Speedway Motorsports (TRK) 10-K 7 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 01, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS INC	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	41,383,904	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$213,097,887
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	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$97,343	$106,408
Accounts and notes receivable, net	34,594	36,382
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	8,891	6,125
Inventories, net	8,605	8,794
Prepaid expenses	3,594	3,552
Deferred income taxes	49,181	741
Total Current Assets	202,208	162,002
Notes and Other Receivables:	'	'
Affiliates	3,294	3,681
Other	1,800	1,493
Other Assets	29,146	27,830
Property and Equipment, Net	1,105,177	1,148,418
Other Intangible Assets, Net	394,955	394,972
Goodwill (Note 2)	49,680	138,717
Total	1,786,260	1,877,113
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	13,847	17,709
Accounts payable	10,519	10,887
Deferred race event and other income, net	57,888	58,492
Accrued interest	7,044	6,231
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	21,656	20,351
Total Current Liabilities	110,954	113,670
Long-term Debt (Note 6)	453,142	503,550
Payable to Affiliate	2,594	2,594
Deferred Income, Net	6,932	9,015
Deferred Income Taxes	381,756	385,736
Other Liabilities	4,892	4,672
Total Liabilities	960,270	1,019,237
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11)	'	'
Preferred Stock, $.10 par value, shares authorized – 3,000,000, no shares issued	'	'
Common Stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized – 200,000,000, issued and outstanding – 41,404,000 in 2013 and 41,433,000 in 2012	454	453
Additional Paid-in Capital	249,505	246,978
Retained Earnings	665,394	696,727
Treasury Stock at cost, shares – 3,999,000 in 2013 and 3,830,000 in 2012	-89,363	-86,282
Total Stockholders’ Equity	825,990	857,876
Total	$1,786,260	$1,877,113

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 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	41,404,000	41,433,000
Common Stock, shares outstanding	41,404,000	41,433,000
Treasury Stock at cost, shares	3,999,000	3,830,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:	'	'	'
Admissions	$106,050	$116,034	$130,239
Event related revenue	145,749	151,562	163,621
NASCAR broadcasting revenue	199,014	192,662	185,394
Other operating revenue	29,836	29,902	26,591
Total Revenues	480,649	490,160	505,845
Expenses and Other:	'	'	'
Direct expense of events	99,500	101,402	106,204
NASCAR purse and sanction fees	125,003	122,950	120,146
Other direct operating expense	18,640	18,908	20,352
General and administrative	91,676	90,407	89,384
Depreciation and amortization	54,725	55,499	54,004
Interest expense, net (Note 6)	31,871	41,217	42,112
Impairment of goodwill (Note 2)	89,037	'	48,609
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 6)	18,467	'	7,456
Other expense (income), net	293	-3,908	-342
Total Expenses and Other	529,212	426,475	487,925
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	-48,563	63,685	17,920
Provision For Income Taxes (Note 8)	42,351	-21,892	-23,481
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations	-6,212	41,793	-5,561
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operation, Net of Taxes	-246	326	-883
Net (Loss) Income	($6,458)	$42,119	($6,444)
Basic (Loss) Earnings Per Share:	'	'	'
Continuing Operations (in Dollars per share)	($0.15)	$1.01	($0.14)
Discontinued Operation (in Dollars per share)	($0.01)	$0.01	($0.02)
Net (Loss) Income (in Dollars per share)	($0.16)	$1.02	($0.16)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	41,405	41,431	41,524
Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Share:	'	'	'
Continuing Operations (in Dollars per share)	($0.15)	$1.01	($0.14)
Discontinued Operation (in Dollars per share)	($0.01)	$0.01	($0.02)
Net (Loss) Income (in Dollars per share)	($0.16)	$1.02	($0.16)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	41,423	41,437	41,524

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders’ Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$450	$243,132	$702,558	($72)	($79,831)	$866,237
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	41,621,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	'	'	-6,444	'	'	-6,444
Reduction for loss realization on marketable equity securities, net of tax (Note 1)	'	'	'	72	'	72
Share-based compensation	1	1,814	'	'	'	1,815
Share-based compensation (in Shares) (in Shares)	106,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	'	'	'	'	'	0
Cash dividends of common stock	'	'	-16,623	'	'	-16,623
Repurchases of common stock	'	'	'	'	-3,877	-3,877
Repurchases of common stock (in Shares) (in Shares)	-275,000	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	451	244,946	679,491	'	-83,708	841,180
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	41,452,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	'	'	42,119	'	'	42,119
Share-based compensation	2	2,032	'	'	'	2,034
Share-based compensation (in Shares) (in Shares)	138,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	'	'	'	'	'	0
Cash dividends of common stock	'	'	-24,883	'	'	-24,883
Repurchases of common stock	'	'	'	'	-2,574	-2,574
Repurchases of common stock (in Shares) (in Shares)	-157,000	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	453	246,978	696,727	'	-86,282	857,876
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	41,433,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	'	'	-6,458	'	'	-6,458
Share-based compensation	1	2,368	'	'	'	2,369
Share-based compensation (in Shares) (in Shares)	132,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	'	159	'	'	'	159
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	8,000	'	'	'	'	7,500
Cash dividends of common stock	'	'	-24,875	'	'	-24,875
Repurchases of common stock	'	'	'	'	-3,081	-3,081
Repurchases of common stock (in Shares) (in Shares)	-169,000	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$454	$249,505	$665,394	'	($89,363)	$825,990
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	41,404,000	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders’ Equity (Parentheticals) (Common Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Cash dividends, per share of common stock	$0.60	$0.60	$0.40

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net (loss) income	($6,458,000)	$42,119,000	($6,444,000)
Loss (income) from discontinued operation, net of tax	246,000	-326,000	883,000
Cash (used) provided by operating activities of discontinued operation	-246,000	326,000	1,267,000
Adjustments to reconcile income or loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Impairment of goodwill	89,037,000	'	48,609,000
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing, non-cash	6,386,000	'	2,816,000
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment and other assets	62,000	-3,145,000	155,000
Deferred loan cost amortization	2,386,000	2,525,000	2,499,000
Interest expense accretion of debt discount and premium, net	5,000	1,702,000	1,860,000
Depreciation and amortization	54,725,000	55,499,000	54,004,000
Amortization of deferred income	-5,895,000	-5,772,000	-2,692,000
Deferred income tax provision	-52,201,000	24,119,000	27,248,000
Share-based compensation	2,224,000	1,936,000	1,885,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts and notes receivable	797,000	3,066,000	1,802,000
Prepaid, refundable and accrued income taxes	-2,766,000	6,850,000	-1,544,000
Inventories	189,000	-164,000	752,000
Prepaid expenses	144,000	31,000	331,000
Accounts payable	118,000	-1,227,000	2,413,000
Deferred race event and other income	2,545,000	-4,685,000	-5,618,000
Accrued interest	813,000	-29,000	2,395,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,595,000	-1,419,000	1,771,000
Deferred income	393,000	733,000	4,113,000
Other assets and liabilities	-276,000	73,000	-4,223,000
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	93,823,000	122,212,000	134,282,000
Borrowings under long-term debt	355,000,000	'	330,000,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	-413,000,000	-53,000,000	-388,000,000
Payments of debt refinancing, debt issuance and loan amendment costs	-5,899,000	'	-6,707,000
Exercise of common stock options	159,000	'	'
Dividend payments on common stock	-24,875,000	-24,883,000	-16,623,000
Repurchases of common stock	-3,081,000	-2,574,000	-3,877,000
Net Cash Used By Financing Activities	-91,696,000	-80,457,000	-85,207,000
Payments for capital expenditures	-12,036,000	-26,787,000	-59,321,000
Payment for other non-current assets	'	-30,000	'
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	160,000	3,571,000	1,336,000
Distributions of short-term investments	'	'	975,000
Repayment of notes and other receivables	684,000	531,000	3,103,000
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities	-11,192,000	-22,715,000	-53,907,000
Net (Decrease) Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents	-9,065,000	19,040,000	-4,832,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	106,408,000	87,368,000	92,200,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	97,343,000	106,408,000	87,368,000
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:	'	'	'
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	31,426,000	41,610,000	40,019,000
Cash paid for income taxes	14,302,000	2,856,000	2,475,000
Supplemental Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities Information:	'	'	'
Decrease in accounts payable for capital expenditures	486,000	1,591,000	2,890,000
Increase in deferred income for exchange of property and equipment	$110,000	$1,247,000	$5,960,000

