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Marcus Smith (businessman)

January 01, 1970

Marcus Graham Smith (born April 11, 1973) is an American businessman. He is best known as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI), an organization that owns or operates 11 racetracks across the United States. Smith, being the heir of his father, Bruton Smith, had previously worked for SMI at various positions within the organization before being officially promoted to becoming CEO in 2015.

Marcus Smith
Smith at the Arlington National Cemetery in 2023
Born
Marcus Graham Smith

(1973-04-11) April 11, 1973 (age 51)
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (dropped out)
OccupationBusinessman
Years active1996–present
OrganizationSpeedway Motorsports
Spouse
Cassandra Anne Mitchell
​
​
(m. 1996)​
Children2

Smith was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. Initially wanting to train to become a doctor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he later dropped out and joined his father's company, working at the Charlotte Motor Speedway's marketing team as a sales associate. He later was promoted to the manager of new business development of the speedway in 1999. In 2004, he was reassigned to the track's parent company, SMI, to become their head of sales and marketing. Four years later, Smith was promoted to become the president of SMI and was also put in charge to run the Charlotte Motor Speedway, replacing longtime promoter Humpy Wheeler in a controversial transition. In 2015, Smith was promoted to become the SMI's CEO, essentially taking over control of the company from his father.

Under his leadership at SMI, Smith oversaw numerous changes within the company. In 2019, he took SMI off of the New York Stock Exchange, turning the company into a private company. Throughout 2021 and 2022, with monetary assistance from COVID-19 relief grants from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, he made efforts to revitalize the North Wilkesboro Speedway, which had been left desolate since the late 1990s when his father bought partial control of the track along with Bob Bahre. He has also directed numerous changes in an attempt to reverse declining attendance at some racetracks, including holding the NASCAR Cup Series' first ever dirt race since 1970 at the Bristol Motor Speedway, ordering the reconfiguration of the Atlanta Motor Speedway to produce pack racing, and by holding a "roval" race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

In contrast to his father, Speed Sport writer Keith Waltz considers Marcus to be "not as boisterous or flamboyant". Marcus has drawn praise for a focus on fan experience and interaction and for revitalizing the North Wilkesboro Speedway, one of NASCAR's founding tracks. However, his tenure has seen continued decline at SMI racetracks despite numerous changes formulated to increase attendance, along with criticism from drivers and media outlets for repaves of certain tracks.

Early life and education edit

Smith was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 11, 1973, to Ollen Bruton Smith (1927–2022) and Bonnie Jean Harris (1947–2023). He is the second-oldest of five children. According to Bruton, his middle name was given as "Graham" to honor Reverend Billy Graham, a famous Southern Baptist evangelist from the Charlotte area.[1][2]

Smith attended Charlotte Country Day School, where he was a wrestler.[3] In his off time during high school, he worked as a volunteer at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, doing numerous jobs, including grass maintenance, painting walls, and picking up trash.[2] By the summer of 1992, Smith committed to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) to train as a doctor from 1992 to 1996.[2] However, according to the university, UNC stated that Smith did not earn a degree and dropped out.[4]

Business career edit

Beginnings at Charlotte Motor Speedway edit

According to Marcus, after dropping out of college, he joined the Charlotte Motor Speedway's sales and marketing team as a first-year sales associate, mainly selling souvenir program advertisements and contingency decals for cars.[5] While working at Charlotte Motor Speedway, he frequently came into contact with the track's general manager, Humpy Wheeler, who he later stated on an episode of The Dale Jr. Download that he was "phenomenally impactful" to him.[5] He did not see his father often as his office was located at the nearby Town and Country Ford dealership, owned by Bruton.[5] Marcus initially struggled at the job; within the first six months, he struggled to cover his expenses. When he called Bruton to request a raise, Bruton stated that he could have a raise, and "all you have to do is sell more and you can earn more money". To Marcus, the statement took "a load off my shoulders", as he wanted to "earn [the money]", and did not "want something given to me that I didn't earn or don't deserve".[2] By 1999, he became the speedway's manager of new business development.[2]

On February 19, 2004, he was reassigned to the Charlotte Motor Speedway's parent company, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI) to serve as the company's executive vice president of sales and marketing. In addition, he was also added to the company's board of directors.[6] By February 2005, he was claimed by the News & Record's Dustin Long as in position to replace Bruton when Bruton retired. Marcus was also stated to "communicate better with NASCAR's leader", Bill France Jr., who at the time had gotten into a fierce lawsuit with Bruton over a second NASCAR Cup Series race date at the Texas Motor Speedway, deepening the rivalry between the Smith and France families.[7] In August of that year, he partnered with the France family's International Speedway Corporation (ISC) for the two companies to buy out Action Performance, a motorsports merchandise company with Smith and Lesa France Kennedy serving on the company's board of directors.[8]

