Is Bruton Smith a Bully or a Genius? »
The news outlets have been abuzz recently with word that racing magnate Bruton Smith wants to build a drag strip at the Lowes Motor Speedway complex in Concord. This alone should hardly be newsworthy - Smith generally does what he wants and gets away with it. After all, his mammoth track is certainly one of the generators of income in the region, and has been so for a while.
However, with Concord Mills right up the road being the number one tourist destination in the state (how about that?), he only has so much bargaining power. While the speedway used to be the only thing at that exit of the freeway, there are now hotels galore - including a full-service Embassy Suites and apparent plans to open a Great Wolf Lodge, restaurants and any number of things. The track just isn't what it one was. So when he makes a move, does it matter like it once did?
