MEMBERSHIP LOGIN
JOIN PRI
Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Announces Promotions Of Two Veteran Executives
Image
Two veteran businessmen within Speedway Motorsports, Inc. received promotions as Mike Burch was named chief strategy officer, while Braun Smith was promoted to vice president of national sales and marketing. The promotions were announced by Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith.
“Combined, these veteran executives bring more than 30 years of business experience to the table, and their promotions help position Speedway Motorsports at the forefront of business development well into the future,” Marcus Smith said. “We are fortunate to have such strong leadership within our company and I look forward to the contributions each will make as we continue to set the bar for excellence in entertainment.”
In his new role, Burch will develop, communicate and execute strategic plans and initiatives across all areas of the company and work with key business partners on growing mutually beneficial relationships.
Burch, who joined Speedway Motorsports in 2003 as director of business development, most recently served the role of senior vice president of national sales and marketing. He earned a master’s degree in sports management from Georgia Southern University before working with several NBA teams, including the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets.
Burch was named vice president of marketing for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets in 2000, a position he held until 2002. He then founded Upsell Sports, providing marketing and sales representation for several Charlotte area sports and entertainment properties, before joining Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
In his new role, Braun Smith will be responsible for national sponsorship sales efforts as well as Speedway Motorsports, Inc.’s overall corporate sponsorship revenue.
Smith joined Speedway Motorsports in 1999 as director for special projects at Texas Motor Speedway. In 2000, Smith moved to Charlotte, working in Speedway Motorsports’ zMAX Micro-lubricant subsidiary. During that time, Smith also worked as an account executive for the Performance Racing Network, a position he held until 2005.
After a brief stint as director of business development with SMI Properties in 2005, Smith was named general manager of Arena Racing at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006. He returned to Speedway Motorsports in 2008 to work in the national marketing and sales department.
“Combined, these veteran executives bring more than 30 years of business experience to the table, and their promotions help position Speedway Motorsports at the forefront of business development well into the future,” Marcus Smith said. “We are fortunate to have such strong leadership within our company and I look forward to the contributions each will make as we continue to set the bar for excellence in entertainment.”
In his new role, Burch will develop, communicate and execute strategic plans and initiatives across all areas of the company and work with key business partners on growing mutually beneficial relationships.
Burch, who joined Speedway Motorsports in 2003 as director of business development, most recently served the role of senior vice president of national sales and marketing. He earned a master’s degree in sports management from Georgia Southern University before working with several NBA teams, including the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets.
Burch was named vice president of marketing for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets in 2000, a position he held until 2002. He then founded Upsell Sports, providing marketing and sales representation for several Charlotte area sports and entertainment properties, before joining Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
In his new role, Braun Smith will be responsible for national sponsorship sales efforts as well as Speedway Motorsports, Inc.’s overall corporate sponsorship revenue.
Smith joined Speedway Motorsports in 1999 as director for special projects at Texas Motor Speedway. In 2000, Smith moved to Charlotte, working in Speedway Motorsports’ zMAX Micro-lubricant subsidiary. During that time, Smith also worked as an account executive for the Performance Racing Network, a position he held until 2005.
After a brief stint as director of business development with SMI Properties in 2005, Smith was named general manager of Arena Racing at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006. He returned to Speedway Motorsports in 2008 to work in the national marketing and sales department.
