A Great American Growth Story

As we get set to drop the green flag today at Dover Downs International Speedway, I got to thinking about the incredible growth story NASCAR is. From a collection of drivers who ran moonshine in the foothills of North Carolina and the beginning of a sanctioning body hosting a race on the beach in Daytona Beach to the top level sporting events the races are today, the story is a remarkable one.

Dover International Speedway, which opened in 1969 hosting the Mason-Dixon 300, is up for sale. NASCAR, owned by International Speedway Corporation (ISCA:NASDAQ), is hoping to keep tracks representative of it's roots, and Dover is one of those. A potential buyer for Dover Motorsports Inc.,(DVD:NYSE), owner of the track, is said to be Bruton Smith, of Speedway Motorsports(TRK:NYSE). Speedway Motorsports already owns several tracks which host events annually.

With all the companies at play listed on the stock market indices, it should drive home the point of the value involved here. Several well written books chronicle the history and emergence of NASCAR, but sometimes pictures do it best. Below, King Richard Petty arrives in Daytona in 1971 with the famed #43 in tow.

Earlier this year, the #43 hauler arrives at Las Vegas carrying a pair Dodge Chargers, a full collection of operating equipment and several sets of Goodyear (GT:NYSE) Racing Eagles for driver Bobby Labonte to pilot on raceday.
How far has NASCAR, one the greatest corporate and family growth stories in modern history, come? Thankfully, for entertainment at my house whenever they drop the green flag, quite a long way. Boogity Boogity Boogity!

I AM A SHAREHOLDER IF INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY CORPORATION (ISCA:NASDAQ) AND GOODYEAR (GT:NYSE)