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If you build it, will they come?
Published July 15, 2003
Star State Investments Inc. might not have any races lined up, but Tom Floyd, the company’s chairman and CEO, says he is confident the speedway will be able to land the races it needs.
Neither the Indy Racing League nor NASCAR has made a commitment to race at the planned Houston Superspeedway.
Floyd is a former executive with Slick 50 and Pennzoil and developed ties to people in the racing industry when those companies sponsored racing teams. He said that while he had no assurance of landing a race, his ties to the racing industry would be an advantage.
“I understand the reality of those things,” Floyd said. “I also have a lot of friends in the racing industry.
“Long before our track is finished, we will have the races,” Floyd said. “I think we are on their radar screen. At the appropriate time, we will make some noise.”
Floyd said one advantage Star State had was that he had in the past dealt with Tony George, who owns the Indy Racing League, and the France family, which owns NASCAR.
“At least going in, in both cases, I feel like they’re both friends,” Floyd said. “As far as the contracts, it will be hard. At least we are starting on mutual respect from the beginning.”
Floyd said another advantage working for Star State was Houston, with its population of 2 million.
“We have a really good base for racing,” Floyd said. “The two big things we have is the market for television and the huge corporate structure that could support race teams.”
With 6 million people within a 50-mile radius, there is an untapped television audience on which a racing league could capitalize.
“Television is a critical part of the success of the sport,” Floyd said. “We have a critical segment here in our television audience.”
Other speedways have used a spokesman in the industry to help sell the track.
Floyd said Star State had no concrete plans with a high-profile racing name to help in marketing the track. However, he said, A.J. Foyt, a Houston native and former Indianapolis 500 champion, has said he wants to help bring a track to Houston. David Starr, a driver in the NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series, also has offered to help, Floyd said.
Neither is specifically involved at this point, Floyd said.
Floyd said another way to attract racing bodies was to build a unique track. He said that is what he is trying to do with the Houston Superspeedway.
The design of the 1.3-mile semi-oval track has narrow turns at one end and wide turns at the other, giving it an egg shape. He said the only other track designed like it was in Japan.
He said the narrow-to-wide turn transition would make for exciting racing.
Also, the backstretch, which is opposite the grandstands, will be elevated 14 feet to allow people to see the racing over the garages in the infield.
Floyd said the track was being designed by Kevin Forbes, director of engineering and construction at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Carlos Armintor is a reporter for The Facts. Contact him at (979) 265-7411, Ext. 246.
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