The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • A6

6A -THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011 THE TENNESSEAN FROM PAGE ONE vffordabittty Quality Experience I Low Maintenance Track's future uncertain If II i lit 11 www.BathFitter.com Durable acrylic bathtub installed right over your existing bathtub Mess Installations are done without disturbing flooring or paint. One SPEEDWAY FROM 1A The superspeedway opened in 2001 in Glade-ville on the Wilson-Rutherford county line, just off State Route 840. It has been host to NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series events since its inception. The track also has held IndyCar and Indy Light races through 2008, as well as a few lesser racing events. The announcement came 11 days after the superspeedway held its second of two NASCAR dou-bleheader race weekends.

During that weekend, speculation of a grim future for the track began when once again it failed to sell enough tickets to fill the 25,000 seats, a fairly com- Innovative process means you get a beautiful new bathroom in just one day Nashville Superspeedway Vice President Cliff Hawks says the track may be sold, sanford myersthetennessean tMHM Present this coupon to Call NOW for a FREE in home estimate UP TO (615) 690-3706 668 MYATT DRIVE MADISON TN check us out. I 'A complete Bathtub Wall or Shower Wall system. Financing throughthird party. Subject to approval. See store for details.

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He said that he had already been in contact with NASCAR about securing the Nationwide and Camping World dates for the fairgrounds. "It depends on the voters, how much they want to have races here," he said. Curb indicated he is confident the improvements could be made if the right circumstances are in place. "There's no question the speedway would do what it has to do to meet current codes. Whatever it takes, I'm sure the speedway will do it to secure a major event," he said, adding that Nashville needs to reach out to NASCAR.

"It would be a sad day for Nashville and Middle Tennessee (if NASCAR goes away permanently). All of us need to do more to make this city attractive to NASCAR. We've got to show more interest and do more as a city to show we want motor sports." The closing of Nashville Superspeedway by Dover Motorsports is the third such financial move by the company within the past three years. In 2009 it closed and subsequently sold Memphis Motorsports Park. And last year it closed Gateway International Raceway in Madison, 111., just east of St.

Louis. Each of those tracks also hosted Nationwide and Camping World races. The Memphis facility, bought by Moroso Investment Partners of Palm Beach, has been renamed Memphis International Raceway and is currently being renovated. Speculation on its seeking the Nashville Superspeedway NASCAR dates was quickly shot down. "Memphis International Raceway has held NASCAR Truck and Nationwide events in the past," said Pam Kendrick, the track's general manager.

"At this time, Memphis International Raceway is not campaigning for the Nashville NASCAR dates. We are interested in having NASCAR events at Memphis in the future; however, it will not be in the 2012 season." Meanwhile, the future of Nashville Superspeedway and its traditions, including its iconic Les Paul Gibson guitar trophy, seem destined to be resting on the hope that someone will purchase the track and reopen it. That's certainly the hope of artist Sam Bass, who painted the guitar trophy that became synonymous with a track victory. "In a perfect scenario, someone would buy that racetrack tomorrow and keep the races there," Bass said. "I truthfully hope that happens.

It's really sad news. I can't say that I'm surprised based on the attendance over the past couple of years. It's a tough economy right now, and they truly have suffered. "I don't want to write that trophy off yet. Until they say they are not racing, I'm going to hold out hope that they will be there and can continue." Duane Marsteller contributed to this report.

mon occurrence in recent years. Nashville Superspeedway Vice President Cliff Hawks remained positive of the track's future at that time and even spoke of his request to again hold two doubleheader weekends in 2012. However, Hawks said Wednesday not having a Sprint Cup race in a NASCAR-crazed market doomed the track's ability to have success. "At the end of the day you have to finally come to the realization that with six Sprint Cup Series races within a four- or five-hour drive to Nashville, that becomes a challenge that is incredibly difficult to overcome," Hawks said. When Nashville Superspeedway was first conceived, it was pitched as a 1.33-mile superspeedway with a dirt track, short track and drag strip also being built around the facility.

However, the superspeedway was the only track ever built. Hawks said 10 full-time employees were currently working at the track. He said he plans to remain with Dover Motorsports "for the time being." The track has some rental agreements in place it plans to keep through October. After that, the track will be winterized, which is normal, he said. "Then the question becomes if someone will buy the race track," Hawks said.

"If they are successful and if they were successful to get (NASCAR race) dates, then the track will continue to be open. If not, then it will be closed." NASCAR racing of some ilk has been a part of the Middle Tennessee sports landscape since 1958. NASCAR's top tier of racing, now known as Sprint Cup, was a staple of the area's sports culture from 1958 to 1984, with two races annually at the ss-mile Fairgrounds Speedway. After Cup cars left, the fairgrounds track held second-tier, now the Nationwide Series, and truck races through 2000, when all area NASCAR racing moved to the superspeedway. Voters to decide The announcement on the closing of the superspeedway came just one day before a Metro election, which has a referendum on the ballot that could make selling and closing the fairgrounds and Fairgrounds Speedway more difficult.

And while those in the racing community lament the closing of the track, numerous local racing enthusiasts contend that the end result could be good for the local Fairgrounds Speedway, provided it could be upgraded and then secure dates for Nationwide and Camping World races. "It might be an opportunity for the fairgrounds," said Mike Curb, music executive and NASCAR team owner. "With Memphis (Memphis Motorsports Park) closed, I would think that NASCAR would want the truck series here. I think NASCAR would be happy here." Added Marlin: "This could be a wake-up call for Nashville to embrace the old fairgrounds. Drivers love that place, and it is by far the best short track in the United States.

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