Speedway Motorsports ascension edit

On May 21, 2008, Humpy Wheeler announced his departure from the speedway that was later revealed to be due to internal disagreements with Bruton Smith over the last several years,[9] a decision that was seen as a surprise within the NASCAR landscape.[10] By the next day, The Charlotte Observer reported that Smith had become the favorite to replace Wheeler.[11] On May 28, Bruton officially announced that Marcus had been promoted to take over for Wheeler. Along with this, Marcus was also promoted within SMI to become the company's president and chief operating officer (COO).[12] Within his first year, SMI, mainly due to the consequences of the Great Recession, oversaw a sharp decline in revenue and the company's stock price.[13] Smith also oversaw the loss of sponsor Lowe's from Charlotte in 2009, who had naming rights to the speedway over the last decade.[14] The next year, Smith announced the creation of a Christmas lights drive-thru show at the speedway, one of the biggest in the country at the time.[15] By the end of that year, The Charlotte Observer writer Ron Stodghill wrote in an opinion piece that "the guy seems to have a surprisingly firm grip at the wheel... [he] is emerging as a passionate leader".[16] In 2011, Smith directed the construction of a 200 foot by 80 foot television screen on the speedway's backstretch, one of the biggest HD screens in the world.[17]

Promotion to CEO, unsuccessful attempt at Charlotte MLS expansion team edit

In February 2015, Marcus was realigned by SMI's board of directors to take over the position of chief executive officer (CEO), a position that was previously held by Bruton. With the move, he essentially took over control of the company from his father.[18] Later that year, he was criticized for maintaining New Hampshire Motor Speedway general manager Jerry Gappens despite Gappens pleading guilty to a lewdness charge with a 19-year old woman in Gappens' car. According to Smith, he was kept because he had "been with [SMI] a long time with a great record... we consider our co-workers like family. We're extending forgiveness and praying for he and his family, hoping things work out there. And that's what our decision was driven by".[19] The next year, he announced intentions to renovate Charlotte Motor Speedway,[20] along with a statement that said that the Smiths were interested in buying the Carolina Panthers, a National Football League (NFL) team.[21]

In late 2016, Marcus and Bruton made a bid for a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team in Charlotte with support from local business leaders.[22] The bid initially proposed demolishing the American Legion Memorial Stadium and the Grady Cole Center to build a new $150 million, 20,000 seat stadium, with the Smiths asking for $50 million each from the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.[23] By January 20, the Smiths lowered their asking price for both parties to $43.75 million each, with the Smiths now pledging to invest $87.5 million.[24] While the Mecklenburg County Council approved their funding on January 26 with a 5–3 vote,[25] the proposal drew criticism from the Charlotte City Council[26] and Jim McPhilliamy, who owned the Charlotte Independence, a minor league soccer team.[27] By January 31, the MLS's deadline for new bids passed with the city of Charlotte refusing to hold a vote on the matter.[28] However, despite this, Mecklenburg County still wanted to decide to pledge nearly $120 million into the bid, albeit plans on future county spending were still under negotiation.[29]

Four months later, on May 28, The Charlotte Observer reported that no further progress was made between the Smiths and the city of Charlotte, with the Smiths instead relying on the county government's funding plan.[30] On June 12, Mecklenburg County delayed their decision until at least August, with some county commissioners hesitant to vote for the funding unless the city supported it.[31] By the end of June, The Charlotte Observer reported a reinvigorated marketing effort from Marcus, with Marcus directing the creation of a campaign website.[32] In mid-July, MLS officials toured Charlotte over several days;[33] however, both city council and county commissioners canceled their meetings during the tour.[34] At the same time, a rival bid from neighboring city Raleigh was also made with state government support, with both cities appearing on a 12-city shortlist.[35] On August 3, the Mecklenburg County Council voted against the $120 million contribution, deferring the issue to the city of Charlotte,[36] with the city giving $30 million being "far from certain".[37] Later that month, the city declined to vote on the issue.[38] On October 24, Katherine Peralta of The Charlotte Observer reported that the effort was "officially dead" as an agreement for a combination of private and public could not be reached by December, the deadline for the MLS.[39] By November 30, when the MLS narrowed its shortlist to four cities, Charlotte did not appear, officially killing the Smiths' bid.[40]

Battling declining attendance and revenue, revitalization of North Wilkesboro Speedway edit

