Lauri Wilks Leaving SMI, LMS Posts, Continuing Shakeup

Wilks Latest To Leave LMS, SMI Positions This Year

Lowe's Motor Speedway (LMS) Exec VP/Management & Administration and SMI VP/Communications LAURI WILKS "resigned those positions" yesterday, saying that she "wants to take a break from her career in motorsports to spend time with her family," according to David Poole of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Wilks, who had been with the track and SMI since '93, was the '07 Charlotte businesswoman of the year. Wilks' departure "is another major change in the management structure" of LMS and SMI in "what has been an eventful year." LMS President and SMI COO HUMPY WHEELER retired in May, "saying he was not doing so entirely on his own terms," while LMS VP/Events ROGER SLACK, a "Wheeler protege," left LMS in August. Wilks: "Change breeds change. I've enjoyed the time that I've been here. I learned a lot working with [SMI Chair & CEO BRUTON SMITH] and it's just time to do something different" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/15).