Note_1_Basis_of_Presentation_a

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	'
	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND 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.
	Description of Business – The Company is a promoter, marketer and sponsor of motorsports activities in the United States. The Company principally owns and operates the following motorsports facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company also provides event and non-event souvenir merchandising and distribution services, and food, beverage and hospitality catering services under an outside management contract (see Note 2), through our SMI Properties subsidiaries; provides radio programming, production and distribution through PRN and RCU; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through Legend Cars, and sells an environmentally-friendly micro-lubricant® through Oil-Chem. Before February 1, 2014, the Company also provided souvenir merchandising services through its Motorsports Authentics joint venture (see Note 2).
	Racing Events – As further described in Note 2, the Company derives a substantial portion of its total revenues from admissions, event related and NASCAR broadcasting revenue. In 2013, the Company held 24 major annual racing events sanctioned by NASCAR, including 13 Sprint Cup and 11 Nationwide Series racing events. The Company also held 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, one Automobile Racing Club of America and three World of Outlaws racing events. In 2012, the Company held 24 major annual racing events sanctioned by NASCAR, including 13 Sprint Cup and 11 Nationwide Series racing events. The Company also held eight NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing events, four NASCAR K&N Pro Series racing events, four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, two IndyCar Series racing events, six major NHRA racing events, and three WOO racing events. In 2011, the Company held 23 major annual racing events sanctioned by NASCAR, including 13 Sprint Cup and 10 Nationwide Series racing events, nine NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, four NASCAR K&N Pro Series, five NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, five IndyCar Series, six major NHRA, and three WOO racing events.
	The more significant racing schedule changes during the last three years include:
		•	In 2013, one NASCAR Sprint Cup and one Nationwide Series race at both CMS and KyS, and one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at SR, was delayed, rescheduled or shortened due to poor weather
		•	AMS held one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2012 and 2011 that was not held in 2013
		•	In 2011, one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at AMS was postponed and rescheduled due to poor weather
		•	LVMS held one IndyCar Series race in 2011 that was not held in 2013 or 2012
		•	KyS held one NASCAR Nationwide Series race in 2013 and 2012 that was not held in 2011, one ARCA race in 2013 that was not held in 2012 or 2011, one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2012 and 2011 that was not held in 2013, and one IndyCar Series race in 2011 that was not held in 2013 or 2012
		•	NHMS held one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2011 that was not held in 2013 or 2012, and one IndyCar Series race in 2011 that was not held in 2013 or 2012
	Comprehensive Income or Loss Presentation – The Company had no accumulated other comprehensive income or loss after December 31, 2011, and no components of other comprehensive income or loss separate from net income or loss, that require presentation either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The Company’s Consolidated Statement of Stockholder’s Equity for 2011 reflects recognized losses of $72,000 net of tax for management’s assessment that the declines in fair value of these securities were other than temporary. There were no remaining unrealized gains or losses, accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, or other items of comprehensive income or loss. Management believes those 2011 transactions are insignificant for separate presentation under applicable accounting standards.
	Discontinued Oil and Gas Activities (Note 14) – 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. 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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Principles of Consolidation – All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Revenue and Expense Recognition – The Company classifies its revenues as admissions, event related revenue, NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other operating revenue. “Admissions” includes ticket sales for all Company events. “Event related revenue” includes amounts received from sponsorships and naming rights fees (expired in 2012), luxury suite rentals, souvenir sales, commissions from food and beverage sales, advertising and other promotional revenues, hospitality revenues, track rentals, driving school revenues, camping and other non-admission access revenues, broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other event and speedway related revenues. “NASCAR broadcasting revenue” includes rights fees obtained for domestic television broadcasts of NASCAR-sanctioned events held at the Company’s speedways. “Other operating revenue” includes non-event merchandising revenues and Legend Cars and parts sales, The Speedway Club at CMS and The Speedway Club at TMS (together the “Speedway Clubs”) revenues, Oil-Chem revenues, TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease revenues, and industrial park and office tower rentals.
	The Company classifies its expenses to include direct expense of events, NASCAR purse and sanction fees, and other direct operating expense, among other categories. “Direct expense of events” principally includes cost of souvenir sales, non-NASCAR race purses and sanctioning fees, property and event insurance, compensation of certain employees, advertising, sales and admission taxes, outside event support services, cost of driving school revenues, and event settlement payments to non-NASCAR sanctioning bodies. “NASCAR purse and sanction fees” includes payments to, and portions of broadcasting revenues retained by, NASCAR for associated events held at the Company’s speedways. “Other direct operating expense” includes the cost of certain SMI Properties and subsidiaries, Legend Cars, Speedway Clubs, Oil-Chem, and industrial park and office tower rental revenues.
	Event Revenues and Deferred Race Event Income, Net – The Company recognizes admissions, NASCAR broadcasting and event related revenues when an event is held. Event souvenir merchandise sales and commissions from food and beverage sales are recognized at time of sale. Advance revenues and certain related direct expenses pertaining to specific events are deferred until the event is held. Deferred expenses can include race purses and sanction fees remitted to or retained by NASCAR or other sanctioning bodies and sales and admission taxes and credit card processing fees on advance revenues. Deferred race event income relates to scheduled events to be held in upcoming periods. If circumstances prevent a race from being held during the racing season: (i) generally advance revenue is refundable and (ii) all deferred direct event expenses would be immediately recognized except for race purses and sanction fees which would be refundable from NASCAR or other sanctioning bodies, and for sales and admission taxes which would be refundable from taxing authorities. Management believes this accounting policy results in appropriate matching of revenues and expenses associated with the Company’s racing events and helps ensure comparability and consistency between its financial statements. Advance revenues, and certain related direct expenses, if any, for track rentals, driving schools and similar activities are deferred and recognized when the activities take place. Management believes its revenue recognition policies follow applicable authoritative guidance. Sales of gift cards for tickets, merchandise or other redemption use have not been significant.
	NASCAR Broadcasting Revenues and NASCAR Purse and Sanction Fees – NASCAR contracts directly with certain television networks on broadcasting rights for all NASCAR-sanctioned Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series racing events. The Company receives television broadcasting revenues under annual contractual sanction agreements for each NASCAR-sanctioned race. The Company negotiates its sanction fees for individual races with NASCAR on an annual basis. Under the sanction agreements, NASCAR typically retains 10% of gross broadcasting revenues as a component of their sanction fees. NASCAR also retains 25% of gross broadcasting revenues for purses awarded to race participants for each race. The remainder represents additional annually negotiated purse and sanction fees paid to NASCAR by the Company for each race. These amounts retained by and paid to NASCAR are reflected in NASCAR purse and sanction fee expense.
	Marketing Agreements – The Company has various marketing agreements for sponsorships, on-site advertising, hospitality and other promotional activities. Sponsorships generally consist of event, official, exclusive and facility naming rights agreements when in place. These various marketing agreements can be event, speedway or period specific, or pertain to multiple events, speedways or years. Marketing agreements that are not event specific typically contain stated fiscal year periods. The Company receives payments based on contracted terms. Marketing customers and agreement terms change from time to time. The Company recognizes contracted fee revenues, and associated expenses, as events or activities are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms. The Company’s marketing agreements sometimes include multiple specified elements such as sponsorships, tickets, hospitality, suites or on-site advertising in varying combinations for one or more events or contract periods, although there is typically a predominant element. Contracted revenues are allocated between admissions and event related revenue financial statement categories based on the relative fair or retail value of the respective multiple elements as such events or activities are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms.
	Certain marketing agreements contain elements of purchased property and equipment exchanged for multi-year marketing and other promotional activities at one or more of our facilities. The associated assets and deferred revenue are initially recorded based on their estimated fair or retail values, with assets then depreciated over estimated useful lives and deferred revenue recognized into income on a straight-line basis as events are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms. Deferred revenue recognizable in each upcoming fiscal year is reflected as current liabilities in deferred race event and other income.The Company had one facility naming rights agreement that renamed Sears Point Raceway as Infineon Raceway, which expired in 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, and associated costs were not significant.
	Long-Term Food and Beverage Management Contract – Levy Premium Foodservice Limited Partnership, wholly-owned by Compass Group USA, Inc. (Levy), has exclusive rights to provide on-site food, beverage and hospitality catering services for essentially all Company speedway events and operations under a long-term food and beverage management contract. The contract commenced in 2002 and was renewed for an additional ten-year period through 2021. The long-term agreement provides for, among other items, specified annual fixed and periodic gross revenue based commission payments to the Company over the contract period. The Company’s commission-based net revenues associated with activities provided by Levy are reported in event related revenue and at times, to a lesser extent, other operating revenue depending on the venue.
	Non-Event Souvenir Merchandise and Other Revenues – The Company recognizes revenue when products are shipped, title transfers to customers, right of return or cancellation provisions expire, sales prices are final and collection is probable. For products sold on consignment through various promotional activities, revenues are recognized upon product shipment by promoters to customers, or purchase by reseller customers, and expiration of any right of return or cancellation provisions. Product sold on consignment with right of return or cancellation provisions has not been significant.
	Joint Venture Equity Investment – Before February 2014, the Company and International Speedway Corporation equally owned a joint venture (50% non-controlling interest) operating independently under the name Motorsports Authentics. MA’s operations consist principally of trackside and, to a lesser extent, wholesale and retail event souvenir merchandising as licensed and regulated under NASCAR Teams Licensing Trust (NASCAR Trust) agreements. From time to time, MA operations also include fulfillment and warehousing services for certain NASCAR Trust designated distributors. The NASCAR Trust has the ability to significantly influence MA’s future operations and results. On January 31, 2014, the Company abandoned its interest and rights in MA to focus management resources in areas that may be profitable and more productive. The Company’s investment in MA has been fully impaired for several years as further discussed below. The Company recognized an anticipated material tax benefit related to abandonment as of December 31, 2013 as further described in Note 8. There was no other impact on the Company’s December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements.
	The equity method has been used to account for this joint venture as the Company had equity ownership of 50%. MA has a November 30 fiscal year end that the Company adopted for reporting its share of MA’s operating results. The Company reflects its 50% share of MA’s net income or loss based on their most recent annual audited financial statements in “equity investee earnings or losses” for its fiscal year ended December 31 using the equity method as further described below. MA reports sales and other taxes collected from customers on a gross basis. All significant unrealized intercompany profits or losses pertain to unsold merchandise and have been eliminated in applying the equity method of accounting. No dividends have been declared or paid since formation of MA. The Company’s share of undistributed equity deficit from equity investee earnings and losses included in the Company’s retained earnings was approximately $133,974,000 at both December 31, 2013 and 2012. There were no significant differences in investor cost and underlying equity in the net assets of MA at acquisition.
	MA Operating Results and Investment Impairment. MA results for each of the three years ended 2013 were negatively impacted by decreased attendance at motorsports racing events, recessionary conditions and reduced discretionary spending, and increased competition for products sold under non-exclusive MA licenses. Also, MA’s 2012 results reflect gains from property and equipment sales, certain favorable settlements and recoveries and minimal positive net cash flows from operations. The carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in MA was reduced to $0 as of December 31, 2009 from sizable 2009 (and 2007) impairment charges and MA’s historical operating results. Because of uncertainty about MA’s ability to achieve sustained profitability (before abandonment), management continued to believe MA’s estimated fair value remained $0 under applicable authoritative impairment evaluation guidance. Under equity method accounting, the Company no longer recorded its 50% share of MA operating losses, if any, unless and until this carrying value was increased to the extent of future MA operating profits, if any. As such, the Company’s 2013, 2012 and 2011 results were not impacted by MA’s operations under the equity method, and no income tax benefits were recognized in these years other than related to aforementioned Company abandonment. These MA results, when recognized under the equity method, are included in the Company’s “motorsports event related” reporting segment (see Note 13).
	The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance whereby declines in estimated investment fair value below carrying value assessed as other than temporary are recognized as a charge to earnings to reduce carrying value to estimated fair value. The inputs for measuring MA 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. The Company’s evaluation is subjective and based on conditions, trends and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation. MA is not considered significant for the three year periods ended 2013 under applicable SEC rules and the reports of the auditors on their financial statements for those periods are not included in this filing. The following table presents summarized financial information for MA as of November 30, 2013 and 2012 and for the three years ended November 30, 2013 (coinciding with MA’s fiscal years) (in thousands):
		2013				2012			2011
	Current assets	$	10,925			$	13,195		–
	Noncurrent assets		403				469		–
	Current liabilities		4,154				6,733		–
	Noncurrent liabilities		1,242				1,819		–
	Net sales		30,510				34,041		$	34,788
	Gross profit		17,168				18,921			19,056
	Income (loss) income from continuing operations		820				1,747			(1,019	)
	Net income (loss)		820				1,747			(1,019	)
	Revenue Composition (Note 13) – The Company’s revenues are comprised of the following (in thousands):
		2013				2012			2011
	Admissions	$	106,050			$	116,034		$	130,239
	NASCAR broadcasting		199,014				192,662			185,394
	Sponsorships		54,832				57,633			63,378
	Other event related		78,106				81,019			85,256
	Souvenir and other merchandise		31,005				31,634			33,677
	Other		11,642				11,178			7,901
	Total revenue	$	480,649			$	490,160		$	505,845
	Revenues described as “other event related” consist principally of commissions from food, beverage and souvenir sales, luxury suite rentals, advertising and other promotional revenues, hospitality revenues, track rentals, driving school revenues, camping and other non-admission access revenues, broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other event and speedway related revenues. “Souvenir and other merchandise revenue” consists of SMI Properties and SMI Trackside sales of owned souvenir merchandise during racing and non-racing events and in speedway gift shops (motorsports event related merchandise), certain SMI Properties sales of racing and other sports related souvenir merchandise and Legend Cars operations (non-event motorsports related merchandise), and Oil-Chem product sales (non-motorsports related merchandise). “Other revenue” consists principally of revenues from the Speedway Clubs, industrial park and office tower rentals, Legend Cars as the sanctioning body for Legend Cars circuit races, and TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease revenues.
	Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires extensive use of management estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at financial statement dates, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual future results could differ from those estimates. Such significant estimates include (i) recoverability of property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets, and equity investments in associated entities, (ii) depreciable lives for property and equipment and amortization periods for intangible assets, (iii) accounting for income taxes, (iv) realization of receivables and inventories, (v) accruals for uninsured business risks, litigation, and other contingencies, and (vi) disclosures of stock-based compensation.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company classifies as cash equivalents all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents principally consist of variable rate, overnight sweep accounts of commercial paper, repurchase agreements, municipal bond and United States Treasury securities.
	Accounts and Notes Receivable are reported net of allowance for doubtful accounts summarized as follows (in thousands):
		2013				2012			2011
	Balance, beginning of year	$	1,270			$	1,345		$	1,588
	Bad debt expense		253				189			276
	Actual write-offs, net of specific accounts recovered		(250	)			(264	)		(519	)
	Balance, end of year	$	1,273			$	1,270		$	1,345
	Other Noncurrent Assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consist of (in thousands):
		2013				2012
	Deferred financing costs, net	$	9,162			$	8,613
	Land held for development		12,265				12,265
	Other		7,719				6,952
	Total	$	29,146			$	27,830
	Noncurrent assets are generally reported at cost except for cash surrender values of life insurance policies which are reported at fair value. Management evaluates these assets for recovery when events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may have occurred. As of December 31, 2013, there have been no events or circumstances which might indicate possible recoverability concerns or impairment.
	Deferred Financing Costs are amortized into interest expense over the associated debt terms of approximately five to six years (or remaining terms for loan amendment costs), and are reported net of accumulated amortization of $6,850,000 and $8,021,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012. See Note 6 for information on 2013 and 2011 charges associated with previously deferred financing costs.
	Original Debt Issuance Discount or Premium is amortized into interest expense over the associated debt terms using the effective interest method.
	Land Held For Development represents property adjacent to a regional outlet mall in the Charlotte metropolitan area which management plans to develop and market or possibly sell in suitable market conditions.
	Property and Equipment (Note 4) are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements pertain primarily to industrial park, office and warehouse facilities, and are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of associated lease terms or estimated useful lives. Constructed assets, including construction in progress, include all direct costs and capitalized interest until placed into service. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred, unless useful asset lives are extended or assets improved. When events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may have occurred, the Company evaluates long-lived assets, including tangible assets and intangible assets subject to amortization, for possible impairment based on expected future undiscounted operating cash flows attributable to such assets using applicable authoritative guidance. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of other assets and liabilities when assessing impairment. When improvement projects produce a higher economic yield and require demolition of a component of a speedway facility, capitalization of demolition, construction and historical component costs are limited to the revised estimated value of the project. Also, assets are classified as held for sale when management determines that sale is probable within one year. Management believes no impairment of long-lived assets used in continuing operations exists at December 31, 2013.
	In connection with the development and completed construction of TMS in 1997, the Company entered into arrangements with the FW Sports Authority, a non-profit corporate instrumentality of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, whereby the Company conveyed the speedway facility, excluding its on-site condominiums and office and entertainment complex, to the FW Sports Authority. The Company, which has the right to reacquire the facility, operates the speedway facility under a 30-year arrangement with the FW Sports Authority. Because of the Company’s responsibilities, including associated risks, rewards and obligations, under these arrangements, the speedway facility and related liabilities are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Note 5) 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. No direct costs for agreement renewal or extension have been incurred or capitalized. However, we are obligated to conduct events in the manner stipulated under the terms and conditions of the annual sanctioning agreements. The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets which specifies, among other things, nonamortization of goodwill and requires testing of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives for possible impairment at least annually.
	Annual Impairment Assessment. 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. Management considers each speedway and motorsports and non-motorsports merchandising subsidiary a separate reporting unit principally because that is the lowest level for which discrete financial information is available to the Company’s managers and chief operating decision maker. No reporting units are aggregated for purposes of evaluating intangible assets for possible impairment. The Company evaluates intangible assets for possible impairment based predominately on management’s best estimate of future discounted operating cash flows and profitability attributable to such assets (using the fair value assessment provisions of applicable authoritative guidance) for all individual reporting units.
	The evaluation is supported by quoted market prices or comparable transactions where available or applicable. Management considered that the estimated market value for comparable NASCAR race event sanction and renewal agreements based on historical sales transactions (the Company had agreements to annually conduct thirteen NASCAR Sprint Cup, eleven NASCAR Nationwide, and six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races as of the evaluation date), combined with the estimated fair value for all other Company net assets, exceeds its current market capitalization. Management also considered recent market trading ranges of price to earnings and sales multiples, cash flow and other traditional valuation methods, control premiums, and other market information related to the Company’s common stock from historical and forward-looking perspectives. Such information was also compared to available market information for certain motorsports industry peers. Weighting of evaluation results was not required as none of the methods, individually or collectively, indicated possible impairment. Despite ongoing domestic and global economic challenges, management believes there has been no fundamental change in the Company’s core motorsports business. 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 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 December 31, 2013. Management believes the methods used to determine fair value and evaluate impairment were appropriate, relevant, and represent methods customarily available and used for such purposes and are the best available estimate of fair value. Also, management believes the Company’s operational and cash flow forecasts support its conclusions. 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 the Company’s future financial condition or results of operations. The evaluations are subjective and based on conditions, trends and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation.
	2013 Impairment of Goodwill. Management's 2013 annual impairment assessment 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. Among other factors, the 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. Management 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. The Company previously reported its 2012 annual evaluation had found that estimated fair values for NHMS and KyS reporting units 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 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 as further described below.
	2011 Impairment of Goodwill. Management’s 2011 annual impairment assessment considered the approved realignment of an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup racing event from AMS to KyS beginning in 2011. Realignment of the race date from AMS to KyS resulted in no impairment of intangible or other long-lived assets. However, the evaluation indicated the carrying values for NHMS exceeded estimated fair value. As such, a non-cash impairment charge of $48,609,000 (with no income tax benefit) was reflected in 2011 to reduce goodwill related to NHMS to estimated fair value. The Company previously reported its 2010 annual evaluation had found the estimated fair value for this reporting unit exceeded carrying values. The 2011 annual evaluation reflected lowered estimated future cash flows principally because of the severity and length of the recession extending beyond the Company’s previous forecast, reducing visibility on profitability recovery.
	The NHMS goodwill discussed above originated upon recording deferred tax liabilities associated with race date intangibles of $127.4 million 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. These impairments do not pertain to or affect the underlying value of the Company’s race date intangibles. The 2013 and 2011 charges and associated operations are included in the Company’s "motorsports event related" reporting segment (see Note 13).
	Deferred Income, Net (noncurrent) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consists of (in thousands):
		2013				2012
	Preferred Seat License fees, net	$	3,635			$	4,076
Multi-year marketing and other arrangements, and deferred membership income		3,297				4,939
Total	$	6,932			$	9,015
Preferred Seat License Fees, Net. KyS and TMS offer Preferred Seat License (PSL) agreements whereby licensees are entitled to purchase annual season-ticket packages for sanctioned racing events under specified terms and conditions. Among other items, licensees are required to purchase all season ticket packages when and as offered each year. License agreements automatically terminate without refund should licensees not purchase any offered ticket and are transferable once each year subject to certain terms and conditions. Also, licensees are not entitled to refunds for postponement or cancellation of events due to weather or certain other conditions. Net PSL fees are deferred when received and amortized into income over the estimated useful life of those facilities or recognized upon license agreement termination.
Deferred Speedway Club Membership Income. The CMS and TMS Speedway Clubs sell memberships that entitle members to certain dining, other club and racing event seating privileges, and require upfront fees and monthly assessments. Net membership revenues are deferred when billed and amortized into income over an estimated average membership term of ten years.
TMS Oil and Gas Mineral Rights Lease Receipts. TMS, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Sports Authority, has an oil and gas mineral rights lease agreement 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 has been accreted into other operating revenue over the initial two-year agreement term on a straight-line basis. Amounts recognized were $3,117,000 in 2013, $3,210,000 in 2012 and in 2011 were not significant. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, associated deferred income was $0 and $3,117,000, and was reflected in deferred race event and other income. Although the initial agreement term expired in December 2013, the lessee initiated drilling activities prior to expiration, resulting in the lease remaining enforceable as long as drilling or extraction related activities continue. Through a combination of this lease and other agreements, including a joint exploration agreement, with the Fort Worth Sports Authority, if and when oil and gas extraction commences or upon meeting certain price levels, this lease agreement can be extended and TMS entitled to stipulated stand-alone and shared royalties. At this time, although extraction is expected to commence in 2014, management is unable to determine possible volumes of production if any or if stipulated price levels will be met.
Deferred Income, Other Arrangements. In late 2013, BMS announced plans to host a collegiate football game in September 2016. As of December 31, 2013, advance revenues and associated direct expenses were insignificant. Under the similar accounting policy for event revenues and expenses described above, the Company plans to continue to defer advance revenues and direct expenses pertaining to this event until held.
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 $17,461,000 in 2013, $18,644,000 in 2012 and $18,438,000 in 2011. There were no deferred direct-response advertising costs at December 31, 2013 or 2012.
Operating Leases – The Company has various operating leases principally for office and warehouse space and for equipment used in conducting racing events and other operations. These operating leases typically have initial terms of less than one year or are cancelable with minimal notice, although certain operating equipment leases include multi-year terms. Rent expense for operating leases amounted to $5,923,000 in 2013, $6,124,000 in 2012 and $5,999,000 in 2011. Various office and warehouse facilities leased from an affiliate (see Note 9) are cancelable with minimal notice; however, such lease arrangements will likely be renewed annually through specific contract periods. The Company leases various office, warehouse and industrial park space under operating leases to various entities largely involved in motorsports. These operating leases typically have initial terms of one year or more and are noncancelable. Lease revenue for operating leases, excluding the TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease receipts discussed above, amounted to $4,835,000 in 2013, $4,482,000 in 2012 and $4,275,000 in 2011.
Future annual minimum lease payments (where initial terms are one year or more and assuming renewal through contracted periods), and contracted future annual minimum lease revenues, under operating leases at December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	Lease				Lease
	Payments				Revenues
2014	$	1,493			$	3,894
2015		800				2,849
2016		484				2,018
2017		424				1,550
2018		249				857
Thereafter		800				253
Total	$	4,250			$	11,421
Other Expense (Income), Net consists of (in thousands):
	2013				2012			2011
(Income) loss associated with property sales and other assets	–				$	(3,152	)	$	109
Net loss on abandonment and disposals of property and equipment	$	62				7			46
Other		231				(763	)		(497	)
Total	$	293			$	(3,908	)	$	(342	)
Income Taxes (Note 8) – The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future income tax effect of temporary differences between financial and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. Income taxes are provided using the liability method whereby estimated deferred income taxes, and significant items giving rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities, reflect management’s assessment of future taxes likely to be paid, including timing, probability of realization and other relevant factors. The Company’s accounting for income taxes reflects management’s assessment of future tax liabilities based on assumptions and estimates for timing, likelihood of realization, and tax laws existing at the time of evaluation. The Company assesses the need for valuation allowances for deferred tax assets based on the sufficiency of estimated future taxable income and other relevant factors. The Company reports interest expense and penalties related to income tax liabilities, when applicable, in income tax expense. Cash paid for income taxes as reflected on the consolidated statements of cash flows excludes any previous overpayments the Company may have elected to apply to income tax liabilities.
The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes which, among other things, prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, and disclosures. Evaluation of a tax position includes determining whether it is more likely than not a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it is presumed the position will be examined by appropriate taxing authorities having full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
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 amounted to $5,455,000 in 2013, $5,721,000 in 2012 and $6,498,000 in 2011.
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. There have been no changes or transfers between category levels or classes.
The following table presents estimated fair values and categorization levels of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
						31-Dec-13					31-Dec-12
	Level			Class		Carrying			Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
						Value					Value
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		1		R		$	97,343		$	97,343	$	106,408	$	106,408
Floating rate notes receivable		2		NR			2,005			2,005		2,385		2,385
Cash surrender values		2		NR			4,937			4,937		4,621		4,621
Liabilities
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan		2		NR			210,000			210,000		95,000		95,000
63/4% Senior Notes due 2019		1		NR			254,197			265,000		150,000		159,000
83/4% Senior Notes previously due 2016 (Note 6)		1		NR		–			–			270,758		292,875
Other long-term debt		2		NR			2,792			2,792		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.
Concentrations of Credit Risk – Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, and cash surrender values. Concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents and cash surrender values is limited through placement with major high-credit qualified financial institutions and insurance carriers, respectively. However, amounts placed often significantly exceed available insured limits. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large numbers and wide variety of customers and customer industries and their broad geographical dispersion. Also, a significant portion of the Company’s accounts receivable typically pertain to advance revenues for specific events which are deferred until the event is held. As such, exposure to credit risk on such receivables that could adversely affect operating results is limited until recognition of the associated deferred race event income. The Company generally requires sufficient collateral equal to or exceeding note amounts, or accepts notes from high-credit quality entities or high net-worth individuals, limiting its exposure to credit risk. Amounts due from affiliates typically can be offset to the extent of amounts payable to affiliates, limiting the Company’s exposure to credit risk.
Loss and Other Contingencies and Financial Guarantees – The Company accrues a liability for contingencies if the likelihood of an adverse outcome is probable and the amount is estimable. Legal and other costs associated with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. The Company accounts for financial guarantees using applicable authoritative guidance which requires, among other things, that guarantors recognize a liability for the fair value of obligations undertaken by issuing a guarantee.
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.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards – 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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	3. INVENTORIES
	Inventory costs consist of: (i) souvenirs and 5/8-scale and similar small-scale finished race cars determined on a first-in, first-out basis; and (ii) souvenirs and apparel, micro-lubricant®, and parts and accessories product costs determined on an average current cost basis. No general and administrative costs are included in inventory costs. Cost of sales are charged using the same inventory cost bases. Inventories as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consist of (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Finished race cars, parts and accessories	$	5,372		$	5,591
	Souvenirs and apparel		2,409			2,599
	Micro-lubricant® and other		824			604
	Total	$	8,605		$	8,794
	All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value 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. Inventories are reflected net of provisions summarized as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance, beginning of year	$	4,757		$	5,765		$	5,938
	Current year provision		53			216			344
	Current year sales and write-offs		(727	)		(1,224	)		(517	)
	Balance, end of year	$	4,083		$	4,757		$	5,765

