Our Company

Bruton Smith and business partner Curtis Turner broke ground on what would become Speedway Motorsports’ flagship facility, Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Charlotte Motor Speedway hosted the World 600, NASCAR’s first 600-mile race. The event marked the beginning of a series of innovative firsts at Charlotte that would help change the motorsports industry. Despite attracting large crowds, the speedway was undercapitalized and eventually entered Chapter 11 reorganization. It later became one of the first North Carolina corporations to successfully emerge from reorganization.

During the reorganization, Smith left Charlotte to pursue other business interests and built a successful automotive dealership group. Meanwhile, he began purchasing shares of Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Smith became the majority stockholder in Charlotte Motor Speedway, regaining control of day-to-day operations.

Performance Racing Network is formed

Condominiums were added outside Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Turn 1 grandstands, creating the first year-round living accommodations at a motorsports facility.

The first NASCAR All-Star Race was held at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The members-only Speedway Club opened, offering fine dining and views of the frontstretch.

Speedway Motorsports acquired Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Charlotte Motor Speedway hosted “One Hot Night,” the first superspeedway race run under the lights. The industry-changing event followed installation of an innovative $1.7 million MUSCO lighting system.

U.S. Legend Cars International. is launched providing fun and affordable “spec” class racing for anyone.

Smith consolidated his motorsports holdings to create Speedway Motorsports.

Speedway Motorsports became the first motorsports company to trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

Bristol Motor Speedway and Sonoma Raceway joined the Speedway Motorsports portfolio, expanding the company’s stable of venues hosting premier NASCAR events.

Acquired Sonoma Raceway

Smith built and opened Texas Motor Speedway. That same year, he organized his automotive group under the Sonic Automotive flag and took the company public on the New York Stock Exchange.

First motorsport venue naming rights sold to Lowe’s Companies Inc. renaming Charlotte Motor Speedway to Lowe’s Motor Speedway

Speedway Motorsports expanded west with the addition of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Charlotte Motor Speedway hosted the world premiere of the Disney-Pixar movie CARS. That same year, the innovative “Neon Garage” welcomed fans to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway infield.

Speedway Motorsports acquired New Hampshire Motor Speedway, “The Magic Mile.”

Speedway Motorsports acquired Kentucky Speedway. That same year, zMAX Dragway was constructed on the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex, becoming the NHRA’s first four-lane, all-concrete drag strip.

Charlotte Motor Speedway constructed a 16,000-square-foot HDTV along the backstretch, which at the time was the world’s largest HDTV.

Texas Motor Speedway unveiled Big Hoss, a 24,000-square-foot HDTV that claimed the title of world’s largest from its sister track. That same year, Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted its first Electric Daisy Carnival music festival.

Bristol Motor Speedway hosted the “Battle at Bristol,” setting a world record for the largest crowd ever to watch a football game when Virginia Tech faced Tennessee. The “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” also added a four-sided “Colossus” HD board suspended over the infield. That same year, Bruton Smith was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Through the vision of current company CEO Marcus Smith, Charlotte Motor Speedway created the first-of-its-kind ROVAL, which debuted as NASCAR’s first road course in the playoffs.

Amid uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the NASCAR All-Star Race was moved from its traditional home at Charlotte Motor Speedway to Bristol Motor Speedway.

Speedway Motorsports acquired Dover Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway.

As part of one of the biggest scheduling shakeups in NASCAR history, the All-Star Race moved to Texas Motor Speedway. Bristol Motor Speedway converted to a dirt surface for its spring race weekend, while Speedway Motorsports produced the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of The Americas outside Austin, Texas.

Legendary businessman, company founder and NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Bruton Smith died at age 95.

Following a remarkable renovation and restoration, Speedway Motorsports reopened North Wilkesboro Speedway to host the NASCAR All-Star Race. It marked NASCAR’s first visit to the historic track since 1996.

Bristol Motor Speedway hosted the first Major League Baseball game played in Tennessee, featuring the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.

The company’s multimedia division broadcasts NASCAR races and syndicated programming across radio airwaves to hundreds of affiliates around the world.

Produces and markets souvenir merchandise at tracks, in retail stores and online, supported by a full-service art department specializing in graphic design, screen printing and embroidery.

Produces a series of micro-lubricants designed to extend engine life and improve mechanical performance for automobiles, small engines, heavy-duty commercial vehicles, firearms and aircraft.

Helps develop the NASCAR stars of tomorrow through the production of fun, affordable race cars. The company sells Bandoleros and Legend Cars on nearly every continent, while INEX sanctions more than 2,000 races annually at more than 140 race tracks worldwide.

The company’s nonprofit arm raises funds and provides grants to hundreds of regional charities supporting children in need. Since 1982, Speedway Children's Charities has distributed nearly $80 million in grants (through 2025).