kevin Harvick]]||Chevrolet Monte Carlo||October 28, 2000||{{convert|92.352|mph|km/h|2}}||2:01:49||NASCAR Oval |
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|- |
|- |
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|NASCAR Camping World Qualifying||[[Greg Biffle]]||[[Ford F-150]]||June 24, 1999||{{convert|120.139|mph|km/h|2}}||||NASCAR Oval |
|NASCAR Camping World Qualifying||[[Greg Biffle]]||[[Ford F-150]]||June 24, 1999||{{convert|120.139|mph|km/h|2}}||||NASCAR Oval |
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==Series hosted== |
==Series hosted== |
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*[[International_Hot_Rod_Association|IHRA]] 2011 – |
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* [[National_Auto_Sport_Association|NASA]] 2011 - |
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===Former=== |
===Former=== |
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* [[AMA Superbike Championship]] (1987) |
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*[[ |
* [[ARCA Menards Series]] |
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** ''[[Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200 (Memphis)|Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200]]'' (1998, 2001, 2017–2020) |
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*[[ASA Late Model Series]] ?–2009 |
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* [[American Speed Association|ASA National Tour]] (1999–2002) |
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*AMA Dragbike ?–2009 |
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* [[Global Rallycross]] (2017) |
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* [[International Hot Rod Association]] (2011–2022) |
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* [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|NASCAR Camping World Truck Series]] |
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* [[ARCA Menards Series East|NASCAR K&N Pro Series East]] (2017–2019) |
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* [[NASCAR Busch Series|NASCAR Nationwide Series]] |
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* [[NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series|NASCAR Southeast Series]] (1998–2002) |
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* [[NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series]] (1988–2009) |
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* [[National Auto Sport Association]] (2011–2021) |
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* [[CARS Tour|X-1R Pro Cup Series]] (2014) |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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*[http://racemir.com/ Memphis International Raceway Site] |
*[http://racemir.com/ Memphis International Raceway Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205092528/http://racemir.com/ |date=2011-02-05 }} |
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*[http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Memphis_Motorsport_Park Trackpedia guide to driving this track] |
*[http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Memphis_Motorsport_Park Trackpedia guide to driving this track] |
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{{Trans-Am tracks}} |
{{Trans-Am tracks}} |
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{{USAC Silver Crown race venues}} |
{{USAC Silver Crown race venues}} |
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{{MotoAmerica circuits}} |
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{{World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series race venues}} |
{{World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series race venues}} |
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{{NASCAR Elite Division Southeast racetracks}} |
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[[Category:NASCAR tracks]] |
[[Category:NASCAR tracks]] |
Latest revision as of 20:05, 7 November 2024
"Where the Racing Rocks" | |
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Location | 5500 Victory Lane, Millington, Tennessee, 38053 |
Time zone | UTC−6 (UTC−5 DST) |
Coordinates | 35°16′58″N 89°56′51″W / 35.28278°N 89.94750°W |
Capacity | 35,000 (Oval) - 25,000 (Drag Strip) |
Owner | IRG Sports & Entertainment Palm Beach International Raceway (2011–2022) Dover Motorsports (July 1998–December 2010) Grand Prix Association of Long Beach (1996–1998) Ed Gatlin (1986–1995) |
Opened | 1986 |
Closed | 17 June 2022 |
Former names | Memphis Motorsports Park (June 1998–March 2011) Memphis International Raceway (1986–May 1998) |
Major events | IHRA (2011–2022) ARCA Menards Series Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200 (1998, 2001, 2017–2020) NASCAR Nationwide Series Kroger On Track for the Cure 250 (1999–2009) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series MemphisTravel.com 200 (1998–2009) NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series (1988–2009) AMA Superbike Championship (1987) Trans-Am (1987) |
D-oval (1998–2022) | |
Surface | Asphalt |
Length | 0.750 miles (1.207 km) |
Banking | Turns - 11° Straights - 4° front, 3° back |
Drag Strip | |
Surface | Asphalt |
Length | 0.8326 miles (1.340 km) |
Road Course (1987–1998) | |
Surface | Asphalt |
Length | 1.770 miles (2.848 km) |
Race lap record | 1:05.692[1] ( Pete Halsmer, Merkur XR4Ti, 1987, Trans-Am) |
Memphis International Raceway (formerly known as Memphis Motorsports Park) was an auto racing park located near the Loosahatchie River in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, approximately ten miles south of Millington, and a few miles north of the city of Memphis.
History
[edit]The Memphis International Raceway (more commonly known as MIR) was founded in 1986 by Ed Gatlin, who along with a group of investors, bought a 400-acre tract of land within the northeastern section of Shelby County, and built a drag strip with an adjacent road course, including a dirt track and a go-kart track.[2] The facility opened in 1987 with a drag strip and 1.770 mi (2.849 km) road course. It includes a 0.750 mi (1.207 km) tri-oval short track, built in 1998, which once hosted the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, as well as an ASA Late Model Series race. The 4,400-foot (1,340 m) drag strip hosts events such as International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) World Finals and Nitro Jam, Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA), HOT ROD Power Tour, Super Chevy Show, Fun Ford Series and Mega Mopar Action Series.