Note_4_Property_and_Equipment

Note 4 - Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
	Property and equipment as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 is summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Estimated			2013			2012
		Useful Lives
	Land and land improvements	5	-	25	$	457,179		$	454,828
	Racetracks and grandstands	5	-	45		749,510			747,613
	Buildings and luxury suites	5	-	40		450,495			449,105
	Machinery and equipment	3	-	20		44,175			45,147
	Furniture and fixtures	5	-	20		35,072			33,962
	Autos and trucks	3	-	10		11,899			11,811
	Construction in progress					4,768			1,578
	Total					1,753,098			1,744,044
	Less accumulated depreciation					(647,921	)		(595,626	)
	Net				$	1,105,177		$	1,148,418
	Other Information – Depreciation expense amounted to $54,671,000 in 2013, $55,444,000 in 2012 and $53,956,000 in 2011. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had contractual obligations for capital expenditures of approximately $6.5 million for facility improvements at our various speedways, including TMS’s high-definition video board.

Note_5_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The composition and accounting for intangible assets are further described in Note 2. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, gross carrying values and accumulated amortization by class of intangible asset are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		2013								2012
		Gross		Accumulated			Net			Gross		Accumulated			Net		Estimated
		Carrying		Amortization						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	$	(58	)		42			100	$	(41	)		59	5	-	6
	Total	$	395,013	$	(58	)	$	394,955		$	395,013	$	(41	)	$	394,972
	Changes in the gross carrying value of other intangible assets and goodwill are as follows (in thousands):
		Other Intangible Assets					Goodwill
		2013		2012			2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of year	$	395,013	$	394,983		$	138,717		$	138,717
	Increase from acquisitions	–			30		–			–
	Decrease from impairment charges	–		–				(89,037	)	–
	Balance, end of year	$	395,013	$	395,013		$	49,680		$	138,717
	For 2012, the increase in amortizable other intangible assets represents event sanctioning and renewal agreements for certain annual minor racing events to be held for five years commencing in 2012. For 2013, the decrease in goodwill reflects an impairment charge to reduce goodwill related to NHMS and KyS to estimated fair value as further described in Note 2.
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the carrying amounts for goodwill and other intangible assets include accumulated impairments of $146.2 million and $57.2 million, respectively. Amortization expense on other intangible assets amounted to $18,000 in 2013, $18,000 in 2012 and $12,000 in 2011. Estimated annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is not significant.

Note_6_Longterm_Debt

Note 6 - Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	'
	6. 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. Long-term debt at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consists of (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Credit facility, all term loan	$	210,000		$	95,000
	2019 Senior Notes		254,197			150,000
	2016 Senior Notes	–				270,758
	Other notes payable		2,792			5,501
	Total		466,989			521,259
	Less current maturities		(13,847	)		(17,709	)
	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	453,142		$	503,550
	Annual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	2014	$	13,847
	2015		13,945
	2016		12,500
	2017		12,500
	2018		160,000
	Thereafter		254,197
	Total	$	466,989
	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. In 2013, the Company also repaid an additional $40,000,000 of Term Loan borrowings. In 2012, the Company repaid $50,000,000 of Credit Facility borrowings, including Term Loan borrowings of $40,000,000. In 2011, the Company borrowed $30,000,000 under the revolving credit facility and $150,000,000 under the Term Loan to fund the tender offer and early redemption of the senior subordinated notes further described below, and repaid $40,000,000 of revolving credit facility and $15,000,000 of Term Loan borrowings. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility were $210,000,000 and $95,000,000 (all Term Loan borrowings). At December 31, 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 EBIT. 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 63/4% 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. Net offering proceeds, along with new Term Loan borrowings of $150,000,000 under the Credit Facility and cash on hand, were used to redeem and retire all tendered outstanding senior subordinated notes as further discussed below. 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, with the remainder 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 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 December 31, 2013, the 2019 Senior Notes carrying value of $254,197,000 includes unamortized issuance premium of $4,197,000. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2019 Senior Notes at annually declining redemption premiums ranging from 103.375% of par in fiscal years beginning February 1, 2015 to par after February 1, 2017. The Company may also redeem some or all of the 2019 Senior Notes before February 1, 2015 at par plus a “make-whole” premium. In the event of a change of control, the Company must offer to repurchase the 2019 Senior Notes at 101% of par value. The Indenture governing the 2019 Senior Notes permits dividend payments each year of up to approximately $0.48 per share of common stock, increasable subject to meeting certain financial covenants.
	2013 Early Redemption of 2016 Senior Notes – Effective June 1, 2013, the Company redeemed all outstanding 83/4% 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 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.
	2011 Early Redemption of Senior Subordinated Notes – In 2011, the Company completed a tender offer and redeemed $330,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of outstanding 63/4% Senior Subordinated Notes (Senior Subordinated Notes) at 101.25% to 101.375% of par, with proceeds from the original 2019 Senior Notes issuance, Term Loan borrowings of $150,000,000 and cash on hand. The Senior Subordinated Notes were previously scheduled to mature in September 2013. The 2011 loss on early debt redemption and refinancing represents a charge to earnings for tender offer redemption premium, unamortized net deferred loan costs, settlement payment and transaction costs, all associated with the former debt arrangements, and aggregating approximately $7.5 million, before income taxes of $2.9 million.
	Other Notes Payable – At December 31, 2013, long-term debt includes a non-interest bearing debt obligation associated with the Company's acquisition of KyS. A similar obligation existing at December 31, 2012 was fully repaid in 2013. Each obligation has been payable in 60 monthly installments of $125,000. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, their combined carrying values of $2,792,000 and $5,501,000 reflect discounts of $208,000 and $499,000, respectively, based on effective interest rates of 6% (prior to payoff) and 7%.
	Other General 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 December 31, 2013.
	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):
		2013			2012			2011
	Gross interest costs	$	32,408		$	42,155		$	44,700
	Less capitalized interest costs		(168	)		(574	)		(2,286	)
	Interest expense		32,240			41,581			42,414
	Interest income		(369	)		(364	)		(302	)
	Interest expense, net	$	31,871		$	41,217		$	42,112
	Weighted average interest rate on borrowings under bank Credit Facility		2.2	%		2.7	%		2.8	%

