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ROCKINGHAM SPEEDWAY NEWS ARCHIVE

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IRL at the Rock? Sources inside the IndyCar Series are saying that the series is considering staging an event at the North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham. The track known as the ‘Rock’ was a staple on the NASCAR circuit for almost 40 years. The last Nextel Cup race was staged there in 2004. North Carolina Motor Speedway was built in 1965 as a flat oval. The track was rebuilt in 1969 into the current banked oval. In 1997, NCMS merged with Penske Motorsports, and was renamed North Carolina Speedway. Penske subsequently sold his speedway operations to International Speedway Corporation, the parent company of NASCAR. One of the Cup races at Rockingham was transferred to the new California Speedway in 2004. Shortly after a lawsuit (the "Ferko" Lawsuit) involving NASCAR, ISC, and shareholders in Speedway Motorsports was filed. As a part of the settlement, the second and last Cup date at Rockingham was transferred to Texas Motor Speedway. SMI purchased Rockingham, and agreed that there would be no NASCAR events there while the track was owned by SMI. The ovals are currently being used by NASCAR teams for testing. According to the source, the 17 event IndyCar Series, which currently races on seven tracks used for the Nextel Cup Series and three tracks that stage Busch Series races, is interested in the location of the Speedway in relation to the NASCAR fan base. The IndyCar Series currently shares an event weekend with the Craftsman Truck Series at Texas Motor Speedway and according to the source, officials have been pleased with the event there and might be interested in the same type of weekend at Rockingham.(CupScene.com)(6-12-2007)

Petty to test at the Rock: #45-Kyle Petty is scheduled to test his Darlington car at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC on Monday, May 2nd. While the track is not holding any races, it still is open for testing and the Buck Baker Racing School still holds classes there.(4-27-2005)

Still testing at the Rock: North Carolina Speedway – or "The Rock," as it is known in the sport – hosted two top-level NASCAR races per year for nearly 40 years. But for the 2004 season, one of those races was taken away and given to one of the newer tracks (California Speedway) built by International Speedway Corp., a company majority-held by NASCAR's France family. Then Francis Ferko, a shareholder in the Bruton Smith-led Speedway Motorsports Inc., claimed in a lawsuit that NASCAR had breached agreements by not awarding a second Nextel Cup race to SMI-owned Texas Motor Speedway. As part of the settlement of the lawsuit, North Carolina Speedway was purchased by SMI for $100.4 million and the track's remaining race went to Texas.
Although it's been a year since it hosted its last Cup race, North Carolina Speedway still appears ready to stage an event. For that, credit caretaker Ronnie Chavis, who has worked at the track for 24 years and is one of only two remaining employees. Since racing has ceased, the track has become the home to several driving schools while also serving as a test track for NASCAR teams. Roush Racing is scheduled to test there next week, and the track also is seeing overflow rental business from Lowe's Motor Speedway outside Charlotte. There is also activity on the track's infield road course as well as on a go-kart track in the infield. Although there has been some talk about NASCAR staging a Craftsman Truck Series race at Rockingham, it's been just that – talk. Some have suggested that in the future, Rockingham and Darlington might flip-flop the latter track's one remaining race. Any event run at this or any other race track must be profitable for the facility to continue, and stand-alone events like a Craftsman Truck race or a combination truck and Busch Series weekend are only marginally profitable.(Yahoo! Sports)(3-2-2005)

NC Governor's visit will unveil results of motorsports impact study: Gov. Mike Easley will pay a visit to Mooresville next week for the annual meeting of the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA). Easley is expected to speak Tuesday about the results of an economic impact study for the motorsports industry in North Carolina. The yearlong study analyzed the financial benefits that auto racing has and could bring to the state. N.C. Rep. Karen Ray of Mooresville was instrumental in landing the annual meeting here for the first time. A representative for Iredell and Catawba counties in the N.C. General Assembly, she has brought auto racing, and especially NASCAR, to the forefront of initiatives in Raleigh. That includes sponsoring a bill for stock car racing license plates, helping form a racing caucus in the General Assembly to promote racing, and now, bringing the NCMA annual meeting to Mooresville. “A good cross section of motorsports industry people will be present at the meeting, from (NCMA Chairman) Richard Petty to small businesses,” Ray said. Anyone can become a member of the NCMA [ncmotorsportsassociation.org], she added.(Mooresville Tribune)(10-2-2004)

Tax/Sale Issues at the Rock: Richmond County officials, already stung by the loss of NASCAR races at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham and the accompanying loss of economic benefit, are upset over a discrepancy related to the sale of the track by International Speedway Corporation to Speedway Motorsports Inc. As a consequence of the purchase of North Carolina Seedway [from ISC to SMI], the Rockingham track lost its lone remaining date on the Nextel Cup schedule. That date will move to Texas Motor Speedway, also owned by SMI. North Carolina Speedway Inc. recently recorded its deed of sale with the county for a fee of $9,000. Richmond County officials contend that’s $191,800 shy of what is owed. The county’s Register of Deeds, Patsy McDonald, based her claim against the facility on an announced purchase amount of $100.4 million. However, an attorney representing the speedway cited the purchase price as $4.5 million. The transaction was part of a lawsuit settlement dated April 8 between SMI shareholder Francis Ferko and NASCAR/ISC. In part, the settlement, reads, “SMI shall purchase from ISC, or an agent designated by ISC, all the assets of North Carolina Speedway, Inc. (‘Rockingham’) for a price of One Hundred Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars …” An ISC spokesman, Wes Harris, said Thursday, “The purchase price to ISC was $100.4 million. That is the actual cost of the sale.” At a rate of $2 per $1,000 of that purchase price, the recording of the deed should have cost $200,800, according to Richmond County sources. Instead, the $9,000 fee from the deed of sale was based on a purchase price of $4.5 million. McDonald sent a letter to the track requesting the remaining amount and questioning the purchase price. An attorney representing the speedway, Robert G. Brinkley, replied with a letter that read, in part: “Contrary to the media reports that you reference in your letter, the sales price for the North Carolina Motor Speedway real estate was $4,500,000. This was the price upon which the state transfer taxes were calculated and paid when the deed was recorded, in accordance with North Carolina General Statute Section 105-228.30.” According to Richmond County’s County Manager Jim Haynes, the tax value of the speedway had been recently revalued at $32 million, based on the settlement agreement. Haynes also added that the speedway’s own records showed assets of $40 million. SMI chief executive officer O. Bruton Smith was unavailable for comment on Thursday, as was Lowe’s Motor Speedway president and general manager H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler. LMS is also a property of Speedway Motorsports, and Wheeler has met with Richmond County officials regarding the Rockingham track’s future.(Gaston Gazette)(8-13-2004)

Latest on the NASCAR test track in NC: The budget proposal introduced yesterday by the N.C. Senate includes $4 million to plan for a NASCAR test track - not as much as Gov. Mike Easley wants but definitely more than the House budget, which contains no money for the project. The Charlotte Regional Partnership has pushed for the state to provide $50 million to build a motorsports test track somewhere within 30 miles of Lowe's Motor Speedway near Concord to provide testing for the 400 race teams in the state. But even some in the industry - including the N.C. Motorsports Association, which is conducting its own study of the racing industry's needs - have urged a slower approach. So even though Easley provided $15 million for the test track in his proposed budget for 2004-05, the House's version of the budget provided nothing at all.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-24-2004)

Delegation Meets With Lawmakers In Effort To Bring NASCAR Back To Rockingham: There is a new push to bring NASCAR back to the North Carolina Speedway. Gov. Mike Easley wants to build a test track in the Charlotte area. Tuesday, leaders from Rockingham said there is no need to build a new track when they have one ready to use. The race is on for cities and counties that want to be the home of NASCAR's new testing and research facility. With NASCAR removing Rockingham from its Nextel Cup Series schedule 10 days ago, local leaders wasted no time getting their dibs in. The overall cost of the facility NASCAR wants is about $50 million. The governor wants the state to kick in $15 million to get it going. Easley is recommending the track be built near Charlotte. Several counties are vying for it.(WRAL.com)(5-27-2004)

King named Director of PR for Talladega: Kristi R. King has joined Talladega Superspeedway as the Director of Public Relations, track president Grant Lynch announced today. King comes to Talladega after serving as Director of Public Relations for North Carolina Speedway. “Kristi spent some time with us this spring and really fit in well with our team here at Talladega,” Lynch said. “We are excited she has decided to take this opportunity. I think she will quickly become an asset not only to our facility but to our community as well.” A 10-year veteran of the sport, King’s duties at Talladega will include all aspects of public relations including advertising and promotions as well as media relations. She will begin her duties in early June. “I am excited about this new opportunity at Talladega Superspeedway and remaining a part of the International Speedway Corporation family,” said King. “Talladega is known for its competition and tradition and has the greatest fans in world. I am honored to be joining their team and look forward to the EA SPORTS 500 Weekend.” King, an Ellerbe, NC native, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. King and her husband of three years, David, will relocate to Alabama next month.(Talladega Superspeedway PR)(5-19-2004)

