Well I think it is bogus myself. I had a little "BAD BOY" hopped Trans Am a few years back. I took it to Gateway (in Madison IL. *STL*) several times. Also a coworker of mine was employed part time at Gateway then. Not to mention my family knows the Wallaces real well, and Ken Schrader's parents live a stones throw from me (so we know him a little too). I have some insides about Gateways demise. (Which has now been bought and reopened BTW). Nashville had a few of the same problems. (No I am not reffering to the previous owner (Dover Motorsports Org). I am reffering to NASCAR itself. See NASCAR enterprises owns (at least in some part) most of the tracks that they race on. Also NASCAR charges the track to conduct races. YES they charge the track just to hold an event. Then in return they pay the track back (IF) there is enough money left in the kitty after all other charges are settled. Not to mention all the other requirements NASCAR has to hold an event. Ambulance, tow trucks, pace cars, misc. cars-trucks, parking facilities, highway systems, concessions, track staff, security, ETC. Most tracks can not meet those standards. (Like Nashville/Gateway/Memphis). These tracks met standards for Trucks and Nationwide, but not Sprint Cup. A professional track without a Sprint Cup, or F1 race, will not fare well. Just not enough money will be made.
As I said Gateway has reopened and is home to several DRAG events including an NHRA event. They are not trying to schedule a NASCAR event anymore, therefore the oval track is about overtaken by weeds now.