Bruton Smith, Renowned Track Owner And Innovator, Receives 2017 NASCAR Buddy Shuman Award

Bruton Smith, Renowned Track Owner And Innovator, Receives 2017 NASCAR Buddy Shuman Award

Established in 1957, the award has been sponsored for 61 consecutive years by Federal-Mogul Motorparts' Champion brand of spark plugs, filters, wipers, batteries and related automotive products.

Photo credit: NASCAR

Bruton Smith, one of the most innovative and influential figures in NASCAR Cup Series racing history, received the sport’s prestigious Buddy Shuman Award during yesterday’s NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon in Las Vegas. Established in 1957, the award has been sponsored for 61 consecutive years by Federal-Mogul Motorparts’ Champion brand of spark plugs, filters, wipers, batteries and related automotive products. Federal-Mogul Motorparts is a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings LLC.

The Shuman Award was created in memory of Louis Grier “Buddy” Shuman, a beloved professional racer who competed in NASCAR Grand National (now Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series) events in the early 1950s and served as the sanctioning body’s first technical inspector. As the 61st recipient of the award, which recognizes individuals and organizations that have shaped professional stock car racing, Smith joins such leading figures as NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Richard Petty, Robert Yates, Rick Hendrick and Jack Roush.

Smith purchased his first racecar in 1944, at age 17. At the behest of his concerned mother, he focused his attention on off-track activities, promoting his first stock car event as an 18-year-old. In 1959, Smith built Charlotte Motor Speedway, which eventually became the first racing facility to feature condominiums overlooking the track and the first superspeedway to install lights for night racing. Over the years, Smith and his company, Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI), became known for innovations that enhance racing experience for fans, sponsors, drivers and media professionals. SMI today owns and operates eight tracks that together host 12 of the 36 annual Monster Energy Series NASCAR Cup Series points races as well as the Monster Energy All-Star Race.

“NASCAR Cup Series racing has become a global powerhouse thanks in large part to Bruton Smith’s vision and relentless focus on the fan experience,” said Tim Nelson, director of motorsports, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “Like many of our past winners, he is an intense competitor at heart who has spent his career overcoming challenges and bringing new ideas to the table.”

You May Also Like

Free Webinar Will Ignite Your Spark Plug Knowledge

In this free Counterman webinar, learn how to speak spark plug and tips for translating what’s on your parts screen to customer needs.

NGK-webinar

Do you speak spark plug? Most part numbers are a meaningless series of numbers and letters. But spark plugs have a language on the side of the box that can tell you what’s inside. Like any other language, there are dialects.

The nomenclature of spark plug part numbers can tell you everything from size (diameter and reach) to what materials are on the center and ground electrode. Like learning a new language, knowing how to translate spark plug numbers can open up a new way to inventory and sell spark plugs for counter professionals.

Gallery: MEMA Aftermarket’s Right-to-Repair Fly-In

MEMA said meetings with legislators and their staffs achieved support for The REPAIR Act vote on the House floor.

MEMA-Right-to-repair-fly-in
HD Repair Forum Advisory Board Welcomes New Members

The group’s annual conference will take place from April 24-27 at the Hyatt Regency in Frisco, Texas.

2024-HD-REpair-Forum
SEMA & PRI Announce 2024 Washington Rally

The rally will provide participants the chance to engage with members of Congress to discuss critical industry issues.

WashingtonRallyGraphic
HDAW 2024 Wraps Up with Record Attendance

The event set a new attendance record with an 11.8% increase from the previous year.

Heavy-Duty-Aftermarket-Week-2024

Other Posts

PGI Wins Quality Award from NAPA Auto Parts

Premium Guard, Inc. was recognized for its leadership and excellence in quality.

PGI Wins Quality Award from NAPA Auto Parts
YANG, Mix & GenNext Host Leaders of Tomorrow at HDAW

This year, the event, meant for the under-45 crowd, included a program speaker and structured speed mentoring.

2024 Women in Auto Care Conference Schedule Released

The conference, themed “Innovate and Impact,” aims to provide an engaging and empowering leadership experience.

Northwood to Host Career Fair on Feb. 15

The fair allows companies to discuss job openings and internship opportunities and start identifying future talent, Northwood said.

Northwood-Career-Fair