Throughout the latter half of the 2010s, SMI, along with NASCAR overall, saw a major decrease in attendance and revenue in most racetracks.[41][42] As a result, over the next several years, Smith directed numerous changes in an attempt to increase both aspects. In 2017, Smith directed the repave of the Texas Motor Speedway in response to water drainage issues.[43] The next year, Smith announced that the fall NASCAR race weekend for the Charlotte Motor Speedway would be run on a specialized "roval" course that utilized both the traditional oval and the track's infield road course instead of running on the traditional oval, breaking an annual tradition that started in 1960. The first race at the new track was met with praise, including from driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and outside media outlets.[44][45] In the next few years, Texas faced mounting criticism for its racing product along with and declining attendance. In an attempt to reverse this, Smith moved the NASCAR All-Star Race from its longtime home in Charlotte to Texas.[46] The decision was met with relative scorn, and after two All-Star races that were viewed as subpar and controversial by drivers and media outlets in addition to criticism for the track's general racing product,[47][48] the race was moved in 2023[49] despite Smith defending the racing product at Texas.[50] In 2021, Smith announced the repave of the Atlanta Motor Speedway to produce pack racing, the first intermediate track to ever be tailored to produce it.[51] The decision was also met with criticism, particularly from drivers due to a lack of driver input.[52] Before this, Smith announced a proposal to build a $1 billion casino complex at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2019;[53] although, this plan has not materialized as the Georgia General Assembly has not passed any law to legalize gambling in the state of Georgia as of March 2023.[54][55]

In 2019, various NASCAR personalities, most notably driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., made a grassroots effort to petition Smith to revitalize the North Wilkesboro Speedway, one of NASCAR's founding tracks which had been left abandoned and desolate since Bruton bought the a share of the track's ownership in 1996.[56] By early 2021, Smith stated on an episode of The Dale Jr. Download that he had not "forgotten about North Wilkesboro", later clarifying that while he hoped to renovate the track, he couldn't guarantee a renovation deal or the inclusion of any NASCAR races if the track was to be renovated.[57] Later that year, Roy Cooper, the Governor of North Carolina, considered an economic package as part of a COVID-19 relief program that would have given $10 million to Wilkes County, North Carolina, for the speedway.[58] By the time the plan was accepted in November, the amount increased to $18 million.[59] With the new funds, Smith announced that the renovation was more feasible and achievable.[60] By April 2022, Smith announced the return of grassroots racing to the speedway in the summer that year,[61] with a NASCAR Cup Series race announced later that year that was to run in 2023.[49] The movement was met with relative praise from North Carolina state officials, locals, drivers, and fans.[62][63]

Personal life edit

Marriage edit

Marcus married Cassandra Anne Mitchell on June 8, 1996, in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Central Church of God.[64]

Religious views edit

Smith considers himself a devout Christian. In an interview with motorsports journalist Jeff Gluck, he claims that his most important philosophical belief at Speedway Motorsports "is to love one another [like Jesus said]... I want to have everybody who works with us feel like they're in a place where they're loved".[2] Smith in his childhood had also considered becoming a pastor before pursuing a career in motorsports.[2]

Influence edit

Marcus, compared to his father, Bruton Smith, has been described as "not as boisterous or flamboyant" by Speed Sport writer Keith Waltz.[65] Darrell Waltrip, a longtime NASCAR driver, has praised Smith with his leadership, stating in 2015, "I think he knows what it takes to put on a good show and put on a good race. He really has matured in that job."[2] He has drawn praise for a focus on fan experience at SMI's tracks, with NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck remarking, "fans feel so comfortable engaging Smith in conversation when he walks around an SMI track that he has been known to run late for his official duties... And during internal meetings, Smith will sometimes instruct employees to make whatever decision is best for the customers".[2]

Criticism edit

Smith, along with SMI leadership in general, have drawn criticism from drivers for numerous decisions; mainly regarding repaves of certain tracks, including the Texas Motor Speedway and the Atlanta Motor Speedway, with accusations of "no driver input". When the Texas Motor Speedway was repaved under Smith's direction in early 2017, the track was heavily criticized over the next few years for a poor racing product and at points, controversial races. By September 2022, numerous drivers had spoken out. After the 2022 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500, Kyle Larson expressed frustration, stating the track "needs more than a repave. I would like them to demolish [Texas]... [SMI] did a very poor job, with the initial reconfiguration".[66] When the Atlanta Motor Speedway was announced to be repaved to tailor to produce pack racing, Denny Hamlin stated in a Twitter post, "[SMI] has reconfigured Texas, Kentucky, Bristol with 0 driver input. One of those lost a race, other one we don’t race anymore and last one we put dirt over it. But hey, what do the drivers know 🙄".[67]

Hamlin later criticized Smith in Twitter posts for a repave on the Sonoma Raceway in 2024, which had seen the newly-paved asphalt in the track's 11th turn come apart. The two proceeded to trade insults at each other at approximately midnight EST, with Smith insulting Hamlin's lack of NASCAR Cup Series championships and Hamlin accusing that Smith was "blow[ing] everything [Bruton Smith] gave him".[68][69]

