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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Joie Chitwood III, president of Daytona International Speedway since 2010, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of International Speedway Corporation.
And Darlington Raceway President Chip Wile, has been named President of Daytona International Speedway replacing Chitwood there.
The big news came Monday, a little more than two months before the newly transformed Daytona track plays host to its second Sprint Cup Series race of the season, the Coke Zero 400 on July 2 (7:45 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
“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 oversaw the $400 million “reimagining” of the Daytona facility that received rave reviews at its February unveiling for 2016 Speedweeks. Among the dutires in his new position, Chitwood will oversee future ISC “enterprise facility operations.”
“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, who oversaw a massive transformation with the Darlington Raceway Sprint Cup Series races the past two seasons, spearheaded the hugely popular “throwback” race weekend at the famous track last year. He is set to assume his new role at Daytona in time for the Florida track’s “Country 500” music event set for Memorial Day weekend.
“Chip personifies the ideal track president being someone who values relationship building as the catalyst for collaboration and promotion,” Kennedy said. “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.”
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