NASCAR Drivers Discuss Memphis 125

NASCAR returns to the Mid-South for the first time in eight years with the K&N Pro Series Memphis 125 on Saturday, June 3, and the racers expect plenty of action on the .075-mile tri-oval at Memphis International Raceway.

 

Jeff Burton, the 21-time NASCAR Cup Series winner and current NBC Sports analyst, talked about the Millington, Tenn., facility and why it’s a great place to host NASCAR racing.

 

“The track is really good shape. I can’t believe they haven’t raced here since 2009,” Jeff Burton said. “To have a race track this nice not being used, it’s almost a crime. Hopefully, the fans will come out and support it and have more NASCAR races out here.”

 

Burton also mentioned how intense the K&N Series is. The series has been a launching pad for drivers such as Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and Austin Dillon to make it to the top level of NASCAR.

 

“The NASCAR K&N Series has a lot of young drivers trying to work their way into the highest form of racing,” Jeff Burton said. “It’s amazing how hard they race, how aggressive the racing is. It is NASCAR racing at its core with good teams, good equipment and good young drivers.”

 

Harrison Burton, the current K&N Pro Series East points leader, got his first impression of the track at a May 15 test session. He liked what he saw with a track which features 11-degree banking on the turns.

 

“The track is fun, a great track to race on,” Harrison Burton said. “There are a lot of places where you can make passes happen. You will see a lot of action out there. It’s a challenging race track where you will see some people making mistakes.”

 

One challenge is the fact that MIR is the largest track where the K&N Pro Series has raced this season.

 

“This race is going to be exciting, the first race this season on a track bigger than a half-mile,” Harrison Burton said. “I think it’s going to be an aggressive race, guys going full out for the win. It’s all about bringing the trophy home. I expect to see a lot of action out there.”

 

Todd Gilliland, the second-place driver in the K&N Pro Series East standings, agreed. He spoke in front of a group of children from Memphis’ Goodlett Elementary School last Friday, and talked about what they could expect when they come back for Saturday’s race.

 

“These kids are in for a treat when they come back for the race,” Gilliland said. “It’s going to be a good race, a lot of side-by-side racing. Tires wear out a lot here so you’re going to see cars getting sideways. It should make for some great racing.”

 

Tyler Dippel, who won in just his second K&N Pro Series start and finished third in the points last season, echoed both Burton’s sentiments the Memphis 125 will provide plenty of paint-swapping, fender-rubbing action.

 

“We’ve had aggressive racing all year throughout the series,” Dippel said. “Fans can expect the same here at Memphis. We’re all out here to make it to the next level and everyone races really hard. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

 

Tickets to the Memphis 125 start at just $20 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 and those five and under admitted free. There is a $49 upgrade to the VIP Experience which includes a lunch with the drivers and a question and session with Jeff Burton.

 

To order tickets, visit racemir.com or call 901-WOW-Race (901-969-7223).

 

MIR PR