Speedway Motorsports (TRK) 10-Q 31 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS INC	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	41,372,054
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000934648	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$115,292	$106,408
Accounts and notes receivable, net	31,353	36,382
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	728	6,125
Inventories, net	9,298	8,794
Prepaid expenses	2,613	3,552
Deferred income taxes	741	741
Total Current Assets	160,025	162,002
Notes and Other Receivables:	'	'
Affiliates	3,393	3,681
Other	1,836	1,493
Other Assets	29,156	27,830
Property and Equipment, Net	1,116,825	1,148,418
Other Intangible Assets, Net	394,964	394,972
Goodwill (Note 4)	49,680	138,717
Total	1,755,879	1,877,113
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	14,195	17,709
Accounts payable	16,746	10,887
Deferred race event and other income, net	48,363	58,492
Accrued interest	2,826	6,231
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	25,863	20,351
Total Current Liabilities	107,993	113,670
Long-term Debt (Note 5)	473,694	503,550
Payable to Affiliate	2,594	2,594
Deferred Income, Net	7,375	9,015
Deferred Income Taxes	377,520	385,736
Other Liabilities	4,759	4,672
Total Liabilities	973,935	1,019,237
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Common Stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized – 200,000,000, issued and outstanding – 41,384,000 in 2013 and 41,433,000 in 2012	453	453
Additional Paid-in Capital	248,707	246,978
Retained Earnings	621,172	696,727
Treasury Stock at cost, shares – 3,949,000 in 2013 and 3,830,000 in 2012	-88,388	-86,282
Total Stockholders' Equity	781,944	857,876
Total	$1,755,879	$1,877,113

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Commons stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	41,384,000	41,433,000
Common Stock, shares outstanding	41,384,000	41,433,000
Treasury Stock at cost, shares	3,949,000	3,830,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Admissions	$32,936,000	$36,178,000	$88,886,000	$97,665,000
Event related revenue	37,715,000	40,325,000	114,999,000	120,694,000
NASCAR broadcasting revenue	60,441,000	58,675,000	171,592,000	166,148,000
Other operating revenue	6,408,000	7,078,000	23,008,000	23,574,000
Total Revenues	137,500,000	142,256,000	398,485,000	408,081,000
Expenses and Other:	'	'	'	'
Direct expense of events	34,162,000	35,087,000	83,110,000	84,608,000
NASCAR purse and sanction fees	37,958,000	38,118,000	105,676,000	104,064,000
Other direct operating expense	4,080,000	4,653,000	14,347,000	14,790,000
General and administrative	23,955,000	23,840,000	69,954,000	70,172,000
Depreciation and amortization	13,913,000	14,239,000	41,476,000	42,248,000
Interest expense, net	5,950,000	10,331,000	26,101,000	31,007,000
Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	'	'	89,037,000	'
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)	'	'	18,467,000	'
Other expense (income), net	-37,000	-59,000	206,000	-154,000
Total Expenses and Other	119,981,000	126,209,000	448,374,000	346,735,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	17,519,000	16,047,000	-49,889,000	61,346,000
Provision for Income Taxes	-5,157,000	-5,002,000	-6,866,000	-23,458,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	12,362,000	11,045,000	-56,755,000	37,888,000
Loss from Discontinued Operation, Net of Taxes	-68,000	-78,000	-130,000	-117,000
Net Income (Loss)	$12,294,000	$10,967,000	($56,885,000)	$37,771,000
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Continuing Operations (in Dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.27	($1.37)	$0.91
Discontinued Operation (in Dollars per share)	$0	$0	$0	$0
Net Income (Loss) (in Dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.26	($1.37)	$0.91
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	41,395	41,420	41,416	41,438
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Continuing Operations (in Dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.27	($1.37)	$0.91
Discontinued Operation (in Dollars per share)	$0	$0	$0	$0
Net Income (Loss) (in Dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.26	($1.37)	$0.91
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	41,413	41,421	41,431	41,444

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance, January 1, 2013 at Dec. 31, 2012	$453	$246,978	$696,727	($86,282)	$857,876
Balance, January 1, 2013 (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	41,433,000	'	'	'	'
Net loss	'	'	-56,885	'	-56,885
Share-based compensation	'	1,642	'	'	1,642
Share-based compensation (in Shares)	64,000	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	'	87	'	'	87
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	5,000	'	'	'	'
Quarterly cash dividends of $0.15 per share of common stock	'	'	-18,670	'	-18,670
Repurchases of common stock	'	'	'	-2,106	-2,106
Repurchases of common stock (in Shares)	-118,000	'	'	'	'
Balance, September 30, 2013 at Sep. 30, 2013	$453	$248,707	$621,172	($88,388)	$781,944
Balance, September 30, 2013 (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	41,384,000	'	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_STOC1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (Common Stock [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Common Stock [Member]	'
Quarterly cash dividends, per share of common stock	$0.15

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net (loss) income	($56,885,000)	$37,771,000
Loss from discontinued operation, net of tax	130,000	117,000
Cash used by operating activities of discontinued operation	-130,000	-117,000
Adjustments to reconcile (loss) income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Impairment of goodwill	89,037,000	'
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing, non-cash	6,386,000	'
Gain on disposals of property and equipment and other assets	-34,000	-92,000
Deferred loan cost amortization	1,879,000	1,876,000
Interest expense accretion of debt discount and premium, net	155,000	1,291,000
Depreciation and amortization	41,476,000	42,248,000
Amortization of deferred income	-4,192,000	-4,288,000
Deferred income tax provision	-8,161,000	14,394,000
Share-based compensation	1,642,000	1,446,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts and notes receivable	4,353,000	-8,334,000
Prepaid, refundable and accrued income taxes	5,397,000	7,529,000
Inventories	-504,000	-872,000
Prepaid expenses	939,000	1,159,000
Accounts payable	5,809,000	7,857,000
Deferred race event and other income	-7,721,000	-10,259,000
Accrued interest	-3,405,000	3,471,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	5,802,000	3,967,000
Deferred income	170,000	1,274,000
Other assets and liabilities	9,000	236,000
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	82,152,000	100,674,000
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Borrowings under long-term debt	355,000,000	'
Principal payments on long-term debt	-392,250,000	-47,250,000
Payment of debt refinancing and amendment costs	-5,892,000	'
Dividend payments on common stock	-18,670,000	-18,674,000
Exercise of common stock options	87,000	'
Repurchases of common stock	-2,106,000	-1,896,000
Net Cash Used By Financing Activities	-63,831,000	-67,820,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Payments for capital expenditures	-9,875,000	-24,357,000
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	105,000	107,000
Increase in other non-current assets	'	-30,000
Repayment of notes and other receivables	333,000	154,000
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities	-9,437,000	-24,126,000
Net Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents	8,884,000	8,728,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	106,408,000	87,368,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	115,292,000	96,096,000
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	29,819,000	27,734,000
Cash paid for income taxes	10,600,000	1,601,000
Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities Information:	'	'
Increase in accounts payable for capital expenditures	50,000	219,000
Increase in deferred income for exchange of property and equipment	'	$1,247,000

Note_1_Description_Of_Business

Note 1 - Description Of Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	'
	1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
	Basis of Presentation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and all of its wholly-owned and operated subsidiaries: Atlanta Motor Speedway LLC (AMS), Bristol Motor Speedway LLC (BMS), Charlotte Motor Speedway LLC (CMS), Kentucky Raceway LLC d/b/a Kentucky Speedway (KyS), Nevada Speedway LLC d/b/a Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS), Speedway Sonoma LLC (Sonoma Raceway or SR) (formerly known as Infineon Raceway), New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Inc. (NHMS), North Wilkesboro Speedway, Inc. (NWS), Texas Motor Speedway, Inc. (TMS), SMISC Holdings, Inc. d/b/a SMI Properties (SMI Properties), US Legend Cars International, Inc. (Legend Cars) (formerly known as 600 Racing), Oil-Chem Research Corporation (Oil-Chem), SMI Trackside LLC (SMI Trackside), Speedway Funding LLC, Speedway Motorsports International Limited (BVI) and consolidated foreign entity (SMIL), Speedway Properties Company LLC a/k/a Performance Racing Network (PRN), Speedway Media LLC a/k/a Racing Country USA (RCU), and TSI Management Company LLC d/b/a The Source International LLC (TSI) (collectively, the Company, SMI, we, our or us). Hereafter, references to “the Company’s” or “eight” speedways exclude NWS, which presently has no significant operations and assets consist primarily of real estate which has no significant fair value. All note disclosures pertain to continuing operations unless otherwise indicated. See Notes 1 and 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K (2012 Annual Report) for further description of its business operations, properties and scheduled events.
	Racing Events—In 2013, we are holding 24 major annual racing events sanctioned by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR), including 13 Sprint Cup and 11 Nationwide Series racing events. We also are holding six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, three NASCAR K&N Pro Series, four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, two IndyCar Series, six major National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), one ARCA and three World of Outlaws (WOO) racing events. In 2012, we held 24 major annual racing events sanctioned by NASCAR, including 13 Sprint Cup and 11 Nationwide Series racing events. We also held eight NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, four NASCAR K&N Pro Series, four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, two IndyCar Series, six major NHRA, and three WOO racing events.
	Discontinuation of Oil and Gas Activities (Note 11)—In 2008, the Company decided to discontinue its oil and gas operations primarily because of ongoing challenges and business risks in conducting these activities in foreign countries. Those operations are presented herein as discontinued operations and all note disclosures pertain to continuing operations unless otherwise indicated.