Note_7_Capital_Structure_Per_S

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	7. CAPITAL STRUCTURE, PER SHARE DATA AND OTHER EQUITY INFORMATION
	Preferred Stock – At December 31, 2013, SMI has authorized 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $.10 per share. Shares of preferred stock may be issued in one or more series with rights and restrictions as may be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. No preferred shares were issued or outstanding at December 31, 2013 or 2012.
	Per Share Data – 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):
		2013			2012		2011
	(Loss) income from continuing operations applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	(6,212	)	$	41,793	$	(5,561	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		41,405			41,431		41,524
	Dilution effect of assumed conversions, common stock equivalents – stock awards		18			6	–
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions		41,423			41,437		41,524
	Basic (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.15	)	$	1.01	$	(0.14	)
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.15	)	$	1.01	$	(0.14	)
	Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings or loss per share		794			1,057		1,237
	Declaration of Cash Dividends – The Company’s Board of Directors approved aggregate dividends on common stock as follows (in thousands except per share amounts):
		2013			2012		2011
	Cash dividends paid	$	24,875		$	24,883	$	16,623
	Dividends per common share	$	0.6		$	0.6	$	0.4
	Quarterly dividends were declared in each period and all declaration, record and payment dates were in the same fiscal periods. See Note 6 for annual limitations on dividend payments under the Company’s debt agreements. On February 12, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock aggregating approximately $6.2 million payable on March 14, 2014 to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2014. These quarterly cash dividends are being paid using available cash and cash equivalents on hand.
	Stock Repurchase Program – The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program authorizing SMI to repurchase up to an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares (increased from 4,000,000 shares with Board of Director approval on February 12, 2014) 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 (see Note 6), 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.
	The Company repurchased 126,000, 124,000 and 255,000 shares of common stock for $2,291,000 in 2013, $2,039,000 in 2012 and $3,597,000 in 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, the Company could repurchase up to an additional 118,000 shares (1,104,000 shares as of February 12, 2014) under authorization then in effect. As of and through December 31, 2013 and 2012, treasury stock includes 117,000 and 74,000 of common stock shares delivered to the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations of holders of vested restricted shares issued under our equity compensation plans.

Note_8_Income_Taxes

Note 8 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	8. INCOME TAXES
	Components of the provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	9,756		$	(2,247	)	$	(1,051	)
	State		227			(47	)		(2,743	)
			9,983			(2,294	)		(3,794	)
	Deferred:
	Federal		(42,015	)		24,521			17,612
	State		(10,319	)		(335	)		9,663
			(52,334	)		24,186			27,275
	Total	$	(42,351	)	$	21,892		$	23,481
	The reconciliation of statutory federal and effective income tax rates is as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory federal tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect		8.7			(0.2	)		16.8
	Non-deductible impairment of goodwill		(59.6	)	–				94.9
	Change in valuation allowances, primarily related to losses on equity investees		101.6			(0.1	)		2.4
	Change in uncertain tax positions, including income tax liabilities for settlements with taxing authorities		(0.1	)		0.1			(12.6	)
	Other, net		1.6			(0.4	)		(5.5	)
	Total		87.2	%		34.4	%		131	%
	Tax effects of temporary differences resulting in deferred income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	$	256,966		$	260,458
	Goodwill and other intangible assets		143,245			144,814
	Expenses deducted for tax purposes and other		3,581			3,863
	Subtotal		403,792			409,135
	Deferred tax assets:
	Income previously recognized for tax purposes		(14,618	)		(16,330	)
	Stock option and other deferred compensation expense		(4,389	)		(4,228	)
	PSL and other deferred income recognized for tax purposes		(1,683	)		(1,984	)
	State and federal net operating loss carryforwards		(3,945	)		(3,660	)
	Basis difference for equity investment and subsidiary		(61,450	)		(63,841	)
	Subtotal		(86,085	)		(90,043	)
	Less: Valuation allowance		14,868			65,903
	Net deferred tax assets		(71,217	)		(24,140	)
	Total net deferred tax liabilities		332,575			384,995
	Net current deferred tax assets		49,181			741
	Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	$	381,756		$	385,736
	Income Tax Benefit in 2013 From Equity Interest Abandonment (Note 2) – On January 31, 2014, the Company abandoned its interest and rights in Motorsports Authentics (its 50% owned merchandising equity investment joint venture) to focus management resources in areas that may be profitable and more productive. As further described in Note 2, the Company’s carrying value of the investment was reduced to $0 through sizable impairment charges prior to 2010 and MA’s historical operating results. The Company recognized no concurrent tax benefits as valuation allowances were provided against associated deferred tax assets. As a result of abandonment, the Company intends to recognize tax losses that will be reported on its 2014 income tax returns. Management believes there is or will be sufficient taxable income in carryback or carryforward periods under tax law to fully utilize these tax losses. As such, the Company recognized a material income tax benefit of $49.3 million at December 31, 2013 for the reversal of previously recorded valuation allowances under applicable accounting guidance further described in Note 2.
	The Company believes it is more likely than not that its filing position would be sustained based on its technical merits upon examination with taxing authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. The Company reached this conclusion based on the use of legal counsel and other tax consultants and the potential to utilize tax losses. Under applicable accounting guidance, tax positions are measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely (or more-likely-than not) of being ultimately realized. As such, the full anticipated tax benefit was recognized because the Company believes that partial sustaining of its tax position by taxing authorities would be an unlikely outcome given the nature of the position. The Company believes it will fully utilize the associated tax losses. Should the Company’s tax position not be fully sustained if examined, a valuation allowance would be required to reduce or eliminate the associated deferred tax assets. Any differences between the final tax outcome and amounts recorded would affect the Company’s income tax provision in the period in which such determination was made.
	Effective Tax Rate Comparison for 2011 through 2013 – The Company’s effective income tax rate for 2013 was 87.2%, for 2012 was 34.4% and for 2011 was 131.0%. The higher 2013 tax rate results primarily from the tax benefit related to the equity interest abandonment discussed above, and partially offset by a goodwill impairment charge for which a significant portion had no tax benefit as further discussed in Note 2. The 2013 rate also reflects tax benefits of $5,547,000 resulting from certain state income tax law changes and strategic state tax restructuring. Excluding those items, the 2013 effective income tax rate would have been 36.8%. The lower 2012 tax rate reflects favorable recoveries and settlements with certain taxing authorities, and lower effective state income tax rates. The higher 2011 tax rate results primarily from a goodwill impairment charge for which no benefit was recorded. Excluding the non-deductible goodwill impairment charge, the 2011 effective income tax rate would have been 36.1%.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company has approximately $43,000 of federal net operating loss carryforwards expiring in 2025 through 2027, and $107,160,000 of state net operating loss carryforwards expiring in 2014 through 2033. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, valuation allowances of $14,868,000 and $65,903,000 have been provided against deferred tax assets because management has determined that ultimate realization is not more likely than not for certain deferred tax assets and state net operating loss carryforwards.
	Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – Income tax liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits approximate $1,004,000 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, 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 $73,000 in 2013, $74,000 in 2012 and $270,000 in 2011. As of December 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company had $844,000 and $771,000 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions, which is included in other noncurrent liabilities. As of December 31, 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 2013 by the California Franchise Tax Board, and 2009 through 2013 by all other taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. The Internal Revenue Service’s examination of the Company’s 2011 federal income tax return is final with no material adjustments. The Company has been notified by the Kentucky Department of Revenue of an examination of its 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 state tax returns. The examination has not begun. However, the Company does not anticipate material adjustments resulting from examination.
	A reconciliation of the change in the total unrecognized tax benefits and other information for the three years ended December 31, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Beginning of period	$	1,004		$	1,004		$	2,879
	Increases (decreases) for tax positions of current year	–			–			–
	Increases for tax positions of prior years	–			–				358
	Decreases for tax positions of prior years	–			–				(1,744	)
	Reductions for lapse of applicable statute of limitations	–			–			–
	Increases (decreases) for settlements with taxing authorities	–			–				(489	)
	End of period	$	1,004		$	1,004		$	1,004

Note_9_Related_Party_Transacti

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	9. 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 December 31, 2013 and 2012 include $3,294,000 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 December 31, 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 $387,000 in 2013, $373,000 in 2012 and $358,000 in 2011. Any increases pertain to note receivable arrangements in place before July 30, 2002.
	Amounts payable to affiliate at December 31, 2013 and 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 December 31, 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 $659,000 in 2013, $640,000 in 2012 and $554,000 in 2011. Amounts owed to these affiliated companies at December 31, 2013 and 2012 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 approximately $89,000 in 2013, $166,000 in 2012 and $270,000 in 2011. There were no vehicles sold to SAI in 2013, 2012 or 2011. Also, SMI Properties sold merchandise to SAI totaling $692,000 in 2013, $552,000 in 2012 and $640,000 in 2011. Amounts due from SAI at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were not significant.
	Oil-Chem sold zMAX micro-lubricant® product to certain SAI dealerships for resale to service customers of the dealerships in the ordinary course of business. Total purchases from Oil-Chem by SAI dealerships approximated $1,966,000 in 2013, $2,047,000 in 2012 and $1,507,000 in 2011. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximately $154,000 and $137,000 was due from SAI and is reflected in current assets.
	SMI Properties and, to a lesser extent, other SMI subsidiaries purchased and sold motorsports merchandise, and received commissions for merchandise sold during Company events from Motorsports Authentics. Merchandise purchases approximated $600,000 in 2013, $601,000 in 2012 and $609,000 in 2011, and merchandise sales and event related commissions approximated $2,002,000 in 2013, $1,989,000 in 2012 and $2,801,000 in 2011. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, net amounts due from MA approximated $8,000 and $491,000 and are reflected in current assets.
	The foregoing related party balances as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and transactions for the three years ended December 31, 2013 are summarized below (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Notes and other receivables	$	3,522	$	4,336
	Amounts payable to affiliates		2,594		2,594
		2013		2012		2011
	Merchandise and vehicle purchases	$	689	$	767	$	879
	Merchandise and vehicle sales, event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses		5,040		4,968		5,328
	Rent expense		659		640		554
	Interest income		95		110		125
	Interest expense		102		103		103

Note_10_Legal_Proceedings_and_

Note 10 - Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	10. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The Company is involved in various lawsuits in the normal course of business, some of which involve material claims.
	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 denied the motion by order dated February 26, 2014. Discovery and motions practice are ongoing in this matter.
	On May 17, 2013, Gary Gaylor filed a lawsuit, against AMS and SMI. The lawsuit was filed in the United District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and alleges violations under Title III of the Americans With Disabilities Act. The Plaintiff alleges that he attended events at AMS on April 5 and 26, 2013. The Plaintiff alleges serious difficulty in accessing goods and utilizing services at AMS due to various alleged physical barriers. The Plaintiff seeks remediation of the alleged barriers. AMS and SMI filed a responsive pleading in this matter June 14, 2013, denying the material allegations of the complaint, and further stating that SMI is not a proper party to the lawsuit. This matter is in the early stages of litigation and discovery is ongoing. The Plaintiff submitted his expert’s report on December 31, 2013, and AMS and SMI are in the process of preparing a rebuttal to that report. The Company is currently unable to predict the effect the outcome of this litigation will have on its future financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company intends to vigorously defend this matter.

