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Attendance and TV Rating for Cracker Barrel 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

18 March 1999

Record Attendance and Television Rating for Cracker Barrel 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

    CONCORD, N.C., March 18 -- Speedway Motorsports
today announced a record 5.7 television rating, up from a 2.7 the prior year,
for the Cracker Barrel 500 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race. ABC's broadcast of
the Cracker Barrel 500 received a 15 share and was viewed in approximately
5.7 million households.
    The March 12 - 14 racing weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, including the
Cracker Barrel 500, Yellow Freight 300 NASCAR Busch Series, Johnson Industries
Easy Care 300 ARCA, and MCI WorldCom Pole Day events, achieved record
attendance despite inclement weather.
    Jeff Gordon claimed his second consecutive victory at Atlanta in front of
record crowds in the 124,000-seat facility.  He also won the NAPA 500 in
November and celebrated his third NASCAR Winston Cup Championship at Atlanta.
Mike Skinner won the Yellow Freight 300.
    "I want to say thank you to all the fans that came out this past weekend,
Cracker Barrel who is a tremendous corporate partner and NASCAR," stated
Bruton Smith, chairman and chief executive officer.
    Speedway Motorsports will host its next major racing weekend at Texas
Motor Speedway on March 26 - 28, 1999.  The Company is a leading marketer and
promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States.  SMI owns and
operates the following premiere facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol
Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte, Las Vegas Motor Speedway,
Sears Point Raceway, and Texas Motor Speedway.  SMI also 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.
    This news release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements with regard to the Company's growth potential.  There are many
factors that affect future events and trends of the Company's business.  These
factors include certain risks and uncertainties, as set forth in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual
results or events to differ materially from management's view and
expectations.