Sim Racing Design - View Single Post - Mansfield Motorsports Park closes, Truck Race moved to Iowa Speedway in 2009

MattSRD28 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2008

I wish it was a bad April Fool's joke, but it's not. Ohio just lost their only NASCAR race...

Mansfield Motorsports Park announces it will not host 2009 Truck Series Race, blames economy.

Originally Posted by MMP Management

Due to the economic times that we are all facing, Mansfield Motorsports Park will not be hosting the 2009 NASCAR Truck Race.

We will begin processing refunds immediately. Please accept our apologies and please be patient while we are going through the refund process. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you,

MMP Management

No word on if any other 2009 MMP events are cancelled or not.

It's a really tough blow for the local fans. I distinctly remember the day I found out that Saugus Speedway (less than a mile from me) had abruptly closed and likewise lost its Truck Series race in the process. That was nearly 13 years ago now.

So where does the Mansfield race go? NASCAR knows already...

Originally Posted by NASCAR PR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 17, 2008) – The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced today that Iowa Speedway will host a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on September 5 in place of the event that was originally scheduled May 23 at Mansfield Motorsports Park.

The realignment of the race was a result of Mansfield’s request that the event be moved from its track because of its inability to meet the requirements necessary to remain a NASCAR sanctioned facility.

“It is always exciting to go to a new venue and show the fans what the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is all about,” said NASCAR’s Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell. “The Midwest has some of our sport’s most loyal fans and Iowa Speedway produces some incredible racing as we’ve seen with the NASCAR Camping World East and West Series. We look forward to racing there this season.”

In addition to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Iowa will host the NASCAR Nationwide Series, as well as the NASCAR Camping World East and West Series in 2009.

“We are extremely pleased to continue our strong relationship with NASCAR with the awarding of yet another NASCAR series race to Iowa Speedway,” said Iowa Speedway CEO Stan Clement. “We know from past experience that fans here in the Midwest will support this exciting new event.”

And there's more from the Mansfield Journal saying Mansfield Motorsports Park will close entirely!

Originally Posted by Curt Conrad, Mansfield Journal

MANSFIELD -- Mansfield Motorsports Park is closing its doors.

As of right now, we will not be staying open. We have no events planned,” track owner Mike Dzurilla said. “I dealt with the unfortunate task of telling my remaining employees that, by Christmas, they would be unemployed.

Dzurilla, who brought the truck series to Mansfield in 2004, said the flagging economy forced his hand.

“This is a purely economic decision. We were unable to locate a title sponsor (for the truck race),” he said. “With the economy the way it is, anybody with money right now is hanging onto it. It’s business.”

Dzurilla said the decision to shut down operations for the foreseeable future ripples across numerous levels.

“This was very emotional for me,” he said. “First off, it hurts my employees. Secondly, it hurts our customers and the community.

“The city was trying to do what it could to help, but the city is hurting, too.”

Maybe someone with the money that Durzilla obviously didn't have can come along and buy the Ohio short track & keep it running. The saddest part of all this in my mind is that Durzilla's just giving up and the track's just going away. There might be someone out there who's interested in buying the track, keeping the people unemployed and the CWTS there Mike! Don't give up on your employees and the fans!