Quote:
Originally Posted by TS310C
Dover Motorsports owns Gateway. They are the same people that own Memphis and it closed down last year or so. NHRA didn't pull the events, the track did. They did the same with both of their NASCAR events. I would say that the writing is on the wall if they canceled the three biggest events they have there all year. They can't possibly stay open without them. I did read that Dover Motorsports said that it is the round track that loses money. They said the drag strip does ok. They are considering leasing the dragstrip to someone and leaving the round track closed. If they do that it wont be in time for 2011 but there is a strong possibility that NHRA will be back for 2012. This was on Competition Plus's web site. Let's hope this is true. This is a great place and it is only 2.5 hours from my house. I would like to see a National Event and a points race there. This track is way nicer than a few of the others we have points races at.
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The published article a month ago said Gateway chose not to renew with NASCAR, and sent those races to their track here in Tennessee. It said they were hoping to run the NHRA events. Then their National Event was not on the schedule.
NHRA moved the Memphis race back to August, knowing full well the last time it was held in August they hauled spectators out in ambulances from the heat about every 2-3 hours. Once they moved it to August, it was dropped.
Dover Downs is losing money. I don't expect the Tennessee track, right down the road from my house, to last more than maybe a year.
Although, someone said that the lights were back on at Memphis, and there was a cleaning crew or something there.
Completely closed racing facilities do not bring squat, I'm not sure Gateway would have just given up their NHRA races if they made money. It looks more like NHRA felt they weren't stable, and pulled the plug.