Bruton Smith Honored at 2012 North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards

Bruton Smith

Bruton Smith, founder and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., was honored Monday evening with the 2012 Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award from the North Carolina Motorsports Association. The honor was given to Smith before a large crowd of motorsports industry professionals at the 6th Annual North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards presented by Senn Dunn Insurance at the Embassy Suites and Convention Center in Concord. Smith joins previous Tribute Award recipients Bill France Jr., Benny Parsons, Richard Petty, Richard Childress, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Junior Johnson.

David Poole, longtime Charlotte Observer motorsports writer, was honored (posthumously) with the Media Recognition Award. The award was accepted by Poole's widow Katy [Poole] and Mike Persinger, Executive Sports Editor for the Charlotte Observer.

In addition, seven industry companies were awarded for their 2011 accomplishments and positive impacts to the Motorsports Industry:

• Bruton Smith, Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award
• David Poole, Media Recognition Award
• G-Force Racing Gear
• Industrial Hard Carbon
• JRi Shocks
• Lake Norman Elementary School Pit Crew
• NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
• Racing Electronics
• Richmond County Tourism Authority
NCMA