Rockingham's Browning replaces Gurtis at Darlington

The Morning News (Florence, SC) ^ | May 20, 2004 | Gabe Cornwall

[SC Swamp Fox]

DARLINGTON -- Apparently, the race dates and new lights for nighttime events aren't the only things changing at Darlington Raceway.

Andrew Gurtis, the president of the raceway for the last three years, was named senior director of operational planning and integration for International Speedway Corp., which owns 13 tracks, 12 of which are stops on the current Nextel Cup.

Succeeding Gurtis will be Chris Browning, vice president and general manager of North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, N.C.

"I'm excited about the opportunity," Browning said. "The track has a great tradition, and I'm coming from a track that had a great tradition. It's exciting and something I'm looking forward to being a part of."

"Chris is a solid race track promoter. He's been with the company since ISC acquired the facility," Gurtis said. "He and I have worked closely the last couple of years with the roles in the realignment process. It's very positive that Chris can hit the ground running at Darlington because he has been close to it."

North Carolina Speedway was sold by ISC to Speedway Motorsports Inc. last weekend for $100.4 million, and will not play host to a Nextel Cup race in 2005.

The move, announced Wednesday, will take effect during the summer.

"With what transpired last week with realignment, this move makes a lot of sense," Gurtis said.

"Andrew and Aimee Gurtis quickly became an integral part of the Florence and Darlington communities and will be missed," said Herbert Ames, a Florence real estate agent and ambassador for Darlington Raceway. "Andrew did a great job of taking the track forward, and has an even bigger challenge in Daytona.

"At the same time, we expect Chris to take over where Andrew is leaving off. Chris Browning will be a great addition to Darlington Raceway."

Browning, a native of Greensboro, N.C., was responsible for all marketing, sales, public and governmental relations as well as operations at Rockingham. He will assume similar duties at Darlington.

Browning graduated from Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, N.C., with a degree in business administration, and began his motorsports career as a show car driver for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. before becoming assistant director of public relations and marketing at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va. He was director of public relations for Penske Speedways from 1988-1990 before returning to North Carolina to become account executive for the Maxwell House Coffee racing program.

Browning began his tenure at North Carolina Speedway as director of public relations in 1992.

"I've always said that no two tracks were more similar," Browning said of Rockingham and Darlington. "The seating capacities and general demographics were almost the same. We've shared a lot of the same media outlets. It was a pretty natural fit."

In Gurtis' new role with ISC, he will work as lead assistant to Chief Operating Officer John Saunders. Gurtis will move to Daytona Beach, Fla.

"I leave Darlington with a bit of sadness," Gurtis said. "My family and I have come to enjoy the community. That part is tough, but my wife's family and mine have family in central Florida, and I'm excited about the new role with the parent company."

Because of the recent rash of events surrounding North Carolina Speedway, Browning and Gurtis haven't had a chance to discuss the goings-on surrounding Darlington.

During Gurtis' three years at Darlington, the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and NMPA Hall of Fame have been renovated, and the lights have been installed.

The lights were officially turned on for the first time during the week of practice leading up to the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 on March 21. There will be another event, Night Riders sponsored by Bi-Lo, Aug. 24, in which David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and Jeff Gordon will run some laps under the lights. The event will be free to the public.

In addition to Darlington and Rockingham, ISC owns tracks in California, Illinois, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Virginia, Alabama and New York.

[Salo]

I can't believe they took a race at Darlington to put at Texas. The Texas race is a one-groove, no-passing race at a cookie cutter track with no history and no hope of ever having a history.

[Salo]

NASCAR Ping.

[SC Swamp Fox]

SC Ping

FReepmail me if you want on or off this list.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Last I read, they only race Darlington will have is a Mother's Day race. Someone reminded me the other day about race interview a couple of years ago when many of the big name drivers said they wouldn't race on that day. That was before this new track deal was known. Should get interesting.

[Salo]

These guys won't miss a race: NASCAR says "Jump," they ask "How high, Sir?"

[aomagrat]

These guys won't miss a race: NASCAR says "Jump," they ask "How high, Sir?"

Where's a Curtis Turner when you need one?

[tubebender]

CK may be at work. Nascar Ping...

[Salo]

Thanks - probably prepping for the race tonight. :-)

[ChefKeith]

The plan is to race on Saturday night on Mothers Day weekend last I heard.

[ChefKeith]

Correctamundo! at work with no FX and forgot the charger for the LT and the battery was dead!!!