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High Levels of Calcium Chloride in Grout Cause for Bridge Failure at Lowe's Motor Speedway

30 May 2000

High Levels of Calcium Chloride in Grout Cause for Bridge Failure at Lowe's Motor Speedway

    CONCORD, N.C., May 30 An independent investigation of the
May 20th pedestrian bridge failure at Lowe's Motor Speedway revealed that
grout, containing unusually high levels of calcium chloride which corroded
reinforcing steel cables embedded in the concrete bridge span causing failure
of a 16-foot by 80-foot section of the 320-foot-long bridge.
    Tindall Corporation, of Spartanburg, S.C., manufactured and supplied the
bridge span, called a double tee, in 1995.  The grout, utilized to seal
production-related holes in the pre-cast concrete beams, was introduced in the
structure during Tindall's fabrication process.
    William Lowndes, IV, chief operating officer for Tindall Corporation,
manufacturer of the pre-cast concrete bridge, said his company is "diligently
investigating how this compound was introduced into the grout material."
    Dr. Charles Manning, former director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Center and
an independent consultant with Accident Construction, said speedway officials
or other specialists, would not have been able to detect the internal problem
from external inspections and this failure was the first of its kind he has
encountered during his 50-year career.
    "First and most important, we are deeply saddened by this accident and
wish to express our heartfelt concern and deepest condolences to those injured
and to their families," said Mr. Lowndes.  "Our prayers remain with the
families."
    "Our concern is for the victims and we continue to pray for their speedy
recovery," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and chief operating officer
for Speedway Motorsports , the owner and operator of Lowe's Motor
Speedway.  "We are also very appreciative of Tindall coming forward during
this investigation.  They are one of the finest concrete companies in the
southeast.  This is an isolated incident and I would not hesitate to use their
products again."
    Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports
entertainment in the United States.  SMI owns and operates 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.