TRACKING EARNINGS: SMI REPORTS FIRST QUARTER $$ BOOST

          NC-based SMI reported a rise in profits during the
     first quarter of 2000 that "exceeded" Wall Street's
     expectations, according to Leslie Gross Klaff of the
     CHARLOTTE OBSERVER.  SMI said its net income for the quarter
     was $4.4M, or $0.11 a share, up 119% from $2.4M, or $0.5 a
     share for the first quarter of '99.  Shares closed Tuesday
     at $24.18 3/4, up $0.37.5 (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/10).  
     BRIDGE NEWS' Jennifer Allen wrote that the results "met
     First Call's consensus, despite the fact the company had to
     deal with poor weather at two NASCAR events hosted in the
     quarter."  SMI President Humpy Wheeler: "I feel real good
     about the second quarter right now as far as being on
     track."  SMI officials are also waiting on ancillary rights
     contracts to be awarded as part of NASCAR's new media deal
     (BRIDGE NEWS, 5/9).  The MOTLEY FOOL's Richard McCaffery
     wrote that SMI "is in the early stages of what could be a
     long road race.  Investors should break out [SMI's] annual
     report and kick the tires" (MOTLEY FOOL, 5/9).