References edit

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January 01, 1970
marcus, smith, businessman, marcus, graham, smith, born, april, 1973, american, businessman, best, known, chief, executive, officer, speedway, motorsports, organization, that, owns, operates, racetracks, across, united, states, smith, being, heir, father, brut. Marcus Graham Smith born April 11 1973 is an American businessman He is best known as the chief executive officer CEO of Speedway Motorsports LLC SMI an organization that owns or operates 11 racetracks across the United States Smith being the heir of his father Bruton Smith had previously worked for SMI at various positions within the organization before being officially promoted to becoming CEO in 2015 Marcus SmithSmith at the Arlington National Cemetery in 2023BornMarcus Graham Smith 1973 04 11 April 11 1973 age 51 Charlotte North Carolina U S EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill dropped out OccupationBusinessmanYears active1996 presentOrganizationSpeedway MotorsportsSpouseCassandra Anne Mitchell m 1996 wbr Children2 Smith was born and raised in Charlotte North Carolina Initially wanting to train to become a doctor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill he later dropped out and joined his father s company working at the Charlotte Motor Speedway s marketing team as a sales associate He later was promoted to the manager of new business development of the speedway in 1999 In 2004 he was reassigned to the track s parent company SMI to become their head of sales and marketing Four years later Smith was promoted to become the president of SMI and was also put in charge to run the Charlotte Motor Speedway replacing longtime promoter Humpy Wheeler in a controversial transition In 2015 Smith was promoted to become the SMI s CEO essentially taking over control of the company from his father Under his leadership at SMI Smith oversaw numerous changes within the company In 2019 he took SMI off of the New York Stock Exchange turning the company into a private company Throughout 2021 and 2022 with monetary assistance from COVID 19 relief grants from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper he made efforts to revitalize the North Wilkesboro Speedway which had been left desolate since the late 1990s when his father bought partial control of the track along with Bob Bahre He has also directed numerous changes in an attempt to reverse declining attendance at some racetracks including holding the NASCAR Cup Series first ever dirt race since 1970 at the Bristol Motor Speedway ordering the reconfiguration of the Atlanta Motor Speedway to produce pack racing and by holding a roval race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway In contrast to his father Speed Sport writer Keith Waltz considers Marcus to be not as boisterous or flamboyant Marcus has drawn praise for a focus on fan experience and interaction and for revitalizing the North Wilkesboro Speedway one of NASCAR s founding tracks However his tenure has seen continued decline at SMI racetracks despite numerous changes formulated to increase attendance along with criticism from drivers and media outlets for repaves of certain tracks Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Business career 2 1 Beginnings at Charlotte Motor Speedway 2 2 Speedway Motorsports ascension 2 2 1 Promotion to CEO unsuccessful attempt at Charlotte MLS expansion team 2 3 Battling declining attendance and revenue revitalization of North Wilkesboro Speedway 3 Personal life 3 1 Marriage 3 2 Religious views 4 Influence 4 1 Criticism 5 ReferencesEarly life and education editSmith was born in Charlotte North Carolina on April 11 1973 to Ollen Bruton Smith 1927 2022 and Bonnie Jean Harris 1947 2023 He is the second oldest of five children According to Bruton his middle name was given as Graham to honor Reverend Billy Graham a famous Southern Baptist evangelist from the Charlotte area 1 2 Smith attended Charlotte Country Day School where he was a wrestler 3 In his off time during high school he worked as a volunteer at the Charlotte Motor Speedway doing numerous jobs including grass maintenance painting walls and picking up trash 2 By the summer of 1992 Smith committed to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill UNC to train as a doctor from 1992 to 1996 2 However according to the university UNC stated that Smith did not earn a degree and dropped out 4 Business career editBeginnings at Charlotte Motor Speedway edit According to Marcus after dropping out of college he joined the Charlotte Motor Speedway s sales and marketing team as a first year sales associate mainly selling souvenir program advertisements and contingency decals for cars 5 While working at Charlotte Motor Speedway he frequently came into contact with the track s general manager Humpy Wheeler who he later stated on an episode of The Dale Jr Download that he was phenomenally impactful to him 5 He did not see his father often as his office was located at the nearby Town and Country Ford dealership owned by Bruton 5 Marcus initially struggled at the job within the first six months he struggled to cover his expenses When he called Bruton to request a raise Bruton stated that he could have a raise and all you have to do is sell more and you can earn more money To Marcus the statement took a load off my shoulders as he wanted to earn the money and did not want something given to me that I didn t earn or don t deserve 2 By 1999 he became the speedway s manager of new business development 2 On February 19 2004 he was reassigned to the Charlotte Motor Speedway s parent company Speedway Motorsports Inc SMI to serve as the company s executive vice president of sales and marketing In addition he was also added to the company s board of directors 6 By February 2005 he was claimed by the News amp Record s Dustin Long as in position to replace Bruton when Bruton retired Marcus was also stated to communicate better with NASCAR s leader Bill France Jr who at the time had gotten into a fierce