Could Bruton Smith start his own series?

[MRM]

This has been kicked around for years. But think about the current situation.

If Smith buys Dover, look at the tracks he will now own:

Dover
Bristol
Atlanta
Texas
Lowe's
Vegas
Sonoma
Kentucky
NHIS

The folks at Bristol have been trying to get NASCAR to move back their spring race to sometime in April because of the crazy weather. I am a season ticket holder at Bristol. Over the weekend, I got an email newsletter from GM Jeff Byrd telling fans not to assume this year's race would be the same weekend as the past few years. One sentence that caught my attention was "We are currently talking with NASCAR about our 2009 sanctioning body agreement." That could be interpreted several ways. One way is not renewing their sanctioning with NASCAR and doing their own thing. I don't think this is what they are looking at, but Bruton has been known to come up with a few surprises. Thoughts?

 

[Go Panthers]

This has been kicked around for years. But think about the current situation.

If Smith buys Dover, look at the tracks he will now own:

Dover
Bristol
Atlanta
Texas
Lowe's
Vegas
Sonoma
Kentucky
NHIS

The folks at Bristol have been trying to get NASCAR to move back their spring race to sometime in April because of the crazy weather. I am a season ticket holder at Bristol. Over the weekend, I got an email newsletter from GM Jeff Byrd telling fans not to assume this year's race would be the same weekend as the past few years. One sentence that caught my attention was "We are currently talking with NASCAR about our 2009 sanctioning body agreement." That could be interpreted several ways. One way is not renewing their sanctioning with NASCAR and doing their own thing. I don't think this is what they are looking at, but Bruton has been known to come up with a few surprises. Thoughts?

The only way that would work is if Bruton had agreements from most of the top teams in the cup series to go with him.....I dont see it happening.

I think we are stuck with Nascar for a long time.

Oh, and dont forget, Bruton still owns North Wilkesboro

 

[Digger]

You forgot Memphis and Nashville.

He's not buying Dover for Dover. He wants Dover so he can have Memphis Motorsports Park.

Bruton's playing his cards, and he knows what he's doing. He is up to something, I can guarantee you that. He's got a trick up his sleeve, and it's got nothing to do with NASCAR.

 

[Magnethead]

You forgot Memphis and Nashville.

He's not buying Dover for Dover. He wants Dover so he can have Memphis Motorsports Park.

Bruton's playing his cards, and he knows what he's doing. He is up to something, I can guarantee you that. He's got a trick up his sleeve, and it's got nothing to do with NASCAR.

now he's not buying them all up for NHRA intrests now.....is he?

While a new stock car body might not happen...

Well, i guess it'd be hard to compete with livenation and NHRA as well.

But i agree, Bruton's trying to do something, and it WILL be big.

 

[tkj24]

This has been kicked around for years. But think about the current situation.

If Smith buys Dover, look at the tracks he will now own:

Dover
Bristol
Atlanta
Texas
Lowe's
Vegas
Sonoma
Kentucky
NHIS

The folks at Bristol have been trying to get NASCAR to move back their spring race to sometime in April because of the crazy weather. I am a season ticket holder at Bristol. Over the weekend, I got an email newsletter from GM Jeff Byrd telling fans not to assume this year's race would be the same weekend as the past few years. One sentence that caught my attention was "We are currently talking with NASCAR about our 2009 sanctioning body agreement." That could be interpreted several ways. One way is not renewing their sanctioning with NASCAR and doing their own thing. I don't think this is what they are looking at, but Bruton has been known to come up with a few surprises. Thoughts?

I got the same e-mail. If that week-end turns out as nice as it did this year it won't be so bad. That weather probably ain't going to happen 2 years in a row.

 

[Digger]

now he's not buying them all up for NHRA intrests now.....is he?

Ding ding ding.

Bruton's still counting on the NHRA having to sell.

The big problem is Bruton micromanages everything and that won't work in drag racing. But, then again, it's Bruton Smith.

 

[barelypure]

As to starting up a rival org., he could. It would be with lesser names. His biggest hurdle would be getting the product on TV. That's where the money is. I liken this to some of the pro football startups. Some were modestly successful before they folded.
The question is could Smith bring back what the fans want.

 

[MRM]

I'm still being drawn to the comment in the email that said:

"We are currently talking with NASCAR about our 2009 sanctioning body agreement."

I don't know if there is anything to that or not.