[Quality88]

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Most of those extra millions in cash Bruton Smith had lying around for a new speedway in Charlotte just got allocated elsewhere.
Sources confirmed a Boston Globe story Thursday that Smith has reached an agreement to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway from longtime friend and business associate Bob Bahre.
This is the dream deal Smith has wanted for years. Now his options are wide open.
That long-awaited second Cup race for Las Vegas is a realistic possibility in the near future. And the coveted opening race of the Chase could end up at Texas Motor Speedway soon.

Full story here ESPN - Blount: Smith wins New Hampshire sweepstakes - Nascar

[PettyBlue]

Wow,Oh boy,dang,who would have thunk it?Lol.Does the person that wrote this know the difference between millions and billion?Also, were you not the one to state,let's take races away from B.Smith?As stated before,don't mess with money,lol twice!

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

Wow,Oh boy,dang,who would have thunk it?Lol.Does the person that wrote this know the difference between millions and billion?Also, were you not the one to state,let's take races away from B.Smith?As stated before,don't mess with money,lol twice!

Okay... how bout we shoot him? I know there are people in NC who would like to see that.

[PettyBlue]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Okay... how bout we shoot him? I know there are people in NC who would like to see that.

Watch what you say on the net as that is twice you have stated bad things may happen to B. Smith. ps. where is Stoney,D.Trump and NYC in all of this crap?

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

Watch what you say on the net as that is twice you have stated bad things may happen to B. Smith. ps. where is Stoney,D.Trump and NYC in all of this crap?

Where is Stoney?........ hmmmmm I think the whole NYC thing is a white herring........ Where is Stoney?

[Quality88]

Here's a story from nascar.com. This jackass praises Bruton.... that's all I'm sayin before I hop on my soap box.

NASCAR.COM - Expect*a second race in Las Vegas with sale of NHIS - Nov 1, 2007

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Where is Stoney?........ hmmmmm I think the whole NYC thing is a white herring........ Where is Stoney?

I am here in NC doing my best to figure out what Bruton is up to. He recently sold Wilkesboro to pick up a cool 12 million. His dealerships continue to make money. His soon to be 8 tracks are okay so why does he all of a sudden need money?

[Stoney]

Bruton is scheming on something saying that the Charlotte dates were worth 10 times the value of the speedway to somebody else. Is he planning a hostile takeover bid?

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Stoney

Bruton is scheming on something saying that the Charlotte dates were worth 10 times the value of the speedway to somebody else. Is he planning a hostile takeover bid?

Who knows.... I give up.

[Racer Duck]

Well, here's the "Official Announcement" along with NASCAR's response...

SMI Official Announcement On NHIS Purchase

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. has agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway from Bob and Gary Bahre for $340 million in cash. The agreement was announced today by O. Bruton Smith, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008. To align with other SMI-owned speedway brands, the track will be renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway following completion of the acquisition.

The speedway, which opened in 1990 and hosts two NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events each year, is located about one hour north of Boston in Loudon, N.H. According to the latest census numbers, the population within 200 miles of the speedway is more than 18 million people. The venue is easily accessible via Interstate highways from all metro areas in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. Located on approximately 1,100 acres, the multi-use complex is the largest sports facility in New England and features a 1.058-mile oval speedway, with chair-back seating for 92,000 spectators, and a 1.6-mile road course.

The speedway hosts the only NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events held in the six-state New England region. Both NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races regularly sell out and exceed the NFL Super Bowl in attendance.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our company to grow our business as we continue to invest in this sport and the motorsports industry," said Smith. Smith added that he has offered Bob Bahre the opportunity to remain associated as a consultant with the track that he built. In addition to the major NASCAR races, the track hosts several regional professional racing series, including the NASCAR Grand National Division, NASCAR Busch East Series and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Amateur series events complete the schedule with SCCA sports cars, motorcycles, World Karting Association go-karts and racing schools.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway will join a strong portfolio of SMI facilities. The company also owns and operates Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.; Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.; and Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth, Texas. With this acquisition, the company will own race tracks in the West, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest, including four of the nation's top-10 metropolitan markets.

The breakdown includes: the sixth-largest market (Infineon/San Francisco); the fifth-largest market (Texas/Dallas-Ft. Worth); the seventh-largest market (New Hampshire/Boston); the ninth-largest market (Atlanta); the 25th-largest market (Lowe's/Charlotte); the 41st-largest market (Las Vegas); and the 92nd-largest market (Bristol/Tri-Cities). Speedway Motorsports, Inc. will promote 13 NASCAR-sanctioned Sprint (formerly NEXTEL) Cup races in 2008 and nine NASCAR-sanctioned Nationwide (formerly Busch) Series events. Combined seating for the seven SMI facilities will exceed 850,000 permanent seats.



Statement from Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO

Today’s announcement that Speedway Motorsports Inc. has purchased New Hampshire International Speedway is yet another indication that the NASCAR industry continues to grow and thrive. Capitalizing on NASCAR’s national appeal and growth, the Bahre family created a passionate fan base and developed a valuable venue that has hosted the largest sporting events in New England including 26 consecutive sellouts.

The success of NHIS, and the desire of the Bahre family to sell, made the track very attractive to SMI and several other interested buyers. SMI has a highly regarded record for hosting some of the most successful and enjoyable race events in all of NASCAR, and there’s no doubt that will continue.

While we don’t have any details about SMI’s plans for NHIS, all sanctions for 2008 have been signed and finalized. As a result, there will be no location changes to the 2008 schedule that was released last month. This is important to the fans, competitors, broadcast partners and sponsors who have already made plans for the 2008 races.

Looking beyond 2008, NASCAR will continue to consider requests by any track operator, including SMI, to relocate race dates. Under NASCAR’s “realignment” plan, we have worked with track owners to relocate race dates to meet the needs of our growing national fan base. Ultimately, any change must meet NASCAR’s objectives and serve our fans.

The industry owes Bob and Gary Bahre a debt of gratitude for their leadership and commitment to NASCAR. All of NASCAR wishes the Bahre family well during this time of transition. They will always be considered pioneers in NASCAR.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

. Ultimately, any change must meet NASCAR’s objectives and serve our fans.

They don't give a damn about the fans.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Quality88

They don't give a damn about the fans.

"Fans" has become a NA__AR euphemism for ISC stock holders, Dustin.

We who watch on TV or listen on radio are "Viewers." Those who actually attend are known as "Consumers." Those who could give a crap are known as "Desired Audience."

[PenelopePitStop]

So Bahre did sell. The rumors were true.

For the record, NHIS is my home track. I spent many a glorious afternoon watching the Busch North Series and the Modifieds at that track long before Indy (back when it was Indy) and NASCAR came on board.

No, NHIS isn't the most exciting race on the circuit, but it's a great facility for the fans. I actually get a Christmas card from NHIS every year even though I've given up my season tickets to the Cup races. I doubt that will continue.

I sure hope this Bruton Smith guy doesn't screw it up. Alas, it's all about big boys and big business.

[Jeffrey4318]

I think this may be great news. NHIS is not a 2 date track. Taking a date from it and giving it to Las Vegas may be a great thing. LV has earned the right to see what it can do with a second date. This should be interesting to see how the schedule for 2009 pans out. Bruton may get his wish and move the second Texas date off the opening weekend of deer hunting season. I guess that may mean two years from this weekend they might as well be racing in Vegas.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey4318

LV has earned the right to see what it can do with a second date.

Here's the problem I have with this statement.... Kentucky has earned the right for a cup date. Yet they have gotten the shaft. If they give KY a race date they have instant sell-out.