lawsuit with Bruton over a second NASCAR Cup Series race date at the Texas Motor Speedway deepening the rivalry between the Smith and France families 7 In August of that year he partnered with the France family s International Speedway Corporation ISC for the two companies to buy out Action Performance a motorsports merchandise company with Smith and Lesa France Kennedy serving on the company s board of directors 8 Speedway Motorsports ascension edit On May 21 2008 Humpy Wheeler announced his departure from the speedway that was later revealed to be due to internal disagreements with Bruton Smith over the last several years 9 a decision that was seen as a surprise within the NASCAR landscape 10 By the next day The Charlotte Observer reported that Smith had become the favorite to replace Wheeler 11 On May 28 Bruton officially announced that Marcus had been promoted to take over for Wheeler Along with this Marcus was also promoted within SMI to become the company s president and chief operating officer COO 12 Within his first year SMI mainly due to the consequences of the Great Recession oversaw a sharp decline in revenue and the company s stock price 13 Smith also oversaw the loss of sponsor Lowe s from Charlotte in 2009 who had naming rights to the speedway over the last decade 14 The next year Smith announced the creation of a Christmas lights drive thru show at the speedway one of the biggest in the country at the time 15 By the end of that year The Charlotte Observer writer Ron Stodghill wrote in an opinion piece that the guy seems to have a surprisingly firm grip at the wheel he is emerging as a passionate leader 16 In 2011 Smith directed the construction of a 200 foot by 80 foot television screen on the speedway s backstretch one of the biggest HD screens in the world 17 Promotion to CEO unsuccessful attempt at Charlotte MLS expansion team edit In February 2015 Marcus was realigned by SMI s board of directors to take over the position of chief executive officer CEO a position that was previously held by Bruton With the move he essentially took over control of the company from his father 18 Later that year he was criticized for maintaining New Hampshire Motor Speedway general manager Jerry Gappens despite Gappens pleading guilty to a lewdness charge with a 19 year old woman in Gappens car According to Smith he was kept because he had been with SMI a long time with a great record we consider our co workers like family We re extending forgiveness and praying for he and his family hoping things work out there And that s what our decision was driven by 19 The next year he announced intentions to renovate Charlotte Motor Speedway 20 along with a statement that said that the Smiths were interested in buying the Carolina Panthers a National Football League NFL team 21 In late 2016 Marcus and Bruton made a bid for a Major League Soccer MLS expansion team in Charlotte with support from local business leaders 22 The bid initially proposed demolishing the American Legion Memorial Stadium and the Grady Cole Center to build a new 150 million 20 000 seat stadium with the Smiths asking for 50 million each from the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County 23 By January 20 the Smiths lowered their asking price for both parties to 43 75 million each with the Smiths now pledging to invest 87 5 million 24 While the Mecklenburg County Council approved their funding on January 26 with a 5 3 vote 25 the proposal drew criticism from the Charlotte City Council 26 and Jim McPhilliamy who owned the Charlotte Independence a minor league soccer team 27 By January 31 the MLS s deadline for new bids passed with the city of Charlotte refusing to hold a vote on the matter 28 However despite this Mecklenburg County still wanted to decide to pledge nearly 120 million into the bid albeit plans on future county spending were still under negotiation 29 Four months later on May 28 The Charlotte Observer reported that no further progress was made between the Smiths and the city of Charlotte with the Smiths instead relying on the county government s funding plan 30 On June 12 Mecklenburg County delayed their decision until at least August with some county commissioners hesitant to vote for the funding unless the city supported it 31 By the end of June The Charlotte Observer reported a reinvigorated marketing effort from Marcus with Marcus directing the creation of a campaign website 32 In mid July MLS officials toured Charlotte over several days 33 however both city council and county commissioners canceled their meetings during the tour 34 At the same time a rival bid from neighboring city Raleigh was also made with state government support with both cities appearing on a 12 city shortlist 35 On August 3 the Mecklenburg County Council voted against the 120 million contribution deferring the issue to the city of Charlotte 36 with the city giving 30 million being far from certain 37 Later that month the city declined to vote on the issue 38 On October 24 Katherine Peralta of The Charlotte Observer reported that the effort was officially dead as an agreement for a combination of private and public could not be reached by December the deadline for the MLS 39 By November 30 when the MLS narrowed its shortlist to four cities Charlotte did not appear officially killing the Smiths bid 40 Battling declining attendance and revenue revitalization of North Wilkesboro Speedway edit Throughout the latter half of the 2010s SMI along with NASCAR overall saw a major decrease in attendance and revenue in most racetracks 41 42 As a result over the next several years Smith directed numerous changes in an attempt to increase both aspects In 2017 Smith directed the repave of the Texas Motor Speedway in response to water drainage issues 43 The next year Smith announced that the fall NASCAR race weekend for the Charlotte Motor Speedway would be run on a specialized roval course that utilized both the traditional oval and the track s infield road course instead of running on the traditional oval breaking an annual