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Speedway Motorsports' Smith Wins NASCAR Award Of Excellence

12 December 1997

Speedway Motorsports' Smith Wins NASCAR Award Of Excellence

    NEW YORK, Dec. 12 -- 0. Bruton Smith, founder and chairman of
Speedway Motorsports, Inc. , was presented the NASCAR Award of
Excellence by NASCAR President Bill France during the annual NASCAR Awards
Banquet Friday night at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
    The award, which is considered NASCAR's most prestigious unrelated to on-
track competition, is given to an individual related to the NASCAR community
for outstanding contribution and leadership.  It is given only in special
circumstances.
    In presenting the award, France cited Smith's outstanding leadership and
his formation of the Speedway Children's Charities, a non-profit organization
that has distributed more than $3 million to child-related causes since its
inception, including $1.3 million in 1997.
    "This award caught me by complete surprise and is a great honor," said
Smith.  "My appreciation goes to the entire NASCAR community for its support.
This award from Bill France strengthens my belief we are making a difference.
It inspires me to work even harder to raise more funds that will continue to
make a positive impact in the lives of many children."
    Speedway Motorsports, a Concord, N.C.-based New York Stock Exchange
company that owns and operates Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte and Texas Motor
Speedways, 600 Racing and operates Sears Point Raceway, is a leading marketer
and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States.

SOURCE  Speedway Motorsports, Inc.