By Stan Creekmore
Should the stars align properly Kentucky Motor Speedway will have a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series date in 2010; this according the Chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Bruton Smith.
Smith picked his words carefully, as is expected from a executive running a publicly traded company. He juked and jived his way down a road populated by land mines while holding court outside the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series transporter/offices Friday afternoon.
He was however adamant about running a Sprint Cup Series event in Kentucky in 2010.
"I have to have a date there," he said.
Smith, although not directly saying so, would prefer the date not come from his existing inventory - Lowe's (2), Atlanta (2), Texas (2), Bristol (2), New Hampshire (2), Infineon (1) and Las Vegas (1).
The billionaire businessman likes the current lineup of tracks on the Sprint Cup schedule, with one exception. He hints the sport is not well served by the dates currently held by Pocono Speedway.
"The life of an automobile dealership is about 25 years," he said, drawing an analogy to the loss of tracks in North Wilkesboro and Rockingham. "As the bedroom community moves the dealership has to move with it. As racing has grown tracks get left behind.
"I don't want to hurt anyone," he quickly added. "But, as the sport grows tracks get left behind."
Without forming the words, Smith's intent was clear. He would be happy to pay for the Long Pond (PA) facility and move the dates to stronger markets.
If unable to make the purchase, Smith will do what is necessary to get a date for Kentucky. He'll move a date already in inventory.
Why is it critical to Smith to have a date in Kentucky? Money is the answer. Kentucky Motor Speedway came at a premium price for a track with no existing race date. The improvements, which are already underway, are extensive. Getting those improvements done isn't cheap, however one benefit of the current economy, has been competition for the jobs. Smith stated that 13 companies bid on the earth moving work alone.
"When you get that many companies bidding on work you get a better price," said Smith.
One unknown at this point, the price of making sure Kentucky Motor Speedway is on the 2010 Sprint Cup schedule. Will the economy of Long Pond suffer the price of progress or will one the current SMI facilities feel the pinch? Time will certainly tell.
