K&N Pro Series East Return Shows Positives for Memphis Future

Harrison Burton Celebrates after winning at Memphis earlier this year
(Photo-Jeff Curry/NASCAR via Getty Images)

With the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East returning to Memphis for the second straight season, it could mean good things for the future of Memphis International Raceway and the relationship between the city and NASCAR.

Like Gateway, Memphis was at one time a popular track but as things changed in the sport the popularity just wasn't there but it didn't leave for good as shown with the return of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series earlier this year. Many fans believe the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series needs to return to its roots. In 1998 Memphis was on the NCWTS schedule and remained on it until 2009 when it was replaced by Iowa.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing at Memphis in 2008
(Photo-Ronda Greer / NASCAR)

During the time of 98' and 09' the NASCAR XFINITY Series came to Memphis and it was rather popular. Future NASCAR Cup Series champions visited victory lane at Memphis including Kevin Harvick in 2000 and 2006, Martin Truex Jr. in 2004, and Brad Keselowski in 2009.

And though a return to Memphis for the XFINITY Series is probably far off, a return by the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series could be coming seeing as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series will return in 2018. A return to Memphis would be good for NASCAR fans in and around the Memphis area, NASCAR fans as a whole, and the drivers of the series.

The big takeaway from the K&N Pro Series returning to Memphis again in 2018 is that the "Birthplace of Rock N' Roll" is on the mind of NASCAR and that could be a very good thing for the future of Memphis International Raceway. (Koelle,2017)