Chris Browning named president of Darlington Raceway: Former North Carolina Speedway Vice President and General Manager Chris Browning has been named president of Darlington Raceway, International Speedway Corporation officials announced today. Andrew Gurtis, who has served as Raceway president for the past three years, has been named senior director, operational planning and integration for ISC. In his new position, he will act as lead assistant to Chief Operating Officer John Saunders on matters related to ongoing business unit operations and field integration. Browning, who has been executive vice president and general manager for North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC since 2002, said he is excited about the move. "I look forward to helping continue the history and tradition that has earned Darlington Raceway its special position in the sport of stock car racing," he said. Browning began his tenure at North Carolina Speedway in 1992 as director of public relations. He is a graduate of Pfeiffer College with a degree in business administration.(Darlington Raceway PR)(5-19-2004)

Darlington Personnel Changes: International Speedway Corporation (ISC) announced several key strategic moves including naming Andrew Gurtis, who most recently served as President of Darlington Raceway, Senior Director, Operational Planning and Integration for ISC and former North Carolina Speedway President Chris Browning President of Darlington Raceway. ISC President Lesa Kennedy made the announcements today. Prior to his 3-year stint at Darlington, Gurtis served as Vice President of Administration at Daytona International Speedway for 4 years. In his new position, Gurtis will act as lead assistant to Chief Operating Officer John Saunders on matters related to ongoing business unit operations and field integration. Browning has been Executive Vice President and General Manager for North Carolina Speedway since 2002. As EVP and GM, he was responsible for all marketing, sales, public relations, operations and governmental relations. As President, he will continue those duties at Darlington. ISC is a leading promoter of motorsports activities in the United States, currently promoting more than 100 events annually.(Darlington Raceway PR)(5-19-2004)

SMI Not to Shut Down the Rock: Lowes Motor Speedway and SMI President Humpy Wheeler say their company will not shut down the North Carolina Speedway. “No, no there’s no thought about shutting it down at all” said Wheeler who says they’re studying options as to how to use the facility. They may expand the three driving schools which use the Rockingham track, put on various other events, and Wheeler didn’t rule out racing events. “With a lot of these tracks lying around without Nextel Cup races like Kentucky, Memphis and Nashville there needs to be something else. Maybe there’s somebody out there with a good brain that can think up a new type of racing that we can bring to these tracks. It certainly is needed.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(5-15-2004)

Comments From the 'Rock's' Prez: North Carolina Speedway President Chris Browning says obviously he’s disappointed and a little frustrated Rockingham will no longer host NASCAR racing. “Number one I feel like we’re the victim of our sports own success…and it’s good and it’s bad…it’s bad for facilities like ours. The second part is that I do feel like we never really had a fair shot at filling the facility up with our date. The criteria that NASCAR has laid out for realignment….the saturated market and the major market….those are things that we can’t change and we know that. I know we gave it our best shot with what we had to work with but it’s something that’s way beyond our control.” Given the part Rockingham has played in NASCAR history Browning said “I guess in a way it’s kinda fitting that it goes out like this because this is a pretty historical announcement and again the track was right in the middle of it one more time.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(5-15-2004)

Martinsville bought by ISC, Rockingham sold to SMI by ISC: International Speedway Corporation [ISC] announced the following: The Company will acquire the assets of Martinsville Speedway, which hosts two NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events annually, for $192 million. The acquisition will be funded by $100.4 million in proceeds from the sale of the assets of North Carolina Speedway, which currently hosts one NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event annually, and $91.6 million in cash. Speedway Motorsports, Inc. [SMI] will purchase North Carolina for $100.4 million, as per the terms of a settlement agreement in the Ferko/Vaughn litigation filed with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division. The Settlement Agreement releases ISC and NASCAR from all claims related to the litigation. The released claims include, but are not limited to, allegations or assertions with respect to the awarding and/or sanctioning of races, the effect of the common control of NASCAR and ISC residing in the France Family Group, and the market power either individually or jointly of NASCAR and ISC. Separately, the Company received NASCAR's approval for the realignment of several NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races within its portfolio beginning in 2005. The net result is the addition of a second Cup event for Phoenix International Raceway and the reduction of Darlington Raceway's event schedule by one Cup date. ISC also intends for Nazareth Speedway's NASCAR Busch and IRL IndyCar events to be realigned to other facilities within its portfolio and will cease major motorsport event operations at the facility after completion of the track's 2004 events. Martinsville Acquisition and Ferko/Vaughn Settlement The acquisition of Martinsville and the sale of North Carolina will happen in a series of transactions that will essentially occur simultaneously. Martinsville is privately owned, and the France family, which controls in excess of 60% of the combined voting interest of ISC, indirectly owns 50% of Martinsville. The addition of an incremental NASCAR NEXTEL Cup date resulting from the Transactions was integral to the Company's decision to settle the Ferko/Vaughn litigation through the sale of North Carolina. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, SMI will purchase North Carolina for $100.4 million in cash. The sale of North Carolina is expected to close following the satisfaction of conditions as provided in the North Carolina Asset Purchase Agreement and the Settlement Agreement. The Settlement Agreement is subject to Court approval, which the Company anticipates receiving within the next 30 to 45 days. The purchase prices for the assets of both facilities are subject to certain non-material adjustments and prorations at closing, and both are expected to close within the next 30 to 45 days in ISC's third quarter. ISC expects to record an approximate $36 million after-tax gain, or $0.68 per diluted share, from the sale of North Carolina and will reflect the facility's operations as discontinued in the Company's financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles Significant Realignment Initiatives Announced for 2005 NASCAR has approved ISC's proposal for the realignment of several NEXTEL Cup dates, including races at Phoenix, Darlington and California Speedway. Commented John R. Saunders, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ISC. "In addition, race fans in the Southwest will have another opportunity to experience the excitement of live NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing. We will install lighting at Phoenix in order for the facility's 2005 spring race to finish under the lights during east coast prime time, typically a time of day with larger television audiences. Also, by realigning Nazareth's Busch and IRL events to other facilities in our portfolio, we believe we can successfully grow these events over the long term at a quicker rate than in their current venue. As such, we are presently working with the various sanctioning bodies involved." ISC will record a non-cash pre-tax charge of approximately $13 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, to reflect the impairment of Nazareth's long-lived assets.(ISC PR)(5-14-2004)

Rockingham gone...confirmed...All-Star race back at Lowe's in 2005: The 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule will be announced Friday morning at a 9:30am/et news conference at Richmond International Raceway, and North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham will not be on it. "NASCAR has made the decision to not run any more Cup races at North Carolina Speedway after this season," Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president for corporate communications, said Thursday, formally sounding the death knell for the 1.017-mile track. Its date will move to Texas Motor Speedway for 2005. Hunter would not comment further on the details of what will be announced by NASCAR chairman Brian France this morning, but sources tell The Charlotte Observer that next year's schedule will also include a second race for Phoenix International Raceway that will come at the expense of Darlington Raceway. That means the Carolinas will have only three Nextel Cup points events next season after playing host to five in 2004.
There will be some good news today for Lowe's Motor Speedway, however. The Charlotte Observer has confirmed that the schedule to be announced today will leave the Nextel All-Star Challenge at the Charlotte track for 2005.
The announcement of the move of a date from North Carolina Speedway, owned by International Speedway Corp., to Texas Motor Speedway, owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc., indicates that a settlement has been reached in a lawsuit filed by SMI stockholder Francis Ferko alleging that NASCAR reneged on a promise to give a second Cup date to the Texas track. Speedway Motorsports will own Rockingham as part of that settlement, but in his statement Friday, Hunter emphasized that it is NASCAR's decision to end Rockingham's run as a host of stock-car racing's top series that began in 1965.

Other Press Conferences Friday:
Texas Motor Speedway will host the Dallas-Fort Worth media to listen in via teleconference to the announcement here. Sources said the second Texas race would be held on Nov. 6, making it part of the 10-race Chase for the Championship.
International Speedway Corp. officials will then hold an 11 a.m. news conference at Richmond, discussing its decision to "realign" a date from Darlington to Phoenix.
The Phoenix track will then host media from that area for at 3:30 p.m. Eastern (12:30 p.m. Phoenix time) to talk about its new race, which will be slotted on April 24.