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER DISCLOSURES
	These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements included in its 2012 Annual Report. In management's opinion, these unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary for their fair presentation at interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results that may be expected for the entire year due to the seasonal nature of the Company's motorsports business. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2012 Annual Report for further discussion of significant accounting policies.
	Quarterly Reporting—The Company recognizes revenues and operating expenses for all events in the calendar quarter in which conducted. Changes in race schedules at the Company's speedways from time to time, including speedway acquisitions, can lessen the comparability of operating results between quarterly financial statements of successive years and increase or decrease the seasonal nature of its motorsports business.
	The more significant racing schedule changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 2012 include:
	•	AMS held one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing event in the third quarter 2012 that was not held in 2013
	•	KyS held one Automobile Racing Club of America racing event in the third quarter 2013 that was not held in 2012, and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing event in the third quarter 2012 that was not held in 2013
	Marketing Agreements—The Company had one facility naming rights agreement that renamed Sears Point Raceway as Infineon Raceway, which expired in the second quarter 2012. This naming rights agreement has provided significant contracted revenues over its ten-year term. However, the annual contracted revenue received by the Company under this agreement individually was not material. The facility has been renamed Sonoma Raceway.
	Joint Venture Equity Investment—The Company and International Speedway Corporation (ISC) equally own a joint venture (50% non-controlling interest) that operates independently under the name Motorsports Authentics (MA). MA's operations consist principally of trackside, and to a lesser extent wholesale and retail, event souvenir merchandising as licensed and regulated under certain NASCAR Teams Licensing Trust agreements. The NASCAR Trust has the ability to significantly influence MA’s operations and results.
	As further described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2012 Annual Report, the carrying value of our equity investment in MA was reduced to $0 as of December 31, 2009. Under equity method accounting, we are no longer recording our 50% share of MA operating losses, if any, unless and until this carrying value is increased from additional Company investments in MA or to the extent of future MA operating profits, if any. As such, our third quarter and year-to-date 2013 and 2012 results were not impacted by MA’s operations under the equity method. The following summarized financial information on MA’s operating results is presented for informational purposes (in thousands):
			Third Quarter						Year-to-Date
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net sales		$	7,859		$	8,585		$	22,851		$	25,712
	Gross profit			3,339			3,520			9,311			10,719
	Income from continuing operations			269			427			524			1,659
	Net income			269			427			524			1,659
	Income Taxes—The Company provides for income taxes at the end of each interim period based on management’s best estimate of the annual estimated effective income tax rate. Cumulative adjustments to the Company’s annual estimated effective income tax rate are recorded in the interim period in which a change in the annual estimated effective income tax rate is determined. See Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2012 Annual Report for additional information on our accounting for income taxes.
	The effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 38.9% and 36.4%, respectively, excluding the negative impact of recording tax benefits of approximately $2.3 million related to the second quarter 2013 goodwill impairment charge of $89.0 million (a significant portion had no tax benefit) as further described in Note 4 and non-recurring benefits of state income tax restructuring and tax law changes. The effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflect a non-recurring tax benefit of $1,667,000 resulting from certain state income tax law changes effective September 1, 2013. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflects a non-recurring tax benefit of $4,056,000 resulting from strategic state tax restructuring in the first quarter 2013. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 31.2% and 38.2%, respectively.
	Income tax liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits approximate $1,004,000 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and are included in other noncurrent liabilities, all of which would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. Interest and penalties recognized on uncertain tax positions amounted to $18,000 for both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $55,000 for both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $825,000 and $771,000 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions, which is included in other noncurrent liabilities. As of September 30, 2013, management was not aware of any significant tax positions where it appeared reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits might significantly increase within the next twelve months. The tax years that remain open to examination include 2006 through 2012 by the California Franchise Tax Board, and 2010 through 2012 by all other taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. The Company’s 2011 federal income tax return examination by the Internal Revenue Service has been concluded with its report subject to final review by The Joint Committee on Taxation of the United States Congress, with no material changes reflected in the IRS report. There was no change or activity for unrecognized tax benefits during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.
	Taxes Collected from Customers—The Company reports sales, admission and other taxes collected from customers on both a gross and net basis in operations. Such taxes reported on a gross basis for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $1,861,000 and $2,066,000, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $4,384,000 and $4,611,000.
	Advertising Expenses—Event specific advertising costs are expensed when an associated event is held and included principally in direct expense of events. Non-event related advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included principally in other direct operating expense. Advertising expense amounted to $5,774,000 and $6,078,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $14,369,000 and $15,434,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. There were no deferred direct-response advertising costs at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance which requires that financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured and reported on a fair value basis be classified, disclosed and categorized as further described below. Fair value estimates are based on relevant market information and single broker quoted market prices where available at a specific point in time, and changes in assumptions or market conditions could significantly affect estimates. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, certain other assets and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. Cash surrender values are carried at fair value based on binding broker quoted market prices. Notes and other receivables and bank revolving credit facility and term loan borrowings are variable interest rate financial instruments and, therefore, carrying values approximate fair value. The fixed rate senior notes payable are publicly traded and estimated fair values are based on single broker quoted market prices. Other long-term debt is non-interest bearing and discounted based on estimated current cost of borrowings and, therefore, carrying values approximate market value. Quoted market prices are not available for determining market value of the Company’s equity investment in an associated entity.
	The following table presents estimated fair values and categorization levels of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
							30-Sep-13						31-Dec-12
			Level		Class		Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents			1	R		$	115,292		$	115,292		$	106,408	$	106,408
	Floating rate notes receivable			2	NR			2,100			2,100			2,385		2,385
	Cash surrender values			2	NR			4,849			4,849			4,621		4,621
	Liabilities
	Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan			2	NR			230,000			230,000			95,000		95,000
	6¾% Senior Notes due 2019			1	NR			254,404			266,875			150,000		159,000
	8¾% Senior Notes previously due 2016 (Note 5)			1	NR			-			-			270,758		292,875
	Other long-term debt			2	NR		$	3,485		$	3,485		$	5,501	$	5,501
	Level 1:	Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2:	Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	Level 3:	Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	Class R:	Measured at fair value on recurring basis, subsequent to initial recognition.
	Class NR:	Measured at fair value on nonrecurring basis, subsequent to initial recognition.
	Other Contingencies—CMS’s property includes areas used as solid waste landfills for many years. Landfilling of general categories of municipal solid waste on the CMS property ceased in 1992, but CMS currently allows certain property to be used for land clearing and inert debris landfilling. Landfilling for construction and demolition debris has ceased on the CMS property. Management believes the Company’s operations, including the landfills on its property, comply with all applicable federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Management is not aware of any situation related to landfill operations which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, future results of operations or cash flows.
	TMS, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Sports Authority, has a two-year oil and gas mineral rights lease agreement expiring December 2013 which, among other things, provides the lessee various defined property access and right-of-ways, exclusive exploration and extraction rights, and non-interference by TMS should extraction infrastructure construction and operations commence. TMS is required to coordinate directly with the lessee on roadway and pipeline logistics to prevent interference of TMS or lessee activities, and monitor regulatory and other contract compliance. An upfront cash payment received in December 2011 is being accreted into other operating revenue over the two-year agreement term on a straight-line basis, with $803,000 and $802,000 recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $2,408,000 and $2,409,000 recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Deferred revenue recognizable through December 2013 is reflected as current liabilities in deferred race event and other income.
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards—The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-02 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment” which permits entities first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with Subtopic 350-30 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – General Intangibles Other than Goodwill”. Under this Update, entities have an option not to calculate annually the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset if it determines that it is not more likely than not the asset is impaired. This Update permits entities to assess qualitative factors when testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment results similar to the goodwill impairment testing guidance in Update 2011-08 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment”. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, an entity concludes it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, no further action is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, it is required to determine fair value of the intangible asset and perform quantitative impairment testing by comparing fair value with the carrying amount in accordance with Subtopic 350-30. Entities also have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. Entities should consider positive and mitigating events and circumstances that could affect its determination of whether it is more likely than not that the intangible asset is impaired, and should refer to examples in paragraph 350-30-35-18B(a) through (f) for guidance about the types of events and circumstances to consider in evaluating possible impairment. The guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company’s adoption had no impact on its financial statements or disclosures, and the Company now applies this guidance to its impairment assessments.
	The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” which requires entities to report the effects of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if amounts being reclassified are required under US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to be reclassified in entirety to net income. For other than such amounts, entities are required to cross-reference other disclosures required under US GAAP that provide additional information about those amounts. The guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012, and entities are required to comply with this Update for all reporting periods presented, including interim periods. The Company’s adoption had no impact on its financial statements or disclosures as comprehensive income or loss equals net income or loss.
	The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” whereby an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows. To the extent those three items are not available at the reporting date under tax law of applicable jurisdictions to settle additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or such tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and not combined with deferred tax assets. The assessment of whether deferred tax assets are available is based on unrecognized tax benefits and deferred tax assets existing at the reporting date, and should be made presuming disallowance of associated tax positions at that date. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, applies prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits existing at the effective date, and does not require new recurring disclosures. Early and retrospective adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that adoption may have on its financial statements.

Note_3_Inventories

Note 3 - Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	3. INVENTORIES
	Inventories, net consist of the following components (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Souvenirs and apparel	$	2,696	$	2,599
	Finished vehicles, parts and accessories		5,936		5,591
	Micro-lubricant® and other		666		604
	Total	$	9,298	$	8,794
	All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with provisions for differences between cost and estimated market value based on assumptions about current and future demand, market conditions and trends that might adversely impact realization. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, inventories reflect provisions of $4,222,000 and $4,757,000.

