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International Speedway Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results

11 July 2000

International Speedway Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - International Speedway Corporation today reported results for the second quarter ended May 31, 2000.

    Total revenues for the second quarter of 2000 increased to $98.7 million versus $44.6 million in the 1999 second quarter. Operating income for the second quarter was $22.2 million compared to $9.6 million for the comparable quarter in 1999. Net income totaled $3.7 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to $6.8 million or $0.16 per diluted share in the prior-year period. This year's second quarter results include a litigation judgement after-tax charge of $5.2 million. Excluding this charge, net income for the second quarter of 2000 would have been $8.9 million, or $0.17 per diluted share. ISC's results for the two periods are not comparable due to the Company's acquisition of Richmond International Raceway on December 1, 1999, the merger with Penske Motorsports, Inc., completed in the third quarter of 1999, and the litigation judgement charge during the second quarter of 2000.

    For the six month period ended May 31, 2000, total revenues increased to $210.3 million as compared to $127.9 million in the same period in 1999. Operating income rose to $57.4 million from $49.8 million in the six month prior-year period. Net income for the six months ended May 31, 2000 was $19.8 million, or $0.37 per diluted share versus $32.8 million, or $0.76 per diluted share in the comparable 1999 period. The Company's results for year-to-date are not comparable due to the Penske merger, the Richmond acquisition and the litigation judgement after-tax charge of $5.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share.

    During the second quarter, ISC hosted thirteen major races at seven facilities, including nine stock car, one truck and three open wheel events. Highlights of the quarter included four weekends of NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series events at Darlington Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, California Speedway and Richmond International Raceway.

    Mr. James C. France, President and Chief Operating Officer of International Speedway Corporation, said, "The second quarter benefited from a busy and successful racing schedule. The Winston Cup events at California and Richmond yielded record results and marked our first Winston Cup events since acquiring the facilities last year. Both of these events as well as the Winston Cup event at Talledega were sold out. During the quarter, we continued to make solid progress on our development projects in Kansas City and Chicago. Both projects remain on budget and on schedule for completion in Spring, 2001. In addition, marketing programs at both locations continue to be well received by the marketplace. We were extremely pleased when NASCAR and the IRL announced that both Kansas City and Chicago were awarded major events for 2001. Each of these facilities will host both the NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series as well as the Indy Racing Northern Light Series. Lastly, we are making steady progress in our study to determine feasibility of developing a major motorsports facility at the Meadowlands Sports Complex located near New York City."

    On July 1, the Company hosted the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Pepsi 400 at Daytona. Primarily as a result of lower than expected attendance-related revenue for the event, the Company's third quarter diluted earnings per share could decrease by $0.02 to $0.03. Mr. France commented, "Ticket sales for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona were impacted by a number of factors including the threat of wildfires, the effect of higher fuel prices, and heavy rain during the week prior to the event. Although attendance was below our internal expectations, the event was more profitable than the prior year and remains one of the highest attended races on the Winston Cup circuit."

    "For the remainder of the year, advanced ticket sales are ahead for some events and behind for others. Although there are no definitive trends to point to, it appears that, at least for the short term, ticket demand continues to grow, though not quite as quickly as in the past. Our philosophy continues to be one of prudent expansion in which we strive to match supply and demand. Therefore, we have decided to slow seat expansion for 2001."

    The combination of the impact of building fewer grandstand seats than originally expected and the coupon component associated with the previously disclosed souvenir litigation may cause the Company's 2001 results to be $0.06 to $0.08 lower than the current consensus estimate of $1.72.

    Mr. France continued, "We remain positive about our accomplishments and are extremely optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead. Throughout the year we have had strong attendance for all our NASCAR events, with all but three of our Winston Cup points events conducted before sold out crowds. In addition, we are beginning to realize the expected revenue synergies created through last year's merger with Penske Motosports and acquisition of Richmond International Raceway by capitalizing on opportunities with large national marketing partners due to our expanded national footprint."

