Future Of Ohio Track In Question After Losing Truck Series Race

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race scheduled for May 23 at Mansfield Motorsports Park (MMP) in Ohio was canceled yesterday, throwing the future of MMP "into limbo," according to Curt Conrad of the MANSFIELD NEWS JOURNAL. MMP Owner Mike Dzurilla: "This is a purely economic decision. We were unable to locate a title sponsor (for the truck race). With the economy the way it is, anybody with money right now is hanging onto it. It's business." But Dzurilla was "noncommittal" when asked if he would sell the track. Dzurilla: "I'm not sure who would be in a position to buy it." Conrad noted MMP, which hosted eight race weekends during the '08 season, two years ago was "considered a prime spot to host drag racing, and there was talk of expanding the facility to accommodate that racing format," but the "sinking economy changed the landscape." The announcement yesterday "brought an end to a five-year relationship between NASCAR and MMP" (MANSFIELD NEWS JOURNAL, 12/18). In Des Moines, Rob Gray reports the race will move to Iowa Speedway and be held on September 5. The track will also hold a Nationwide Series race in August, meaning the track now has "secured two of the top three NASCAR series" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 12/18).

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