Could Memphis be Next in Line for Xfinity/Truck Series Return?

Much like Nashville Superspeedway, Memphis International Raceway was once a staple in the NASCAR Xfinity and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series seasons from 1998 through 2009. Xfinity last raced at the track in Millington, Tennessee in October 2009 in a race won by Brad Keselowski while Trucks were last seen in June 2009 with Ron Hornaday Jr. picking up the victory. The track was one of those like Nashville Superspeedway that became exclusive to the lower series in NASCAR and much like Nashville, which would become the downfall for these tracks. In those days, the field was filled with Cup regulars and that was really the spotlight of these series and why fans tuned in. After the likes of Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and others dominated the series and gave no opportunities for the regulars to step up and put on a show but those days are way behind us. Two of the last Xfinity Series races at Memphis were won by Cup regulars (Kevin Harvick; 2006 and Carl Edwards; 2008), is the new Xfinity Series exclusive Xfinity Series and Memphis a combination that could result in something that seemingly slipped out of fans interest return to the spotlight and help grow in markets?

NASCAR is testing out the Memphis market and has been testing it with, what is now known as the ARCA Menards Series. The East Series has raced at Memphis the last three seasons with three different winners (Harrison Burton, Ruben Garcia Jr., and Chase Cabre). The racing has been solid and fans have returned to show their support. Under the new exclusive Truck and Xfinity Series, that is what these tracks deserved back in those days and now is the perfect time to layout a return. For fans of NASCAR in the Memphis area, no area track is closer than 200+ miles.

The closest NASCAR track for Memphis and area fans is the Talladega Superspeedway, almost 300 miles away. The remaining near tracks are 400+ miles away for fans and that is tough for a family to do one race yet alone more than one. Yes, that may deter from NASCAR returning to Memphis but it could also help put NASCAR in a market it's currently not, for the exception of that once a year. It would also be the perfect place to set up promotions for other nearby tracks and a chance for those tracks to reach their fans in an atmosphere they are already familiar with.

Richmond Raceway promotes its races at Martinsville, Kentucky Speedway at Bristol, and etc. It's common way to use the next generation stars as promotion for Sunday's race and gives fans a chance to begin supporting their new favorite drivers before they make it big. Unless you stay tuned to NASCAR Media, you wouldn't have heard of drivers like Ty Majeski, Riley Herbst, Michael Self, etc. and more stand-alone events would offer that opportunity for you to hear and learn about these drivers on your own and Memphis would be the perfect start or rekindle a fire that's sizzled.

We all know Iowa Speedway will receive a Cup race one day soon and that will leave a void on the Xfinity and Truck schedule that could be fixed by Memphis. Would you support a race at Memphis in the future? Comment down below! (Koelle, 2020)

Photo: NASCAR Media