Note_4_Goodwill_And_Other_Inta

Note 4 - Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets represent the excess of business acquisition costs over the fair value of net assets acquired, and are all associated with the Company’s motorsports related activities and reporting units. Intangible assets consist predominately of goodwill and nonamortizable intangible assets for race event sanctioning and renewal agreements and, to a lesser extent, goodwill associated with event related motorsports merchandising. Acquired intangible assets are valued using the direct value method. The Company’s race event sanctioning and renewal agreements for each NASCAR-sanctioned racing event are awarded annually. The Company has evaluated each of its intangible assets for these agreements and determined that each will extend into the foreseeable future. The Company has never been unable to renew these race date agreements for any subsequent year and no such agreement has ever been cancelled. Based on these and other factors, such race date agreements are expected to be awarded to the Company in perpetuity. As such, these nonamortizable intangible assets for race event sanctioning and renewal agreements are considered to have indefinite useful lives because their renewal and cash flow generation are expected to continue indefinitely.
	Annual Assessment, Impairment of Goodwill—The Company evaluates goodwill and other intangible assets for possible impairment annually in the second quarter, or when events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may have occurred. See Notes 2 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2012 Annual Report for additional information on the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets and assessment methodology and evaluation. The inputs for measuring fair value are considered "Level 3" or unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data under applicable fair value authoritative guidance, as quoted market prices are not available. Management's latest annual assessment in the second quarter 2013, based predominately on management's best estimate of future discounted operating cash flows and profitability for all reporting units, indicated the estimated fair value of each reporting unit and each indefinite-lived intangible asset substantially exceeded its associated carrying value except for two reporting units (NHMS and KyS acquired in 2008). Among other factors, our assessment assumes economic and industry condition improvements, and projected cash flow and profitability recovery, to pre-recession levels through modest annual growth rates for periods of approximately eight years depending on the associated projected revenue stream, and strategic amounts of planned capital expenditures. We also assumed that increases in contracted NASCAR television broadcasting rights revenues after 2014 would approximate those reflected in the recently negotiated multi-year contracts beginning in 2015.
	As previously reported in our 2012 Annual Report and first quarter 2013 Form 10-Q, based on our 2012 annual assessment, the estimated fair values for reporting units NHMS and KyS exceeded their carrying values with associated risk of failing step one of impairment testing. The 2013 annual evaluation found the carrying values for NHMS and KyS exceeded estimated fair value reflecting lowered estimated future cash flows because the economic recovery has been slower and weaker than previous forecasts, and lower than anticipated revenues for certain 2013 major racing events at NHMS and KyS, further reducing visibility on profitability recovery. As such, a non-cash impairment charge of $89,037,000, before income tax benefits of $2,341,000, was reflected in the second quarter 2013 to reduce goodwill related to NHMS and KyS to estimated fair value of $0. Of that charge, goodwill for NHMS of $82,725,000 originated upon recording deferred tax liabilities associated with race date intangibles established under purchase method accounting rules over and above NHMS’s net cash purchase price of $330.1 million paid in 2008. Those accounting rules required establishing such deferred tax liabilities assuming the Company would ultimately sell NHMS assets, and not stock, for tax reporting purposes. Those accounting rules prohibit elimination or adjustment notwithstanding such ultimate payment of taxes was, and still is, believed unlikely and that no sale is being contemplated. The impairment does not pertain to or affect the underlying value of our race date intangibles. The 2013 charge and associated operations are included in our "motorsports event related" reporting segment (see Note 10).
	Management believes the Company’s operational and cash flow forecasts support its conclusions. Management’s latest annual impairment assessment was performed in the second quarter 2013, and there have since been no events or circumstances that indicate possible unrecognized impairment as of September 30, 2013. Different economic or industry conditions or assumptions, and changes in projected cash flows or profitability, if significantly negative or unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the impairment evaluation and our future financial condition or results of operations. The evaluations are subjective and based on conditions, trends and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation.
	Changes in the gross carrying value of other intangible assets and goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Other		Goodwill
		Intangible
		Assets
	Balance, beginning of period	$	395,013	$	138,717
	Increase from acquisitions		-		-
	Decrease from impairment charges		-		(89,037	)
	Balance, end of period	$	395,013	$	49,680
	At September 30, 2013, the carrying amounts for goodwill and other intangible assets include accumulated impairments of $146.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, gross carrying values and accumulated amortization by class of intangible asset are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		30-Sep-13							31-Dec-12
		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Estimated
		Carrying							Carrying		Amortization					Amortization
		Value							Value							Period (Years)
	Nonamortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	$	394,913		-		$	394,913	$	394,913		-		$	394,913			-
	Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements		100	$	(49	)		51		100	$	(41	)		59		5	-	6
	Total	$	395,013	$	(49	)	$	394,964	$	395,013	$	(41	)	$	394,972

Note_5_Longterm_Debt

Note 5 - Long-term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	'
	5. LONG-TERM DEBT
	As further described below, the Company amended its Credit Facility and issued additional 2019 Senior Notes in the first quarter 2013, and redeemed all outstanding 2016 Senior Notes in the second quarter 2013.
	Amendment of Bank Credit Facility—In February 2013, the Company’s Credit Facility was amended (the 2013 Credit Facility or Credit Facility) which, among other things: (i) provides for a five-year $100,000,000 senior secured revolving credit facility, with separate sub-limits of $50,000,000 for standby letters of credit and $10,000,000 for swing line loans; (ii) provides for a five-year $250,000,000 senior secured term loan (the Term Loan); (iii) matures in February 2018; (iv) allows the Company to increase revolving commitments or establish a term loan (or a combination of the two) up to an aggregate additional $100,000,000 with certain lender commitment conditions; (v) allows for annual aggregate payments of dividends and repurchases of SMI securities of up to $50,000,000, increasing up to $75,000,000 subject to maintaining certain financial covenants; and (vi) limits annual capital expenditures to $75,000,000. The amended Term Loan requires minimum quarterly principal payments of at least 5% of the initial amount drawn on an annualized basis (or $12,500,000 in a twelve month period based on an initial draw of $250,000,000). As further discussed below, the Company repaid $95,000,000 of Term Loan borrowings with proceeds from the add-on offering of 2019 Senior Notes in the first quarter 2013, and borrowed $250,000,000 under the Term Loan to fund the redemption of the 2016 Senior Notes in the second quarter 2013. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repaid $20,000,000 of Term Loan borrowings. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility were $230,000,000 and $95,000,000 (all Term Loan borrowings). At September 30, 2013, outstanding letters of credit amounted to $887,000.
	Interest is based, at the Company’s option, upon LIBOR plus 1.25% to 2.00% or Bank of America’s base rate plus 0.25% to 1.00%. The 2013 Credit Facility also contains a commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.40% of unused amounts available for borrowing. The interest rate margins on borrowings and the commitment fee are adjustable periodically based upon certain consolidated total leverage ratios. The 2013 Credit Facility requires that the Company maintain certain ratios of funded debt to EBITDA and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to interest expense. The amended Credit Facility also contains other affirmative and negative financial covenants and restrictions, and indebtedness is secured by a pledge of all capital stock and limited liability company interests of the Guarantors, generally on the same terms and conditions as before amendment. Prior to 2013 amendment, interest was based on LIBOR plus 1.75% to 2.75% or the greater of Bank of America’s prime rate, Federal Funds rate plus 0.5% or LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus 0.75% to 1.75%, and the commitment fee ranged from 0.35% to 0.55% of unused amounts available for borrowing.
	2019 Senior Notes and Add-on Offering in 2013—In 2011, the Company completed a private placement offering of  6.75% senior notes (the 2019 Senior Notes) in aggregate principal amount of $150,000,000 issued at par, and a subsequent exchange offer for substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act. In January 2013, the Company completed a private placement add-on offering to the existing 2019 Senior Notes in aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 issued at 105% of par, and net proceeds after commissions and fees approximated $103,408,000. The proceeds were used to repay $95,000,000 of Credit Facility borrowings, representing all facility borrowings then outstanding, and the remainder was used for general corporate purposes. The Company completed an exchange offer for substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act in the second quarter 2013. The add-on notes are identical to the existing 2019 Senior Notes with the same terms and conditions, and are governed by the same indenture. The 2019 Senior Notes mature in February 2019, and interest payments are due semi-annually on February 1 and August 1. Debt issuance premium and associated deferred loan costs are being amortized over the remaining note term through February 2019. As of September 30, 2013, the 2019 Senior Notes carrying value of $254,404,000 includes unamortized issuance premium of $4,404,000.
	Early Redemption of 2016 Senior Notes in 2013— Effective June 1, 2013, the Company redeemed all outstanding 8.75% senior notes (the 2016 Senior Notes) in aggregate principal amount of $275,000,000 at 104.375% of par plus accrued interest. The 2016 Senior Notes originally issued at 96.8% of par were scheduled to mature in June 2016, with interest payments due June 1 and December 1, and had unamortized issuance discount of $4,242,000 at December 31, 2012. The Company used Term Loan borrowings of $250,000,000 and cash on hand of $37,081,000 to fund the redemption, including redemption premium and transaction costs. The second quarter 2013 loss on early debt redemption and refinancing represents a charge to earnings of $18,467,000, before income taxes of approximately $6.8 million, for associated redemption premium, unamortized net deferred loan costs and issuance discount, and transaction costs.
	Other Terms and Conditions—The 2013 Credit Facility and 2019 Senior Notes contain certain requirements and restrictive financial covenants and limitations on capital expenditures, speedway or other acquisitions, dividends, repurchase or issuance of SMI securities, restricted payments, equity and debt security repurchases, limitations or prohibitions on incurring other indebtedness, liens or pledging assets to third parties, consolidation, mergers, transactions with affiliates, guarantees, asset sales, specific types of investments, distributions, redemptions and disposition of property, and entering into new lines of business. The 2013 Credit Facility and 2019 Senior Notes Indenture also contain cross-default provisions. The Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants under these debt agreements as of September 30, 2013. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2012 Annual Report for additional information on these debt agreements, including dividend, redemption and right of payment provisions.
	Other Notes Payable—Long-term debt includes two non-interest bearing debt obligations associated with the Company's acquisition of KyS. Each obligation is payable in 60 monthly installments of $125,000. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, their combined carrying values of $3,485,000 and $5,501,000 reflect discounts of $264,000 and $499,000, respectively, based on effective interest rates of 6% and 7%.
	Subsidiary Guarantees—Amounts outstanding under the 2013 Credit Facility and 2019 Senior Notes are guaranteed by all of SMI’s material operative subsidiaries except for Oil-Chem and its subsidiaries (which are presently non-material). These guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several, with the 2019 Senior Notes on a senior unsecured basis. The parent company has no independent assets or operations. There are no restrictions on the subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or advance funds to the parent company.
	Interest Expense, Net—Interest expense, interest income and capitalized interest costs are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30:						September 30:
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Gross interest costs	$	6,025		$	10,502		$	26,526		$	31,751
	Less: capitalized interest costs		(23	)		(105	)		(112	)		(546	)
	Interest expense		6,002			10,397			26,414			31,205
	Interest income		(52	)		(66	)		(313	)		(198	)
	Interest expense, net	$	5,950		$	10,331		$	26,101		$	31,007
	Weighted-average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings		2.2	%		2.7	%		2.2	%		2.8	%

