Motorsports

NASCAR's friend/foe sounds off

By BRANT JAMES
Published January 25, 2006

CONCORD, N.C. - Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith has gleefully played the antagonist in a sport dominated by the France family, which founded and runs NASCAR and controls rival track owner International Speedway Corp. He has jabbed at NASCAR's hierarchy over the years, built gleaming new tracks to compete with ISC's, fought for and won races for his tracks.

Though many of his wishes have been granted under new NASCAR CEO Brian France, the 78-year-old was at his eccentric best on Tuesday, turning a news conference announcing a resurfacing at Lowe's Motor Speedway into a lampoon of the latest NASCAR news.

Smith on:

The departure of NASCAR chief operating officer George Pyne to run a management firm: "I have applied for George Pyne's job. And of course, I do expect to be hired. I think I'm qualified. I was around George a lot. I watched for a half hour what he did. I knew right off I could do what he did."

Toyota's entry into NASCAR's top two series in 2007: "Toyota has more money than God. God, once said, "Follow the money.' So if you're going to follow the money you're going to be right behind Toyota. They call them the Bank of Japan."

(He noted, however, that a lot of people would make money off Toyota's entry and that it would "add greatly" to the sport.)

National health care, an odd topic for a staunch Republican: "Our country is one of the few countries that doesn't have a national health care plan. Japan (where Toyota is based) has a national health care plan. We do not. That adds about $1,800 to a General Motors car because they have over 300,000 retirees."

OFFERS: Brandon-born Denny Hamlin, who begins his first full season in Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 11 Chevrolet, said he had Nextel Cup offers from other teams early last season but didn't think he was ready. After more seasoning in the Busch Series, he made his Cup debut late in the season at Kansas and managed three top-10s in seven starts.

TAKE TWO: Lowe's Motor Speedway underwent a $3-million resurfacing a year after an infamous grinding of the track led to high speed, friction and numerous tire failures during the Chase for the Championship race there last fall.

Track president H.A. Wheeler thinks the process is likely to increase speeds even further - perhaps as fast as 196 mph for the pole, as compared to track-record 193.216 for Elliott Sadler last fall. But Wheeler said the track is working with NASCAR to find a way to slow cars until the surface ages. Paving is tentatively scheduled to begin in late February.

PRESIDENTIAL: Defending Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart, team owner Joe Gibbs and president J.D. Gibbs were at the White House on Tuesday, providing them, as Stewart media rep Mike Arning quipped, "a nice exit strategy for Media Day."

J.D. Gibbs, addressing the media by pre-recorded message, said the No. 20 Chevrolet team would enjoy the visit "assuming everyone passes their background check, which is not a given considering our crowd."

[Last modified January 25, 2006, 00:56:11]