Speedway Motorsports Reports Record Revenues and Earnings For Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2000
9 August 2000
Speedway Motorsports Reports Record Revenues and Earnings For Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2000CONCORD, N.C., Aug. 8 Speedway Motorsports, Inc. announced record revenues, net income and earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2000. Total revenues for the second quarter increased 15% or $20.8 million to $160.8 million, and operating income increased 11% or $7.5 million to $76.7 million, compared to last year. Net income increased 12% or $4.5 million to $41.9 million, and diluted earnings per share increased 13% or $.11 to $.95, including last year's non-recurring charges of $1.1 million for financing costs attributable to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway acquisition. Excluding such non-recurring charges, second quarter net income increased 10% or $3.8 million and diluted earnings per share increased 11% or $.09. Second quarter diluted earnings per share of $.95 exceeded consensus expectations. For the six months ended June 30, 2000, total revenues increased 18% or $33.9 million to $227.1 million, and operating income increased 11% or $9.3 million to $90.3 million, compared to last year. Net income increased 18% or $6.9 million to $46.3 million, and diluted earnings per share increased 18% or $.16 to $1.06, including last year's non-recurring finance charges of $3.4 million. Excluding such non-recurring charges, six month net income increased 12% or $4.9 million and diluted earnings per share increased 12% or $.11. Speedway Motorsports promoted during the second quarter five NASCAR Winston Cup and three NASCAR Busch Series racing events, one NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racing event, an inaugural National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Nationals racing event, two Indy Racing Northern Light Series (IRL) racing events, and four inaugural World of Outlaws and Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Late Model Series racing events. The IRL racing event hosted at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the current second quarter was held in last year's third quarter. Bristol Motor Speedway, with 13,000 new permanent seats, hosted sold-out capacity crowds at its Food City 500 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, and record attendance at its Cheez-It 250 NASCAR Busch Series, racing events. Lowe's Motor Speedway, with 11,000 new permanent seats, also hosted sold-out capacity crowds at its Coca-Cola 600 Winston Cup Series racing event, as well as record attendance at The Winston and CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Busch Series racing events. Despite poor weekend weather, Texas Motor Speedway's DIRECTV 500 NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event hosted near capacity crowds even with almost 15,000 temporary seats, and the five-hour rain delayed Albertson's 300 Presented By Pop Secret Busch Series racing event hosted near record attendance. The Company also achieved record attendance at Sears Point Raceway's Save Mart/Kragen 350 Winston Cup weekend event. Other second quarter highlights include the debut of the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, the fifth most popular motorsports series in the United States, to capacity crowds at the Company's newly constructed, modern 4/10-mile dirt track facilities at Lowe's and Texas Motor Speedways. Also, Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted its inaugural NHRA National racing event at the newly constructed state-of-the-art dragway, "The Strip at Las Vegas", and the ever popular Bristol Motor Speedway hosted inaugural World of Outlaws and Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Late Model Series racing events that were tremendously successful. "Our focus on the second half of 2000 is to optimize our events and prepare for the historic 2001 NASCAR series with its strong new FOX/Turner/NBC network lineup," stated H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, chief operating officer and president. "Our strong second quarter results reinforce our continuing belief in the strength of NASCAR racing. We remain confident the intensified media attention, soon to be focused on our sport, will convincingly demonstrate the ongoing strength of motorsports racing," stated Bruton Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports. "We own first-class facilities in premier markets and are proven leaders in marketing and promotion of successful venues. SMI has always realized it is the core fan base that has made this the most stable sport in America, and we remain unfailingly committed first to our fans in providing the best possible racing experience and value." Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sears Point Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company provides event food, beverage, and souvenir merchandising services through its Finish Line Events subsidiary, and manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars through its 600 Racing subsidiary. The Company also owns Performance Racing Network which broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to over 500 stations nationwide. This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to the Company's growth potential and future operations and financial results. There are many factors that affect future events and trends of its business including, but not limited to, the success of NASCAR, IRL, NHRA and other racing events. These factors and other factors, including those contained in Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from management's views and expectations. Note: Speedway Motorsports will host a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. EDT. The call is open to all participants. Please dial (913) 981-5510 to connect to the call. The confirmation number is 702549. Participating in the call will be H.A. Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer and President; William R. Brooks, Chief Financial Officer; and Marylaurel E. Wilks, Vice President, Communications and General Counsel. Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and Subsidiaries Selected Financial Data - Unaudited For The Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 (In thousands except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended INCOME STATEMENT DATA 6/30/2000 6/30/1999 6/30/2000 6/30/1999 REVENUES: Admissions $70,906 $63,051 $91,800 $82,877 Event related revenue 77,353 69,377 110,496 97,333 Other operating revenue 12,555 7,626 24,782 12,948 Total Revenues 160,814 140,054 227,078 193,158 OPERATING EXPENSES: Direct expense of events 52,691 46,558 73,917 66,327 Other direct operating expenses 10,420 5,683 20,972 9,210 General and administrative 13,129 11,518 26,253 22,318 Depreciation and amortization 7,870 7,140 15,620 14,259 Total Operating Expenses 84,110 70,899 136,762 112,114 OPERATING INCOME 76,704 69,155 90,316 81,044 Interest Expense, Net (6,778) (6,325) (13,251) (12,652) Acquisition Loan Cost Amortization -- (1,135) -- (3,398) Other Income, Net 220 121 424 295 Income Before Income Taxes 70,146 61,816 77,489 65,289 Income Tax Provision 28,211 24,404 31,148 25,869 NET INCOME $41,935 $37,412 $46,341 $39,420 Basic Earnings Per Share $1.01 $0.90 $1.11 $0.95 Weighted average shares outstanding 41,656 41,549 41,652 41,528 Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.95 $0.84 $1.06 $0.90 Weighted average shares outstanding 44,714 44,993 44,788 44,932 Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and Subsidiaries Selected Financial Data - Unaudited As of June 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999 (In thousands except per share amounts) June 30, December 31, BALANCE SHEET DATA 2000 1999 Cash and cash equivalents $34,098 $56,270 Total current assets 88,431 108,567 Property and equipment, net and property held for sale 782,658 794,834 Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 60,060 58,987 Total assets 979,196 995,982 Current liabilities 110,035 131,982 Revolving credit facility borrowings 90,000 130,000 Senior and convertible subordinated long-term debt 326,998 327,208 Total long-term debt 418,316 458,560 Total liabilities 601,034 664,274 Total stockholders' equity $378,162 $331,708