Note_11_Stock_Compensation_Pla

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	11. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS
	2004 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated as of February 10, 2009 – The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan) provides equity-based incentives for attracting and retaining key employees, directors and other individuals providing services to the Company. The 2004 Plan expired by its terms on February 18, 2014 and no further grants can be made under that plan. See below for a description of the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors in February 2013 and approved by stockholders at the 2013 Annual Meeting. Approval of the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan and termination of the 2004 Plan did not adversely affect rights under any outstanding awards previously granted under the 2004 Plan.
	Awards under the 2004 Plan may consist of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock units or restricted stock. The 2004 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors who has full authority to determine recipients, types, purchase prices, and amounts of awards granted and amend the terms, restrictions and conditions of awards. Factors considered, among others, include achievement of financial, business and performance objectives, the occurrence of specific events, time periods of continued service or other time-based restrictions. Under the 2004 Plan, 2,500,000 shares of SMI’s common stock were reserved for issuance, subject to various restrictions and adjustments including: (i) if shares subject to award under the 2004 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 aggregating more than 100,000 shares of common stock during any calendar year; and (iii) 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. Exercise prices for awarded stock options generally may not be less than the fair or trading value of the Company’s common stock at, and exercise periods may not exceed ten years from, the option grant date. At December 31, 2013, approximately 1,253,000 shares were available for future grant. No additional grants were made prior to the 2004 Plan’s expiration on February 18, 2014.
	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. Awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units are generally subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transferability until vested. If restricted stock and restricted stock unit award recipients cease to perform services for the Company, all shares of common stock and restricted stock units still subject to restrictions generally will be forfeited unless waived by the Compensation Committee. Recipients of restricted stock generally will have certain rights and privileges of a stockholder, including the right to vote such shares and receive dividends, if any. Recipients of restricted stock units generally will not have the rights and privileges of a stockholder, except they may be entitled to receive dividend equivalents, if so specified in the award agreements and dividends are declared.
	Under the Company’s performance-based Incentive Compensation Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved grants of 35,000 shares of restricted stock to the Company’s Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer and 35,000 restricted stock units to the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer in 2013. Both grants are under the 2004 Plan, are to be settled in shares of common stock, vest in equal installments over three years and are subject to reaching certain defined full year earnings targets established at the beginning of each year by the Compensation Committee. In 2013, 24,267 shares of both restricted stock and restricted stock units vested, and 11,667 of both shares and units were forfeited in accordance with the terms of the Incentive Compensation Plan. 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. Once the vesting period expires, common stock is issued in settlement of the restricted stock units and all vested shares are no longer subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transferability. As of December 31, 2013, 59,422 restricted stock shares and 59,422 restricted stock units were outstanding under the Incentive Compensation Plan.
	In 2013, the Company also granted to non-executive management employees 70,000 shares of restricted stock that vest in equal installments over three years, and repurchased 18,650 shares of common stock from such employees for $373,000 related to settlement of income taxes on 60,731 shares that vested under the 2004 Plan. In 2013, the Company also repurchased 24,264 shares of common stock for $418,000 from executive management employees to settle income taxes on 48,534 shares that vested under the Incentive Compensation Plan. Repurchases of common stock related to settlement of income taxes upon restricted stock vesting are reflected as financing activities in the statement of cash flows.
	2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan – The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan (the 2008 Formula Plan) is intended to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing non-employee directors with Company ownership interests to more closely align their interests with Company stockholders and to enhance the Company’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified non-employee directors. The 2008 Formula Plan is intended to constitute a “formula plan” within the meaning of SEC Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act. Approval of the 2008 Formula Plan, and termination of the Formula Stock Option Plan, did not adversely affect the rights of any outstanding stock options previously granted under the Formula Stock Option Plan. The 2008 Formula Plan is administered by the Board of Directors, excluding non-employee directors, and expires by its terms in February 2018. The Board of Directors, excluding non-employee directors, may amend, suspend or terminate the 2008 Formula Plan in whole or in part, provided that no such amendment, suspension or termination adversely affects previously granted awards without the consent of the award recipient. Any such amendment, suspension or termination may be subject to stockholder approval.
	Under the 2008 Formula Plan, 250,000 shares of SMI’s common stock are reserved for issuance and awards are in the form of restricted stock. On the first business day following each annual meeting, each standing non-employee director 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. In 2013, restricted stock awards granted to non-employee directors totaled 16,668 and 17,200 restricted stock awards vested during the year. All restricted stock awards were granted and vested in accordance with plan provisions. At December 31, 2013, approximately 157,000 shares are available for future grant.
	New 2013 Stock Incentive Plan – In February 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 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, and continue 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 or stock awards. Approval of the 2013 Plan did not amend or modify the 2004 Plan and the Company could continue to grant awards under the 2004 Plan until its expiration.
	Under the 2013 Plan, 3,500,000 shares of SMI’s common stock are 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. No awards were granted under this plan in 2013.
	1994 Stock Option Plan – The 1994 Stock Option Plan (the 1994 Plan) expired by its terms on December 21, 2004 and no further options can be granted under that plan. Adoption of the 2004 Plan described above, and termination of the 1994 Plan, did not adversely affect rights under any outstanding stock options previously granted under the 1994 Plan. All options granted to purchase shares under the 1994 Plan are fully vested and generally expire ten years from grant date. The exercise price of all stock options granted under the 1994 Plan was the fair or trading value of the Company’s common stock at grant date.
	Formula Stock Option Plan for Directors – The Formula Stock Option Plan was suspended in December 2007 and terminated in February 2008, and the 2008 Formula Plan described above was approved by stockholders at the 2008 Annual Meeting. Prior to plan suspension and termination, before February 1 each year, individual outside directors were awarded an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the average fair market value per share for the ten-day period prior to award. Termination of the Formula Stock Option Plan did not adversely affect rights under any outstanding stock options previously granted. All options granted under this plan generally vested in six months, and expired ten years, from grant date.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan – The SMI Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP) is intended to provide employees the opportunity to acquire stock ownership in the Company. The authorized number of shares of common stock issuable under the ESPP is 800,000. At December 31, 2013, approximately 439,000 shares are available for future grant. Prior to each January 1, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determines whether participating eligible employees will be granted the right to purchase shares of common stock for the upcoming calendar year and the number of shares available for purchase. All employee grants contain the same number of shares and grant date. No participant can be granted the right to purchase more than 500 shares in any calendar year. The stock purchase price is 90% of the lesser of fair market value at grant date or exercise date. Unexercised grants expire at each calendar year end. No shares were granted to employees under the ESPP for calendar years 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	Share-Based Payment – The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance which generally requires recognizing compensation cost for the estimated grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation over the requisite service period, and applies to all awards granted, modified, vesting, repurchased or cancelled after January 1, 2006. 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.
	Share-based compensation cost totaled $2,224,000 in 2013, $1,936,000 in 2012 and $1,885,000 in 2011, before income taxes of $818,000, $666,000 and $680,000, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expense. There were no capitalized share-based compensation costs at December 31, 2013 or 2012. No stock options were granted under the 1994 Stock Option Plan, 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and Formula Stock Option Plan in 2013, 2012 or 2011. When stock options are granted, the Company estimates the fair value of stock option grants on grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the following factors and assumptions. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises, forfeitures and employee terminations within the pricing model. Employee groups have similar historical exercise experience and are combined for valuation purposes. The expected term of granted options is estimated based on historical exercise experience and represents the time period that granted options are expected to be outstanding. Risk-free interest rates for periods within the expected life of options are based on the US Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
	There were no significant changes in the characteristics of restricted stock or restricted stock units granted during 2011 through 2013 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. All stock options previously granted under the 1994 Plan and the 2004 Plan have an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock at grant date, and under the Formula Stock Option Plan for Directors have an exercise price equal to the average fair market value per share for the ten-day period prior to award. The Company believes the pricing model and approach utilized to develop the underlying assumptions are appropriate for estimating the fair values of share-based awards. These fair value and other estimates are not intended to predict future events or value ultimately realizable by employees who receive equity awards, and subsequent events are not indicative of the reasonableness of original estimates.
	The following is a summary of stock option activity regarding the 1994 Plan, 2004 Plan and Formula Stock Option Plan for 2013 (shares and aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):
		1994 Stock Option Plan									2004 Stock Incentive Plan									Formula Stock Option Plan
	Stock	Shares			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate		Shares			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate		Shares			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
	Options				Average		Average		Intrinsic					Average		Average		Intrinsic					Average		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Remaining		Value					Exercise		Remaining		Value					Exercise		Remaining		Value
					Price Per		Contractual							Price Per		Contractual							Price Per		Contractual
					Share		Term (Yrs)							Share		Term (Yrs)							Share		Term (Yrs)
	Outstanding, January 1, 2013		305		$	33.3						602		$	29.56						180		$	33.94
	Granted		-			-						-			-						-			-
	Exercised		-			-						(7	)		15.83						-			-
	Forfeited		(20	)		29.64						(50	)		38.25						-			-
	Expired		(125	)		29.64						-			-						(30	)		26.06
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013		160		$	36.63		0.9		-		545		$	28.96		3.2	$	916		150		$	35.51		1.6		-
	Exercisable, December 31, 2013		160		$	36.63		0.9		-		545		$	28.96		3.2	$	916		150		$	35.51		1.6		-
	As of December 31, 2013, all stock options are vested and there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the 2004 Plan, the 1994 Plan or the Formula Stock Option Plan. Outstanding and exercisable stock options with no intrinsic value as of December 31, 2013 are excluded from the aggregate intrinsic values presented above. No stock options vested in 2013. In 2012, 101,000 stock options vested under the 2004 Plan with an aggregate intrinsic value of $128,000, and 61,000 stock options vested in 2011 with no intrinsic value. In 2013, 7,500 stock options were exercised with an intrinsic value of $23,000. No stock options were exercised in 2012 or 2011.
	The following is a summary of non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity regarding the 2004 Plan and 2008 Formula Plan for 2013, and grant activity for 2012 and 2011 (shares and aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):
		2004 Stock Incentive Plan									2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan
	Non-vested	Shares			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate		Shares			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
	Restricted Stock and				Average		Average		Intrinsic					Average		Average		Intrinsic
	Restricted Stock Units				Grant-		Remaining		Value					Grant-		Remaining		Value
					date Fair		Contractual							date Fair		Contractual
					Value		Term (Yrs)							Value		Term (Yrs)
					Per Share									Per Share
	Outstanding, January 1, 2013		247		$	15.46						17		$	17.18
	Granted		140			18.54						17			17.39
	Vested		(109	)		15.34						(17	)		17.18
	Forfeited		(26	)		15.29					–			–
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013		252		$	17.24		1.3	$	5,004		17		$	17.39		0.3	$	331
	Granted, 2012		136		$	16.16						17		$	17.18
	Granted, 2011		131			14.29						16		$	15.44
	As of December 31, 2013, outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock units above for the 2004 Plan include approximately 59,000 restricted stock units with an aggregate intrinsic value of $1,180,000 and a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 0.9 year, all of which are expected to fully vest. As of December 31, 2013, there was approximately $2,563,000 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 1.0 year. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, 109,000, 97,000 and 96,000 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units vested under the 2004 Plan with fair values of $2,049,000, $1,599,000 and $1,370,000, respectively, and 17,000, 16,000 and 15,000 shares of restricted stock vested under the 2008 Formula Plan with fair values of $299,000, $266,000 and $230,000, respectively. These 2004 Plan amounts include common stock shares issued upon the vesting of 24,000, 29,000 and 8,000 restricted stock units with fair values of $418,000, $467,000 and $114,000 during each of 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Note_12_Employee_Benefit_Plans

Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]	'
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]	'
	12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	The Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 401(k) Plan and Trust is available to Company employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. The Plan allows participants to elect contributions of up to 75% of their annual compensation within certain prescribed limits, of which the Company will match 25% of the first 4% of employee contributions. Participants become fully vested in Company matching contributions over six years. The Company’s contributions for the Plan were $334,000 in 2013, $336,000 in 2012 and $320,000 in 2011.
	The Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan is available to all Company employees who meet eligibility requirements. This plan allows participants to elect to defer up to 75% of their base salary and 100% of their annual bonus and other cash compensation, if any, as permitted by the Plan Administrator. The Company may make discretionary contributions for any one or all eligible employees which, if any, shall be 100% vested following three years of service once first eligible to participate in this plan. There were no Company contributions in 2011 through 2013.

Note_13_Segment_Disclosures

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	13. 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. 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.
	Of the Company’s total revenues, approximately 82% in 2013, 83% in 2012 and 83% in 2011 were derived from NASCAR-sanctioned events. Of the Company’s total revenues, approximately 41% or $199,014,000 for 2013, 39% or $192,662,000 for 2012, and 37% or $185,394,000 for 2011 pertain to NASCAR broadcasting rights fees for domestic television broadcasts of NASCAR-sanctioned events held at the Company’s speedways.
	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, income 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 years ended December 31, 2013, and as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		2013									2012						2011
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated			Motorsports		All		Consolidated		Motorsports		All		Consolidated
		Event			Other			Total			Event		Other		Total		Event		Other		Total
		Related									Related						Related
	Revenues	$	462,938		$	17,711		$	480,649		$	472,221	$	17,939	$	490,160	$	488,957	$	16,888	$	505,845
	Depreciation and amortization		54,511			214			54,725			55,234		265		55,499		53,741		263		54,004
	Impairment of goodwill (Note 2)		89,037		–				89,037		–		–		–			48,609	–			48,609
	Segment operating (loss) income		(204	)		2,272			2,068			98,522		2,472		100,994		66,442		704		67,146
	Capital expenditures		11,998			38			12,036			26,647		140		26,787		59,142		179		59,321
		31-Dec-13									31-Dec-12
	Other intangibles	$	394,955		–			$	394,955		$	394,972	–		$	394,972
	Goodwill		49,680		–				49,680			138,717	–			138,717
	Total assets		1,761,698		$	24,562			1,786,260			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) (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Total segment operating income from continuing operations	$	2,068		$	100,994		$	67,146
	Adjusted for:
	Interest expense, net		(31,871	)		(41,217	)		(42,112	)
	Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 6)		(18,467	)	–				(7,456	)
	Other (expense) income, net		(293	)		3,908			342
	Consolidated (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(48,563	)	$	63,685		$	17,920

Note_14_Discontinued_Oil_and_G

Note 14 - Discontinued Oil and Gas Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	14. DISCONTINUED OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
	Prior to discontinuing operations, SMIL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oil-Chem, was engaged in oil and gas exploration and production activities, and the purchase and sale of bulk petroleum products, in certain foreign countries. In 2008, the Company discontinued these operations primarily because of ongoing challenges and business risks in conducting these activities in foreign countries. Oasis Trading Group LLC, a US entity, provided oil and gas management and operational services to the Company and generally shared equally in the profits and losses on all transactions and activities. 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 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 December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no assets, liabilities or outstanding standby letters of credit associated with discontinued operations. All receivables associated with oil and gas activities are fully reserved because of uncertain recoverability, and reflected as a component of loss from discontinued operation. No interest expense, corporate general and administrative expense, transaction or transition service costs or continuing costs have been allocated to the discontinued operation, and no associated income tax benefits or gain or loss on disposal have been reflected in any period presented. The Company has no continuing involvement or ownership interest in these discontinued operations.
	In 2011 through 2013, there were no operating revenues generated from oil and gas activities, and 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. In 2012, the Company recognized a gain from favorable settlement of certain insurance claims. As further described in Note 10, the Company is seeking recovery of certain funds in legal proceedings associated with oil and gas activities. Assessments of collectability are subjective and based on facts, circumstances and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation, all of which are subject to significant change. While the Company plans to continue litigation of the matter to maximize potential recovery value, future legal costs are not expected to be significant.

