International Speedway Corp. elevated Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood to chief operating officer of ISC.
Chip Wile, the president of Darlington Raceway, will fill Chitwood’s role as the new president of Daytona.
Chitwood oversaw the $400 million Daytona Rising project that transformed Daytona into a “motorsports stadium” for this year’s Daytona 500. Wile helped spearhead Darlington’s successful throwback weekend with last year’s Southern 500.
Here’s the release from ISC:DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – April 25, 2016 - International Speedway Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: ISCA; OTC Bulletin Board: ISCB) (“ISC”) today announced that Joie Chitwood III, Executive Vice President, ISC and President of Daytona International Speedway, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of ISC. Concurrently, the Company announced that Chip Wile, President of Darlington Raceway, has been promoted to President of Daytona International Speedway.
“Joie has played a tremendous role in the success of our flagship racetrack at Daytona International Speedway since 2010,” stated ISC CEO Lesa France Kennedy. “Most recently, his leadership of the DAYTONA Rising project, while simultaneously operating the facility, has demonstrated his operational acumen.”
Chitwood moves into the newly-formed role of COO following oversight of the Company’s largest development to-date – the $400 million transformation of Daytona International Speedway into the world’s first motorsports stadium, along with the 2010 repave of the Speedway. In his new position, Chitwood will oversee ISC enterprise facility operations, along with strengthening key industry initiatives.
“Joie’s promotion is well deserved and reflects his achievements and increased role in the Company’s future,” said John Saunders, President of ISC. “He brings a distinct passion, creativity, and drive to this new role and we look forward to his contributions.”
Wile, promoter of one of NASCAR’s most successful events of the 2015 season – the Bojangles’ Southern 500, will transition from leadership of Darlington Raceway to President of Daytona International Speedway. In just two years as President of Darlington Raceway, Wile transformed the facility’s identity and impact on and off the track. He spearheaded a five-year strategy to reinvent Darlington Raceway with an inaugural Throwback Campaign during NASCAR’s return to Darlington on Labor Day weekend, in addition to re-engaging the local community hosting nearly 15 annual events. In his new role, Wile will oversee promotion and operation of the new motorsports stadium beginning with its first major event, the Country 500 over Memorial Day weekend, followed by the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola.
“Chip personifies the ideal track president being someone who values relationship building as the catalyst for collaboration and promotion,” stated Kennedy. “He not only operates with a fan-first mentality, but is deeply community-focused and a real team player, all of which will serve him well in this new role.”