When the day is done, the 2005 Nextel Cup schedule is expected to take on a significantly different look.
After beginning the year with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20 next season
the circuit will go to California Speedway on Feb. 27.
After taking the first weekend in March off, teams will go West again to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 13.
then go to Atlanta Motor Speedway the following Sunday. That pushes the races back at those two tracks one week later than this year.
Darlington's only Cup race in 2005 will run on May 7, the night before Mother's Day. NASCAR's top series has traditionally taken Mother's Day weekend off.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-13-2004)

North Carolina Test Facility Planned: The Charlotte Regional Partnership is spearheading plans to seek state money to help build a $50 million motorsports test-track complex near Charlotte, the Charlotte Business Journal reports. The group hopes the facility will cement the area's status as the home of most of NASCAR's top-tier teams in the wake of new and expanded programs in Virginia and South Carolina. Reporter Ken Elkins writes that organizers are looking for up to 150 acres within 30 miles of Lowe's Motor Speedway for a facility that would include super speedway, mid-length oval and road-course tracks. No grandstands would be built. Teams could save money, the story says, by not having to travel to facilities such as Kentucky Speedway to conduct non-sanctioned tests.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(4-30-2004)

AND An effort is gearing up to build a state-funded motorsports test-track complex near Charlotte, with organizers saying the $50 million facility would help attract more Nextel Cup teams to the area. The Charlotte Regional Partnership is spearheading the idea, seeking up to 150 acres within 30 miles of Lowe's Motor Speedway for a facility that would include super speedway, mid-length oval and road-course tracks. "It could be configured to represent 75% of the types of tracks on the NASCAR circuit," says Michael Almond, chief executive of the regional partnership, a 16-county, public-private economic development agency. The complex, tentatively dubbed the N.C. Motorsports Testing and Research Complex, would include garages, administrative space and about $5 million in testing equipment but no grandstands. No site has been selected. The proposal faces two key challenges: Organizers are seeking state funds to pay for construction, and they want the land to be donated. "We are assuming that the land would be contributed as a way of having skin in the game," Almond says. Such property may already be available. Sources familiar with the test-track proposal say officials in Cabarrus, Iredell and Stanly counties have expressed interest in the project, suggesting sites that would be available at little or no cost. Also, Humpy Wheeler, president of Speedway Motorsports Inc., has offered 100 acres at the Lowe's Motor Speedway for the complex. Presumably, that Cabarrus site would have to be supplemented by 50 acres. Some have suggested using North Carolina Speedway at Rockingham for the testing complex, especially if that track loses its last NASCAR-sanctioned race.(Charlotte Business Journal)(5-5-2004)

Some Rockingham Notes/Comments: Rockingham has gone the way of North Wilkesboro. And Hickory. And Bowman Gray. And Raleigh. And Asheville-Weaverville. The news out of Daytona is, once again, sad. We will race no more at North Carolina Motor Speedway. NASCAR will sacrifice it for a second race at Texas as a part of a convoluted settlement of a convoluted lawsuit. NCMS will be dropped from the 2005 schedule. The next schedule will also be without one of the Darlington events, the old track finally losing out to progress and legal battles. Phoenix is expected to add a second race for the 2005 season as the sport continues a trend away from its Southern roots toward nationalism. The official announcements will not come until later in the summer, and few people in the sport were willing to talk as the news trickled out this week. People in and around Rockingham were more than willing. "We're mad, we're angry and we're disappointed that we weren't given a chance," Rockingham city manager Monty Crump said. "This was a done deal. We were set up to fail." There's a lot of truth behind Crump's claim. The races at Rockingham could've easily been saved by moving the winter race to the summer, by adding lights and by NASCAR acknowledging that North Carolina Motor Speedway was an important part of the sport.(more at the Roanoke Times)(4-23-2004)

More on 'The Rock' losing it's date/being sold: It appears one more race is leaving NASCAR's heartland... sources tell WFMY News 2. North Carolina speedway will be purchased as part of a settlement in a lawsuit and the buyer will be SpeedwayMotorsports Inc [SMI]. Their goal is to move a second race date to their Texas Motor Speedway. Here's a breakdown of what's happening and why:
Sources say SMI will buy the Rockingham track for 100-million dollars. Bruton Smith, the chairman of SMI, plans to shut down Rockingham and move that race to Texas Motor Speedway. Smith says NASCAR promised him they would give him a race at his Texas Motor Speedway, but that never happened and he had to go out and find his own. So SMI shareholders believe a deal to buy the Rockingham track and move the race to Texas will finally fulfill that promise from years ago. You may remember Smith set a precedent for moving races when he co-purchased the North Wilkesboro track years ago. That race is now at Texas Motor Speedway. So this new deal would likely mean two races that used to be in North Carolina are now in Texas.(WFMYnews2.com)(4-10-2004)

2nd Texas Race for All-Star Race Trade? Bruton Smith is reported to be on the verge of getting NASCAR to agree to grant him a long-awaited second Nextel Cup date at Texas Motor Speedway, through the purchase of North Carolina Speedway, according to sources. But then it gets complicated, according to those sources. In turn NASCAR wants Smith to let Richmond International Raceway take the May all-star race from Smith's Lowe's Motor Speedway. For that, Smith wants a second Cup date for his Las Vegas track. If all that happens, Darlington Raceway could lose one of its two Cup races. Smith has considerable support at the moment, from teams and sponsors and TV networks, for his Las Vegas pitch.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-26-2004)

Darlington AND Rockingham to lose races? Alternating ONE racedate? Texas and Vegas get the dates? UPDATE 2 Darlington expects to get two dates in 2005:
Settlement negotiations in a lawsuit over a second Nextel Cup date for Texas Motor Speedway have potentially major ramifications for two tracks in the Carolinas, The Observer has learned. A source close to talks in a suit against NASCAR by two Speedway Motorsports Inc. [SMI] shareholders said Monday a settlement could result in International Speedway Corp. selling both North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham and Darlington Raceway to SMI. If such a deal were made, two of three remaining Cup dates from Rockingham and Darlington would move – one to Texas Motor Speedway and the other to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, giving those SMI-owned tracks two dates each per season. The other date would alternate between Rockingham and Darlington, with the Nextel Cup, Busch and Truck series racing at Rockingham one year then at Darlington the next [so much for lights and SAFER]. "I am aware of the (settlement) talks," SMI chairman Bruton Smith said Monday. "I think that they have been going on for about two months, and they're further down the road than they ever have been. But there will have to be a written agreement among all of the attorneys before there's any done deal." Smith said that in his mind any settlement of the suit would have to include a second Cup date for Texas. "That's certainly the key to it, that's why it was filed," he said.(more at ThatsRacin.com), see past news about this on my lawsuit page.(3-23-2004)
UPDATE: After attracting the largest crowd in the 45-year history of Darlington Raceway's spring Nextel Cup event, track officials are feeling good about their chances of keeping two races for 2005. How good? "I feel confident we'll host two races next year. Frankly, I can't see it any other way," raceway president Andrew Gurtis said Tuesday. "As the promoter at Darlington Raceway, look at the last two races we've had here. We've had a sellout for the Mountain Dew Southern 500, and a record crowd for the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400. We have two strong sponsors on our Cup races, and great racing. Things are just stacking up." But sources have indicated to The Post and Courier that the millions of dollars ISC has spent to add the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barrier and a lighting system at Darlington guarantee that the Pee Dee track will have at least one annual event on the Nextel Cup schedule.(Chareslton Post and Courier)
BUT Could a settlement be imminent in the battle to bring a second Nextel Cup race to Texas Motor Speedway? According to several media outlets, yes. But spokesmen for the opposing camps said they are simply following court orders in a mediation process. According to The Associated Press, Samuel Cherry, the attorney for a TMS shareholder who sued NASCAR over its refusal to award a second event, said Tuesday that progress is being made in settlement talks. Cherry said the plaintiffs and NASCAR have agreed not to discuss specifics of the 2-year-old suit. Spokespersons from both racing entities contend that no settlement is about to materialize. "(The suit) is based on the false presumption that NASCAR promised Texas Motor Speedway a second date, which NASCAR did not," NASCAR vice president of communications Jim Hunter said. "No settlement has been reached, to my knowledge." Lauri Wilks, Hunter's counterpart at SMI didn't know anything more. "Not as far as I know," Wilks said. "I don't have an official word of anything." Apparently, there is no agreement -- at least not in written form -- on the table. "Obviously, as everyone knows, it's in the best interest of the sport to put this thing behind us," Hunter said. "We're not at liberty to discuss any of the particulars. There is no timeline. In the meantime, we've got to get on with the business of running the races."(in part from the Daytona Beach News Journal/AP)(3-24-2004)

Last Race at the Rock? this weekend? UPDATE: North Carolina Speedway general manager Chris Browning said Saturday that no one from NASCAR or International Speedway Corporation has approached him regarding the possibility of moving the track's date to another venue, or selling the track and its date to Speedway Motorsports. Rumors have surfaced throughout the week that this weekend's Subway 400 could be the last race at the gritty 1.017-mile oval. Browning disagrees, saying that NASCAR and ISC understand the challenges of their February race date, and feels confident Rockingham would get the chance to prove their worth with a more favorable date. Browning is confident that the Nextel Cup Series will be racing in North Carolina's sand hills in 2005. "There's been nothing said internally, so I chalk it up to a good rumor," Browning continued. "For 10 years, we were supposed to lose a date, and it's just now happened." Some have speculated that ISC plans to sell the track to Bruton Smith, owner of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., who would then move the date to one of his tracks, likely Texas Motor Speedway. Shareholders of SMI are currently suing NASCAR, claiming NASCAR officials have failed to follow through with a promise to award Texas Motor Speedway a second Cup date. Subsequently, speculation has arisen that the lawsuit could be settled by selling Rockingham to Smith. "The Bruton rumors are just rumors," Browning said. "There is no indication of truth." Browning said ticket sales are already higher than they were for this event last year, due in part to Dale Earnhardt's Jr.'s victory in the Daytona 500, but that the Subway 400 won't sell out. Browning said track officials are working diligently to book events at the track, such as rodeos, car shows and racing events for other series such as ASA and ARCA. They're also open to the idea of installing lights.(in part from NASCAR.com)(2-21-2004)
UPDATE: Bob Dilner reported on Speed News that word has it that the race this weekend at Rockingham/North Carolina Speedway will be the last Cup race held there, with rumors having the date going to either Phoenix or Texas.(Speed Channel's Speed News - NASCAR Edition) and on Speed's NASCAR: Victory Lane, John Roberts said it was a done deal, but unofficial as NASCAR has not made an announcement yet....he also mentioned Las Vegas as a candiate for the race date.(2-22-2004)