The entire facility was purchased by the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach in 1996, and in 1997, a ¾-mile paved tri-oval was added on the site of the old dirt track, while a new dirt track was built on the site of the former go-kart track. The name of the facility was also changed to Memphis Motorsports Park and the tri-oval opened on June 5, 1998.
The following month, Memphis Motorsports Park was acquired by Dover Motorsports in connection with its purchase of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. Memphis Motorsports Park closed October 30, 2009, due to lack of finances. Its parent company, Dover Motorsports, Inc. announced that it was ceasing all operations at Memphis Motorsports Park and that it would not be promoting any events in Memphis in 2010. The Memphis facility was under an agreement of sale to Gulf Coast Entertainment but Gulf Coast was unable to secure financing.[3] The track's Camping World Truck Series date was moved to Nashville Superspeedway and its Nationwide Series date to Gateway International Raceway, and later abandoned after a year. Dover Motorsports, Inc. auctioned off the complex on December 14, 2010, to Palm Beach International Raceway for $1.9 million.[4][5][6]
It was announced on January 31, 2011, that the deal between Palm Beach International and Dover Motorsports was finalized, and the track re-opened in April 2011. The track was also renamed to Memphis International Raceway, and a new logo was created to reflected the change which adopted a similar theme with its sister track in Palm Beach.[7][8] The track became sanctioned with IHRA, which has held the IHRA Nitro Jam finale at Memphis since 2011.[9]
2013
[edit]In 2013, MIR gained more events for the park, including the 2nd annual Ford Fun Weekend at Memphis (was hosted at MIR in 2012 as well),[10] and the Mega Mopar Action Series.[11] This was the first year where the three major domestic manufacturers (Chevy, Ford, and Dodge) held an event at Memphis in the same year under the new owners. The track also drew attention to the Mid South Region of NASA, which uses the road course for track events featuring High Performance Driving Events (HPDEs), Time Trial, Wheel to Wheel Racing, and NASA-X autocross events. Retired NASCAR driver, Rusty Wallace opened up his driving experience and go kart facility on the NASCAR Oval in May 2013.[12] MIR also picked up the Xtreme Xperience Supercar venue which allows anyone to drive vehicles such as Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, and Audi's around the track for a fee. Its first event was February 9 and 10, but the event was prematurely canceled on the 10th due to weather.[13] A make-up event was rescheduled for a Sunday run on October 20, 2013.[14] The ARCA series also made a return to the oval, making it the first racing event held on the oval since the new ownership in 2011.[15] The Memphis 250 was held on October 26 with Brian Campbell being the race winner.[16]
2022
[edit]The track was sold sometime around March 2022, and held its last event on June 17, 2022.[17]
Tracks
[edit]Drag strip
[edit]The drag strip immediately drew the attention of the NHRA and was awarded a sanction in 1988 as the host site of the Mid-South Nationals. While the NHRA has 140 member tracks, Memphis was one of only 23 to host a national event. It also was the section of the complex used by other events such as the Mid-South SCCA events and the Super Chevy Show. The last NHRA race at Memphis, O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals, was to be hosted on October 4, 2009, but a rain delay postponed the event to October 5, 2009. In the winner's circle were Jeff Arend (Funny Car), Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Michael Phillips (Pro Stock Motorcycle).[18]
The strip will host IHRA events with its new owner, including a Nitro Jam event, as their sister track in Palm Beach is also affiliated with IHRA. The American Drag Racing League announced, on March 3, 2011, that they would hold an event during the weekend of May 20, 2011, at MIR.[19] The IHRA Nitro Jam series continues to race at Memphis, and have set up another finale event for 2014.[20]
Paved oval
[edit]On September 13, 1998, before a sold-out crowd and a national television audience, the facility hosted its first NASCAR event—the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Memphis 200. NASCAR returned every year since with two events—the Truck Series in the summer, and the Nationwide Series in the fall. Ron Hornaday took home his second consecutive Elvis trophy in the last MemphisTravel.com 200 Camping World Truck Series race held at the oval. A late caution forced a green-white-checkered finish which gave Hornaday the edge on the restart to beat Brian Scott. On October 24, 2009, Brad Keselowski won the race at the oval by holding off Kyle Busch to the finish line on the 11th and final annual racing event, for both the Nationwide Series and the oval, as the track would not carry any racing events in 2010, when Dover Motorsports, Inc. announced the closure of Memphis Motorsports Park, a week after that race.
