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. Won by Joe Lee Johnson, the event was NASCAR’s first 600-mile race. The grand opening marked the beginning of a series of innovative firsts at Charlotte that would help change the motorsports industry in the following decades. Despite attracting large crowds, the speedway was undercapitalized and eventually entered Chapter 11 reorganization. CMS later became one of the first North Carolina corporations to successfully emerge from reorganization.

During the reorganization, Smith left Charlotte to successfully build an 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.

The Peformance Racing Network is formed to broadcast NASCAR races worldwide across syndicated radio affiliates.

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, first-of-its-kind Speedway Club opened at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 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.

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

Speedway Motorsports acquires its first road-course, Sonoma Raceway.

Smith built and opened Texas Motor Speedway in the Dallas/Fort Worth market.

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

Speedway Motorsports sold the first venue naming rights in motorsports to Lowe’s Companies Inc., renaming Charlotte Motor Speedway to Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Speedway Motorsports again expands west with the acquisition of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The innovative “Neon Garage” welcomed fans to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway infield.

Charlotte Motor Speedway hosted the world premiere of the Disney-Pixar movie CARS. 

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

zMAX Dragway was constructed at the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex, becoming the NHRA’s first four-lane, all-concrete drag strip.

zMAX Dragway was constructed at 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 at a sports venue.

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, “The Monster Mile”.

Speedway Motorsports acquired 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.

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.

Featuring the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds, Bristol Motor Speedway hosted the “Speedway Classic”, the first Major League Baseball game played in the state of Tennessee.  The event set a world record for MLB attendance.

Ten Tenths Motor Club, a premier 100-acre destination for automotive and motorsports enthusiasts, opens at Charlotte Motor Speedway featuring a multi-circuit road course for driving experiences and a 20,000 square-foot special event Clubhouse.

Atlanta Motor Speedway is renamed EchoPark Speedway in a landmark naming-rights partnership.

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.

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).

Established in 1996, TLC4x4 is the industry-leading name in Toyota Land Cruiser restoration and customization.

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.

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.