Attendance at the Rock, 40,000? Attendance struggles at "The Rock" are one of the key reasons NASCAR has taken a second Rockingham traditional fall date away this season. Attendance was estimated at 40,000 despite a capacity of 60,113 that ranks among the circuit's smallest. A backstretch expansion of 28,021 seats never has been filled.(Orlando Sentinel)(2-23-2004)

ThunderFest at the Rock: The seventh annual ThunderFest hits North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham on Saturday, February 21, 2004, for a NASCAR celebration - Shenandoah style. Shenandoah has established themselves as a successful country "Supergroup" winning a CMA award, TNN and ACM group of the year accolades, and the much coveted Grammy. The concert will start at 7:00pm/et, admission to the concert is FREE and buses will be shuttling concert goers from the ticket office to the concert site. Fans are encouraged to enter the concert at Gate D off Highway US 177 at North Carolina Speedway. For the races, great seats are still available, so order now! To purchase tickets, or for more information on North Carolina Speedway events, please call the speedway ticket office at (866) 451-RACE or visit online at www.northcarolinaspeedway.com.(2-19-2004)

Tix Still Available for Races at the Rock: North Carolina Speedway is a 1.017-mile superspeedway located in the Sandhills of North Carolina and has hosted NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events since 1965. The February 22 Subway 400 will be the series' first appearance in the Carolinas of the 2004 season. Great seats are still available, so order now! Qualifying and practice for both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series takes place on Friday, February 20. The Goody's Headache Powder 200 NASCAR Busch Series event takes the green flag on Saturday, February 21 followed by the Subway 400 on Sunday, February 22. Children 12 and under will be admitted FREE to the General Admission section for Qualifying on Friday and Saturday's Goody's Headache Powder 200 when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets may be purchased by calling the North Carolina Speedway ticket office at (866) 451-RACE or by visiting online at www.northcarolinaspeedway.com.(2-16-2004)

Diamond Rio To Perform National Anthem at the Rock: Arista Records national recording artist Diamond Rio is scheduled to sing the national anthem prior to the February 22 Subway 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at North Carolina Speedway. The bands debut project, Diamond Rio, was released in 1991 and their hit single, "Meet In The Middle", made history as the first single by a country band to hit #1 on all 3 national charts. Seven more albums have followed all earning gold or platinum certification. The four-time CMA Vocal Group of the Year has sold over eight million records, received 13 Grammy nominations and boast hits like "One More Day", "I Believe" and "Beautiful Mess", all multi-week #1 singles. Their current album, Completely, is a follow-up to One More Day and offers a wide array of styles, including pop-ballads, jazz, hardcore country and honky-tonk. The single, "I Believe", scored a Grammy nomination this year for Best Country Performance by a Duo of Group. Following a tour stop in Fayetteville the day prior, Diamond Rio has been hitting the road touring, and what better place to stop than at "The Rock".(NCS Site)(2-16-2004)

Goody's Headache Powder Sponsors Busch Series Race: North Carolina Speedway and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare are teaming up to host the Goody's Headache Powder 200 NASCAR Busch Series event on Saturday, February 21 at "The Rock" - the series' first appearance in the Carolinas of the 2004 season. The brand's relationship with NASCAR dates back to 1977 when Goody's became one of the sanctioning body's first non-automotive sponsors. Today it continues its status as the "Official Pain Reliever of NASCAR." The weekend kicks off Friday, February 20 with practice and qualifying for both the NASCAR Busch and NEXTEL Cup Series. The 197-lap Goody's Headache Powder 200 Busch Series race begins at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, and the Subway 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series takes the green flag Sunday, February 22 at 1:00 p.m. Great seats are still available, so order now! To purchase tickets, or for more information on North Carolina Speedway events, please call the speedway ticket office at (866) 451-RACE or visit us online at www.northcarolinaspeedway.com.(North Carolina Speedway PR)(2-11-2004)

The Rock For Sale...to Bruton? UPDATE Denied: The news from Texas is more talk that the France family may be proposing a sale of North Carolina Speedway to Bruton Smith, with the tacit understanding that Smith would move that Cup tour date to Texas Motor Speedway in 2005, possibly for a September or October race weekend. In turn the Francis Ferko anti-trust case against NASCAR over that second Cup date would be quietly dropped. Sources close to the situation said the movement in that direction began last August after Bill France Jr.'s deposition in the case. Shortly after that deposition, Brian France was given the reins of the family business. It's unclear when that deposition might be made public.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-24-2004)
UPDATE: Bruton Smith said he is not currently interested in a deal with Rockingham Motor Speedway in an effort to bring a second Nextel Cup race. Nor is he interested in building a track in Seattle. However, Smith is interested in the New York/New Jersey area. In fact, he has been for years.(Sheveport Times)(1-29-2004)

Amtrak Offers Rockingham Package: North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham says Amtrak is again offering its "Roundtrip Rail" packages for the Feb. 22 Subway 400 Nextel Cup race, with departures from Raleigh and Cary, N.C. The packages are $60 plus the cost of race tickets. Details and reservations are available by calling the track at (866) 451-RACE or at the track's Web site, www.northcarolinaspeedway.com.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-23-2004)

Racing Impact Study Funded: The Golden Leaf Foundation Inc. is making a $100,000 grant to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the N.C. Motorsports Association to study the economic impact of the industry in the state, the Charlotte Business Journal reports. The study is supposed to quantify and analyze the economic impact of the industry and recommend strategies to develop motorsports and recruit related businesses to the state. Jeff Michael, director of UNC Charlotte's Urban Institute will serve as project manager. Officials hope to complete the study by May 1. The Golden Leaf Foundation was formed with tobacco-settlement money and promotes long-term economic development in North Carolina.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(12-16-2003)
and see more in columns at
Speed Channel: Study to Chart Business Impact of Charlotte-Area Racing Industry and
the Charlotte Observer: First of a kind study at UNCC)(12-17-2003)

Buy a Ticket, get a Flag: The North Carolina Speedway is giving away checkered flags to those who buy a $65 ticket in the Hamlet High-rise grandstand for February’s Subway 400 race. The flag commemorates NASCAR Winston Cup Series champions who have won at "The Rock." For more information, call the speedway at (866) 451-RACE.(12-2-2003)

Subway Back at the Rock in 2004: Subway has extended its sponsorship of Rockingham's lone Cup race with a multi-year agreement that begins next season.(Roanoke Times)(11-9-2003)

Miss North Carolina 2003 Dana Reason Visits North Carolina Speedway to Commemorate Final Fall Event: The November 9 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 is the final fall event at North Carolina Speedway, and a very special guest will be in attendance to commemorate the occasion. Dana Reason, Miss North Carolina 2003, will make an appearance in the Carolina Concourse and Premier Club Hospitality area on Sunday morning. She will also be on stage to greet the Winston Cup Series drivers for Driver Introductions prior to the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400. During the race, Reason will visit various suites and sign autographs for fans.(North Carolina Speedway PR)(11-3-2003)

Pre-race Stuff at the Rock:North Carolina Speedway has scheduled a military-themed pre-race on Sunday that will feature the 82nd Airborne Chorus, 82nd Airborne Band, and 82nd Airborne Color Guard. Two flyovers are scheduled for the day with four (4) UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the US Army and four (4) F-15's from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. John Jones of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina will perform the Invocation and the National Anthem will be performed by the 82nd Airborne Chorus. On Saturday prior to the Target House 200 NASCAR Busch Series event, Ralph Kersey, a 17-year veteran of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol assigned to Troop H-2 and stationed in Scotland County will perform the National Anthem and Randy Storz of the Beverly Hills Baptist Church in Rockingham will give the Invocation.(North Carolina Speedway PR)(11-3-2003)

Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew Competition at the Rock: Pit crews, rather than drivers, are in the spotlight November 8, 2003, at North Carolina Speedway for the 36th annual 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew Competition. The purse for this year's event is $100,000, with $30,000 going to the winning team. Setting a new world record will result in a $10,000 bonus. Reigning champion - winning consecutively in 2001 and 2002 - is Roush Racing's #17 DeWalt pit crew for current Winston Cup points leader Matt Kenseth. The DeWalt crew bettered their own world record last year by .862 seconds, becoming the first crew to break the 16-second barrier since teams began changing four tires. The current world record, and the time teams will aim to beat in 2003, is 16.823 seconds. Since 1967, the Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew Competition has been the only NASCAR sanctioned pit crew contest on the circuit. Giving world-class pit crews a time to shine, this event rewards the best of the best with the coveted 'World Championship Pit Crew' title. Held annually during the fall race weekend at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, the object of the competition is for each crew in the top 25 in points to empty 14 gallons of 76 Gasoline into the car (two cans holding seven gallons each) and change both left- and right-side tires in as short a time as possible. Time penalties are assessed for various infractions including loose lug nuts, fuel spills and fuel left in the gas can. The team with the fastest time becomes the new world champion.(North Carolina Speedway PR), for last years results, current news and the Pit Crew Chart, see my Pit Crew Page.(10-21-2003)