Note_6_Per_Share_And_Other_Equ

Note 6 - Per Share And Other Equity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders Equity And Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Stockholders Equity And Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	6. PER SHARE AND OTHER EQUITY INFORMATION
	The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted earnings or loss per share from continuing operations (where computations are anti-dilutive, reported basic and diluted per share amounts are the same) (in thousands except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30:				September 30:
		2013		2012		2013			2012
	Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	12,362	$	11,045	$	(56,755	)	$	37,888
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		41,395		41,420		41,416			41,438
	Dilution effect of assumed conversions:
	Common stock equivalents—stock awards		18		1		15			6
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions		41,413		41,421		41,431			41,444
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.3	$	0.27	$	(1.37	)	$	0.91
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.3	$	0.27	$	(1.37	)	$	0.91
	Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings (loss) per share		826		1,205		869			1,093
	Stock Repurchase Program—The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program authorizing SMI to repurchase up to an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock from time to time, depending on market conditions, share price, applicable limitations under the Company’s debt agreements, and other factors the Board of Directors or its designees, in their sole discretion, may consider relevant. The purchases can be in the open market or private transactions. The stock repurchase program is presently funded using available cash and cash equivalents and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repurchased 32,000 and 94,000 shares of common stock for $591,000 and $1,688,000. As of September 30, 2013, the Company could repurchase up to an additional 150,000 shares under the current authorization. As of and through September 30, 2013, treasury stock includes 98,000 shares of common stock delivered to the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations of holders of vested restricted shares issued under our equity compensation plans.
	Declaration of Cash Dividends—To date in 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors has approved the following quarterly cash dividends on common stock, which are being paid using available cash and cash equivalents on hand (in thousands except per share amounts):
	Declaration date	13-Feb-13		16-Apr-13		18-Jul-13			17-Oct-13
	Record date	1-Mar-13		17-May-13		16-Aug-13			15-Nov-13
	Paid or payable to shareholders	15-Mar-13		7-Jun-13		6-Sep-13			6-Dec-13
	Aggregate quarterly cash dividend	$	6,246	$	6,214	$	6,210		Approximately $6,200
	Dividend per common share	$	0.15	$	0.15	$	0.15		$	0.15

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	Before July 30, 2002, the Company made loans to, and paid certain expenses on behalf of, Sonic Financial Corporation (Sonic Financial), a Company affiliate through common ownership by the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, for various corporate purposes. Also, the Company and Sonic Financial currently share various expenses in the ordinary course of business. Notes and other receivables from affiliates at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 include $3,393,000 and $3,681,000 due from Sonic Financial. The amount due bears interest at 1% over prime, is payable on demand, and because the Company does not anticipate or require repayment before September 30, 2014, is classified as a noncurrent asset in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the amount due from December 31, 2012 primarily reflect increases for accrued interest on outstanding balances and decreases from shared expenses with affiliates. The amounts due were reduced from shared expenses and repayments, if any, net of accrued interest by $97,000 and $93,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $288,000 and $278,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Any increases pertain to note receivable arrangements in place before July 30, 2002.
	Amounts payable to affiliate at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consist of $2,594,000 for acquisition and other expenses paid on behalf of AMS by Sonic Financial prior to 1996. Of this amount, approximately $1,800,000 bears interest at 3.83% and the remainder at prime plus 1%. The entire amount is classified as long-term because payment is not required before September 30, 2014.
	Certain SMI subsidiaries lease office and warehouse facilities from companies affiliated through common ownership by the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, under annually renewable lease agreements. Rent expense amounted to $166,000 and $165,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $496,000 and $476,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, amounts owed to these affiliated companies were not significant.
	Various SMI subsidiaries purchased new and used vehicles for operations and employee use from certain subsidiary dealerships of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (SAI), an entity in which the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is a controlling stockholder, for an aggregate of $22,000 in each of the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $61,000 and $161,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. There were no vehicles sold to SAI in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012. Also, SMI Properties sold merchandise to SAI totaling $152,000 and $108,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $501,000 and $427,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Amounts due from SAI at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were not significant.
	Oil-Chem sold zMAX micro-lubricant® product to certain dealerships of SAI for resale to service customers of the dealerships in the ordinary course of business. Total purchases from Oil-Chem by SAI dealerships approximated $512,000 and $467,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $1,534,000 and $1,618,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, approximately $106,000 and $137,000 was due from SAI to Oil-Chem. These amounts are reflected in current assets.
	SMI Properties and, to a lesser extent, other SMI subsidiaries purchased and sold motorsports merchandise, and received commissions from MA for merchandise sold during Company events. In the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, merchandise purchases approximated $119,000 and $151,000, and merchandise sales and event related commissions approximated $485,000 and $542,000, respectively. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, merchandise purchases approximated $581,000 and $590,000, and merchandise sales and event related commissions approximated $1,670,000 and $1,709,000, respectively. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, net amounts due from MA approximated $258,000 and $491,000. These amounts are reflected in current assets and current liabilities as applicable.
	The foregoing related party balances as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and transactions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, are summarized below (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Notes and other receivables	$	3,833	$	4,336
	Amounts payable to affiliates		2,594		2,594
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30:				September 30:
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Merchandise and vehicle purchases	$	141	$	173	$	642	$	751
	Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses		1,244		1,212		3,990		4,039
	Rent expense		166		165		496		476
	Interest income		24		27		73		84
	Interest expense		26		25		76		77

Note_8_Legal_Proceedings_And_C

Note 8 - Legal Proceedings And Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	8. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The Company is involved in various lawsuits in the normal course of business, some of which involve material claims. Management does not currently believe the outcome of these lawsuits or incidents will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	On April 22, 2008, SMIL filed a complaint in the Superior Court of North Carolina sitting in Mecklenburg County (the Complaint) against Bronwen Energy Trading, Ltd. (Bronwen), Bronwen Energy Trading UK, Ltd. (Bronwen UK), Dr. Patrick Denyefa Ndiomu (Dr. Ndiomu), BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA (BNP Suisse), BNP Paribas S.A. (BNP France), Swift Aviation Group, Inc. (SAG), Swift Air, LLC (SA), and Swift Aviation Group, LLC (Swift Aviation). On May 29, 2008, SMIL filed an amended complaint (the Amended Complaint) adding Swift Transportation Company, Inc. (Swift Transportation). SAG, SA, Swift Aviation and Swift Transportation are collectively referred to as the “Swift Defendants”. SMIL is seeking recovery of $12,000,000 it alleges was wrongfully drawn from its bank account by BNP Suisse and BNP France in connection with obligations SMIL contends are owed by Bronwen, Bronwen UK, Dr. Ndiomu, and the Swift Defendants for petroleum product purchases utilizing credit extended by BNP France. SMIL is also seeking to recover contractual amounts it alleges are owed by Bronwen, Bronwen UK, Dr. Ndiomu, and the Swift Defendants under the terms of various contracts regarding the petroleum product purchases. Additionally, SMIL is seeking treble damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. In the litigation, SMIL has asserted claims for breach of contract, wrongful honor on a guarantee demand, conversion, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, equitable subrogation, alter ego, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and has sought an accounting. On July 23, 2008, SMIL obtained an entry of default against Bronwen due to its failure to timely file a responsive pleading. On September 12, 2008, SMIL obtained entries of default against Bronwen UK and Dr. Ndiomu due to their failure to timely file a responsive pleading. On December 15, 2010, SMIL reached a negotiated settlement with the Swift Defendants, as a result of which SMIL dismissed its claims against only the Swift Defendants on December 29, 2010. The settlement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. On August 18, 2008, BNP France filed a motion to dismiss the claims against it alleging: 1) the North Carolina court does not possess personal jurisdiction over BNP France; 2) that Geneva, Switzerland is the appropriate forum for disputes about the guarantees; and 3) that SMIL is unable to state claims for relief against BNP France. On September 30, 2008, BNP France filed a revised motion to dismiss, withdrawing its challenge to personal jurisdiction, but maintaining allegations that Geneva, Switzerland is the appropriate forum for disputes about the guarantees and that SMIL is unable to state claims for relief against BNP France. On January 21, 2009, the trial court denied BNP France’s motion to dismiss based upon its contention that SMIL’s claims against it should be heard in Geneva, Switzerland, and further denied its motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim for relief as to all of SMIL’s claims, except for SMIL’s breach of contract claim against BNP France. On February 10, 2009, BNP France served notice it was appealing the trial court’s ruling with respect to its contention that SMIL’s claims against it should be heard in Geneva, Switzerland. On February 15, 2011, the North Carolina Court of Appeals filed its opinion affirming the trial court’s ruling denying BNP France’s motion to dismiss. On March 22, 2011, BNP France filed a Petition for Discretionary Review with the North Carolina Supreme Court seeking to have the Supreme Court review the decision of the North Carolina Court of Appeals that affirmed the trial court’s ruling denying BNP France’s motion to dismiss. SMIL filed its response to the petition on April 4, 2011. The North Carolina Supreme Court denied BNP France’s Petition for Discretionary Review on January 26, 2012. On August 4, 2008, BNP Suisse filed a motion to dismiss the claims against it alleging the North Carolina court does not possess personal jurisdiction over BNP Suisse, which motion was denied by the trial court on July 14, 2009. On August 11, 2009, BNP Suisse served notice it was appealing the trial court’s ruling. On February 15, 2011, the North Carolina Court of Appeals filed its opinion which reversed the trial court, holding that BNP Suisse was not subject to personal jurisdiction in North Carolina. On March 22, 2011, SMIL filed a Petition for Discretionary Review with the North Carolina Supreme Court seeking to have the Supreme Court review the decision of the North Carolina Court of Appeals which reversed the trial court, holding that BNP Suisse was not subject to personal jurisdiction in North Carolina. BNP Suisse filed its response to the petition on April 4, 2011. The North Carolina Supreme Court denied SMIL’s Petition for Discretionary Review on January 26, 2012. SMIL intends to continue pursuit of its claims against BNP France in the North Carolina Business Court. On July 27, 2012, BNP France filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings. The Court conducted oral argument on October 17, 2012, and the decision is pending. Discovery and motions practice are ongoing in this matter.

