Mobile International Speedway facts for kids
| MIS | |
|---|---|
| Location | 7800 Park Blvd Irvington, Alabama 36544 |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 (UTC−05:00 DST) |
| Coordinates | 30°30′49″N 88°13′11″W / 30.51361°N 88.21972°W |
| Capacity | 9,000 |
| Owner | Ida Fields through 2024 Eddie Shoemaker starting 2025 |
| Operator | Jason Smith |
| Broke ground | 1964 |
| Opened | 1965 |
| Architect | Walter "Skip" Wetjen |
| Major events | Former: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Mobile 150 (2016) ARCA Racing Series ARCA Mobile 200 (2012–2015) NASCAR Southeast Series (1991–1996, 2001) CARS Tour (1998–1999) |
| Oval (1965–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 0.500 mi (0.805 km) |
Mobile International Speedway is a famous race track in Irvington, Alabama. It's a paved oval track that is half a mile (about 0.8 kilometers) long. A man named Walter "Skip" Wetjen built it, and it first opened for races in 1965. The track is located along U.S. Highway 90 in Mobile County, Alabama, United States.
Contents
Racing Through the Years
Early Days of Stock Car Racing
The Mobile International Speedway has a long and exciting history. In its early years, it was a popular spot for stock car racing. Many famous NASCAR drivers raced here. Legends like Gene Tapia, Wayne Niedecken Sr., and Phil Wendt competed on this track. A well-known stock car driver, Red Farmer, even won his 500th feature race at this very speedway!
Open-Wheel Racing Excitement
From 1966 to 1968, the track also hosted thrilling open-wheel races. These cars look different from stock cars, with their wheels outside the main body. The annual World 300 race for Supermodified racing brought in top drivers. Racers like Bobby Allison, Dale Hammac, and Armond Holley showed off their skills.
Big Races in the 1980s
The 1980s were another busy time for the speedway. It hosted many races approved by groups like All Pro Stock and NASCAR. Famous drivers such as Donnie Allison, Rusty Wallace, and Dave Mader III raced here. Other talented drivers like Ronnie Sanders, Mike Cope, and Jody Ridley also competed.
Modern Racing Stars
More recently, the track has been a place for new racing stars to shine. Many drivers who later became famous in NASCAR and ARCA raced at Mobile. These include Rick Crawford, Kevin Swindell, Bubba Pollard, Cale Gale, and Grant Enfinger. Kevin Swindell even holds the all-time track record for the fastest lap!
Major Series Events
The ARCA Racing Series held its ARCA Mobile 200 race at the track from 2012 to 2015. Local drivers were very successful, with Cale Gale winning once and Grant Enfinger winning three times. In 2016, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East held the Mobile 150 race here. The NASCAR Southeast Series also raced at Mobile nine times between 1991 and 2001. The CARS Hooters Pro Cup Series had three races at the speedway in 1998 and 1999.
On the Big Screen
The Mobile International Speedway isn't just for racing! It was also featured in a movie. The opening scenes of the 2009 film The Final Destination were filmed right at this track.