    "Finally, we are excited about the new media landscape which begins in 2001. In addition to the domestic television agreement which results in significant increases in broadcast right fees and guaranteed revenue for the next six years, we expect the increased promotion by our partners will attract new fans and sponsors and benefit ISC through incremental ticket sales and marketing partnerships", Mr. France concluded.

    The management of ISC will host a conference call today with investors at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

    International Speedway Corporation is a leading promoter of motorsports activities in the United States, currently promoting more than 100 events annually. The Company owns and/or operates 11 major motorsports facilities, including Daytona International Speedway in Florida (home of the Daytona 500); Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama; Michigan Speedway located outside Detroit, Michigan; California Speedway near Los Angeles, California; Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida; Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona; Richmond International Raceway in Virginia; Darlington Raceway in South Carolina; North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina; Watkins Glen International in New York, and Nazareth Speedway in Pennsylvania. In addition, the Company is developing a superspeedway in Kansas City, Kansas. Other track interests include the operation of Tucson (Arizona) Raceway Park and an indirect 37.5% interest in Raceway Associates, LLC, which owns the Route 66 Raceway and is developing a superspeedway in the Chicago area.

    The Company also owns and operates MRN Radio, the nation's largest independent sports radio network; DAYTONA USA, the "Ultimate Motorsports Attraction" in Daytona Beach, Florida, the official attraction of NASCAR; Americrown Service Corporation, a provider of catering services, food and beverage concessions, and merchandise sales, and Motorsports International, a producer and marketer of motorsports-related merchandise.

    Statements made in this release that state the Company's or management's beliefs or expectations and which are not historical facts or which apply prospectively are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's SEC filings including but not limited to the 10-K and subsequent 10-Q's. Copies of those filings are available from the Company and the SEC.

                  Consolidated Statements of Income
              (In thousands, except for per share data)

                         Three months ended          Six months ended
                         5/31/99    5/31/00         5/31/99    5/31/00
                             (Unaudited)                (Unaudited)

REVENUES

Admissions, net             $ 20,665   $ 43,064  $  58,279    $ 91,658
Motorsports related income    16,005     38,219     50,449      83,993
Food, beverage, and
  merchandise income           7,479     16,237     18,313      32,474
Other income                     486      1,228        830       2,218

                              44,635     98,748    127,871     210,343

EXPENSES

Direct race expenses:
  NASCAR direct expenses        6,645    15,386     19,449      34,178
  Motorsports related expenses 10,420    21,610     21,500      38,752
  Food, beverage, and
    merchandise expenses        4,126     9,502      9,365      18,055
General and administrative
  expenses                      9,952    17,553     20,206      36,634
Depreciation and amortization   3,905    12,467      7,531      25,307

Total expenses                 35,048    76,518     78,051     152,926

Operating income                9,587    22,230     49,820      57,417

Interest income                 2,627     1,869      4,713       3,418
Interest expense                 (628)   (7,868)      (925)   (15,930)
Equity in net loss from
  equity investments             (491)     (477)      (466)    (1,029)
Minority interest                  --        36         --         299
North Carolina Speedway
  litigation                       --    (5,523)        --     (5,523)

Income before income taxes      11,095   10,267     53,142      38,652
Income taxes                     4,251    6,545     20,359      18,833

Net income                   $   6,844  $ 3,722   $ 32,783    $ 19,819

Basic and diluted earnings
  per share                  $    0.16  $  0.07   $   0.76    $   0.37

Dividends per share          $    0.06  $  0.06   $   0.06    $   0.06
s
Basic weighted average shares
  outstanding                   42,883   52,967     42,871      52,958

Diluted weighted average shares
  outstanding                   43,001   53,046     42,998      53,043


                    Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
                            (In thousands)

                                November 30,           May 31,
                                    1999                2000
                                                     (Unaudited)

Cash, cash equivalents and
  short-term investments    $      38,501        $      51,010
Current assets                     64,975               94,897
Restricted investments            295,929               65,486
Total assets                    1,599,127            1,649,533
Deferred income                    77,119              130,492
Current liabilities               116,872              169,001
Long-term debt                    496,067              475,641
Shareholders' equity              902,470              919,606