tradition that started in 1960 The first race at the new track was met with praise including from driver Dale Earnhardt Jr and outside media outlets 44 45 In the next few years Texas faced mounting criticism for its racing product along with and declining attendance In an attempt to reverse this Smith moved the NASCAR All Star Race from its longtime home in Charlotte to Texas 46 The decision was met with relative scorn and after two All Star races that were viewed as subpar and controversial by drivers and media outlets in addition to criticism for the track s general racing product 47 48 the race was moved in 2023 49 despite Smith defending the racing product at Texas 50 In 2021 Smith announced the repave of the Atlanta Motor Speedway to produce pack racing the first intermediate track to ever be tailored to produce it 51 The decision was also met with criticism particularly from drivers due to a lack of driver input 52 Before this Smith announced a proposal to build a 1 billion casino complex at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2019 53 although this plan has not materialized as the Georgia General Assembly has not passed any law to legalize gambling in the state of Georgia as of March 2023 54 55 In 2019 various NASCAR personalities most notably driver Dale Earnhardt Jr made a grassroots effort to petition Smith to revitalize the North Wilkesboro Speedway one of NASCAR s founding tracks which had been left abandoned and desolate since Bruton bought the a share of the track s ownership in 1996 56 By early 2021 Smith stated on an episode of The Dale Jr Download that he had not forgotten about North Wilkesboro later clarifying that while he hoped to renovate the track he couldn t guarantee a renovation deal or the inclusion of any NASCAR races if the track was to be renovated 57 Later that year Roy Cooper the Governor of North Carolina considered an economic package as part of a COVID 19 relief program that would have given 10 million to Wilkes County North Carolina for the speedway 58 By the time the plan was accepted in November the amount increased to 18 million 59 With the new funds Smith announced that the renovation was more feasible and achievable 60 By April 2022 Smith announced the return of grassroots racing to the speedway in the summer that year 61 with a NASCAR Cup Series race announced later that year that was to run in 2023 49 The movement was met with relative praise from North Carolina state officials locals drivers and fans 62 63 Personal life editMarriage edit Marcus married Cassandra Anne Mitchell on June 8 1996 in Charlotte North Carolina at the Central Church of God 64 Religious views edit Smith considers himself a devout Christian In an interview with motorsports journalist Jeff Gluck he claims that his most important philosophical belief at Speedway Motorsports is to love one another like Jesus said I want to have everybody who works with us feel like they re in a place where they re loved 2 Smith in his childhood had also considered becoming a pastor before pursuing a career in motorsports 2 Influence editMarcus compared to his father Bruton Smith has been described as not as boisterous or flamboyant by Speed Sport writer Keith Waltz 65 Darrell Waltrip a longtime NASCAR driver has praised Smith with his leadership stating in 2015 I think he knows what it takes to put on a good show and put on a good race He really has matured in that job 2 He has drawn praise for a focus on fan experience at SMI s tracks with NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck remarking fans feel so comfortable engaging Smith in conversation when he walks around an SMI track that he has been known to run late for his official duties And during internal meetings Smith will sometimes instruct employees to make whatever decision is best for the customers 2 Criticism edit Smith along with SMI leadership in general have drawn criticism from drivers for numerous decisions mainly regarding repaves of certain tracks including the Texas Motor Speedway and the Atlanta Motor Speedway with accusations of no driver input When the Texas Motor Speedway was repaved under Smith s direction in early 2017 the track was heavily criticized over the next few years for a poor racing product and at points controversial races By September 2022 numerous drivers had spoken out After the 2022 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 Kyle Larson expressed frustration stating the track needs more than a repave I would like them to demolish Texas SMI did a very poor job with the initial reconfiguration 66 When the Atlanta Motor Speedway was announced to be repaved to tailor to produce pack racing Denny Hamlin stated in a Twitter post SMI has reconfigured Texas Kentucky Bristol with 0 driver input One of those lost a race other one we don t race anymore and last one we put dirt over it But hey what do the drivers know 67 Hamlin later criticized Smith in Twitter posts for a repave on the Sonoma Raceway in 2024 which had seen the newly paved asphalt in the track s 11th turn come apart The two proceeded to trade insults at each other at approximately midnight EST with Smith insulting Hamlin s lack of NASCAR Cup Series championships and Hamlin accusing that Smith was blow ing everything Bruton Smith gave him 68 69 References edit Covington Roy February 3 1974 After 9 Years The Boos Changed To Votes The Charlotte Observer pp 6D Archived from the original on July 7 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com nbsp a b c d e f g h i Gluck Jeff May 20 2015 With Hall of Fame pedigree Charlotte s Marcus Smith crafts fan experience USA Today Archived from the original on January 5 2024 Retrieved January 5 2024 Smith Celeste June 13 2001 Bruton Smith donates 5 million to Charlotte Country Day The Charlotte Observer pp 4B Archived from the original on January 5 2024 Retrieved January 5 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp UNC Chapel Hill Speedway s Marcus Smith not a graduate The Charlotte Observer Bloomberg News March 19 2009 pp 10A Archived from