Chitwood Promoted, Wile New Daytona Boss

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The International Speedway Corp. has named Joie Chitwood III 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 to replace the outgoing Chitwood.

“Joie has played a tremendous role in the success of our flagship racetrack at Daytona Int’l Speedway since 2010,” said 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,” said 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.”

A replacement for Wile at Darlington Raceway has not yet been announced.

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