With NASCAR losing two truck venues in 2012, NCWTS Driver and Manager/Promoter of Mobile International Speedway Rick Crawford was asked on the “Inside Alabama Racing” radio program [broadcast in Mobile, AL] if he would be interested in holding a NCWTS race at Mobile: “Absolutely, there’s nothing I would like more than to have the Trucks at my home track.”(Inside Alabama Racing PR)(8-5-2011)
UPDATE: When Nashville Superspeedway informed NASCAR this week that it would no longer host any NASCAR Nationwide or Truck Series races it blew a big hole in the 2012 NASCAR schedule. Rick Crawford, who took over operations at Mobile International Speedway this year, is hoping to step in to fill one of those slots by bringing the Truck Series to South Alabama. Crawford said he’d likely have to make some improvements to the track, including possibly doubling its seating capacity. Mobile seats about 9,000 in the grandstands and can hold more in the infield. Crawford, who plans to compete at Talladega in October, would like to see the series return to its short-track roots. “That’s back where it all began,” he said. “I think it would be a plus for everybody.” One Alabama track that isn’t likely to add a Nationwide or Truck Series race is Talladega Superspeedway. Talladega already has Nationwide and ARCA races scheduled for its April weekend and trucks for the fall races. “At this time there are no plans to add any races next year,” said Talladega Chairman Grant Lynch. “The spring weekend is full with ARCA, Nationwide and Cup. The fall weekend typically draws a smaller crowd because of college football and the economics wouldn’t support bringing in another race. Another track that could possibly host a Nationwide or Truck Series race is the newly repaved and renovated Montgomery Motor Speedway. But race director Ivo Estes said the track’s owners are not interested in bringing in NASCAR.(AL.com)(8-7-2011)