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	9. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS
	2004 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated as of February 10, 2009—Awards under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan) may consist of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock units or restricted stock. The 2004 Plan is scheduled to terminate in February 2014. No individual may be granted options aggregating more than 100,000 shares of common stock during any calendar year. In the case of restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards that are designated as performance awards, no individual may be granted an aggregate of more than 35,000 shares of common stock during any calendar year. To date, all stock options granted under the 2004 Plan have an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock at grant date, expire ten years from grant date and vest immediately or in equal installments over three years, and restricted stock and restricted stock units vest three years from grant date or in equal installments over three years. Once applicable restrictions lapse or have been satisfied, restricted stock units may be payable in cash, shares of common stock or a combination, as specified in the award agreement.
	Under the Company’s performance-based Incentive Compensation Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved grants of restricted stock to the Company’s Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer and restricted stock units to the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer in each of the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. To date, all grants under the 2004 Plan are to be settled in shares of common stock, vest in equal installments over three years or after three years and are subject to reaching certain defined full year earnings targets established at the beginning of each year by the Compensation Committee. Forfeitures in any given year result from differences between the Company’s actual results for the previous year as compared to the defined full year earnings target. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company repurchased 25,000 and 22,000 shares of common stock for $418,000 and $359,000 from executive management employees to settle income taxes on 48,000 and 60,000 shares that vested during the period, respectively. Also, 40,000 stock options granted in 2009 to a non-executive management employee at an exercise price per share of $14.58 vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
	The following is a summary of restricted stock and restricted stock units granted, vested and forfeited under the Incentive Compensation Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (shares in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended September 30:
		2013						2012
		Restricted Stock			Restricted Stock Units			Restricted Stock			Restricted Stock Units
	Outstanding, beginning of period		60			60			63			63
	Granted		35			35			35			35
	Vested		(24	)		(24	)		(30	)		(30	)
	Forfeited		(12	)		(12	)		(8	)		(8	)
	Outstanding, end of period		59			59			60			60
	2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan, Amended and Restated as of April 17, 2012—The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan (the 2008 Formula Plan) is for the benefit of the Company’s outside directors, and is scheduled to terminate in February 2018. On the first business day following each annual meeting, each non-employee director who is then a member of the Board receives a grant of restricted stock consisting of the number of shares equaling $75,000 divided by the average closing sale price for the twenty days immediately preceding the grant date, rounded up to the nearest whole share. Grants of restricted stock fully vest on the earlier of (i) the first grant date anniversary or (ii) the day before the Company’s next annual meeting following the grant date. Vesting is subject to continued service as a director through scheduled vesting dates. The Company awarded 4,167 shares of restricted stock to each of the Company’s four non-employee directors on April 17, 2013. An aggregate of 17,200 shares granted to non-employee directors on April 18, 2012 vested on April 15, 2013, and 15,556 shares granted in 2011 vested on April 16, 2012. All restricted stock awards were granted and vested in accordance with plan provisions.
	New 2013 Stock Incentive Plan—The 2004 Plan is scheduled to expire by its terms on February 18, 2014. In February 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a new 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2013 Plan) which was approved by stockholders at the 2013 Annual Meeting. The 2013 Plan allows the Company, among other things, to continue to provide equity-based incentives to attract and retain key employees, directors and other individuals providing services to the Company. Awards under the 2013 Plan may be in the form of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock awards. Approval of the 2013 Plan did not amend or modify the 2004 Plan and the Company will continue to have the right to grant awards under the 2004 Plan until its expiration. Approval of the 2013 Plan and termination of the 2004 Plan will not adversely affect rights under any outstanding awards previously granted under the 2004 Plan.
	Under the 2013 Plan, 3,500,000 shares of SMI’s common stock have been reserved for issuance, subject to various restrictions and adjustments including the following: (i) if shares subject to award under the 2013 Plan are forfeited, or the award otherwise terminates or is canceled for any reason without the issuance of such shares, those shares will be available for future awards; (ii) no individual may be granted options or SARs aggregating more than 300,000 shares of common stock during any calendar year; (iii) in the case of awards other than options or SARs that are intended to be “performance-based compensation”, no individual may be granted an aggregate of more than 100,000 shares of common stock during any calendar year; and (iv) with respect to any cash-based stock award that is intended to be a performance award, the maximum cash payment that may be paid during any one calendar year to an individual is $10,000,000.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan—No shares were granted to employees under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for calendar years 2013 or 2012.
	Share-Based Payments—The Company generally records share-based compensation cost for stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards on either the accelerated method using a graded vesting schedule or the straight-line method over the requisite service period, depending on the vesting schedule of the awards. The Company’s practice has been to issue new shares upon option exercise; however, repurchases of shares in the open market are permitted. There were no significant changes in the characteristics of restricted stock or restricted stock units granted in 2013 or 2012 as compared to prior grants and no modifications of the terms of any share-based payment arrangements. There were no significant changes in estimates, assumptions or valuation methods used to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards. No stock options were granted under the 1994 Stock Option Plan, 2004 Stock Incentive Plan or Formula Stock Option Plan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012. Options to purchase 5,500 shares of common stock at $15.83 per share granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan were exercised by employees during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. No stock options were exercised during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2012.
	Share-based compensation cost for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 totaled $562,000 and $477,000, before income taxes of $219,000 and $149,000, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 totaled $1,642,000 and $1,446,000, before income taxes of $598,000 and $552,000, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expense. There were no capitalized share-based compensation costs at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012. As of September 30, 2013, there was approximately $1,761,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units granted under the 2004 Plan and the 2008 Formula Plan that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.8 year. As of September 30, 2013, all stock options are vested and there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under the 2004 Plan, the 1994 Plan or the Formula Stock Option Plan.
	See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2012 Annual Report for additional information and terms of the Company’s stock incentive, stock option, restricted stock and employee stock purchase plans.

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	10. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES
	The Company’s operations are predominately comprised of promoting, marketing and sponsoring motorsports racing events, merchandising and other related activities conducted at its various major speedway facilities located in the United States. The Company’s business activities, including those of its subsidiaries and joint venture equity investee, are further described in Notes 1 and 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2012 Annual Report. The Company’s “motorsports event related” segment consists of revenues and expenses associated with all admissions, event related, NASCAR broadcasting and event motorsports merchandising activities, and joint venture equity investee earnings or losses associated with motorsports merchandising. The segment includes motorsports related events and operations for all Company speedways, NASCAR broadcasting and ancillary media rights, PRN and RCU motorsports radio programming, and SMI Properties, SMI Trackside and MA joint venture motorsports merchandising at Company and non-Company speedways. These operating segments have been aggregated into the motorsports related reporting segment as each share similar types and classes of customers, similar methods for providing or distributing motorsports related services, souvenirs and other merchandise, and other similar economic characteristics. The Company’s “all other” operations consist of SMIP subsidiary non-event motorsports and non-motorsports merchandising, Legend Cars non-event merchandising and sanctioning body activities, Oil-Chem micro-lubricant activities, and office rentals at certain Company speedways. All segment information below pertains to continuing operations and excludes discontinued oil and gas operations for all periods presented.
	Segment information as presented below comports with information the Company’s chief operating decision maker and management use and focus on when assessing segment performance and allocating resources. Segment operating income or loss excludes interest, taxes, other income or expense and specified non-recurring items, if any, and corporate general and administrative and depreciation costs are allocated to operating segments based on their respective revenues relative to consolidated revenues. Segment information on continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30:
		2013									2012
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated			Motorsports			All		Consolidated
		Event			Other						Event			Other
		Related									Related
	Revenues	$	133,607		$	3,893		$	137,500		$	137,854		$	4,402	$	142,256
	Depreciation and amortization		13,858			55			13,913			14,169			70		14,239
	Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)		-			-			-			-			-		-
	Segment operating income		23,039			393			23,432			25,871			448		26,319
	Capital expenditures		-			-			-			-			-		-
		Nine Months Ended September 30:
		2013									2012
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated			Motorsports			All		Consolidated
		Event			Other						Event			Other
		Related									Related
	Revenues	$	384,223		$	14,262		$	398,485		$	393,316		$	14,765	$	408,081
	Depreciation and amortization		41,304			172			41,476			42,051			197		42,248
	Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)		89,037			-			89,037			-			-		-
	Segment operating (loss) income		(7,278	)		2,163			(5,115	)		89,722			2,477		92,199
	Capital expenditures		9,837			38			9,875			24,243			114		24,357
		30-Sep-13									31-Dec-12
	Other intangibles	$	394,964		$	-		$	394,964		$	394,972		$	-	$	394,972
	Goodwill intangibles		49,680		$	-			49,680			138,717		$	-		138,717
	Total assets		1,730,076		$	25,803			1,755,879			1,852,150		$	24,963		1,877,113
	The following table reconciles segment operating income or loss above to consolidated income or loss before income taxes (both from continuing operations) for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30:						September 30:
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Total segment operating (loss) income from continuing operations	$	23,432		$	26,319		$	(5,115	)	$	92,199
	Adjusted for:
	Interest expense, net		(5,950	)		(10,331	)		(26,101	)		(31,007	)
	Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)	–			–				(18,467	)	–
	Other (expense) income, net		37			59			(206	)		154
	Consolidated (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	17,519		$	16,047		$	(49,889	)	$	61,346

Note_11_Discontinued_Oil_And_G

Note 11 - Discontinued Oil And Gas Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	11. DISCONTINUED OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
	In 2008, the Company discontinued its oil and gas operations primarily because of ongoing challenges and business risks in conducting these activities in foreign countries. These oil and gas activities are presented as discontinued operations for all periods using applicable authoritative guidance. As of December 31, 2012, SMIL owned an interest in one foreign entity owning certain oil and gas mineral rights in Russia, which has been reflected as fully impaired since December 31, 2008 because of significant uncertainties about its economic viability. The Company finalized dissolution of this foreign interest in early 2013 with no resulting financial statement impact. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no assets, liabilities or outstanding standby letters of credit associated with discontinued operations. The Company has no continuing involvement or ownership interest in these discontinued operations.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company incurred legal fees and other costs associated with efforts to sell or dissolve its remaining foreign investment interests and recover previously reserved receivables (see Note 8 for information on legal proceedings associated with oil and gas activities). No associated income tax benefits have been reflected in any period presented. While the Company plans to continue litigation of the matter to maximize potential recovery value, future legal costs are not expected to be significant. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2012 Annual Report for additional information on historical activities, accounting policies, and uncertainty involving fully reserved receivables associated with these discontinued operations.

