Post by dalejrfan on Mar 11, 2006 16:36:05 GMT -5
SMI's Smith still looking to buy additional track(s)
Speedway Motorsports CEO also wants second Cup date for Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- With NASCAR's traveling circus at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, Speedway Motorsports Incorporated's Chairman/CEO O. Bruton Smith has restated his desire to purchase an additional speedway.
Smith told a gathering of media at the announcement of the Trophy Towers high-rise condominium outside LVMS's Turns 1 and 2, that the owners of Dover International Speedway, New Hampshire International Speedway and Pocono Raceway had standing purchase offers
Smith said he doesn't call Dover president Denis McGlynn, Pocono founder Dr. Joseph Mattioli or Bob Bahre, who built NHIS, daily; but that he did touch base with them "weekly."
"If Pocono or any of the others came knocking, I'd open the door," Smith said. "They know I'm here and it would take me 20 minutes to write the check."
And he renewed talk of his intention to use the purchase to get a second date for the venue located outside the world's gaming capital.
Smith acknowledged that the value of a Nextel Cup Series race date was at least $200 million and up to as much as $250 million
In addition to LVMS, SMI currently owns Lowe's Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Infineon Raceway; which host 10 of 36 Nextel Cup races.
SMI is the second-largest speedway operator in the country, next to International Speedway Corporation, which owns 12 tracks and hosts 19 races.
ISC is a public company controlled by the France family, which also owns NASCAR, a private corporation.
The three speedways in question, each of which have a pair of annual Cup races, are owned independent of either of the two large track owners.
Speedway Motorsports CEO also wants second Cup date for Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- With NASCAR's traveling circus at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, Speedway Motorsports Incorporated's Chairman/CEO O. Bruton Smith has restated his desire to purchase an additional speedway.
Smith told a gathering of media at the announcement of the Trophy Towers high-rise condominium outside LVMS's Turns 1 and 2, that the owners of Dover International Speedway, New Hampshire International Speedway and Pocono Raceway had standing purchase offers
Smith said he doesn't call Dover president Denis McGlynn, Pocono founder Dr. Joseph Mattioli or Bob Bahre, who built NHIS, daily; but that he did touch base with them "weekly."
"If Pocono or any of the others came knocking, I'd open the door," Smith said. "They know I'm here and it would take me 20 minutes to write the check."
And he renewed talk of his intention to use the purchase to get a second date for the venue located outside the world's gaming capital.
Smith acknowledged that the value of a Nextel Cup Series race date was at least $200 million and up to as much as $250 million
In addition to LVMS, SMI currently owns Lowe's Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Infineon Raceway; which host 10 of 36 Nextel Cup races.
SMI is the second-largest speedway operator in the country, next to International Speedway Corporation, which owns 12 tracks and hosts 19 races.
ISC is a public company controlled by the France family, which also owns NASCAR, a private corporation.
The three speedways in question, each of which have a pair of annual Cup races, are owned independent of either of the two large track owners.