On June 22, the founder of Speedway Motorsports, O. Bruton Smith, died at the age of 95.
According to Speedway Motorsports, Smith died of natural causes. Smith was well-known as a successful auto racing promoter and track owner and made it into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Speedway Motorsports became the first company of its kind to be traded on the New York stock exchange, NBC 5 reported. Speedway currently has 11 facilities across the country, with tracks hosting NASCAR, NHRA, IndyCar, and other races.
Jim France, a NASCAR chairman, said Smith always built tracks with fans in mind.
“Race fans are, and always will be, the lifeblood of NASCAR,” France told NBC 5. “Few knew this better than Bruton Smith. Bruton built his race tracks employing a simple philosophy; give race fans memories they will cherish for a lifetime. In doing so, Bruton helped grow NASCAR’s popularity as the preeminent spectator sport.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr., also in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, stated that Smith made important contributions to the racing industry.
“Bruton’s contribution to stock car racing is hard to measure. His ambitious vision created growth and opportunities that I am forever thankful for,” he said.
According to NBC 5, Speedway Motorsports also had multiple subsidiaries. This includes Sonic Automotive, a Fortune 500 company found in 20 states.
Smith’s son Marcus took to social media a day before his father’s passing, on June 21, to share a Father’s Day tribute.
“I had a wonderful Father’s Day weekend. I am so thankful to be a dad and to have an amazing dad,” he said at the time.
Marcus is the current president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports.
John Force, a well-known drag racer, also spoke to NBC 5 following Smith’s passing.
“Everyone knows what he’s done for motorsports, NHRA, and NASCAR,” Force said. “He was like a second father to me. I met him when he opened Bristol. I sure loved him. I’m going to miss him. His legacy will live on.”
Eddie Gossage worked alongside Smith and told NBC 5 he was the “greatest man” he had ever met.
“I’ve met American Presidents and scholars. Astronauts and artists. World-famous musicians and athletes. But the greatest man I ever met was Bruton Smith. We had so much fun working together. He always treated me like an equal as he taught me lessons about business and life,” Gossage said.
In 2007 Smith was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, NBC 5 reported. He was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2016, Smith was recognized by the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Smith will be survived by three sons, Marcus, Scott, and David, as well as his daughter Anna Lisa.
