In the United States, motorsports are a major source of entertainment. One company, Speedway Motorsports, INC, has been promoting, sponsoring and heavily marketing various racing events. Thank to subsidiaries, Speedway is responsible for facilities in:
- Charlotte
- Kentucky
- Bristol
- Atlanta
- New Hampshire
- Las Vegas
- Texas
- Sonoma
The Charlotte Motor Speedway stretches 1,410 acres and holds 89,000 seats. Its main track measures in at 1 ½ miles long. It has other smaller tracks, many of which were lit to allow for nighttime races.
The Kentucky Speedway covers 990 acres and can seat 107,000 spectators, while the Bristol Speedway covers 670 acres but has 146,000 seats. Sprint Cup fans have made Bristol the most popular speedway in the industry.
The Atlanta Motor Speedway covers 887 acres and has seats for 71,000 spectators. Among NASCAR fans, it is the best competition of any speedway. The New Hampshire Motor Speedway covers 1,180 acres and boasts 88,000 seats. It is New England’s largest facility for hosting sporting events.
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is 1,030 acres and holds 102,000 spectators, while the Texas Motor Speedway covers 1,490 acres and has 137,000 seats. It is among the country’s largest sports facilities.
The Performance Racing Network
Some of the products that Speedway Motorsports offer include modified car parts and race cars. Launched in 1981, it also has a Performance Racing Network subsidiary of syndicated motorsports radio broadcasts that reach audiences all over the United States.
Events that the company sponsors include the Coca Cola 600, Quaker State 400, New Hampshire 301, Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race and more. Held over Memorial Day weekend, the Coca Cola 600 is a Nascar Cup series race. Its Quaker State 400 is considered by many to be the best race in motorsports. However, the most popular Nascar Race is the Bass Pro Shops NRA.
The story behind Speedway Motors dates back to 1959. At that time, its Executive Chairman took on the project of having the Charlotte Motor Speedway built. He partnered up with the first famous racecar driver, Curtis Turner. The very next year marked the first year of the 600 NASCAR Grand National Series event. At that time, NASCAR had never before done a 600 mile race.
In 1988 improvements were made to the Charlotte Motor Speedway with the opening of the Speedway Club. It served as an entertainment and dining facility for eager racecar fans. In 1992, the Charlotte Motor Speedway would also get street lights in order to facilitate the first race night event in NASCAR history. It has since gone on to become a significant night in the history of NASCAR.
Later, in 1997, the company expanded by opening the Texas Motor Speedway. When this occurred, it was able to host a sporting event larger than had ever been noted in the history of Texas.
Since then Speedway Motorsports has continued to support race car drivers and entertain a worldwide audience of fans. It is one success story that not many industries can ever meet.