Memphis Int’l Raceway Re-Opening With Heads-Up Street Cars Aug. 27

After several months of anticipation that’s only been further fueled by delays, we’ve hearing word that the the reborn Memphis International Raceway is set to officially re-open its gates on August 27, bringing racing machines back to the famed quarter mile for the first time in nearly two years. Memphis Int’l will host the 1st annual heads-up showdown on that Saturday evening, featuring True 10.5 and the insanely popular X275 class, while 6.0 and 7.0 index categories are also being considered.

The inclusion of heads-up street car racing on the grand re-opening of the facility would of course only be fitting for the racetrack where it all started two decades ago.

Memphis International Raceway, formerly known as the Memphis Motorsports Park, is located in the Memphis suburb of Millington and opened in 1986. At the conclusion of the 2009 season, it’s parent company, Dover Motorsports Inc., ceased all operations at the multi-use venue, leaving it dormant for more than a year. On December 14, 2010, the Moroso Investment Partners purchased the entire facility at auction and under the guidance of CEO Jason Rittenberry, immediately began the chore of revitalizing it after a year void of any maintenance. The track was to re-open with a bang by hosting the American Drag Racing League in April, but that event was shelved just weeks prior when it was learned facility improvements could not be made in time.

The heads-up showdown will be preceded on Friday, August 26, with a Midnight Madness Test ‘n tune session, affording racers their first crack at the MIR surface.