Dale Earnhardt Jr. could possibly be hosting sprint car races in 2009, as Gulf Coast Entertainment, L.L.C. announced plans to construct a major motorsports and entertainment park called "Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway." in southern Alabama.

The plans call for a lighted, 75,000-seat, 7/10-mile D-shaped oval, a 3/8-mile dirt track, 3.5-mile road course, drag strip and a RV Park.

Joining Earnhardt Jr. in the project will be Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, Kerry Earnhardt and a diverse group of investors from various southern states.

"Our family business is racing and it's been our business for three generations," said Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Kelley, Kerry and I want to continue the family business with hopes that the next generation of Earnhardts will want to be involved in the sport. This new venture with the Alabama Motorsports Park provides yet another avenue in which the Earnhardt family can participate.

"Growing up, the race track was our playground on the weekends," continued Earnhardt Jr., "So all of us look forward to being involved on the ground level of this project and being a part of the design team."

Along with giving input on the speedway with Dale Jr., Kerry Earnhardt has his eyes set on a freshwater lake that investors believe will attract national fishing events.

The investor group has narrowed its site choices to locations across from the University of Mobile and two potential sites in adjacent Baldwin County – one on the Foley Beach Express and the other in central Baldwin County.

Alabama Motorsports Park gates are scheduled to open in 2009.

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