Rockingham News: The fate of North Carolina Speedway at Rockingham continues to be debated. There has long been speculation that Bill France might sell the track to SMI's Bruton Smith and let Smith move its one remaining date to Texas. Smith said he knows nothing new.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-24-2003)

Target and General Mills Team Up to Raise Funds for Target House: The first annual Target House 200 NASCAR Busch Series race is scheduled for November 8, 2003, at North Carolina Speedway. Target and General Mills will be working together to raise money for Target House, a home away from home for families and children receiving care at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. "We're grateful to have such a high-profile event to help raise funds and visibility for Target House and the hospital," said Richard Shadyac, National Executive Director of ALSAC/St. Jude, the hospital's fund-raising arm. "I know the kids are looking forward to cheering on their favorite drivers during the race." To help raise funds for Target House, Target will be selling souvenir die-cast racecars on target.com. All proceeds from the die-cast cars will benefit Target House. In addition, a portion of sales from select, specially-marked General Mills snack products sold at Target stores will go toward Target House, with a maximum donation of $50,000. The General Mills snack products include Fruit Gushers, Pop Secret Popcorn, Fruit Roll-Ups and Chex Mix. The Target Chip Ganassi Racing team associate sponsors including Fujifilm, Coca-Cola, Reckitt Benckiser, Nestle Purina and Clorox have committed an additional $30,000 to Target House. Target has a long history of supporting motorsports and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The Target Chip Ganassi Racing team has supported St. Jude and Target House since 1997 through donations from the race team. The team provides $25 for each lap lead, $1,000 for each pole position and $5,000 for every race win. Over the past six seasons, the team has raised more than $275,000 for the hospital and Target House. "Target House is one of our leading community programs and we're happy this race will heighten the visibility of the ground-breaking work taking place at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," said John Remington, vice president, events marketing and communications, Target Corporation. Fans can order tickets to the inaugural Target House 200 by calling the North Carolina Speedway ticket office at 1-800-PITSHOP or 910-582-2861 or by visiting online at www.northcarolinaspeedway.com.
About Target House: Funded by Target Stores and its vendor and celebrity partners, Target House is a home-away-from-home for families with children receiving life-saving treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. As an extension of St. Jude's commitment to care for any child regardless of the family's ability to pay, Target House provides fully furnished apartments, free-of-charge. Based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(8-4-2003)

Bruton to buy another track? Might Bruton Smith be in the market for another track? There are rumblings that Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports, will purchase an existing racetrack to get the Winston Cup date for one of his current tracks, likely Las Vegas. He did it at North Wilkesboro, and Rockingham [an ISC Track?] might be next.(Sporting News)(8-4-2003)

The 'Rock's' Mayor to meet with ISC [may have met]: Rockingham mayor, Gene McLaurin, and other officials from the town and region will meet today [Wed, July 23rd or was it Tues?] with a key official from International Speedway Corporation to talk about what can be done to secure the area's NASCAR future. NASCAR announced in June that it had approved ISC's request to shift one of North Carolina Speedway's two Winston Cup dates to California Speedway next season. McLaurin said today's meeting with ISC vice president Grant Lynch will be a brainstorming session to come up with ways to assure the Rockingham track won't lose its remaining date. "We want to do everything we can to protect our future," McLaurin said. "We want to take any step we can to improve what we offer and what we do to help support NASCAR here." Former N.C. Gov. Jim Holshouser and Erskine Bowles, a candidate for governor in the most recent N.C. election who also is a former chief of staff for President Clinton, are scheduled to be at today's meeting. "We understand that the sport is growing," McLaurin said. "But we think there is still a place for us."(Charlotte Observer)(7-23-2003)

It's OFFICIAL - California gets 2nd race, on Labor day, Darlington moves to 2nd Rockingham slot, which loses a race: Beginning in 2004, California Speedway will get a second NASCAR Winston Cup date -- Sunday night during Labor Day weekend. This first official move of the Winston Cup Series' "realignment 2004" was announced Friday. The inaugural Pop Secret 500 is scheduled to begin at 8:00pm/et on Sunday, Sept. 5th, and will be telecast live on NBC. California Speedway is touting it as the first Sunday night prime time Winston Cup event. NASCAR president Mike Helton deflected all questions about additional future changes to the schedule. In 2004, North Carolina Speedway, a 60,113-seat oval in Rockingham, NC will lose its second date on the schedule, in the fall. This season Rockingham's spring race was held Feb. 23, a date that has been weather-plagued through the years. The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, a 60,000-seat oval, will replace Rockingham's fall date. The Southern 500 has been held on Labor Day weekend for 53 years at Darlington, the 1.336-mile South Carolina oval. Darlington maintains its spring event, held annually in March since 1957.(NASCAR.com)(6-13-2003)

2004 Schedule to be announced this coming weekend? UPDATE NO: NASCAR is expected to unveil the 2004 Winston Cup schedule this weekend, and the only major change is that California will get a second race, replacing the fall date at Rockingham. Insiders say Darlington will lose a race in 2005 to an International Speedway Corporation track. Phoenix would be the best choice, but the race probably will go to Kansas or Chicago, the circuit's newest cookie-cutter tracks. Not only is weather seldom a factor at Phoneix, the track has considerably more character than Kansas or Chicago and produces better racing.(Sporting News), it was announced last Friday on Totally NASCAR that on June 13th, the California to Labor Day and Darlington getting the 2nd Rockingham date in Nov would be announced at Michigan.(6-9-2003)
UPDATE: International Speedway Corp.[ISC] has scheduled a news conference for 1:00pm/et on Friday, June 13th at Michigan International Speedway where officials are expected to announce ISC will move one of the Winston Cup race dates at its track in Rockingham, NC, to California Speedway in 2004. In addition, the second race at California Speedway, will be held during Labor Day weekend, traditionally the home of the Southern 500 at Darlington, SC, another ISC track. Since joining the series in 1997, California has usually hosted its Winston Cup race in April. That race will remain, sources said. Darlington's Southern 500 will take a date later in the season, but will continue to host two Winston Cup races in 2004, sources said. Reports surfaced last weekend at Pocono that NASCAR could announce the entire 2004 schedule this weekend, but NASCAR officials on Tuesday said the schedule was not completed.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-10-2003)

California to Labor Day in 2004: there will be an official announcement at Michigan International Speedway on June 13th that California Speedway would get a 2nd Cup race to run on Labor Day weekend in 2004, with Darlington Raceway and the Southern 500 being moved to the Rockingham spot in late 2004. Rockingham [North Carolina Speedway] will be cut down to one race in 2004, which currently is run in the last weekend in February.(Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR)(5-30-2003)

Ticket Deal at the Rock: North Carolina Speedway is offering ticket deals and prizes May 16 and 17 for fans who purchase tickets for the Nov. 9 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 by calling the speedway ticket office or visiting two special locations. Tickets will be sold at the NASCAR Cafe in Myrtle Beach, S.C., May 15 and 16 during Bike Week and at the NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway in Concord on May 17. Prizes include pre-race pit passes, autographed items, speedway souvenirs and a chance to ride in the pace car around the 1.017-mile track. For a list of contest rules, call (910) 582-2861 or (800) 748-7467 or go online to www.northcarolinaspeedway.com.(5-11-2003)

Darlington Safe? Rockingham Not? One NASCAR sergeant says the Darlington spring race will be on the schedule in 2004, and the exciting finish there last Sunday only will help. Although Rockingham can kiss its February race good-bye, Darlington apparently will get a reprieve -- at least for next year. There are whispers that the race at Homestead, last on the schedule this year, might move into Rockingham's February date and that California's race, currently in April, might move to the season finale in 2004.(Sporting News)(3-17-2003)

The Rock race to Texas? The talk of Realignment 2004 and Beyond is weekly fodder for the gristmill as the tour visits the venues that make up the 2003 schedule. Darlington Raceway was a target to lose a date well before France dropped his date moving bomb in mid-January. While the history likely goes back at least 10 or more years, the talk seems to ebb and flow, but with Realignment 2004 on the table the talk was raised to a whole new level. Sources told teamfordracing.com during the Rockingham, NC race weekend that North Carolina Speedway was likely to loose a date, with Texas Motor Speedway the destination for the race as the France family works towards getting the Francis Ferko anti-trust/collusion trial settled; and that Darlington was rock solid with two dates for 2004. That talk seems to be a little more solid, or at least the Darlington aspect of that talk, as this weekend NASCAR men are spinning the virtues of two dates here in 2004. Taking the talk closer reality are claims by Darlington track officials to teamfordracing.com, this morning, that they are “very close” to extending their deal with the Dodge Dealers for sponsorship of this race beyond 2003, or when the current sponsorship contract is set to conclude. Darlington has a deal with Pepsi Co’s Mountain Dew product to sponsor the Southern 500, Darlington’s fall date, through 2004.(Ford Racing)(3-16-2003)

