Smith puts money behind ideas to bring innovation to NASCAR

FILE - Marcus Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports, talks about the upcoming Bank of America 500 NASCAR Cup series auto race on the new road course during a news conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., in this Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, file photo. NASCAR wanted new energy and ideas this season and Marcus Smith has been pivotal in helping the sport deliver. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

File-This Nov. 1, 2019, file photo shows Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, driving during the second practice session for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. NASCAR wanted new energy and ideas this season and Marcus Smith has been pivotal in helping the sport deliver. The head of Speedway Motorsports dumped dirt all over Bristol Motor Speedway earlier this season and now guides NASCAR into a new market with this weekend’s triple-header at Circuit of the Americas in Austin. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

FILE - Workers turn Bristol Motor Speedway into a dirt track, in Bristol, Tenn., in this Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, file photo. NASCAR wanted new energy and ideas this season and Marcus Smith has been pivotal in helping the sport deliver. The head of Speedway Motorsports dumped dirt all over Bristol Motor Speedway earlier this season and now guides NASCAR into a new market with this weekend’s triple header at Circuit of the Americas in Austin. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP, File)

FILE - Hall of Fame inductee Bruton Smith entertains the crowd as his son, Marcus Smith, left, looks on during NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies in Charlotte, N.C., in this Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, file photo. NASCAR wanted new energy and ideas this season and Marcus Smith has been pivotal in helping the sport deliver. The lessons learned from Bruton Smith have helped his son as Marcus Smith takes a bigger role in NASCAR’s future planning. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)

File-This Nov. 2, 2019, file photo shows Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, of Germany, steering his car during the final practice session for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. NASCAR wanted new energy and ideas this season and Marcus Smith has been pivotal in helping the sport deliver. The head of Speedway Motorsports dumped dirt all over Bristol Motor Speedway earlier this season and now guides NASCAR into a new market with this weekend’s triple-header at Circuit of the Americas in Austin. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)