DETROIT (April 30, 2014) — Joie Chitwood III, president of Daytona International Speedway, will be the honorary chairman of the 26th Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s Induction Ceremony to take place August 6 at The Fillmore Theater in Detroit.
Chitwood has been president of International Speedway Corporation’s (ISC) flagship motorsports facility since August 2010. He oversees all speedway activities including event entertainment, fan amenities and ticket sales. Chitwood is also a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s Board of Trustees. His grandfather, historic open-wheel race car driver and legendary showman Joie Chitwood, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
“As the head of one of our sport’s premier facilities and a member of a motorsport dynasty, we are proud to have Joie Chitwood serve as our honorary chairman this year,” says Ron Watson, president of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. “He is one of the most respected motorsports executives in the country. Joie’s participation marks the beginning of a dynamic partnership between the Daytona International Speedway and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.”
In January, it was announced that the Hall of Fame will be relocating to the grounds of the ‘World Center of Racing’ by 2016.
“I’m honored to serve as the honorary chairman for the upcoming induction ceremony,” Chitwood said. “The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a special place for me both personally and professionally. I had the privilege of having my father and son with me during my grandfather’s induction in 2010. In addition, many of the inductees have strong connections to the ‘World Center of Racing’ and this iconic racing venue is going to be a fitting home to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America beginning in 2016.”
Beginning at age five, Chitwood was an integral part of his family’s entertainment business, the well-known Chitwood Thrill Show. After graduating from the University of Florida with degrees in business administration and finance and later earning an MBA from the University of South Florida, he embarked on a career in motorsports facility management.
He was vice president and general manager of Raceway Associates, LLC, which oversaw construction of the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., from 1999-2002. His next stop was senior vice president of business affairs, then president and chief operating officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), overseeing daily operations for IMS as well as the Brickyard Crossing Inn and Brickyard Crossing Golf Course.
Chitwood joined Daytona Beach-based ISC as vice president of business operations before taking over the reins of the speedway.
Tickets for the induction ceremony can be purchased by calling 1-248-349-RACE (7223).
The Motorsports Museum & Hall of Fame is operated by the Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc.