|
Lowe's Motor Speedway
In 1959, Lowe's Motor Speedway was constructed by O. Bruton Smith, who is current chairman of the facility. The late Curtis Turner, who was one of stock car's earliest stars, was Smith's business partner during this venture. In the late 1950s, Smith was an automobile dealer and short track promoter at Concord Motor Speedway, as well as the Charlotte Fairgrounds. Turner, on the other hand, was invested in the lumber industry and became one of the first NASCAR drivers on the circuit after the sanctioning body emerged in 1949. Together, the two decided to build their dream of a 1.5 mile super speedway on the outskirts of the city. In June 1960, the facility opened with the inaugural World 600 race. The following year, however, the facility filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. Despite less than thriving ticket sales, the speedway emerged from it's dark financial downturn.
Smith left the facility in 1962 in pursuit of other business interests. Working with Ford Motor Company and their dealership program, Smith found success and began purchasing stock shares in the facility that he helped to build just years earlier. By 1975, Smith was the majority stockholder in Lowe's Motor Speedway and regained control of it's regular operations. H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, the facility's current president, was hired as general manager and began working with Smith on plans to implement future improvements and expansion. During the next several years, Smith and Wheeler together demonstrated their loyalty to customer satisfaction by operating a facility that continuously set new industry standards.
Among the improvements were the addition of thousands of grandstand seats, luxury suites, food concessions, modern restroom facilities, etc. In 1988, Smith Tower was constructed and provided a 135,000 sq. ft. facility that rose seven stories into the skyline. This facility contains the speedway's corporate offices, ticket center, gift shop, The Speedway Club and exclusive dining and entertainment. In 1984, Lowe's Motor Speedway became the only sports venue in the United States to provide year-round living quarters with it's construction of 40 brand new condominiums located above turn one. In 1991, an additional dozen condominiums were added.
Lowe's Motor Speedway was formerly known as Charlotte Motor Speedway. Each year, in addition to a variety of other events, fans can always count on the arrival of the NASCAR Nextel, Busch and Craftsman Series competitions. Just minutes from the city of Charlotte, Lowe's Motor Speedway is located on 5555 Concord Parkway South in Concord, North Carolina.
© 2006 Baseballparkonline.com - All rights reserved.
|