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Principles of Consolidation – All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue And Expense Recognition Policy Text Block	'
	Revenue and Expense Recognition – The Company classifies its revenues as admissions, event related revenue, NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other operating revenue. “Admissions” includes ticket sales for all Company events. “Event related revenue” includes amounts received from sponsorships and naming rights fees (expired in 2012), luxury suite rentals, souvenir sales, commissions from food and beverage sales, advertising and other promotional revenues, hospitality revenues, track rentals, driving school revenues, camping and other non-admission access revenues, broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other event and speedway related revenues. “NASCAR broadcasting revenue” includes rights fees obtained for domestic television broadcasts of NASCAR-sanctioned events held at the Company’s speedways. “Other operating revenue” includes non-event merchandising revenues and Legend Cars and parts sales, The Speedway Club at CMS and The Speedway Club at TMS (together the “Speedway Clubs”) revenues, Oil-Chem revenues, TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease revenues, and industrial park and office tower rentals.
	The Company classifies its expenses to include direct expense of events, NASCAR purse and sanction fees, and other direct operating expense, among other categories. “Direct expense of events” principally includes cost of souvenir sales, non-NASCAR race purses and sanctioning fees, property and event insurance, compensation of certain employees, advertising, sales and admission taxes, outside event support services, cost of driving school revenues, and event settlement payments to non-NASCAR sanctioning bodies. “NASCAR purse and sanction fees” includes payments to, and portions of broadcasting revenues retained by, NASCAR for associated events held at the Company’s speedways. “Other direct operating expense” includes the cost of certain SMI Properties and subsidiaries, Legend Cars, Speedway Clubs, Oil-Chem, and industrial park and office tower rental revenues.
	Event Revenues and Deferred Race Event Income, Net – The Company recognizes admissions, NASCAR broadcasting and event related revenues when an event is held. Event souvenir merchandise sales and commissions from food and beverage sales are recognized at time of sale. Advance revenues and certain related direct expenses pertaining to specific events are deferred until the event is held. Deferred expenses can include race purses and sanction fees remitted to or retained by NASCAR or other sanctioning bodies and sales and admission taxes and credit card processing fees on advance revenues. Deferred race event income relates to scheduled events to be held in upcoming periods. If circumstances prevent a race from being held during the racing season: (i) generally advance revenue is refundable and (ii) all deferred direct event expenses would be immediately recognized except for race purses and sanction fees which would be refundable from NASCAR or other sanctioning bodies, and for sales and admission taxes which would be refundable from taxing authorities. Management believes this accounting policy results in appropriate matching of revenues and expenses associated with the Company’s racing events and helps ensure comparability and consistency between its financial statements. Advance revenues, and certain related direct expenses, if any, for track rentals, driving schools and similar activities are deferred and recognized when the activities take place. Management believes its revenue recognition policies follow applicable authoritative guidance. Sales of gift cards for tickets, merchandise or other redemption use have not been significant.
	NASCAR Broadcasting Revenues and NASCAR Purse and Sanction Fees – NASCAR contracts directly with certain television networks on broadcasting rights for all NASCAR-sanctioned Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series racing events. The Company receives television broadcasting revenues under annual contractual sanction agreements for each NASCAR-sanctioned race. The Company negotiates its sanction fees for individual races with NASCAR on an annual basis. Under the sanction agreements, NASCAR typically retains 10% of gross broadcasting revenues as a component of their sanction fees. NASCAR also retains 25% of gross broadcasting revenues for purses awarded to race participants for each race. The remainder represents additional annually negotiated purse and sanction fees paid to NASCAR by the Company for each race. These amounts retained by and paid to NASCAR are reflected in NASCAR purse and sanction fee expense.
Selling And Marketing Policy Text Block	'
	Marketing Agreements – The Company has various marketing agreements for sponsorships, on-site advertising, hospitality and other promotional activities. Sponsorships generally consist of event, official, exclusive and facility naming rights agreements when in place. These various marketing agreements can be event, speedway or period specific, or pertain to multiple events, speedways or years. Marketing agreements that are not event specific typically contain stated fiscal year periods. The Company receives payments based on contracted terms. Marketing customers and agreement terms change from time to time. The Company recognizes contracted fee revenues, and associated expenses, as events or activities are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms. The Company’s marketing agreements sometimes include multiple specified elements such as sponsorships, tickets, hospitality, suites or on-site advertising in varying combinations for one or more events or contract periods, although there is typically a predominant element. Contracted revenues are allocated between admissions and event related revenue financial statement categories based on the relative fair or retail value of the respective multiple elements as such events or activities are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms.
	Certain marketing agreements contain elements of purchased property and equipment exchanged for multi-year marketing and other promotional activities at one or more of our facilities. The associated assets and deferred revenue are initially recorded based on their estimated fair or retail values, with assets then depreciated over estimated useful lives and deferred revenue recognized into income on a straight-line basis as events are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms. Deferred revenue recognizable in each upcoming fiscal year is reflected as current liabilities in deferred race event and other income.The Company had one facility naming rights agreement that renamed Sears Point Raceway as Infineon Raceway, which expired in 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, and associated costs were not significant.
Long-Duration Contracts Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Long-Term Food and Beverage Management Contract – Levy Premium Foodservice Limited Partnership, wholly-owned by Compass Group USA, Inc. (Levy), has exclusive rights to provide on-site food, beverage and hospitality catering services for essentially all Company speedway events and operations under a long-term food and beverage management contract. The contract commenced in 2002 and was renewed for an additional ten-year period through 2021. The long-term agreement provides for, among other items, specified annual fixed and periodic gross revenue based commission payments to the Company over the contract period. The Company’s commission-based net revenues associated with activities provided by Levy are reported in event related revenue and at times, to a lesser extent, other operating revenue depending on the venue.
Other Revenue Policy Text Block	'
	Non-Event Souvenir Merchandise and Other Revenues – The Company recognizes revenue when products are shipped, title transfers to customers, right of return or cancellation provisions expire, sales prices are final and collection is probable. For products sold on consignment through various promotional activities, revenues are recognized upon product shipment by promoters to customers, or purchase by reseller customers, and expiration of any right of return or cancellation provisions. Product sold on consignment with right of return or cancellation provisions has not been significant.
Equity Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Joint Venture Equity Investment – Before February 2014, the Company and International Speedway Corporation equally owned a joint venture (50% non-controlling interest) operating independently under the name Motorsports Authentics. MA’s operations consist principally of trackside and, to a lesser extent, wholesale and retail event souvenir merchandising as licensed and regulated under NASCAR Teams Licensing Trust (NASCAR Trust) agreements. From time to time, MA operations also include fulfillment and warehousing services for certain NASCAR Trust designated distributors. The NASCAR Trust has the ability to significantly influence MA’s future operations and results. On January 31, 2014, the Company abandoned its interest and rights in MA to focus management resources in areas that may be profitable and more productive. The Company’s investment in MA has been fully impaired for several years as further discussed below. The Company recognized an anticipated material tax benefit related to abandonment as of December 31, 2013 as further described in Note 8. There was no other impact on the Company’s December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements.
	The equity method has been used to account for this joint venture as the Company had equity ownership of 50%. MA has a November 30 fiscal year end that the Company adopted for reporting its share of MA’s operating results. The Company reflects its 50% share of MA’s net income or loss based on their most recent annual audited financial statements in “equity investee earnings or losses” for its fiscal year ended December 31 using the equity method as further described below. MA reports sales and other taxes collected from customers on a gross basis. All significant unrealized intercompany profits or losses pertain to unsold merchandise and have been eliminated in applying the equity method of accounting. No dividends have been declared or paid since formation of MA. The Company’s share of undistributed equity deficit from equity investee earnings and losses included in the Company’s retained earnings was approximately $133,974,000 at both December 31, 2013 and 2012. There were no significant differences in investor cost and underlying equity in the net assets of MA at acquisition.
	MA Operating Results and Investment Impairment. MA results for each of the three years ended 2013 were negatively impacted by decreased attendance at motorsports racing events, recessionary conditions and reduced discretionary spending, and increased competition for products sold under non-exclusive MA licenses. Also, MA’s 2012 results reflect gains from property and equipment sales, certain favorable settlements and recoveries and minimal positive net cash flows from operations. The carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in MA was reduced to $0 as of December 31, 2009 from sizable 2009 (and 2007) impairment charges and MA’s historical operating results. Because of uncertainty about MA’s ability to achieve sustained profitability (before abandonment), management continued to believe MA’s estimated fair value remained $0 under applicable authoritative impairment evaluation guidance. Under equity method accounting, the Company no longer recorded its 50% share of MA operating losses, if any, unless and until this carrying value was increased to the extent of future MA operating profits, if any. As such, the Company’s 2013, 2012 and 2011 results were not impacted by MA’s operations under the equity method, and no income tax benefits were recognized in these years other than related to aforementioned Company abandonment. These MA results, when recognized under the equity method, are included in the Company’s “motorsports event related” reporting segment (see Note 13).
	The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance whereby declines in estimated investment fair value below carrying value assessed as other than temporary are recognized as a charge to earnings to reduce carrying value to estimated fair value. The inputs for measuring MA 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. The Company’s evaluation is subjective and based on conditions, trends and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation. MA is not considered significant for the three year periods ended 2013 under applicable SEC rules and the reports of the auditors on their financial statements for those periods are not included in this filing. The following table presents summarized financial information for MA as of November 30, 2013 and 2012 and for the three years ended November 30, 2013 (coinciding with MA’s fiscal years) (in thousands):
		2013				2012			2011
	Current assets	$	10,925			$	13,195		–
	Noncurrent assets		403				469		–
	Current liabilities		4,154				6,733		–
	Noncurrent liabilities		1,242				1,819		–
	Net sales		30,510				34,041		$	34,788
	Gross profit		17,168				18,921			19,056
	Income (loss) income from continuing operations		820				1,747			(1,019	)
	Net income (loss)		820				1,747			(1,019	)
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Composition (Note 13) – The Company’s revenues are comprised of the following (in thousands):
		2013				2012			2011
	Admissions	$	106,050			$	116,034		$	130,239
	NASCAR broadcasting		199,014				192,662			185,394
	Sponsorships		54,832				57,633			63,378
	Other event related		78,106				81,019			85,256
	Souvenir and other merchandise		31,005				31,634			33,677
	Other		11,642				11,178			7,901
	Total revenue	$	480,649			$	490,160		$	505,845
	Revenues described as “other event related” consist principally of commissions from food, beverage and souvenir sales, luxury suite rentals, advertising and other promotional revenues, hospitality revenues, track rentals, driving school revenues, camping and other non-admission access revenues, broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other event and speedway related revenues. “Souvenir and other merchandise revenue” consists of SMI Properties and SMI Trackside sales of owned souvenir merchandise during racing and non-racing events and in speedway gift shops (motorsports event related merchandise), certain SMI Properties sales of racing and other sports related souvenir merchandise and Legend Cars operations (non-event motorsports related merchandise), and Oil-Chem product sales (non-motorsports related merchandise). “Other revenue” consists principally of revenues from the Speedway Clubs, industrial park and office tower rentals, Legend Cars as the sanctioning body for Legend Cars circuit races, and TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease revenues.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires extensive use of management estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at financial statement dates, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual future results could differ from those estimates. Such significant estimates include (i) recoverability of property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets, and equity investments in associated entities, (ii) depreciable lives for property and equipment and amortization periods for intangible assets, (iii) accounting for income taxes, (iv) realization of receivables and inventories, (v) accruals for uninsured business risks, litigation, and other contingencies, and (vi) disclosures of stock-based compensation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company classifies as cash equivalents all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents principally consist of variable rate, overnight sweep accounts of commercial paper, repurchase agreements, municipal bond and United States Treasury securities.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Accounts and Notes Receivable are reported net of allowance for doubtful accounts summarized as follows (in thousands):
		2013				2012			2011
	Balance, beginning of year	$	1,270			$	1,345		$	1,588
	Bad debt expense		253				189			276
	Actual write-offs, net of specific accounts recovered		(250	)			(264	)		(519	)
	Balance, end of year	$	1,273			$	1,270		$	1,345
Other Assets Policy Text Block	'
	Other Noncurrent Assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consist of (in thousands):
		2013				2012
	Deferred financing costs, net	$	9,162			$	8,613
	Land held for development		12,265				12,265
	Other		7,719				6,952
	Total	$	29,146			$	27,830
	Noncurrent assets are generally reported at cost except for cash surrender values of life insurance policies which are reported at fair value. Management evaluates these assets for recovery when events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may have occurred. As of December 31, 2013, there have been no events or circumstances which might indicate possible recoverability concerns or impairment.
Deferred Charges, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Deferred Financing Costs are amortized into interest expense over the associated debt terms of approximately five to six years (or remaining terms for loan amendment costs), and are reported net of accumulated amortization of $6,850,000 and $8,021,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012. See Note 6 for information on 2013 and 2011 charges associated with previously deferred financing costs.
	Original Debt Issuance Discount or Premium is amortized into interest expense over the associated debt terms using the effective interest method.
Real Estate Held for Development and Sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Land Held For Development represents property adjacent to a regional outlet mall in the Charlotte metropolitan area which management plans to develop and market or possibly sell in suitable market conditions.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property and Equipment (Note 4) are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements pertain primarily to industrial park, office and warehouse facilities, and are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of associated lease terms or estimated useful lives. Constructed assets, including construction in progress, include all direct costs and capitalized interest until placed into service. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred, unless useful asset lives are extended or assets improved. When events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may have occurred, the Company evaluates long-lived assets, including tangible assets and intangible assets subject to amortization, for possible impairment based on expected future undiscounted operating cash flows attributable to such assets using applicable authoritative guidance. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of other assets and liabilities when assessing impairment. When improvement projects produce a higher economic yield and require demolition of a component of a speedway facility, capitalization of demolition, construction and historical component costs are limited to the revised estimated value of the project. Also, assets are classified as held for sale when management determines that sale is probable within one year. Management believes no impairment of long-lived assets used in continuing operations exists at December 31, 2013.
	In connection with the development and completed construction of TMS in 1997, the Company entered into arrangements with the FW Sports Authority, a non-profit corporate instrumentality of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, whereby the Company conveyed the speedway facility, excluding its on-site condominiums and office and entertainment complex, to the FW Sports Authority. The Company, which has the right to reacquire the facility, operates the speedway facility under a 30-year arrangement with the FW Sports Authority. Because of the Company’s responsibilities, including associated risks, rewards and obligations, under these arrangements, the speedway facility and related liabilities are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Note 5) 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. No direct costs for agreement renewal or extension have been incurred or capitalized. However, we are obligated to conduct events in the manner stipulated under the terms and conditions of the annual sanctioning agreements. The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets which specifies, among other things, nonamortization of goodwill and requires testing of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives for possible impairment at least annually.
	Annual Impairment Assessment. 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. Management considers each speedway and motorsports and non-motorsports merchandising subsidiary a separate reporting unit principally because that is the lowest level for which discrete financial information is available to the Company’s managers and chief operating decision maker. No reporting units are aggregated for purposes of evaluating intangible assets for possible impairment. The Company evaluates intangible assets for possible impairment based predominately on management’s best estimate of future discounted operating cash flows and profitability attributable to such assets (using the fair value assessment provisions of applicable authoritative guidance) for all individual reporting units.