Army probe finds winds safe for jump [at Rockingham]: An Army investigation concluded that wind speeds were within safe limits when a parachute team missed the landing area during a Winston Cup race in February. The demonstration was part of pre-race activities for the Subway 400 on Feb. 23 in Rockingham. Four soldiers from the Black Daggers, the Army special operations parachute team, were injured when winds carried them away from the planned landing area. Col. Leonard H. Kiser, a senior Army National Guard adviser for the command, injured his back. Sgt. 1st Class Stuart J. Goodall, a civil affairs team leader with 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, broke his ankle. Maj. Anthony C. Dill, executive officer for 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, broke his wrist, and Air Force Capt. Jesse L. Peterson of the 10th Combat Weather Squadron suffered cuts on his face. Maj. Gary Kolb, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, said the conditions changed drastically after the jumpers left the aircraft. The winds were still within the military's safety limits, he said. The eight-man parachute team jumped from a helicopter at 3,000 feet. All of the soldiers are expected to completely recover from their injuries, Kolb said. Due to deployments and the injuries to the four jumpers, the Black Dagger parachute team was forced to cancel its remaining demonstration jumps. ''We have a lack of team members," Kolb said. The team will resume jumping when team members return from deployments. None of the four jumpers that were injured have deployed.(Fayetteville Observer)(3-14-2003)

Rockingham news - ISC could sell to Smith? • The latest speculation about the fate of North Carolina Motor Speedway at Rockingham is that next season the track will have only one Winston Cup date, in April, and if that race doesn't sell out, then the International Speedway Corporation might sell the track to Bruton Smith.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-3-2003)

California to get Rock's spring date? Rock to April, Calif to 2nd Rock date? One Cup schedule change in 2004 under very serious consideration is to move this second race of the season next year to Fontana, CA. Rockingham's Chris Browning, sensing that next year's tour will likely include only one date here, is pushing for an April date in exchange, hoping for better weather. If Browning gets that OK'd, then California's late April date could be moved to Rockingham's late October date.(Winston Salem Journal)(2-24-2003)

Clay Henry: One of Subway's most famous spokespersons, Clay Henry, served as grand marshal for Sunday's race, the Subway 400. Henry has been featured in several commercials since losing 130 pounds on a diet that included Subway sandwiches.(Morning News)(2-24-2003)

No Winner from the pole..again at the Rock: The pole winner hasn't won the Cup race at Rockingham in the last 17 races, dating to Jeff Gordon in the spring of 1995.(Daily Press), Sunday's pole sitter, #77-Dave Blaney finished 10th.(2-24-2003)

Public VIP Packages at the Rock: Public VIP Suite packages at North Carloina Speedway for the races on February 21 - 23, include access to the suite, pre-race pit pass, VIP Parking, light breakfast, light lunch, appetizers, all beverages, closed circuit television in the suite, speakers for Motor Racing Network race coverage, air-conditioning/heat, and individual men's and women's restrooms. VIP Suite passes can be purchased for Saturday’s Rockingham 200 BGN race for $200 per person, Sunday’s Subway 400 Winston Cup Series race for $300 per person or the entire NASCAR weekend, which includes Friday’s qualifying for both series, for $550 per person. The North Carolina Speedway ticket office phone lines are now open seven days a week through the February 23 Subway 400 Winston Cup weekend. Extended hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am - 7:00pm/et. Great seats and VIP Packages are still available for the Subway 400 and the Rockingham 200. Tickets may be purchased by calling the North Carolina Speedway ticket office at (910) 582-2861 or (800) 748-7467. For tickets and information you may also visit online.(North Carolina Speedway Site)(2-8-2003)

Sad News: Carrie B. DeWitt, the former chairman of the board of North Carolina Speedway, died Sunday in Pinehurst at the age of 91. Survivors include one of her daughters, Jo DeWitt Wilson, who was the president of the track from Sept. 1994 through 2002. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Cole Auditorium at Richmond Community College in Hamlet.(Fayetteville Observer)(1-20-2003)

Have Breakfast with Bobby Labonte: North Carolina Speedway is giving race fans a special opportunity to join 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Bobby Labonte for breakfast prior to the Subway 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series event on February 23, 2003. For only $85, fans can purchase a special “Breakfast with Bobby” race package, which includes a 20-minute Question & Answer session with Bobby Labonte, a commemorative Bobby Labonte ticket, a $65 ticket in Hamlet high-rise grandstand, full breakfast in Turn 2 Hospitality Village and a chance to win a variety of autographed items (no individual autographs). This offer is valid December 2 – 20 only. Limit 10 tickets per order. This offer is not valid with previously purchased tickets. Rules and restrictions may apply.(North Carloina Speedway Site)(11-29-2002)

Amtrak and the Rock: On February 23rd, 2003, race fans can ride the non-stop Rockingham Race Special from Raleigh and Cary to the SUBWAY 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at the North Carolina Speedway. Race fans may choose from three great fare packages:
An "All-Inclusive" package is available for $180 and includes round-trip coach fare, a $65 Hamlet High-rise grandstand race ticket, pre-race pit tour (time and weather permitting), admittance to Amtrak hospitality area, closed circuit television, a box lunch, and one beverage.
The "Race and Rail" package consists of round-trip coach fare and a $65 Hamlet High-rise grandstand race ticket and can be purchased for $125.
Those race fans who have already purchased tickets to the race may buy the "Round-trip Rail" package for only $60.
For details and reservations on the Rockingham Race Special call (910) 582-2861. There are a limited number of seats available, so call the speedway ticket office today to book your race package. Train departs North Carolina Speedway with all AMTRAK guests one hour after the checkered flag waves and the race is complete.(North Carloina Speedway Site)(11-29-2002)

Rockingham Tix Go On Sale Dec 2nd: Tickets for the February 21 – 23, 2003 Rockingham 200/ Subway 400 NASCAR weekend at North Carolina Speedway go on sale Monday, December 2. Qualifying for both NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series events take place on Friday. February 21. Tickets for NASCAR Busch Series and Winston Cup Series Qualifying, Rockingham 200 NASCAR Busch Series and the Subway 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series events go on sale Monday, December 2. To order tickets, call the North Carolina Speedway Ticket Office at (910) 582-2861.(NCS Site)(11-26-2002)

Nice Crowd: Johnny Benson joined Donnie Allison (1968), Mark Martin (1989) and Ward Burton (1995) as drivers whose first Winston Cup wins have come at North Carolina Speedway.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(11-4-2002)

Rock dates in trouble? there is once again speculation that North Carolina Speedway [Rockingham - The Rock] may not be on the Winston Cup tour much longer. Ever since International Speedway Corp.[ISC] bought it a few years ago, there have been rumors that at least one of the track's two Cup race dates might be moved to a larger market, such as Los Angeles. The tour stops twice in Rockingham here and twice at Darlington, and all four races are typically attended by modest crowds compared to the tour's new super tracks. Cutting a date or two from either Rockingham or Darlington would actually boost attendance for the remaining races. But the Texas lawsuit against NASCAR, filed last February by a disgruntled stockholder in Speedway Motorsports, the parent company of Texas Motor Speedway, could be a sticking point to any decisions about Rockingham and Darlington.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-1-2002)

Tix Avail for the Rock: Tickets for the November races at North Carolina Speedway are now on sale. Action includes qualifying for NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch cars on Friday, Nov. 1, the Sam’s Club 200 and Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew Competition on Saturday, Nov. 2, and the Pop Secret 400 on Sunday, Nov. 3.(Fayettevile Observer)(6-7-2002)

2nd Race Rumors, the Rock out? Texas and Calif In?: The word in the garage last weekend at California Speedway was that, once again, officials of the International Speedway Corporation are looking hard at how to add a second Winston Cup date to that Los Angeles area track, which sold out for Sunday's race (although Saturday's Busch race a crowd of only some 25,000). And there are indications that the lawsuit against ISC and NASCAR for not offering Texas Motor Speedway a second Winston Cup date may be putting enough pressure on NASCAR to get it off dead-center on the issue and to make some concessions. One option being considered, according to track sources, is for ISC to take its two Winston Cup dates from North Carolina Motor Speedway at Rockingham and move one to its California track and offer the other to Speedway Motorsports boss Bruton Smith, for either another Texas date or a second Las Vegas date.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-3-2002)

National Anthem at the Rock: National recording artist Trace Adkins will perform the national anthem prior to the February 24 Subway 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at North Carolina Speedway.(NCS Site)(2-17-2002)

Subway at the Rock? UPDATE 2: hearing that Subway will be the new title sponsor of the Feb 24th Cup race at Rockingham, NC (North Carolina Speedway), being known as the Subway 400 (1-24-2002)
UPDATE: haven't seen any announcments but during the Fox coverage of the NFC Championship game [sniff] there were many ads for the next NASCAR race on Fox, at Rockingham/North Carolina Speedway on Feb 24th and it was called the Subway 400(1-28-2002)
UPDATE 2: Subway Restaurants is pleased to announce, their entitlement of the February 24, 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series event, the SUBWAY 400, at the North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC. For Subway, the decision to sponsor the NASCAR Winston Cup Series event comes after the franchise's successful endeavors in 2001 with limited sponsorship of Winston Cup and NASCAR Busch Series races.(NCS Site)(2-2-2002)