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

'

Quarterly Reporting [Policy Text Block]

'

Quarterly Reporting—The Company recognizes revenues and operating expenses for all events in the calendar quarter in which conducted. Changes in race schedules at the Company's speedways from time to time, including speedway acquisitions, can lessen the comparability of operating results between quarterly financial statements of successive years and increase or decrease the seasonal nature of its motorsports business.

The more significant racing schedule changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 2012 include:

•

AMS held one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing event in the third quarter 2012 that was not held in 2013

•

KyS held one Automobile Racing Club of America racing event in the third quarter 2013 that was not held in 2012, and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing event in the third quarter 2012 that was not held in 2013

Selling And Marketing [Policy Text Block]

'

Marketing Agreements—The Company had one facility naming rights agreement that renamed Sears Point Raceway as Infineon Raceway, which expired in the second quarter 2012. This naming rights agreement has provided significant contracted revenues over its ten-year term. However, the annual contracted revenue received by the Company under this agreement individually was not material. The facility has been renamed Sonoma Raceway

Equity Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

'

Joint Venture Equity Investment—The Company and International Speedway Corporation (ISC) equally own a joint venture (50% non-controlling interest) that operates independently under the name Motorsports Authentics (MA). MA's operations consist principally of trackside, and to a lesser extent wholesale and retail, event souvenir merchandising as licensed and regulated under certain NASCAR Teams Licensing Trust agreements. The NASCAR Trust has the ability to significantly influence MA’s operations and results.

As further described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2012 Annual Report, the carrying value of our equity investment in MA was reduced to $0 as of December 31, 2009. Under equity method accounting, we are no longer recording our 50% share of MA operating losses, if any, unless and until this carrying value is increased from additional Company investments in MA or to the extent of future MA operating profits, if any. As such, our third quarter and year-to-date 2013 and 2012 results were not impacted by MA’s operations under the equity method. The following summarized financial information on MA’s operating results is presented for informational purposes (in thousands):

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

'

Income Taxes—The Company provides for income taxes at the end of each interim period based on management’s best estimate of the annual estimated effective income tax rate. Cumulative adjustments to the Company’s annual estimated effective income tax rate are recorded in the interim period in which a change in the annual estimated effective income tax rate is determined. See Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2012 Annual Report for additional information on our accounting for income taxes.

The effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 38.9% and 36.4%, respectively, excluding the negative impact of recording tax benefits of approximately $2.3 million related to the second quarter 2013 goodwill impairment charge of $89.0 million (a significant portion had no tax benefit) as further described in Note 4 and non-recurring benefits of state income tax restructuring and tax law changes. The effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflect a non-recurring tax benefit of $1,667,000 resulting from certain state income tax law changes effective September 1, 2013. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflects a non-recurring tax benefit of $4,056,000 resulting from strategic state tax restructuring in the first quarter 2013. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 31.2% and 38.2%, respectively.

Income tax liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits approximate $1,004,000 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and are included in other noncurrent liabilities, all of which would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. Interest and penalties recognized on uncertain tax positions amounted to $18,000 for both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $55,000 for both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $825,000 and $771,000 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions, which is included in other noncurrent liabilities. As of September 30, 2013, management was not aware of any significant tax positions where it appeared reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits might significantly increase within the next twelve months. The tax years that remain open to examination include 2006 through 2012 by the California Franchise Tax Board, and 2010 through 2012 by all other taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. The Company’s 2011 federal income tax return examination by the Internal Revenue Service has been concluded with its report subject to final review by The Joint Committee on Taxation of the United States Congress, with no material changes reflected in the IRS report. There was no change or activity for unrecognized tax benefits during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.

Taxes Collected From Customers [Policy Text Block]

'

Taxes Collected from Customers—The Company reports sales, admission and other taxes collected from customers on both a gross and net basis in operations.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

'

Advertising Expenses—Event specific advertising costs are expensed when an associated event is held and included principally in direct expense of events. Non-event related advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included principally in other direct operating expense. Advertising expense amounted to $5,774,000 and $6,078,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $14,369,000 and $15,434,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. There were no deferred direct-response advertising costs at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

'

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance which requires that financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured and reported on a fair value basis be classified, disclosed and categorized as further described below. Fair value estimates are based on relevant market information and single broker quoted market prices where available at a specific point in time, and changes in assumptions or market conditions could significantly affect estimates. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, certain other assets and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. Cash surrender values are carried at fair value based on binding broker quoted market prices. Notes and other receivables and bank revolving credit facility and term loan borrowings are variable interest rate financial instruments and, therefore, carrying values approximate fair value. The fixed rate senior notes payable are publicly traded and estimated fair values are based on single broker quoted market prices. Other long-term debt is non-interest bearing and discounted based on estimated current cost of borrowings and, therefore, carrying values approximate market value. Quoted market prices are not available for determining market value of the Company’s equity investment in an associated entity.

The following table presents estimated fair values and categorization levels of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):

30-Sep-13

31-Dec-12

Level

Class

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

1

R

$

115,292

$

115,292

$

106,408

$

106,408

Floating rate notes receivable

2

NR

2,100

2,100

2,385

2,385

Cash surrender values

2

NR

4,849

4,849

4,621

4,621

Liabilities

Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan

2

NR

230,000

230,000

95,000

95,000

6¾% Senior Notes due 2019

1

NR

254,404

266,875

150,000

159,000

8¾% Senior Notes previously due 2016 (Note 5)

1

NR

-

-

270,758

292,875

Other long-term debt

2

NR

$

3,485

$

3,485

$

5,501

$

5,501

Level 1:

Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:

Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3:

Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Class R:

Measured at fair value on recurring basis, subsequent to initial recognition.

Class NR:

Measured at fair value on nonrecurring basis, subsequent to initial recognition.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

'

Other Contingencies—CMS’s property includes areas used as solid waste landfills for many years. Landfilling of general categories of municipal solid waste on the CMS property ceased in 1992, but CMS currently allows certain property to be used for land clearing and inert debris landfilling. Landfilling for construction and demolition debris has ceased on the CMS property. Management believes the Company’s operations, including the landfills on its property, comply with all applicable federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Management is not aware of any situation related to landfill operations which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, future results of operations or cash flows.

TMS, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Sports Authority, has a two-year oil and gas mineral rights lease agreement expiring December 2013 which, among other things, provides the lessee various defined property access and right-of-ways, exclusive exploration and extraction rights, and non-interference by TMS should extraction infrastructure construction and operations commence. TMS is required to coordinate directly with the lessee on roadway and pipeline logistics to prevent interference of TMS or lessee activities, and monitor regulatory and other contract compliance. An upfront cash payment received in December 2011 is being accreted into other operating revenue over the two-year agreement term on a straight-line basis, with $803,000 and $802,000 recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $2,408,000 and $2,409,000 recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Deferred revenue recognizable through December 2013 is reflected as current liabilities in deferred race event and other income.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]

'

Recently Issued Accounting Standards—The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-02 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment” which permits entities first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with Subtopic 350-30 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – General Intangibles Other than Goodwill”. Under this Update, entities have an option not to calculate annually the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset if it determines that it is not more likely than not the asset is impaired. This Update permits entities to assess qualitative factors when testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment results similar to the goodwill impairment testing guidance in Update 2011-08 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment”. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, an entity concludes it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, no further action is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, it is required to determine fair value of the intangible asset and perform quantitative impairment testing by comparing fair value with the carrying amount in accordance with Subtopic 350-30. Entities also have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. Entities should consider positive and mitigating events and circumstances that could affect its determination of whether it is more likely than not that the intangible asset is impaired, and should refer to examples in paragraph 350-30-35-18B(a) through (f) for guidance about the types of events and circumstances to consider in evaluating possible impairment. The guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company’s adoption had no impact on its financial statements or disclosures, and the Company now applies this guidance to its impairment assessments.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” which requires entities to report the effects of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if amounts being reclassified are required under US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to be reclassified in entirety to net income. For other than such amounts, entities are required to cross-reference other disclosures required under US GAAP that provide additional information about those amounts. The guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012, and entities are required to comply with this Update for all reporting periods presented, including interim periods. The Company’s adoption had no impact on its financial statements or disclosures as comprehensive income or loss equals net income or loss.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” whereby an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows. To the extent those three items are not available at the reporting date under tax law of applicable jurisdictions to settle additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or such tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and not combined with deferred tax assets. The assessment of whether deferred tax assets are available is based on unrecognized tax benefits and deferred tax assets existing at the reporting date, and should be made presuming disallowance of associated tax positions at that date. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, applies prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits existing at the effective date, and does not require new recurring disclosures. Early and retrospective adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that adoption may have on its financial statements.

