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Michigan Int'l Speedway President Roger Curtis Out, Unclear On Plans Moving Forward

Int'l Speedway Corp. yesterday announced that Michigan Int’l Speedway President ROGER CURTIS is leaving the role, effective immediately, a few days after the track finished out its second and final NASCAR Sprint Cup event of the year. Curtis had been at MIS for a decade. There was no mention as to whether ISC would seek internal or external candidates, or whether it would use a search firm. Curtis “is leaving to pursue new opportunities,” a press release stated. Curtis’ departure comes after ISC President JOHN SAUNDERS during an earnings call in January said of the FY ’16 outlook, “We have our challenges in Michigan and also in Richmond, and those are probably going to be the laggers.” Attendance for the track is unknown due to the sport’s policy of not releasing figures. During Curtis’ time at MIS, the track has moved to diversify itself with events like the successful Faster Horses country music festival and its recent attempt to hold a millennial-focused festival, Keelorah, during race weekends (Adam Stern, Staff Writer). Chitwood said that MIS VP/Marketing & Communications SAMMIE LUKASKIEWICZ "will oversee operations in the interim until a new president is found. "Curtis yesterday said, "It's probably a good time for the track to go in a different direction." Asked if he was forced out, Curtis said, "No." In Detroit, David Goricki notes Curtis "didn’t have any plans set for his future." He said, “I have no idea. I’m going to leave all my options open. I have a lot of loves and passions and, hopefully, I’ll be able to find a job in one of those and, hopefully, we can stay in Michigan, but if we do end up going someplace else that will work out too” (DETROIT NEWS, 8/31).

DIFFERENT DIRECTION: Curtis said that his departure "isn’t based on health reasons and he’s not retiring." Also in Detroit, George Sipple notes Curtis was "wildly popular with the fans." Curtis is "known for interacting with fans on Twitter, wearing an Elvis costume around the track on race weekends and for mingling with the campers and race fans throughout the weekend." Curtis was responsible for a "number of improvements at the track, including the repaving of the track, installation of new SAFER barriers, smoothing out the traffic pattern before and after races and several new amenities." Asked how long discussions about his future had been going on, Curtis said, "Oh, for a little bit. Several weeks probably" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/31).

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