SMI Exec Chair BRUTON SMITH "has spent the past few months battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma," but SMI CEO MARCUS SMITH said that his 88-year-old father "has a good prognosis," according to Bob Pockrass of ESPN.com. Smith said that he "had surgery for the lymphoma" and also has "lost 18 pounds." Marcus Smith said that his father's scans "have been encouraging but did not disclose the extent of the treatment." He said, "The last word from the doctors was things have been really good. He has progressed beyond expectations that they all had" (ESPN.com, 8/21). Motorsports writer Reid Spencer noted Smith "returned to the track this weekend" at Bristol for the first time since undergoing treatments. Marcus Smith said that the family "opted to go public with his father’s condition to head off speculation." He said, “We talked about this for the last few days actually, about having a conversation, because health and personal matters are personal. The family, we’re private about personal matters. A lot of people have asked me about, ‘Where’s Bruton? How’s he feeling?’" (RACEDAYCT.com, 8/22). Marcus Smith said that his father "went to the doctor after not feeling well last spring." He said, "According to doctors, it's the kind you want to have. It's the most treatable. We were encouraged by that" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/22).