	The evaluation is supported by quoted market prices or comparable transactions where available or applicable. Management considered that the estimated market value for comparable NASCAR race event sanction and renewal agreements based on historical sales transactions (the Company had agreements to annually conduct thirteen NASCAR Sprint Cup, eleven NASCAR Nationwide, and six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races as of the evaluation date), combined with the estimated fair value for all other Company net assets, exceeds its current market capitalization. Management also considered recent market trading ranges of price to earnings and sales multiples, cash flow and other traditional valuation methods, control premiums, and other market information related to the Company’s common stock from historical and forward-looking perspectives. Such information was also compared to available market information for certain motorsports industry peers. Weighting of evaluation results was not required as none of the methods, individually or collectively, indicated possible impairment. Despite ongoing domestic and global economic challenges, management believes there has been no fundamental change in the Company’s core motorsports business. 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 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 December 31, 2013. Management believes the methods used to determine fair value and evaluate impairment were appropriate, relevant, and represent methods customarily available and used for such purposes and are the best available estimate of fair value. Also, management believes the Company’s operational and cash flow forecasts support its conclusions. 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 the Company’s future financial condition or results of operations. The evaluations are subjective and based on conditions, trends and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation.
	2013 Impairment of Goodwill. Management's 2013 annual impairment assessment 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. Among other factors, the 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. Management 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. The Company previously reported its 2012 annual evaluation had found that estimated fair values for NHMS and KyS reporting units 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 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 as further described below.
	2011 Impairment of Goodwill. Management’s 2011 annual impairment assessment considered the approved realignment of an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup racing event from AMS to KyS beginning in 2011. Realignment of the race date from AMS to KyS resulted in no impairment of intangible or other long-lived assets. However, the evaluation indicated the carrying values for NHMS exceeded estimated fair value. As such, a non-cash impairment charge of $48,609,000 (with no income tax benefit) was reflected in 2011 to reduce goodwill related to NHMS to estimated fair value. The Company previously reported its 2010 annual evaluation had found the estimated fair value for this reporting unit exceeded carrying values. The 2011 annual evaluation reflected lowered estimated future cash flows principally because of the severity and length of the recession extending beyond the Company’s previous forecast, reducing visibility on profitability recovery.
	The NHMS goodwill discussed above originated upon recording deferred tax liabilities associated with race date intangibles of $127.4 million 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. These impairments do not pertain to or affect the underlying value of the Company’s race date intangibles. The 2013 and 2011 charges and associated operations are included in the Company’s "motorsports event related" reporting segment (see Note 13).
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Including Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Annual Impairment Assessment. 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. Management considers each speedway and motorsports and non-motorsports merchandising subsidiary a separate reporting unit principally because that is the lowest level for which discrete financial information is available to the Company’s managers and chief operating decision maker. No reporting units are aggregated for purposes of evaluating intangible assets for possible impairment. The Company evaluates intangible assets for possible impairment based predominately on management’s best estimate of future discounted operating cash flows and profitability attributable to such assets (using the fair value assessment provisions of applicable authoritative guidance) for all individual reporting units.
	The evaluation is supported by quoted market prices or comparable transactions where available or applicable. Management considered that the estimated market value for comparable NASCAR race event sanction and renewal agreements based on historical sales transactions (the Company had agreements to annually conduct thirteen NASCAR Sprint Cup, eleven NASCAR Nationwide, and six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races as of the evaluation date), combined with the estimated fair value for all other Company net assets, exceeds its current market capitalization. Management also considered recent market trading ranges of price to earnings and sales multiples, cash flow and other traditional valuation methods, control premiums, and other market information related to the Company’s common stock from historical and forward-looking perspectives. Such information was also compared to available market information for certain motorsports industry peers. Weighting of evaluation results was not required as none of the methods, individually or collectively, indicated possible impairment. Despite ongoing domestic and global economic challenges, management believes there has been no fundamental change in the Company’s core motorsports business. 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 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 December 31, 2013. Management believes the methods used to determine fair value and evaluate impairment were appropriate, relevant, and represent methods customarily available and used for such purposes and are the best available estimate of fair value. Also, management believes the Company’s operational and cash flow forecasts support its conclusions. 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 the Company’s future financial condition or results of operations. The evaluations are subjective and based on conditions, trends and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation.
	2013 Impairment of Goodwill. Management's 2013 annual impairment assessment 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. Among other factors, the 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. Management 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. The Company previously reported its 2012 annual evaluation had found that estimated fair values for NHMS and KyS reporting units 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 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 as further described below.
	2011 Impairment of Goodwill. Management’s 2011 annual impairment assessment considered the approved realignment of an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup racing event from AMS to KyS beginning in 2011. Realignment of the race date from AMS to KyS resulted in no impairment of intangible or other long-lived assets. However, the evaluation indicated the carrying values for NHMS exceeded estimated fair value. As such, a non-cash impairment charge of $48,609,000 (with no income tax benefit) was reflected in 2011 to reduce goodwill related to NHMS to estimated fair value. The Company previously reported its 2010 annual evaluation had found the estimated fair value for this reporting unit exceeded carrying values. The 2011 annual evaluation reflected lowered estimated future cash flows principally because of the severity and length of the recession extending beyond the Company’s previous forecast, reducing visibility on profitability recovery.
	The NHMS goodwill discussed above originated upon recording deferred tax liabilities associated with race date intangibles of $127.4 million 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. These impairments do not pertain to or affect the underlying value of the Company’s race date intangibles. The 2013 and 2011 charges and associated operations are included in the Company’s "motorsports event related" reporting segment (see Note 13).
Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]	'
	Deferred Income, Net (noncurrent) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consists of (in thousands):
		2013				2012
	Preferred Seat License fees, net	$	3,635			$	4,076
	Multi-year marketing and other arrangements, and deferred membership income		3,297				4,939
	Total	$	6,932			$	9,015
	Preferred Seat License Fees, Net. KyS and TMS offer Preferred Seat License (PSL) agreements whereby licensees are entitled to purchase annual season-ticket packages for sanctioned racing events under specified terms and conditions. Among other items, licensees are required to purchase all season ticket packages when and as offered each year. License agreements automatically terminate without refund should licensees not purchase any offered ticket and are transferable once each year subject to certain terms and conditions. Also, licensees are not entitled to refunds for postponement or cancellation of events due to weather or certain other conditions. Net PSL fees are deferred when received and amortized into income over the estimated useful life of those facilities or recognized upon license agreement termination.
	Deferred Speedway Club Membership Income. The CMS and TMS Speedway Clubs sell memberships that entitle members to certain dining, other club and racing event seating privileges, and require upfront fees and monthly assessments. Net membership revenues are deferred when billed and amortized into income over an estimated average membership term of ten years.
	TMS Oil and Gas Mineral Rights Lease Receipts. TMS, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Sports Authority, has an oil and gas mineral rights lease agreement 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 has been accreted into other operating revenue over the initial two-year agreement term on a straight-line basis. Amounts recognized were $3,117,000 in 2013, $3,210,000 in 2012 and in 2011 were not significant. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, associated deferred income was $0 and $3,117,000, and was reflected in deferred race event and other income. Although the initial agreement term expired in December 2013, the lessee initiated drilling activities prior to expiration, resulting in the lease remaining enforceable as long as drilling or extraction related activities continue. Through a combination of this lease and other agreements, including a joint exploration agreement, with the Fort Worth Sports Authority, if and when oil and gas extraction commences or upon meeting certain price levels, this lease agreement can be extended and TMS entitled to stipulated stand-alone and shared royalties. At this time, although extraction is expected to commence in 2014, management is unable to determine possible volumes of production if any or if stipulated price levels will be met.
	Deferred Income, Other Arrangements. In late 2013, BMS announced plans to host a collegiate football game in September 2016. As of December 31, 2013, advance revenues and associated direct expenses were insignificant. Under the similar accounting policy for event revenues and expenses described above, the Company plans to continue to defer advance revenues and direct expenses pertaining to this event until held.
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 $17,461,000 in 2013, $18,644,000 in 2012 and $18,438,000 in 2011. There were no deferred direct-response advertising costs at December 31, 2013 or 2012.
Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Operating Leases – The Company has various operating leases principally for office and warehouse space and for equipment used in conducting racing events and other operations. These operating leases typically have initial terms of less than one year or are cancelable with minimal notice, although certain operating equipment leases include multi-year terms. Rent expense for operating leases amounted to $5,923,000 in 2013, $6,124,000 in 2012 and $5,999,000 in 2011. Various office and warehouse facilities leased from an affiliate (see Note 9) are cancelable with minimal notice; however, such lease arrangements will likely be renewed annually through specific contract periods. The Company leases various office, warehouse and industrial park space under operating leases to various entities largely involved in motorsports. These operating leases typically have initial terms of one year or more and are noncancelable. Lease revenue for operating leases, excluding the TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease receipts discussed above, amounted to $4,835,000 in 2013, $4,482,000 in 2012 and $4,275,000 in 2011.
	Future annual minimum lease payments (where initial terms are one year or more and assuming renewal through contracted periods), and contracted future annual minimum lease revenues, under operating leases at December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Lease				Lease
		Payments				Revenues
	2014	$	1,493			$	3,894
	2015		800				2,849
	2016		484				2,018
	2017		424				1,550
	2018		249				857
	Thereafter		800				253
	Total	$	4,250			$	11,421
Other Income Expense Net Policy Text Block	'
	Other Expense (Income), Net consists of (in thousands):
		2013				2012			2011
	(Income) loss associated with property sales and other assets	–				$	(3,152	)	$	109
	Net loss on abandonment and disposals of property and equipment	$	62				7			46
	Other		231				(763	)		(497	)
	Total	$	293			$	(3,908	)	$	(342	)
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes (Note 8) – The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future income tax effect of temporary differences between financial and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. Income taxes are provided using the liability method whereby estimated deferred income taxes, and significant items giving rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities, reflect management’s assessment of future taxes likely to be paid, including timing, probability of realization and other relevant factors. The Company’s accounting for income taxes reflects management’s assessment of future tax liabilities based on assumptions and estimates for timing, likelihood of realization, and tax laws existing at the time of evaluation. The Company assesses the need for valuation allowances for deferred tax assets based on the sufficiency of estimated future taxable income and other relevant factors. The Company reports interest expense and penalties related to income tax liabilities, when applicable, in income tax expense. Cash paid for income taxes as reflected on the consolidated statements of cash flows excludes any previous overpayments the Company may have elected to apply to income tax liabilities.
	The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes which, among other things, prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, and disclosures. Evaluation of a tax position includes determining whether it is more likely than not a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it is presumed the position will be examined by appropriate taxing authorities having full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
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. Such taxes reported on a gross basis amounted to $5,455,000 in 2013, $5,721,000 in 2012 and $6,498,000 in 2011.
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. There have been no changes or transfers between category levels or classes.
	The following table presents estimated fair values and categorization levels of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
							31-Dec-13					31-Dec-12
		Level			Class		Carrying			Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
							Value					Value
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		1		R		$	97,343		$	97,343	$	106,408	$	106,408
	Floating rate notes receivable		2		NR			2,005			2,005		2,385		2,385
	Cash surrender values		2		NR			4,937			4,937		4,621		4,621
	Liabilities
	Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan		2		NR			210,000			210,000		95,000		95,000
	63/4% Senior Notes due 2019		1		NR			254,197			265,000		150,000		159,000
	83/4% Senior Notes previously due 2016 (Note 6)		1		NR		–			–			270,758		292,875
	Other long-term debt		2		NR			2,792			2,792		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.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Concentrations of Credit Risk – Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, and cash surrender values. Concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents and cash surrender values is limited through placement with major high-credit qualified financial institutions and insurance carriers, respectively. However, amounts placed often significantly exceed available insured limits. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large numbers and wide variety of customers and customer industries and their broad geographical dispersion. Also, a significant portion of the Company’s accounts receivable typically pertain to advance revenues for specific events which are deferred until the event is held. As such, exposure to credit risk on such receivables that could adversely affect operating results is limited until recognition of the associated deferred race event income. The Company generally requires sufficient collateral equal to or exceeding note amounts, or accepts notes from high-credit quality entities or high net-worth individuals, limiting its exposure to credit risk. Amounts due from affiliates typically can be offset to the extent of amounts payable to affiliates, limiting the Company’s exposure to credit risk.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Loss and Other Contingencies and Financial Guarantees – The Company accrues a liability for contingencies if the likelihood of an adverse outcome is probable and the amount is estimable. Legal and other costs associated with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. The Company accounts for financial guarantees using applicable authoritative guidance which requires, among other things, that guarantors recognize a liability for the fair value of obligations undertaken by issuing a guarantee.
	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.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards – 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 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	'
		2013				2012			2011
	Admissions	$	106,050			$	116,034		$	130,239
	NASCAR broadcasting		199,014				192,662			185,394
	Sponsorships		54,832				57,633			63,378
	Other event related		78,106				81,019			85,256
	Souvenir and other merchandise		31,005				31,634			33,677
	Other		11,642				11,178			7,901
	Total revenue	$	480,649			$	490,160		$	505,845
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	'
		2013				2012			2011
	Balance, beginning of year	$	1,270			$	1,345		$	1,588
	Bad debt expense		253				189			276
	Actual write-offs, net of specific accounts recovered		(250	)			(264	)		(519	)
	Balance, end of year	$	1,273			$	1,270		$	1,345
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Table Text Block]	'
		2013				2012
	Deferred financing costs, net	$	9,162			$	8,613
	Land held for development		12,265				12,265
	Other		7,719				6,952
	Total	$	29,146			$	27,830
Deferred Revenue, by Arrangement, Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
		2013				2012
	Preferred Seat License fees, net	$	3,635			$	4,076
	Multi-year marketing and other arrangements, and deferred membership income		3,297				4,939
	Total	$	6,932			$	9,015
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
		Lease				Lease
		Payments				Revenues
	2014	$	1,493			$	3,894
	2015		800				2,849
	2016		484				2,018
	2017		424				1,550
	2018		249				857
	Thereafter		800				253
	Total	$	4,250			$	11,421
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block]	'
		2013				2012			2011
	(Income) loss associated with property sales and other assets	–				$	(3,152	)	$	109
	Net loss on abandonment and disposals of property and equipment	$	62				7			46
	Other		231				(763	)		(497	)
	Total	$	293			$	(3,908	)	$	(342	)
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	'
							31-Dec-13					31-Dec-12
		Level			Class		Carrying			Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
							Value					Value
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		1		R		$	97,343		$	97,343	$	106,408	$	106,408
	Floating rate notes receivable		2		NR			2,005			2,005		2,385		2,385
	Cash surrender values		2		NR			4,937			4,937		4,621		4,621
	Liabilities
	Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan		2		NR			210,000			210,000		95,000		95,000
	63/4% Senior Notes due 2019		1		NR			254,197			265,000		150,000		159,000
	83/4% Senior Notes previously due 2016 (Note 6)		1		NR		–			–			270,758		292,875
	Other long-term debt		2		NR			2,792			2,792		5,501		5,501
Motorsports Authentics [Member]	'
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	'
		2013				2012			2011
	Current assets	$	10,925			$	13,195		–
	Noncurrent assets		403				469		–
	Current liabilities		4,154				6,733		–
	Noncurrent liabilities		1,242				1,819		–
	Net sales		30,510				34,041		$	34,788
	Gross profit		17,168				18,921			19,056
	Income (loss) income from continuing operations		820				1,747			(1,019	)
	Net income (loss)		820				1,747			(1,019	)