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_1

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	'
		Third Quarter						Year-to-Date
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net sales	$	7,859		$	8,585		$	22,851		$	25,712
	Gross profit		3,339			3,520			9,311			10,719
	Income from continuing operations		269			427			524			1,659
	Net income		269			427			524			1,659
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	'
						30-Sep-13						31-Dec-12
		Level		Class		Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	R		$	115,292		$	115,292		$	106,408	$	106,408
	Floating rate notes receivable		2	NR			2,100			2,100			2,385		2,385
	Cash surrender values		2	NR			4,849			4,849			4,621		4,621
	Liabilities
	Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan		2	NR			230,000			230,000			95,000		95,000
	6¾% Senior Notes due 2019		1	NR			254,404			266,875			150,000		159,000
	8¾% Senior Notes previously due 2016 (Note 5)		1	NR			-			-			270,758		292,875
	Other long-term debt		2	NR		$	3,485		$	3,485		$	5,501	$	5,501

Note_3_Inventories_Tables

Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Souvenirs and apparel	$	2,696	$	2,599
	Finished vehicles, parts and accessories		5,936		5,591
	Micro-lubricant® and other		666		604
	Total	$	9,298	$	8,794

Note_4_Goodwill_And_Other_Inta1

Note 4 - Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	'
		Other		Goodwill
		Intangible
		Assets
	Balance, beginning of period	$	395,013	$	138,717
	Increase from acquisitions		-		-
	Decrease from impairment charges		-		(89,037	)
	Balance, end of period	$	395,013	$	49,680
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
		30-Sep-13							31-Dec-12
		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Estimated
		Carrying							Carrying		Amortization					Amortization
		Value							Value							Period (Years)
	Nonamortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	$	394,913		-		$	394,913	$	394,913		-		$	394,913			-
	Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements		100	$	(49	)		51		100	$	(41	)		59		5	-	6
	Total	$	395,013	$	(49	)	$	394,964	$	395,013	$	(41	)	$	394,972

Note_5_Longterm_Debt_Tables

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30:						September 30:
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Gross interest costs	$	6,025		$	10,502		$	26,526		$	31,751
	Less: capitalized interest costs		(23	)		(105	)		(112	)		(546	)
	Interest expense		6,002			10,397			26,414			31,205
	Interest income		(52	)		(66	)		(313	)		(198	)
	Interest expense, net	$	5,950		$	10,331		$	26,101		$	31,007
	Weighted-average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings		2.2	%		2.7	%		2.2	%		2.8	%

Note_6_Per_Share_And_Other_Equ1

Note 6 - Per Share And Other Equity Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders Equity And Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30:				September 30:
		2013		2012		2013			2012
	Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	12,362	$	11,045	$	(56,755	)	$	37,888
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		41,395		41,420		41,416			41,438
	Dilution effect of assumed conversions:
	Common stock equivalents—stock awards		18		1		15			6
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions		41,413		41,421		41,431			41,444
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.3	$	0.27	$	(1.37	)	$	0.91
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.3	$	0.27	$	(1.37	)	$	0.91
	Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings (loss) per share		826		1,205		869			1,093

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti1

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Balances [Member]	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Notes and other receivables	$	3,833	$	4,336
	Amounts payable to affiliates		2,594		2,594
Related Party Transactions [Member]	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30:				September 30:
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Merchandise and vehicle purchases	$	141	$	173	$	642	$	751
	Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses		1,244		1,212		3,990		4,039
	Rent expense		166		165		496		476
	Interest income		24		27		73		84
	Interest expense		26		25		76		77

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan1

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
		Nine Months Ended September 30:
		2013						2012
		Restricted Stock			Restricted Stock Units			Restricted Stock			Restricted Stock Units
	Outstanding, beginning of period		60			60			63			63
	Granted		35			35			35			35
	Vested		(24	)		(24	)		(30	)		(30	)
	Forfeited		(12	)		(12	)		(8	)		(8	)
	Outstanding, end of period		59			59			60			60

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_Ta

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended September 30:
		2013									2012
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated			Motorsports			All		Consolidated
		Event			Other						Event			Other
		Related									Related
	Revenues	$	133,607		$	3,893		$	137,500		$	137,854		$	4,402	$	142,256
	Depreciation and amortization		13,858			55			13,913			14,169			70		14,239
	Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)		-			-			-			-			-		-
	Segment operating income		23,039			393			23,432			25,871			448		26,319
	Capital expenditures		-			-			-			-			-		-
		Nine Months Ended September 30:
		2013									2012
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated			Motorsports			All		Consolidated
		Event			Other						Event			Other
		Related									Related
	Revenues	$	384,223		$	14,262		$	398,485		$	393,316		$	14,765	$	408,081
	Depreciation and amortization		41,304			172			41,476			42,051			197		42,248
	Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)		89,037			-			89,037			-			-		-
	Segment operating (loss) income		(7,278	)		2,163			(5,115	)		89,722			2,477		92,199
	Capital expenditures		9,837			38			9,875			24,243			114		24,357
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
		30-Sep-13									31-Dec-12
	Other intangibles	$	394,964		$	-		$	394,964		$	394,972		$	-	$	394,972
	Goodwill intangibles		49,680		$	-			49,680			138,717		$	-		138,717
	Total assets		1,730,076		$	25,803			1,755,879			1,852,150		$	24,963		1,877,113
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30:						September 30:
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Total segment operating (loss) income from continuing operations	$	23,432		$	26,319		$	(5,115	)	$	92,199
	Adjusted for:
	Interest expense, net		(5,950	)		(10,331	)		(26,101	)		(31,007	)
	Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)	–			–				(18,467	)	–
	Other (expense) income, net		37			59			(206	)		154
	Consolidated (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	17,519		$	16,047		$	(49,889	)	$	61,346

Note_1_Description_Of_Business1

Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
NASCAR [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	24	'
NASCAR [Member] | Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	13	13
NASCAR [Member] | Nationwide Series Events [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	11	11
NASCAR [Member] | Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	6	8
NASCAR [Member] | K And N Pro Series Events [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	3	4
NASCAR [Member] | Whelen Modified Tour Member [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	4	4
IndyCar Series [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	2	2
National Hot Rod Association [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	6	6
ARCA Event [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'
World Of Outlaws [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	3	3
NASCAR [Member]	'	'
Note 1 - Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	'	24

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_2

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2009

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Tax Planning Strategy [Member]

Motorsports Authenitcs [Member]

Motorsports Authenitcs [Member]

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]

State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]

AMS NASCAR Camping World Truck Series [Member]

KyS Automobile Racing Club Of America [Member]

KyS NASCAR Camping World Truck Series [Member]

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Racing Events

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

1

1

Expiration Period Of Agreements

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent

38.90%

'

31.20%

36.40%

38.20%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset

'

'

'

2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Impairment Loss

'

89,037,000

'

89,037,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

5,157,000

'

5,002,000

6,866,000

23,458,000

'

'

-4,056,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,667,000

1,667,000

'

'

'

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

1,004,000

'

'

1,004,000

'

1,004,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense

18,000

'

18,000

55,000

55,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued

825,000

'

'

825,000

'

771,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Excise and Sales Taxes

1,861,000

'

2,066,000

4,384,000

4,611,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Advertising Expense

5,774,000

'

6,078,000

14,369,000

15,434,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

Recognition of Deferred Revenue

'

'

'

$4,192,000

$4,288,000

'

'

'

'

'

$803,000

$802,000

$2,408,000

$2,409,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_3

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures (Details) - Summary of Financial Information on Motorsports Authentics (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$137,500	$142,256	$398,485	$408,081
Income from continuing operations	12,362	11,045	-56,755	37,888
Net income	12,294	10,967	-56,885	37,771
Schedule of Equity Method Investmentsf [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	7,859	8,585	22,851	25,712
Gross profit	3,339	3,520	9,311	10,719
Income from continuing operations	269	427	524	1,659
Net income	$269	$427	$524	$1,659

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_4

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures (Details) - Estimated Fair Values and Categorization Levels of Financial Instruments (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$115,292	$106,408
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes Payable	254,404	150,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Notes Due 2016 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes Payable	'	270,758
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Floating rate notes receivable	2,100	2,385
Cash surrender values	4,849	4,621
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan	230,000	95,000
Other long-term debt	3,485	5,501
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	115,292	106,408
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes Payable	266,875	159,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Notes Due 2016 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes Payable	'	292,875
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Floating rate notes receivable	2,100	2,385
Cash surrender values	4,849	4,621
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan	230,000	95,000
Other long-term debt	$3,485	$5,501

Note_3_Inventories_Details

Note 3 - Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Inventory Valuation Reserves	$4,222,000	$4,757,000

Note_3_Inventories_Details_Inv

Note 3 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory Types	$9,298	$8,794
Souvenirs And Apparel [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory Types	2,696	2,599
Finished Vehicles Parts And Accessories [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory Types	5,936	5,591
Micro Lubricant And Other [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory Types	$666	$604

Note_4_Goodwill_And_Other_Inta2

Note 4 - Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 4 - Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$89,037,000	$89,037,000	'	'
Goodwill	'	49,680,000	'	138,717,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'	'	330,100,000	'
NHMS And KyS [Member]	'	'	'	'
Note 4 - Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	0	'	'	'
NHMS [Member]	'	'	'	'
Note 4 - Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	82,725,000	'	'	'
Goodwill [Member]	'	'	'	'
Note 4 - Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other Tax Expense (Benefit)	-2,341,000	'	'	'
Accumulated Impairments	'	146,200,000	'	'
Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Note 4 - Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Impairments	'	$3,300,000	'	'

Note_4_Goodwill_And_Other_Inta3

Note 4 - Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Changes in the gross carrying value of other intangible assets and goodwill (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Changes in the gross carrying value of other intangible assets and goodwill [Abstract]	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	'	$395,013,000
Balance, beginning of period	'	138,717,000
Decrease from impairment charges	-89,037,000	-89,037,000
Balance, end of period	'	395,013,000
Balance, end of period	'	$49,680,000

Note_4_Goodwill_And_Other_Inta4

Note 4 - Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Gross Carrying Values and Accumulated Amortization by Class of Intangible Asset (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Nonamortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Nonamortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
							Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	$395,013	$395,013	$394,913	$394,913	$100	$100	'	'
Accumulated Amortization	-49	-41	'	'	-49	-41	'	'
Net	$394,964	$394,972	$394,913	$394,913	$51	$59	'	'
Estimated Amortization Period (Years)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'5 years	'6 years

Note_5_Longterm_Debt_Details

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)

2 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 01, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility Before Amendment Maximum Interest Rate Option One [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

Non Interest Bearing Debt Obligation [Member]

Non Interest Bearing Debt Obligation [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility Term Loan [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes Minimum [Member]

2016 Senior Notes [Member]

2016 Senior Notes [Member]

2016 Senior Notes [Member]

Non-Interest Bearing Debt Obligation One Installment [Member]

Non-Interest Bearing Debt Obligation Two Installment [Member]

Non Interest Bearing Debt Obligation [Member]

Non Interest Bearing Debt Obligation [Member]

Maximum Interest Rate [Member]

Interest Rate Amount Over LIBOR Rate Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Swing Line Loans [Member]

Subject To Maintaining Certain Financial Covenants [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Letters Of Credit [Member]

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line Of Credit Maturity Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Covenant Maximum Dividends Payments And Repurchases Of Securities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000,000

$50,000,000

$10,000,000

$75,000,000

'

'

'

$75,000,000

'

$250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line Of Credit Facility Additional Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Quarterly Principal Repayment Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Lines of Credit

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Lines of Credit

'

20,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

95,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

95,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Bank Debt

'

