Int'l Speedway Corp. Exec VP and Chief Development & Digital Officer CRAIG NEEB's primary focus is business and corporate development. These days his modus operandi is leveraging ISC’s existing properties for other content opportunities to generate more revenue outside of the core business of NASCAR. Neeb said that ISC has been looking into events such as music festivals and Global Rallycross to attract new fans. But the Ormond Beach, Fla., resident will be at one of his favorite tracks for this weekend's races at Talladega Superspeedway. Ahead of a busy few days in 'Dega, Neeb caught up with THE DAILY to detail his weekend.
FLOAT ON: Friday night is “The Big One on the Blvd,” which is the parade that Talladega Chair GRANT LYNCH put in place starting with last spring’s race. The drivers go down the parade route on floats, and then there will be some events like music and barbecue-sauce wrestling. Outback restaurant on Saturday is treating our Motor Racing Network team at the race. They are bringing in a food truck to thank our team for all of the stuff they do to promote them. I will also have a few meetings before watching the Xfinity Series race. After that, a bunch of us are getting together to watch the Kentucky Derby and then maybe the MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO fight. Also, going to The Ark is a traditional stop for me to get some fried catfish when I go to Talladega.
FAN FRIENDLY: On Sunday, I will be focused on helping the track with whatever they need and overseeing the new videoboards. I like to get feedback from our fans. I enjoy roaming around the grandstands and talking with fans to hear first-hand if they feel positive about the changes. I am dialed into our track apps to keep up with what is going on in regard to schedules, announcements and push notifications. I will watch the Sprint Cup race and then fly back home.
FAMILY GUY: I try to get as much time as I can with my family if there is not a race on the weekend. On Sunday nights, we usually have dinner over at our house with our daughter, our son and our grandson. We have a 20-month-old grandbaby, so I like to squeeze in time to make sure I spoil him like only grandparents can do. I am actually the head chef at home. My wife has definitely given that up and does not like to participate anymore. She is great at cleaning up, though. But I am the one that destroys the kitchen on the weekends and cooks all the meals. Last Sunday night, I had the whole family over for Jambalaya, and it was a hit. My wife and I are past the nightlife stage. If we go out on a Friday or Saturday night, it is usually to a place called Kona. They have a nice outdoor tiki bar, and we just hang there and have a glass of wine or two and socialize. There are always a lot of people from the community, as well as from the industry, that tend to hang out there.
DOWN BY THE RIVER: Even when I am on the road on race weekends, I always have my running gear with me to get some miles in. On the weekend, I like to run along the beach, and then my wife and I have a little place in Flagler Beach called the Oceanside Grill, which is our weekend go-to. I like to play golf with my son on weekends. And if we are not playing golf, we are out fishing on the Halifax River. If I can get out fishing by myself and enjoy a few hours of quiet on the river, that is probably what I would look forward to the most. About a month ago, I had some meetings out in Denver, and I took some time to go up to the mountains by myself. I spent two solid days of just really hitting Keystone and Breckenridge hard. I really enjoy the fresh mountain air, the altitude and taking it all in. That was a pretty spectacular weekend and the weather was just amazing. I love going down to the Florida Keys.
ALL THAT JAZZ: My weekend TV viewing consists primarily of sports. I am more into non-fiction reading these days. Recently, I’ve read “MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM” and an autobiography on STEPHEN STILLS from CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG. I have a pretty eclectic music taste, but it is usually the classic vinyl rock from the ‘70s and ‘80s. I just got back from Jazz Fest in New Orleans this week. That is probably my favorite town to go out in.
