The National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) announced today that it will return in 2019 to what is oft-considered the birthplace of the street legal drag racing movement, Tennessee’s Memphis International Raceway.

The site of the earliest heads-up Pro Street shootouts in the 1990s that led to the ultimate creation of the NMCA, Memphis returns to the six-race schedule May 2-5, 2019. Dubbed “The Memphis Homecoming,” the event takes the series back to its roots, to a long-time stop on the NMCA schedule that was once the annual site of the season-ending World Finals and a host of history-making moments. 

NMCA General Manager Rollie Miller is quick to credit noted track operator and promoter Royce Miller and Memphis International Raceway’s Pam Kendrick for making this event a reality.

“The history for this segment of the sport began at Memphis International Raceway and that magic with the track still exists today,” said Miller. “The Memphis drag strip, led by Pam Kendrick and with support from IRG chief operating officer Royce Miller, are doing a tremendous job in enhancing the facility. There are capital improvement projects that have recently been completed and more are coming in the next few months. Additionally, the track has secured new equipment to provide a better racing environment. These guaranteed upgrades will provide a wonderful experience for our racers.”

“The NMCA Memphis Homecoming is something that we’ve been pursuing since we reopened our facility in 2012,” added Kendrick. “MIR is the perfect track for this event and with our location, the size of our facility, and number of amenities in the surrounding areas; we are in unique position to make this event a destination for racers and fans from across the country. Rollie Miller and his team has been a pleasure to work with and we know that this event will be successful at our track for years to come.”

The Memphis event will replace Beech Bend Raceway, itself a long-time venue for the NMCA, on the 2019 schedule as likely the third stop on the to-be-announced tour, positioned between Atlanta and the Super Bowl in Chicago.