Train to the Rock:On February 24, 2002, race fans can ride the Amtrak non-stop Rockingham Race Special from Raleigh to the North Carolina 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at the North Carolina Speedway. For more info, see the NCS Site.(1-28-2002)

North Carolina Security Measures: Security concerns in the continuing unrest following the September 11 attacks have led many race tracks to rethink their admission policies, and North Carolina Motor Speedway is one of them. The track has imposed new limits on what fans may bring into the track. Those policies will go into effect immediately and will be enforced at the February 24 North Carolina 400. Fans can bring in one soft-sided cooler no larger than 6in x 6in x 12in, or in its stead as scanner bag or diaper bag. The fans may also bring in one clear plastic bag no larger than 18in x 18in x 4in to carry things received or purchased at the track. This clear bag may not contain ice. Also allowed will be binoculars, scanners or cameras worn on the person and not carried in a bag but around the neck or on the belt. Hard-sides coolers, thermoses or insulated cups will not be permitted. Previous track policy prohibited strollers, umbrellas or large backpacks from being brought into the grounds. The track also said that all items will be subject to search.(SpeedVision)(1-17-2002)

Darlington Spring Race Moves? Darlington will replace Rockingham as the second race of the year. Rockingham has hosted the second race of the season since 1992. Before that, the second race alternated between Rockingham and Richmond; and Daytona, when Riverside remained on the schedule. The change in schedule for next season will allow Fox to begin coverage of the first half of the season at Darlington. NBC and Fox rotate coverage of the season-opening Daytona 500. NBC will broadcast the race in 2002. Sources said Rockingham's first race of the 2002 season will move to April, likely one of the weeks following the April 7 race at Talladega. The track's second race will continue to remain near the end of the season's schedule(That's Racin')(7-6-2001)

Tix at the Rock: Tickets are now on sale for races at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham on Nov. 3-4. Tickets may be purchased by calling (910) 582-2861 or online at www.northcarolinaspeedway.com(6-13-2001)

Tix at the Rock: Ticket sales have remained steady for this weekend race at Rockingham following the death of driver Dale Earnhardt. A tribute to Earnhardt is being planned for the race weekend. Earnhardt fans, who have left flowers and mementos at the driver's shop and signed guest books at funeral homes around the country, also have left flowers and pictures outside the track. While ticket sales are stable, several motel operators in Rockingham said they have had cancelations from Earnhardt fans too upset to attend a race since the driver was killed in a crash last weekend at the Daytona 500(AP/ESPN)(2-21-2001)

Six Pack UPDATE: Darlington and Rockingham are offering their Pepsi Six-Pack ticket package again this year. The package includes six reserved grandstand seats at for the Feb. 25th Dura-Lube 400 at North Carolina Speedway(The Rock), plus six reserved grandstand seats for the March 18th Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington Raceway. Cost for the package is $240(Darlington Raceway PR)(2-5-2001)
UPDATE: The Pepsi Six-Pack is available only for a limited time, from February 5 through February 12, 2001(2-7-2001)

Rock News: North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham has revised its schedule for the second weekend of the Winston Cup season, eliminating a Friday afternoon practice for Winston Cup teams. Winston Cup cars will now go onto the track for the first time on Saturday, before a single round of qualifying at 10:30am/et. Only Grand National cars will be on the track on Friday(That's Racin')(2-2-2001)

Rockingham 2001 date changes: North Carolina Speedway(NCS) officials announced, a revision in its previously announced schedule for the 2001 NASCAR season. In cooperation with Phoenix International Raceway(PIR), NCS has rescheduled its October BGN and Cup races to November 2 – 4. The change was necessary after the 2001 CART schedule was announced last month with California Speedway scheduled to host a CART event the same weekend PIR traditionally hosts its annual Cup race(NCS Site). No word on the Phoenix date but it should be Oct 28th, 2001(8-25-2000)

Darlington/Rockingham Tix Plan: during the Michigan race it was mentioned on MRN radio that a "12 pack" ticket promotion is available for the Southern 500 at Darlington and the October race at Rockingham. The package would be for six tickets to Darlington and six tickets to Rockingham for $240.00. The ticket offer is only good from August 20-26, 2000. Tickets can be purchased by calling the North Carolina Speedway ticket office only. See the North Carolina Speedway site for the number, but no information is posted there about the program(8-22-2000)

North Carolina Speedway fight UPDATE: Three years after launching an unsuccessful bid to buy N.C. Motor Speedway, Charlotte's Bruton Smith on Tuesday won more than $3.6 million in a Mecklenburg jury verdict. Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports, had sued N.C. Motor Speedway and Penske Motorsports, contending that he should have received millions more from the 1997 sale of the Rockingham racetrack. But after the two-week civil court trial resulting from a long-running dispute, the defendants looked like winners too. Smith was hoping to win as much as $20 million. And he'd asked jurors to set the value of the racetrack as high as $55 a share. See full story at That's Racin': Speedway Motorsports disappointed with $3.6 million ruling by Gary L. Wright. Also see the report on Yahoo Biz: Court Sets Price for North Carolina Speedway Dissenters(4-26-2000)
UPDATE: International Speedway Corp. has been ordered by a North Carolina jury to pay $5 million to O. Bruton Smith and other former minority shareholders in the North Carolina Motor Speedway. The award, which ISC said it will not appeal, resolves a lawsuit brought against Penske Motorsports shortly after it won a bidding war against Smith and others for the Rockingham, N.C. track in 1997. ISC inherited the lawsuit when it took over the Penske tracks last year. ISC said it will take a $5 million charge against earnings, equal to 9 cents per share, at the end of second quarter, to cover the cost of the award. See full story at Speed Magazine: International Speedway Corp. ordered to pay rival track owner $5 million by Thomas S. Brown(4-27-2000)

The Rock fight: Bruton Smith may not be finished with his legal battle to buy North Carolina Speedway(Rockingham)(PitNow)(3-20-2000)

Lead Laps: #18-Bobby Labontes win at Rockingham had the least number of cars on the lead lap ever at a spring event there. Only four cars finished on the lead lap and only one DNF, #77-Robert Pressley. The previous record was seven in 1996(TNN Race Coverage). See results at NOL(2-27-2000)

Some Rock Stats: 15 of all the 69 Rockingham races have been won by the pole starter(21.7%), Last Dura-Lube won by the pole winner: 1995, by Jeff Gordon. Lowest start of a Dura-Lube winner: 30th, 1988 by Neil Bonnett (all-time Rockingham record) and 55 of the 69 Rockingham races have been won from the Top 10(80%)(much more at TNN Motorsports Site)(2-26-2000)

Pit Road at the Rock: The reconfiguration to one pit road at Rockingham received rave reviews from almost every driver, as well it should. But also getting good marks was the speedway's change in policy on infield admission, which was disallowed to the general public beginning with last weekend's race. Nothing against the fans, but working in an environment devoid of raving autograph seekers was a welcome respite for the media and I would bet the drivers, too(That's Racin')(10-26-1999)

The Rockinghams: A group of guests from Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northhamptonshire, England, currently under construction, visited North Carolina Speedway this weekend. Both tracks share the nickname, ``The Rock,'' and enjoy historic links, as well. Settlers from the small English village of Rockingham are thought to have been some of the first in North Carolina and the new British track is close to Rockingham Castle, which has given the area its name since it was built in the 11th Century. The group, led by Rockingham Motor Speedway managing director Peter Davies, planned the visit to further a relationship between the two tracks. The visit gave the British motor correspondents and officials a ``close-up'' view of the sport in the U.S. The British track is planned as a 1.5-mile oval, located eight miles north of London(That's Racin')(10-25-1999)

Lawsuit: NASCAR and the International Speedway Corp. want a Florida court to protect them from having to disclose confidential business information and trade secrets in response to a North Carolina civil lawsuit. In court documents filed Monday in Circuit Court, the corporations seek protection from having to produce documents requested through subpoena by attorneys representing the parties - including O. Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc. - in a pending North Carolina lawsuit. See the rest of the story at Speed Magazine: ISC, NASCAR look to Florida courts for protection by Molly Justice(10-7-1999)

BGN Sponsor: Kmart Corp. will sponsor the Busch Grand National Series race at Rockingham/North Carolina Speedway on Oct. 23. The Kmart 200 will be the first Busch event sponsor by the discount retailer(That's Racin')(8-7-1999)

Fan Appreciation: North Carolina Speedway(The Rock) will hold a Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday, July 17 from 9am to 5pm at the track in Rockingham, N.C. The event is free of charge and will allow fans an opportunity to see show cars, take a guided tour of the speedway, buy souvenirs and tour a NASCAR Winston Cup Series transporter. ESPN commentator and 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Benny Parsons will be on hand to sign autographs. Fans can also purchase "Hot Laps" around the track as a passenger in a race car, courtesy of SpeedTech Driving School(NOL Notes)(6-24-1999)

Rock Tickets: Tickets for the Oct. 24 Pop Secret 400 at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham will go on TODAY. Tickets may be purchased at the track's ticket office or by calling (910)582-2861(That's Racin')(5-17-1999)