'

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

230,000,000

'

'

95,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

887,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Applicable Margin Rate On London Interbank Offered Rate Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

1.25%

1.75%

'

2.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Interest Rate Additional Margin Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

1.00%

0.25%

0.75%

1.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.40%

'

0.25%

0.35%

0.55%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Applicable Margin Rate On Base Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Offering Price Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

105.00%

6.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

96.80%

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

150,000,000

'

254,404,000

'

275,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Notes Payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103,408,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium

'

4,404,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Redemption Price Percent Of Par

'

'

'

104.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,242,000

'

'

264,000

499,000

Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value

'

115,292,000

'

'

106,408,000

96,096,000

87,368,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,081,000

'

'

'

'

Debt Redemption Premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,467,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Taxes Paid, Net

'

'

6,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Installments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'60 months

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

125,000

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,485,000

$5,501,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.00%

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_5_Longterm_Debt_Details_I

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) - Interest Expense, Net (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Interest Expense, Net [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Gross interest costs	$6,025	$10,502	$26,526	$31,751
Less: capitalized interest costs	-23	-105	-112	-546
Interest expense	6,002	10,397	26,414	31,205
Interest income	-52	-66	-313	-198
Interest expense, net	$5,950	$10,331	$26,101	$31,007
Weighted-average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings	2.20%	2.70%	2.20%	2.80%

Note_6_Per_Share_And_Other_Equ2

Note 6 - Per Share And Other Equity Information (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

5 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

7 Months Ended

8 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

10 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

Feb. 13, 2013

Mar. 01, 2013

Mar. 15, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 16, 2013

17-May-13

Jun. 07, 2013

Jul. 18, 2013

Aug. 16, 2013

Sep. 06, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Oct. 17, 2013

Nov. 15, 2013

Dec. 06, 2013

Note 6 - Per Share And Other Equity Information (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased (in Shares)

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares (in Shares)

'

'

'

32,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

94,000

'

'

'

Stock Repurchased During Period, Value (in Dollars)

'

'

'

$591,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,688,000

'

'

'

Stock Repurchase Program Additional Authorized Shares (in Shares)

'

'

'

150,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000

'

'

'

Dividends Payable, Date Declared

13-Feb-13

'

'

'

16-Apr-13

'

'

18-Jul-13

'

'

'

17-Oct-13

'

'

Dividends Payable, Date of Record

'

1-Mar-13

'

'

'

17-May-13

'

'

16-Aug-13

'

'

'

15-Nov-13

'

Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid

'

'

15-Mar-13

'

'

'

7-Jun-13

'

'

6-Sep-13

'

'

'

6-Dec-13

Dividends, Cash (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

6,214

'

'

6,210

'

'

'

6,200

'

'

Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared (in Dollars per share)

$0.15

'

'

'

$0.15

'

'

$0.15

'

'

'

$0.15

'

'

Equity Compensation Plans [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note 6 - Per Share And Other Equity Information (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation (in Shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

98,000

'

'

'

Dividend Declared [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note 6 - Per Share And Other Equity Information (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividends, Cash (in Dollars)

$6,246

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_6_Per_Share_And_Other_Equ3

Note 6 - Per Share And Other Equity Information (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings or Loss Per Share from Continuing Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Basic and Diluted Earnings or Loss Per Share from Continuing Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions (in Dollars)	$12,362	$11,045	($56,755)	$37,888
Weighted average common shares outstanding	41,395	41,420	41,416	41,438
Common stock equivalents—stock awards	18	1	15	6
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions	41,413	41,421	41,431	41,444
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.27	($1.37)	$0.91
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.27	($1.37)	$0.91
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings (loss) per share	826	1,205	869	1,093

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti2

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	$3,833,000	'	$3,833,000	'	$4,336,000
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	'	'	'	30,000	'
Revenue from Related Parties	1,244,000	1,212,000	3,990,000	4,039,000	'
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	141,000	173,000	642,000	751,000	'
Sonic Financial [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	3,393,000	'	3,393,000	'	3,681,000
Notes Receivable Interest Additional Interest Above Prime Rate	'	'	1.00%	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Notes Receivable, Related Parties	97,000	93,000	288,000	278,000	'
Due to Affiliate	2,594,000	'	2,594,000	'	2,594,000
Sonic Financial | Amount with Fixed Interest Rate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Due to Affiliate	1,800,000	'	1,800,000	'	0.0383
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.00%	'	1.00%	'	'
Affiliated Entity [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	166,000	165,000	496,000	476,000	'
Sonic Automotive, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	22,000	22,000	61,000	161,000	'
Sonic Automotive, Inc. | SMI Properties [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from Related Parties	152,000	108,000	501,000	427,000	'
Sonic Automotive, Inc. | Oil-Chem [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from Related Parties	512,000	467,000	1,534,000	1,618,000	'
Due from Related Parties, Current	106,000	'	106,000	'	137,000
Motorsports Authentics [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from Related Parties	485,000	542,000	1,670,000	1,709,000	'
Due from Related Parties, Current	258,000	'	258,000	'	491,000
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$119,000	$151,000	$581,000	$590,000	'

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti3

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) - Related Party Balances (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Related Party Balances [Abstract]	'	'
Notes and other receivables	$3,833	$4,336
Amounts payable to affiliates	$2,594	$2,594

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti4

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) - Related Party Transactions (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Merchandise and vehicle purchases	$141	$173	$642	$751
Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses	1,244	1,212	3,990	4,039
Rent expense	166	165	496	476
Interest income	24	27	73	84
Interest expense	$26	$25	$76	$77

Note_8_Legal_Proceedings_And_C1

Note 8 - Legal Proceedings And Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Legal Claims Filed	$12,000,000

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan2

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Apr. 17, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Apr. 17, 2012

Apr. 17, 2012

Apr. 18, 2012

Apr. 16, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 Non-Executive Employees [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 Non-Executive Employees [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 Restricted Stock Award granted in 2009 [Member]

Formula Stock Option Plan Restricted Stock Minimum [Member]

Formula Stock Option Plan Restricted Stock Amendment D [Member]

Formula Stock Option Plan Amendment [Member]

Formula Stock Option Plan Amendment Award granted on April 21, 2011 [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan Twenty Thirteen [Member]

Stock Option Stock Incentive Plan Twenty Thirteen [Member]

Awards Other Than Stock Options Stock Incentive Plan Twenty Thirteen Performance Based Compensation [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan Twenty Thirteen Maximum [Member]

Plan 2004 And 2008 Formula Plan [Member]

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Maximum Number Of Shares That Can Be Granted To Participant In Any Fiscal Year

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

35,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Expiry Period From Date Of Grant

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares

'

32,000

'

94,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000

22,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Repurchased During Period, Value (in Dollars)

'

$591,000

'

$1,688,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$418,000

$359,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted Stock, Shares Issued Net of Shares for Tax Withholdings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,000

60,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested In Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$15.83

$15.83

'

'

'

'

$14.58

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Dollar Value Used In Formula For Determining Number Of Shares For Grant (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted Average Stock Price Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross

4,167

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

35,000

35,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,200

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

-24,000

-30,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,556

'

'

'

'

Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,500,000

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

100,000

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Cash Flow Effect, Cash Used to Settle Awards (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,500

5,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Based Compensation (in Dollars)

'

562,000

477,000

1,642,000

1,446,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense (in Dollars)

'

219,000

149,000

598,000

552,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,761,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition

'

'

'

'292 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan3

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period	60,000	63,000
Granted	35,000	35,000
Vested	-24,000	-30,000
Forfeited	-12,000	-8,000
Outstanding, end of period	59,000	60,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period	60,000	63,000
Granted	35,000	35,000
Vested	-24,000	-30,000
Forfeited	-12,000	-8,000
Outstanding, end of period	59,000	60,000

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_De

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Segment Information on Continuing Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$137,500,000	'	$142,256,000	$398,485,000	$408,081,000
Depreciation and amortization	13,913,000	'	14,239,000	41,476,000	42,248,000
Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	'	89,037,000	'	89,037,000	'
Segment operating income	23,432,000	'	26,319,000	-5,115,000	92,199,000
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	9,875,000	24,357,000
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	133,607,000	'	137,854,000	384,223,000	393,316,000
Depreciation and amortization	13,858,000	'	14,169,000	41,304,000	42,051,000
Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	'	'	'	89,037,000	'
Segment operating income	23,039,000	'	25,871,000	-7,278,000	89,722,000
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	9,837,000	24,243,000
Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	3,893,000	'	4,402,000	14,262,000	14,765,000
Depreciation and amortization	55,000	'	70,000	172,000	197,000
Segment operating income	393,000	'	448,000	2,163,000	2,477,000
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	38,000	114,000
Total Consolidated [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	137,500,000	'	142,256,000	398,485,000	408,081,000
Depreciation and amortization	13,913,000	'	14,239,000	41,476,000	42,248,000
Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	'	'	'	89,037,000	'
Segment operating income	23,432,000	'	26,319,000	-5,115,000	92,199,000
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	$9,875,000	$24,357,000

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_De1

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Summary of Intagible Assets by Segment (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Summary of Intagible Assets by Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangibles	$394,964,000	$394,972,000
Goodwill intangibles	49,680,000	138,717,000
Total assets	1,755,879,000	1,877,113,000
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]	'	'
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Summary of Intagible Assets by Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangibles	394,964,000	394,972,000
Goodwill intangibles	49,680,000	138,717,000
Total assets	1,730,076,000	1,852,150,000
Other Segments [Member]	'	'
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Summary of Intagible Assets by Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	25,803,000	24,963,000
Total Consolidated [Member]	'	'
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Summary of Intagible Assets by Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangibles	394,964,000	394,972,000
Goodwill intangibles	49,680,000	138,717,000
Total assets	$1,755,879,000	$1,877,113,000

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_De2

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income or Loss to Consolidated Amounts (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income or Loss to Consolidated Amounts [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total segment operating (loss) income from continuing operations	$23,432	$26,319	($5,115)	$92,199
Interest expense, net	-5,950	-10,331	-26,101	-31,007
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)	'	'	-18,467	'
Other (expense) income, net	37	59	-206	154
Consolidated (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	$17,519	$16,047	($49,889)	$61,346