Full Throttle

Citing economic woes, Mansfield Motorsports Park canceled its scheduled Camping World Truck Series race in 2009 early Wednesday. Later Wednesday evening, the track told the Mansfield News Journal its was closing its door.

The northside half-mile oval was thrown into limbo Wednesday when the NASCAR Camping World (formerly Craftsman) Truck Series race scheduled for May 23 was canceled.

“As of right now, we will not be staying open. We have no events planned,” track owner Mike Dzurilla said. “I dealt with the unfortunate task of telling my remaining employees that, by Christmas, they would be unemployed.

“Unfortunately, this has been in the works for quite some time. I tried to pull a rabbit out of the hat, but my last option ran out (Tuesday) night.”

When asked if he would sell the track, Dzurilla was noncommittal.

“I’m not sure who would be in a position to buy it,” he said.

Dzurilla, who brought the truck series to Mansfield in 2004, said the flagging economy forced his hand.

“This is a purely economic decision. We were unable to locate a title sponsor (for the truck race),” he said. “With the economy the way it is, anybody with money right now is hanging onto it. It’s business.”

NASCAR officially announced Wednesday that Iowa Speedway will host a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on September 5 in place of the event that was originally scheduled May 23 at Mansfield Motorsports Park.

The realignment of the race was a result of Mansfield’s request that the event be moved from its track because of its inability to meet the requirements necessary to remain a NASCAR sanctioned facility.

“It is always exciting to go to a new venue and show the fans what the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is all about,” said NASCAR’s Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell. “The Midwest has some of our sport’s most loyal fans and Iowa Speedway produces some incredible racing as we’ve seen with the NASCAR Camping World East and West Series. We look forward to racing there this season.”

In addition to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Iowa will host the NASCAR Nationwide Series, as well as the NASCAR Camping World East and West Series in 2009.

“We are extremely pleased to continue our strong relationship with NASCAR with the awarding of yet another NASCAR series race to Iowa Speedway,” said Iowa Speedway CEO Stan Clement. “We know from past experience that fans here in the Midwest will support this exciting new event.”

Before NASCAR’s announcement, MMP had not yet released its complete 2009 schedule. Dzurilla said several series made regular stops in Mansfield, including the United Speed Alliance Racing Pro Cup Series and the American Speed Association - both of which are having financial difficulties of their own.