Records
[edit]Series | Driver | Car | Date | Speed | Time | Layout |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARCA CRA Super Series | Derek Griffith | Chevrolet SS | October 26, 2013 | 124.804 miles per hour (200.85 km/h) | 21.634 | NASCAR Oval |
NASCAR Busch Qualifying | Jeff Green | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | October 28, 2000 | 120.267 miles per hour (193.55 km/h) | 22.450 | NASCAR Oval |
NASCAR Busch Race | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | October 28, 2000 | 92.352 miles per hour (148.63 km/h) | 2:01:49 | NASCAR Oval |
NASCAR Camping World Qualifying | Greg Biffle | Ford F-150 | June 24, 1999 | 120.139 miles per hour (193.34 km/h) | NASCAR Oval | |
NASCAR Camping World Race | Travis Kvapil | Ford F-150 | June 30, 2007 | 91.806 miles per hour (147.75 km/h) | 1:38:02 | NASCAR Oval |
NHRA Top Fuel ET* | Brandon Bernstein | Hemi Powered Top Fuel | September 2008 | 3.825 | Drag Strip | |
NHRA Top Fuel MPH* | Brandon Bernstein | Hemi Powered Top Fuel | September 2008 | 313.88 miles per hour (505.14 km/h) | Drag Strip | |
NHRA Funny Car ET* | Tim Wilkerson | Ford Mustang | August 2016 | 4.050 | Drag Strip | |
NHRA Funny Car MPH* | Del Worsham | Toyota Camry | August 2016 | 316.81 miles per hour (509.86 km/h) | Drag Strip | |
NHRA Pro Stock ET | Allen Johnson | Dodge Stratus R/T | September 2008 | 6.591 | Drag Strip | |
NHRA Pro Stock MPH | Greg Anderson | Pontiac GXP | September 2007 | 209.17 miles per hour (336.63 km/h) | Drag Strip | |
NHRA Pro Stock Bike ET | Chip Ellis | Suzuki Pro Stock Bike | September 2007 | 6.892 | Drag Strip | |
NHRA Pro Stock Bike MPH | Chip Ellis | Suzuki Pro Stock Bike | September 2007 | 193.21 miles per hour (310.94 km/h) | Drag Strip |
*Top Fuel and Funny Car based on 333 yards 1 foot (304.80 m) records under current NHRA regulations. Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle are still 440 yards (402.34 m).
Series hosted
[edit]Former
[edit]- AMA Superbike Championship (1987)
- ARCA Menards Series
- Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200 (1998, 2001, 2017–2020)
- ASA National Tour (1999–2002)
- Global Rallycross (2017)
- International Hot Rod Association (2011–2022)
- NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
- MemphisTravel.com 200 (1998–2009)
- NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (2017–2019)
- NASCAR Nationwide Series
- Kroger On Track for the Cure 250 (1999–2009)
- NASCAR Southeast Series (1998–2002)
- NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series (1988–2009)
- National Auto Sport Association (2011–2021)
- Trans-Am Series (1987)
- X-1R Pro Cup Series (2014)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Trans-Am Memphis 1987". 13 September 1987. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ Wade, Kelly (2020-12-15). "Can't Help Falling In Love With Memphis International Raceway". WinLightNews.com. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
- ^ "Dover Motorsports, Inc. Announces Closing of Memphis Motorsports Park and Realignment of Racing Dates (press release)". October 30, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ^ Memphis Daily News (November 11, 2010). "Motorsports Park Set for Auction Block". Retrieved January 16, 2011.
- ^ Memphis Daily News (December 14, 2010). "Memphis Motorsports Park Sells for $1.9M". Retrieved January 16, 2011.
- ^ Yahoo! Finance (December 20, 2010). "Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement". Retrieved January 16, 2011.
- ^ "Deal closed on sale of Memphis Motorsports Park". USA Today. January 31, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
- ^ "Moroso Investment Partners closes on Memphis Motorsports Park facility". January 31, 2011. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- ^ "Memphis International Raceway joins IHRA family". February 8, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Ford Fun Weekend (May 1, 2013). "MEMPHIS ANNOUNCES 2013 FUN FORD WEEKEND SCHEDULE, RACE AND CAR SHOW CLASSES". Archived from the original on January 22, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ Memphis International Raceway (May 24, 2013). "Memphis International Raceway joins Mega MOPAR Action Series". Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ Memphis International Raceway (May 8, 2013). "New Home of Rusty Wallace Racing Experience". Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ WMCTV 5, NBC (February 8, 2013). "Xtreme Xperience Supercar Racetrack Event". Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Xtreme Xperience (October 20, 2013). "Memphis International Raceway". Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ Memphis International Raceway (June 5, 2013). "Racing's Back! Memphis 250- Coming to Memphis International Raceway on October 26th". Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ ARCA Racing (October 28, 2013). "Campbell wins in return to Memphis". Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ On The Road: Saying Goodbye To Memphis International Raceway
- ^ "AREND, TEAM KALITTA CELEBRATE EMOTIONAL WIN". October 5, 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ "ADRL Adds Memphis International Raceway As Tenth Race for 2011 Tour". March 3, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- ^ "Nitro Jam Schedule". December 2, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.