the original on July 26 2023 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp a b c Miller Kelley Earnhardt Davis Mike April 11 2023 The Business of Motorsports Part II The Dale Jr Download Podcast Dirty Mo Media Event occurs at 14 05 Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 Dyer Leigh February 20 2004 Speedway Motorsports names 2 to board The Charlotte Observer pp 2D Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Long Dustin February 13 2005 Seven Shaping racing s future News amp Record pp C14 Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Choe Stan August 31 2005 Racing rivals unite to buy souvenir firm The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 2D Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Poole David May 21 2008 Checkered Flag For Humpy The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 8A Archived from the original on July 31 2023 Retrieved July 30 2023 via Newspapers com nbsp Newton David May 21 2008 Humpy Wheeler kicked out before his time was really up ESPN Archived from the original on July 31 2023 Retrieved July 30 2023 Poole David May 22 2008 Humpy s out as rift simmers The Charlotte Observer pp 1C 7C Retrieved January 7 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Poole David May 29 2008 Smith picks son to lead speedway firm The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 2D Archived from the original on January 8 2024 Retrieved January 7 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp George Jefferson March 12 2009 Speedway Motorsports braces for revenue dip The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 2D Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 12 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Valle Kirsten August 7 2009 Concord track will be renamed but what The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 4D Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 12 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Marusak Joe September 17 2010 Christmas lights to shine at speedway The Charlotte Observer pp 10A 11A Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 12 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Stodghill Ron December 12 2010 Marcus Smith drives own agenda The Charlotte Observer pp 1D Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 12 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Fowler Scott May 11 2011 Speedway s hi def TV a def must see The Charlotte Observer pp 1C 2C Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 12 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Pockrass Bob February 11 2015 SMI founder Smith gives more control to son ESPN Archived from the original on January 8 2024 Retrieved January 8 2024 Gluck Jeff April 7 2015 Why was NHMS GM allowed to retain job after guilty plea USA Today Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 Spanberg Eric May 19 2016 Charlotte Motor Speedway chief eyeing extreme makeover for racing complex Charlotte Business Journal Retrieved January 11 2024 Jones Jonathan May 5 2016 Track executive We d be interested in buying team The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 2B Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Peralta Katherine December 16 2016 Bruton Marcus Smith in talks to land Charlotte expansion team The Charlotte Observer pp 6B Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Harrison Steve Peralta Katherine January 6 2017 Plan would raze Memorial Grady Cole for new stadium The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 2A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Henderson Bruce Portillo Ely January 21 2017 Mecklenburg Charlotte asked to pay 87 5M for soccer stadium The Charlotte Observer pp 2A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Harrison Steve Henderson Bruce Morrill Jim January 27 2017 Soccer bid uncertain with city s contribution off table The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 16A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Harrison Steve January 25 2017 Support for soccer plan is lukewarm on City Council The Charlotte Observer pp 2A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Harrison Steve January 26 2017 Team exec feels run over by MLS bid The Charlotte Observer pp 2A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Pierno Ian February 1 2017 North Carolina FC submits MLS bid competing with 11 other cities The News amp Observer pp 10B Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Harrison Steve Henderson Bruce Peralta Katherine February 4 2017 Questions remain but county still pursues deal The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 2A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Harrison Steve Peralta Katherine May 28 2017 Four months later what s next for city s MLS bid The Charlotte Observer pp 6A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Harrison Steve Morrill Jim Peralta Jim June 13 2017 County wants Charlotte s aid in funding soccer stadium The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 2A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Peralta Katherine June 30 2017 Want Major League Soccer in Charlotte The Charlotte Observer pp 8A 9A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Harrison Steve Peralta Katherine July 19 2017 Major League Soccer calls visit positive and productive The Charlotte Observer pp 4A 6A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Harrison Steve Peralta Katherine July 18 2017 Pro soccer s leaders visit Tuesday but city cancels meeting The Charlotte Observer pp 4A 9A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Morrill Jim Specht Paul A July 20 2017 Charlotte area lawmakers warn state not to help Raleigh win MLS competition The News amp Observer Archived from the original on March 4 2020 Retrieved December 17 2019 Harrison Steve Peralta Katherine August 3 2017 County blows up soccer stadium deal The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 3A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Harrison Steve