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Bruton Smith thinks big about future
"I stay in that buying mood," said the chairman of Speedway Motorsports on Friday.
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Smith is still looking to expand his racetrack portfolio. Rumors swirled this week that a partnership between International Speedway Corp., owners of 12 tracks on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, and Smith's Speedway Motorsports Inc. is in play for Dover Downs Motorsports' four facilities — Dover International Speedway, Nashville Speedway, Memphis Speedway and Gateway International Speedway, the site of this weekend's Nationwide Series event.
Smith said he could not comment on the purchase of DDM.
"That whole deal rests with Henry Tippie," said Smith about Tippie, who serves as chairman of the board of both Dover Motorsports Inc. and Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment. "Until Henry says it could happen ..."
Tippie was in attendance at Gateway International Raceway, but since DMI is publicly traded, he refused to comment on whether the tracks were indeed for sale.
Tippie, who like Smith is 81, did say he "doesn't like to predict the future" as it pertains to a possible sale, but is "very excited" about what is going on at Dover. The capital improvements include a 70,000-square foot expansion at the casino that includes three new restaurants and additional games.
The pragmatic Texas cattleman/philanthropist shares Smith's philosophy on placing fans first.
"In this day and age you have to be customer friendly," Tippie said. "If you're not, someone else is going to get your business."
While ISC President Lesa France Kennedy is out of the country and could not be reached for comment, Lenny Santiago, Director of Marketing Communications for ISC, avoided fueling the speculation.
"As a publicly traded company, we continually explore opportunities to grow our business and portfolio of events through the acquisition of facilities," Santiago said. "However, it is our practice to not comment on market rumors and speculation. If and when a deal is finalized, we will make a proper announcement."
SMI and ISC have joined forces in the past with the purchases of Rockingham Speedway and Motorsports Authentics, the souvenir arm of NASCAR. But Smith isn't giving up on acquisitions, even though it's unlikely that Kentucky Speedway will receive a Cup date for 2009.
"The big problem is they won't agree to drop the appeal," said Smith regarding the lawsuit between Kentucky Speedway and NASCAR.
While a Cup date is not in the cards for Kentucky Speedway, Smith will have at least one major series competing there next season as he inherits an Indy Racing League date for 2009. That date could lead to bigger things as Smith says plans are in the works to add IRL dates at two of his other venues — New Hampshire and Las Vegas — with LVMS hosting the season finale and likely the Series banquet.
Smith said he was "proud of Tony (George, IRL Chairman)" for considering moving the banquet to Sin City — another idea rejected by NASCAR, which remains committed to hosting their end-of-year festivities in New York City.
In addition to Dover, Smith said he "would certainly be interested" in Phoenix International Raceway should ISC put the one-mile venue up for sale, but added, "That's a question for NASCAR." With the IRL's push to be less Midwest centric and focus on moving West, Phoenix could compliment the open wheelers' schedule. Both Santiago and PIR's public relations manager, Paul Corliss, appeared genuinely surprised when asked about any potential sale of the Arizona track, which includes a dragstrip and road course and has been a moneymaker since ISC purchased the track from Buddy Jobe in 1997 for $65 million.
Easy rider
Carl Edwards won his 15th career Nationwide Series race and the second at Gateway, where he made his NNS debut in 2002.
Edwards, who hails from Columbia, Mo. — 125 miles to the west — took "the natural route" via bicycles to the racetrack during a three-day ride. Despite his trek, he was rested and relaxed enough by Saturday to qualify third and win his second Nationwide race of the season.
"It's so hard to leave Victory Lane," said Edwards, whose personal cheering section neared 800 fans including family, friends and sponsors. "This is really, really special to me."
When David Reutimann and Brad Keselowski tangled on Lap 141, while running fourth and fifth, respectively, Edwards was the first car with four tires out of the pits. He lined up third behind Jason Leffler and James Beuscher on the Lap 146 restart and took the lead six circuits later.
"In this series, in all the series, the competition is so close that pit road has a huge effect on the outcome of the race," Edwards said. "There have only been a few times that I've been this dominant at the end of a race. I couldn't believe how strong the car was."
Back in the saddle again
There was no one as anxious as Joey Logano was to return to action in Saturday night's Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250. Logano, 18, qualified fourth and finished second — his third top-five in five starts.
"It's great," said Logano. "It sucks having to sit out."
With veteran former Nationwide racer Mike McLaughlin as his mentor this season, it's been easier for Logano to acclimate to the racetracks, particularly one as tricky as Gateway. Logano has also received support from his teammates Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, who along with management, believe the rookie is ready to make the jump to Sprint Cup.
"Mike's helped me get used to these places," Logano said. "He's been to every race with us, and we've developed a good system. It's good to have people on your side. It's a real confidence booster."
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