Rockingham Pit Road UPDATE 1: I hear that Rockingham (North Carolina Speedway) will go to one pit road in time for the fall 1999 race. That leaves Bristol and Darlington as the only tracks with both front and back stretch pits. Bristol has been rumored to be switching, have heard nothing about Darlington(2-26-1999) -- UPDATE 1: North Carolina Speedway will go to one pit road and construction of the new configuration has already started and will be completed in time for the racing there on 10-22/24-99. Since Martinsville recently switched to one pit road, only two tracks, Darlington and Bristol, will have two pit roads(Speedway Scene Mag)(5-9-1999)

Camping in North Carolina: Under a plan approved by the state House Tuesday, Charlotte(Lowes) Motor Speedway and North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham soon won't have to worry about not being in compliance with a rarely-enforced public health law. The plan would exempt the two North Carolina speedways that stage NASCAR Winston Cup races from the law which regulates mass gatherings of campers. See the complete story at: Legislation would allow camping at N.C. tracks (SpeedNer/AP)(3-10-1999)

That Leaves two: I hear that Rockingham (North Carolina Speedway) will go to one pit road in time for the fall 1999 race. That leaves Bristol and Darlington as the only tracks with both front and back stretch pits. Bristol has been rumored to be switching, have heard nothing about Darlington(2-26-1999)

Good TV: TNN recorded a 6.2 rating for Sunday's race at Rockingham. It is the highest cable rating a NASCAR Winston Cup race has had(News and Record)(2-24-1999)

The Rock NOT sold out: Most Winston Cup tracks can't build enough seats to fill the demand these days. But North Carolina Speedway took it on the chin Sunday. Thanks to an uncertain weather forecast and temperatures in the low 40s, there were plenty of empty seats for the second race of the season. With 60,122 grandstand seats and 35 suites, seating perhaps another 5,000, the overall attendance was estimated about 45,000. "We don't usually get a big advance for the spring race," said track spokeswoman Kristi Richardson(Infobeat NASCAR newsletter)(2-22-1999)

The Backstretch Pits: Neil Bonnett was the last driver to win at Rockingham from the back stretch pits in the 1988 season.(2-21-1999)

Pop at the Rock UPDATE: I hear Pop Secret Pop Corn will be the race sponsor at the Fall Rockingham (North Carolina Speedway - The Rock). The Pop Secret 400? (2-19-1999) -- Yep, officially announced Saturday - Pop Secret, a brand of microwave popcorn made by General Mills, has signed on as title sponsor of North Carolina Speedway's October events. The Oct. 24 Winston Cup race will now be known as the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 -- or the Pop Secret 400 among friends(That's Racin' David Poole), Pop Secret is also part of the Cheerios/Hamburger Helper sponsorship package that General Mills has on the #26 Johnny Benson Ford(2-21-1999)

Rockingham and the law: A Senate committee has revised a bill it approved only last week to make sure that North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham qualifies for the same exemption in a state health law planned for Charlotte Motor Speedway. See the rest of the AP story at N.C. Senate committee revises health bill to exempt Rockingham campers(2-17-1999)

Pit Road: North Carolina Speedway has two pit roads 31 on the front stetch and 12 on the back stretch

Rules at the Rock: NASCAR senior vice president and chief operating officer Mike Helton said a rule change involving air dam clearances and spoiler sizes for all three car makes will go into affect at the Feb. 21 race at Rockingham. The change was implemented at the season finale in Atlanta last season as a test. NASCAR issued three changes at Atlanta: The height of rear spoilers were increased 1 1/2 inches on all car makes; all cars had to have a minimum rear spoiler angle of 65 degrees; and the front end air dam ground clearance for all cars was mandated to be 3 1/2 inches(That's Racin')(2-12-1999)

New Name at the Rock: The spring Winston Cup race at North Carolina Speedway will be know as the DuraLube BigK 400(WC Today Radio)(1-12-1999)

North Carolina Speedway - The Rock: AP story - Sale of N.C. speedway was fair, court rules(1-6-1999)

New BGN Sponsor for the Rock: ALLTEL will take over the signature of the spring BGN race at Rockingham in 1999. The ALLTEL 200 will take the place of the GM Goodwrench 200. The race is scheduled for February 20, 1999.(TNN)(11-1-1998)

North Carolina Speedway, owned by Penske Motorsports, is increasing its seating capacity by 12,000 with the construction of a 28,021-seat galvanized steel and aluminum high-rise grandstand.(That's Racin'/AP)(7-16-1998)

North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham will hold a "Christmas in July" sale Saturday(July 18th), selling racing apparel and collectibles at discounts. For information, call (910) 582-2861.(That's Racin')(7-15-1998)

The battle for Rockingham is en route to the N.C. Supreme Court, and Bruton Smith predicts a ruling later this year overturning Roger Penske's court victory in their duel for control of North Carolina Motor Speedway and its two Winston Cup dates. Penske bought controlling interest in the track from the DeWitt family for about $14 to $18 a share; Smith bid $32 a share, and his legal argument is that the family had to sell to the highest bidder. A state court rejected that argument.(JournalNow)(3-27-1998)

Greg Penske, Roger's son and the head of the racing division, when asked about the possibly of moving one of Rockingham's two Winston Cup dates elsewhere, like California Speedway, said there are no present plans to move the dates and that they have spent money at the track(JournalNow)(to improve the stands and the facility) (2-24-1998)

Walt Czarnecki, one of Penske's top men, said that Penske has no plans to redesign this Rockingham track or expand the racing surface. But Penske's staff has laid out a plan to expand the stands and improve the layout. As for repaving the track, they will look at that after the 1998 season(JournalNow)(2-24-1998)

I hear that Rockingham announced a completely new back stretch was to be constructed and some readers noticed the new stands coming out of turn two were angled and not flush against the wall, much like the Atlanta stands before the conversion there. Other rumors say they were going to bulldoze turns 3 & 4 and make the track a 1.5 mile, NASCAR Online has a story about the Rock and the change in length is not mentioned(2-22-1998), see above story in today's news, the track configuration will remain as it is(2-24-1998)

North Carolina Motor Speedway has changed it name to North Carolina Speedway. Some simply call it "The Rock" or Rockingham after the city it located. The name reflects the merger of the track with Roger Penske(That's Racin)(2-4-1998)

Penske Motorsports, Inc.(PMI) announced today that it completed its merger with North Carolina Motor Speedway, Inc. (NCMS). NCMS is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMI.(Chaz Hinkle)(12-2-1997)

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More info on the Bruton Smith lawsuit against Roger Penske over North Carolina Motor Speedway: Smith’s suit against Penske is dismissed(11-11-1997)

Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the sale of the North Carolina Motor Speedway Smith, who personally owns about 25% of shares of the racetrack, is seeking an injunction to block Penske Motorsports Inc.'s planned buy of the mile-long facility. The action filed in Mecklenburg County Superior Court asks for preliminary and permanent injunctions against a vote by the track's roughly 100 shareholders on a merger agreement with Penske(SpeedWorld)(8-7-1997)

See Penske's response at NASCAR Online : Penske responds to Smith lawsuit(8-7-1997)

Penske Motorsports and North Carolina Motor Speedway Enter Into Merger Agreement, see the stories at Yahoo-pact and Yahoo-merger(Yahoo)(8-5-1997)

Speedway Motorsports(Bruton Smith), which already owns Texas Motor Speedway and tracks in Charlotte, Atlanta and Bristol, as well as operating the track in Sonoma, Calif., has submitted a merger offer to North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, N.C. which counters the Penske offer. SPWY offer is $23 a share(or a share of Speedway Stock) while Penske is $14 a share, this could get ugly(4-2-1997)

The 4-2-97 issue of USA Today reports that Bruton Smith has not given up in his attempt to gain control of the 65% of Rockingham (NCMS) that Mrs. Dewitt owns, which Roger Penske announced on 4-2-97 that she agreed to sell to Penske Motorsports(PMI). Bruton said that despite the public agreement between PMI and Mrs. Dewitt, he plans on making her a better offer.(4-2-1997)

This is from Yahoo, go to Quotes, type in SPWY and check out the news and look what I found (thanks to Wads for the heads up on this story):
Penske Motorsports, Inc. (PMI) (Nasdaq-NNM: SPWY), today announced that it has entered into a definitive option and voting agreement with Mrs. Carrie B. DeWitt, who owns approximately 65% of the outstanding stock of North Carolina Motor Speedway, Inc. in Rockingham, North Carolina ("NCMS"). Under the terms of the Agreement, PMI has proposed the merger of NCMS and PMI for consideration by the Board of Directors of NCMS. In the merger, each stockholder of NCMS would receive, at his or her option, either $14.00 in cash per share of NCMS stock or that number of shares of PMI stock equal to $18.61 multiplied by the shares of NCMS stock held, divided by $30.00. The Agreement is, and the merger are, subject to customary conditions. Mrs. DeWitt has agreed to vote her shares in favor of the merger and to exchange her shares in NCMS for shares in PMI if the merger takes place. NCMS, a one-mile oval track located in Rockingham, North Carolina, was constructed in 1965 by a group of local investors, including Mrs. Carrie B. DeWitt and her husband, the late L.G. DeWitt. The track has 42,951 reserved and 3,000 unreserved grandstand seats, and 33 luxury boxes.(4-1-1997)

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Jayski's® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.