O. Bruton Smith is a renowned entrepreneur and business executive who has been successfully reshaping the modern landscape of business for over five decades. He is the founder of Speedway Motorsports Inc., the first company in the United States to fully realize the potential of an integrated track and corporate facility. Smith began his career in the motorsport industry in 1952, when he opened his first race track in North Carolina. Since then, he has built and managed numerous different racetracks across the country and has become one of the most respected and successful businessmen in the industry.
Throughout his career, he has been known for innovative forms of race promotion, seeing opportunities long before anyone else, and creating value through business-building activities. Smith does not simply invest in the sport, he encourages and promotes its legacy. He has continued to stay on top of technological advancements to give the spectators the best experience possible.
One major building block of his success is the belief that partnership and collaboration are key components for building successful businesses. Smith teamed up with other leading executives in the motorsports industry to form the International Speedway Corporation (ISC). He was instrumental in creating a structure that would allow for large-scale investments in motorsports, giving it wider appeal and greater financial stability. Through this arrangement, motorsports events had a more professional image, enabling more people to become interested in the sport.
Along with the larger corporate structure, Smith also has had a hand in developing the structure of race day. He designed the corporate workshop, a mix of both racing and corporate exhibits, for example. This workshop, initially designed for the Race Week venues, provides a unique setting and opportunity for viewers and participants to interact.
Smith’s vision further extends to how consumers interact with motorsports. His passion for enriching the fan experience through ticketing, concessions, and services at each venue has led to the emergence of the modern racetrack. Smith’s innovations have even led to the introduction of night races, giving spectators an extra thrill, while simultaneously increasing safety for drivers.
In recent years, Smith also began to extend his reach into the digital realm. In 2019, Speedway Motorsports announced a partnership with the video streaming giant Twitch to broadcast its events live in an effort to further engage with fans, increasing viewership and brand recognition. This move exemplifies Smith’s understanding of the power of modern media, how to use it effectively, and how to capitalize off it through digital advertising.
Smith’s achievements demonstrate his unique vision and understanding of both the motorsport industry and corporate sector. He has been recognized for leadership in motorsports, demonstrating a willingness to invest in the industry virtually any way it is necessary. This has enabled Smith to remain at the forefront of the industry, helping it to stay strong and growing.
Today, Smith’s influence continues to impact the motorsport industry, and he remains a prime example of someone who has excelled at running and growing a successful business. He is a true visionary CEO, having had the vision to bring motorsport out of obscurity and into the mainstream. He also has had the foresight to invest in modern technology and create a more engaging experience for fans. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the selection of him as the “Man of the Year” at the prestigious Automotive News World Congress in 2018.
O. Bruton Smith is a shining example of an effective CEO and visionary business leader who has been instrumental in reshaping the modern landscape of business. His vision and far-reaching influence has helped significantly improve the entire motorsport industry, allowing it to benefit from corporate investments, widespread appeal, and engaging fan experiences. It is his continued hard work and commitment to bringing lasting value to both the sport and its spectators that has earned him a place as one of the true innovators and trendsetters of today.