Morrill Jim Peralta Katherine August 4 2017 Smith may need to kick in more money The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 5A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Peralta Katherine August 18 2017 Soccer stadium effort hits new snag The Charlotte Observer pp 4A 9A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Peralta Katherine Portillo Ely October 24 2017 Charlotte s Major League Soccer dream unravels The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 2A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Peralta Katherine November 30 2017 MLS narrows its list of cities to 4 none from NC The Charlotte Observer pp 4A Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 11 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Gluck Jeff July 2 2016 NASCAR looks beyond declining attendance TV ratings USA Today Archived from the original on January 8 2024 Retrieved January 7 2024 Caldwell Dave May 2 2018 NASCAR Fans Are Racing Away From The Sport Even Faster Forbes Archived from the original on January 8 2024 Retrieved January 7 2024 Davison Drew February 8 2017 Redo of Texas Motor Speedway moves fast Fort Worth Star Telegram pp 3B Archived from the original on August 28 2023 Retrieved August 27 2023 via Newspapers com nbsp Beaver Dan October 4 2018 Dale Jr Download Marcus Smith gambled his legacy and won with Roval NBC Sports Archived from the original on January 8 2024 Retrieved January 7 2024 Fryer Jenna October 4 2018 Roval a smashing success for all except Johnson Austin American Statesman Associated Press Archived from the original on January 8 2024 Retrieved January 7 2024 Davison Drew October 1 2020 Texas Motor Speedway to host NASCAR All Star Race in 2021 Fort Worth Star Telegram pp 1B 3B Archived from the original on January 19 2024 Retrieved January 19 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Fielding Gregg September 28 2022 The eyes of Texas are upon Texas Motor Speedway and its future Auto Racing Digest Sports Illustrated Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 McFadin Daniel September 28 2022 Put Texas Motor Speedway Out of Its Misery Frontstretch Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 a b Engle Greg September 8 2022 North Wilkesboro Speedway Comes Full Circle With Nascar All Star Race Forbes Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Christie Toby May 24 2022 Marcus Smith All Star Race Was A Lot of Fun and Some People Like to Complain TobyChristie com Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Estrada Chris July 6 2021 Atlanta Motor Speedway set for 2022 repave reprofiling NBC Sports Archived from the original on March 5 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Andrejev Alex July 11 2021 What NASCAR drivers are saying about the proposed changes to Atlanta Motor Speedway The Charlotte Observer Archived from the original on July 14 2021 Retrieved January 10 2024 Ryan Nate October 2 2020 With casino still a hope Atlanta track headed for a repave and reprofiling NBC Sports Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Jackson Eric March 9 2021 1 billion casino resort at Atlanta Motor Speedway still on the table We re still alive Atlanta Business Chronicle Archived from the original on March 9 2021 Retrieved January 10 2024 Georgia sports betting plan brought back to life in Senate WABE Associated Press March 16 2023 Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Bianchi Jordan May 9 2020 In the real world Dale Earnhardt Jr and friends grab weed eaters to help preserve North Wilkesboro Speedway in the virtual world The Athletic Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Weaver Matt May 8 2021 North Wilkesboro Speedway Revival Gets Big Momentum Big Benefactor Autoweek Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Andrejev Alex May 30 2021 State considers new funding for Coke 600 other NC motorsports The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 4B Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Murphy Brian November 16 2021 What policies projects made it into state budget The Charlotte Observer pp 10A Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Estrada Chris November 19 2021 SMI executive Goal is to modernize North Wilkesboro for racing events NBC Sports Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Andrejev Alex April 17 2022 North Wilkesboro Speedway gets auto racing back summer 2022 The Charlotte Observer pp 2B Archived from the original on January 10 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp McGee Ryan May 22 2023 NASCAR s North Wilkesboro return excited drivers fans alike ESPN Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Markovich Jeremy May 22 2023 North Wilkesboro was Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close North Carolina Rabbit Hole Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Smith Mitchell The Charlotte Observer June 9 1996 pp 6E Archived from the original on January 5 2024 Retrieved January 5 2024 via Newspapers com nbsp Waltz Keith November 5 2022 Marcus Smith A Chip Off The Old Block Speed Sport Archived from the original on January 11 2024 Retrieved January 10 2024 Walters Shane September 24 2022 Kyle Larson wants Texas Motor Speedway demolished Short track Racing News Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 12 2024 Weaver Matt July 9 2021 NASCAR Drivers Lament Lack Of Input In Decision To Reconfigure Atlanta Autoweek Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 12 2024 Christie Toby April 5 2024 Denny Hamlin Marcus Smith Engage in Late Night Fight on X TobyChristie com Archived from the original on April 5 2024 Retrieved April 6 2024 Bianchi Jordan Gluck Jeff April 5 2024 Denny Hamlin and Marcus Smith s feud on X shows underlying tensions within NASCAR The Athletic Archived from the original on April 5 2024 Retrieved April 6 2024 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marcus Smith businessman amp oldid 1225468463, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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