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Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Formula One

When the announcement came this summer that Austin, Texas, was going to host a Formula One race in 2012 there was a collective "whaaaaaat?" from the racing world. No one was more shocked than the promoter of the last U.S. Grand Prix, Joie Chitwood.

"I was as surprised as anyone,'' Chitwood (pictured right) told FanHouse.com. "Everything I had heard was that it would be somewhere on the East Coast or the West Coast in some waterfront location.

"Austin is about the same size and scope as Indianapolis and there's not even a facility built. It's still hard to believe, and to be honest, I'm not even sure it's really going to happen.''

Chitwood, now president of Daytona International Speedway, oversaw the USGP from 2000-2007 as Indianapolis Motor Speedway President. And he isn't alone in his doubts about the project, even as the state of Texas has already agreed to a controversial, $25 million-a-year, kick-in for the race's 10-year contract to help fund and sustain the event.

If a Formula One grand prix didn't work in America's greatest racing town Indianapolis -- or in a dozen other previous locales -- how's it going to play out in a city there's never even hosted a major auto race?

 

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Filed under: Daytona Int'l Speedway, NASCAR Tracks, NASCAR

In the midst of its first repaving job in 30 years, Daytona International Speedway found itself with a new president Friday when Robin Braig was suddenly replaced by Joie Chitwood III (right), namesake of the famous stunt driving family.

The speedway said that "effective immediately," Braig "will leave to pursue other opportunities."

Chitwood, 41, has been Vice President of Business Development for International Speedway Corporation, which owns the speedway and 12 other major tracks, since 2009. He was at Indy before that and previously was Vice President and General Manager of Raceway Associates, LLC, which oversaw construction and operation of the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., from 1999-2002.

Starting at age five, Chitwood performed in his family's motorsports entertainment business, the well-known Chitwood Thrill Show. His grandfather, Joie, who started the thrill show, competed in seven Indy 500s from 1940 to 1950.


"We are very fortunate to have a seasoned executive of Joie's proven ability to step into this important position as President of Daytona International Speedway," ISC's Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy said in a statement released by the speedway. "Joie is highly respected throughout the industry and brings a lifetime of motorsports entertainment experience to Daytona.

"I would also like to thank Robin for his passion and dedication to the speedway and to promoting motorsports. I wish him much success in his future endeavors."

Braig served as Daytona's president for seven years, replacing John Graham.

 

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