Note_3_Inventories_Tables

Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 3 - Inventories (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012
	Finished race cars, parts and accessories	$	5,372		$	5,591
	Souvenirs and apparel		2,409			2,599
	Micro-lubricant® and other		824			604
	Total	$	8,605		$	8,794
Inventory Valuation Reserve Balances [Member]	'
Note 3 - Inventories (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance, beginning of year	$	4,757		$	5,765		$	5,938
	Current year provision		53			216			344
	Current year sales and write-offs		(727	)		(1,224	)		(517	)
	Balance, end of year	$	4,083		$	4,757		$	5,765

Note_4_Property_and_Equipment_

Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
		Estimated			2013			2012
		Useful Lives
	Land and land improvements	5	-	25	$	457,179		$	454,828
	Racetracks and grandstands	5	-	45		749,510			747,613
	Buildings and luxury suites	5	-	40		450,495			449,105
	Machinery and equipment	3	-	20		44,175			45,147
	Furniture and fixtures	5	-	20		35,072			33,962
	Autos and trucks	3	-	10		11,899			11,811
	Construction in progress					4,768			1,578
	Total					1,753,098			1,744,044
	Less accumulated depreciation					(647,921	)		(595,626	)
	Net				$	1,105,177		$	1,148,418

Note_5_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta1

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
		2013								2012
		Gross		Accumulated			Net			Gross		Accumulated			Net		Estimated
		Carrying		Amortization						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	$	(58	)		42			100	$	(41	)		59	5	-	6
	Total	$	395,013	$	(58	)	$	394,955		$	395,013	$	(41	)	$	394,972
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
		Other Intangible Assets					Goodwill
		2013		2012			2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of year	$	395,013	$	394,983		$	138,717		$	138,717
	Increase from acquisitions	–			30		–			–
	Decrease from impairment charges	–		–				(89,037	)	–
	Balance, end of year	$	395,013	$	395,013		$	49,680		$	138,717

Note_6_Longterm_Debt_Tables

Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012
	Credit facility, all term loan	$	210,000		$	95,000
	2019 Senior Notes		254,197			150,000
	2016 Senior Notes	–				270,758
	Other notes payable		2,792			5,501
	Total		466,989			521,259
	Less current maturities		(13,847	)		(17,709	)
	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	453,142		$	503,550
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	2014	$	13,847
	2015		13,945
	2016		12,500
	2017		12,500
	2018		160,000
	Thereafter		254,197
	Total	$	466,989
Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012			2011
	Gross interest costs	$	32,408		$	42,155		$	44,700
	Less capitalized interest costs		(168	)		(574	)		(2,286	)
	Interest expense		32,240			41,581			42,414
	Interest income		(369	)		(364	)		(302	)
	Interest expense, net	$	31,871		$	41,217		$	42,112
	Weighted average interest rate on borrowings under bank Credit Facility		2.2	%		2.7	%		2.8	%

Note_7_Capital_Structure_Per_S1

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012		2011
	(Loss) income from continuing operations applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	(6,212	)	$	41,793	$	(5,561	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		41,405			41,431		41,524
	Dilution effect of assumed conversions, common stock equivalents – stock awards		18			6	–
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions		41,423			41,437		41,524
	Basic (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.15	)	$	1.01	$	(0.14	)
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.15	)	$	1.01	$	(0.14	)
	Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings or loss per share		794			1,057		1,237
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012		2011
	Cash dividends paid	$	24,875		$	24,883	$	16,623
	Dividends per common share	$	0.6		$	0.6	$	0.4

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Tables

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	9,756		$	(2,247	)	$	(1,051	)
	State		227			(47	)		(2,743	)
			9,983			(2,294	)		(3,794	)
	Deferred:
	Federal		(42,015	)		24,521			17,612
	State		(10,319	)		(335	)		9,663
			(52,334	)		24,186			27,275
	Total	$	(42,351	)	$	21,892		$	23,481
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory federal tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect		8.7			(0.2	)		16.8
	Non-deductible impairment of goodwill		(59.6	)	–				94.9
	Change in valuation allowances, primarily related to losses on equity investees		101.6			(0.1	)		2.4
	Change in uncertain tax positions, including income tax liabilities for settlements with taxing authorities		(0.1	)		0.1			(12.6	)
	Other, net		1.6			(0.4	)		(5.5	)
	Total		87.2	%		34.4	%		131	%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	$	256,966		$	260,458
	Goodwill and other intangible assets		143,245			144,814
	Expenses deducted for tax purposes and other		3,581			3,863
	Subtotal		403,792			409,135
	Deferred tax assets:
	Income previously recognized for tax purposes		(14,618	)		(16,330	)
	Stock option and other deferred compensation expense		(4,389	)		(4,228	)
	PSL and other deferred income recognized for tax purposes		(1,683	)		(1,984	)
	State and federal net operating loss carryforwards		(3,945	)		(3,660	)
	Basis difference for equity investment and subsidiary		(61,450	)		(63,841	)
	Subtotal		(86,085	)		(90,043	)
	Less: Valuation allowance		14,868			65,903
	Net deferred tax assets		(71,217	)		(24,140	)
	Total net deferred tax liabilities		332,575			384,995
	Net current deferred tax assets		49,181			741
	Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	$	381,756		$	385,736
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012			2011
	Beginning of period	$	1,004		$	1,004		$	2,879
	Increases (decreases) for tax positions of current year	–			–			–
	Increases for tax positions of prior years	–			–				358
	Decreases for tax positions of prior years	–			–				(1,744	)
	Reductions for lapse of applicable statute of limitations	–			–			–
	Increases (decreases) for settlements with taxing authorities	–			–				(489	)
	End of period	$	1,004		$	1,004		$	1,004

Note_9_Related_Party_Transacti1

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	'
		2013		2012		2011
	Merchandise and vehicle purchases	$	689	$	767	$	879
	Merchandise and vehicle sales, event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses		5,040		4,968		5,328
	Rent expense		659		640		554
	Interest income		95		110		125
	Interest expense		102		103		103
Related Party Balances [Member]	'
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	'
		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Notes and other receivables	$	3,522	$	4,336
	Amounts payable to affiliates		2,594		2,594

Note_11_Stock_Compensation_Pla1

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
		1994 Stock Option Plan									2004 Stock Incentive Plan									Formula Stock Option Plan
	Stock	Shares			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate		Shares			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate		Shares			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
	Options				Average		Average		Intrinsic					Average		Average		Intrinsic					Average		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Remaining		Value					Exercise		Remaining		Value					Exercise		Remaining		Value
					Price Per		Contractual							Price Per		Contractual							Price Per		Contractual
					Share		Term (Yrs)							Share		Term (Yrs)							Share		Term (Yrs)
	Outstanding, January 1, 2013		305		$	33.3						602		$	29.56						180		$	33.94
	Granted		-			-						-			-						-			-
	Exercised		-			-						(7	)		15.83						-			-
	Forfeited		(20	)		29.64						(50	)		38.25						-			-
	Expired		(125	)		29.64						-			-						(30	)		26.06
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013		160		$	36.63		0.9		-		545		$	28.96		3.2	$	916		150		$	35.51		1.6		-
	Exercisable, December 31, 2013		160		$	36.63		0.9		-		545		$	28.96		3.2	$	916		150		$	35.51		1.6		-
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
		2004 Stock Incentive Plan									2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan
	Non-vested	Shares			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate		Shares			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
	Restricted Stock and				Average		Average		Intrinsic					Average		Average		Intrinsic
	Restricted Stock Units				Grant-		Remaining		Value					Grant-		Remaining		Value
					date Fair		Contractual							date Fair		Contractual
					Value		Term (Yrs)							Value		Term (Yrs)
					Per Share									Per Share
	Outstanding, January 1, 2013		247		$	15.46						17		$	17.18
	Granted		140			18.54						17			17.39
	Vested		(109	)		15.34						(17	)		17.18
	Forfeited		(26	)		15.29					–			–
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013		252		$	17.24		1.3	$	5,004		17		$	17.39		0.3	$	331
	Granted, 2012		136		$	16.16						17		$	17.18
	Granted, 2011		131			14.29						16		$	15.44

Note_13_Segment_Disclosures_Ta

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
		2013									2012						2011
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated			Motorsports		All		Consolidated		Motorsports		All		Consolidated
		Event			Other			Total			Event		Other		Total		Event		Other		Total
		Related									Related						Related
	Revenues	$	462,938		$	17,711		$	480,649		$	472,221	$	17,939	$	490,160	$	488,957	$	16,888	$	505,845
	Depreciation and amortization		54,511			214			54,725			55,234		265		55,499		53,741		263		54,004
	Impairment of goodwill (Note 2)		89,037		–				89,037		–		–		–			48,609	–			48,609
	Segment operating (loss) income		(204	)		2,272			2,068			98,522		2,472		100,994		66,442		704		67,146
	Capital expenditures		11,998			38			12,036			26,647		140		26,787		59,142		179		59,321
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012			2011
	Total segment operating income from continuing operations	$	2,068		$	100,994		$	67,146
	Adjusted for:
	Interest expense, net		(31,871	)		(41,217	)		(42,112	)
	Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 6)		(18,467	)	–				(7,456	)
	Other (expense) income, net		(293	)		3,908			342
	Consolidated (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(48,563	)	$	63,685		$	17,920
Assets [Member]	'
Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
		31-Dec-13									31-Dec-12
	Other intangibles	$	394,955		–			$	394,955		$	394,972	–		$	394,972
	Goodwill		49,680		–				49,680			138,717	–			138,717
	Total assets		1,761,698		$	24,562			1,786,260			1,852,150	$	24,963		1,877,113

Note_1_Basis_of_Presentation_a1

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (in Dollars)	$0	$0	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (in Dollars)	0	0	'
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Write-down of Securities, Tax (in Dollars)	'	'	$72,000
Delayed, Rescheduled, or Shortened Due to Poor Weather [Member] | NASCAR [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
Delayed, Rescheduled, or Shortened Due to Poor Weather [Member] | NASCAR [Member] | Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
Delayed, Rescheduled, or Shortened Due to Poor Weather [Member] | NASCAR [Member] | NASCAR | Nationwide Series [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
Held in 2012 and 2011, not in 2013 [Member] | Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
Postponed and Rescheduled Due to Weather [Member] | NASCAR [Member] | Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	'	'	1
Held in 2011, Not in 2012 or 2013 [Member] | NASCAR [Member] | Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
Held in 2011, Not in 2012 or 2013 [Member] | IndyCar Series [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
Held in 2011, Not in 2012 or 2013 [Member] | Las Vegas Motor Speedway [Member] | IndyCar Series [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
Held in 2011, Not in 2012 or 2013 [Member] | IndyCar Series [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
Held in 2011, Not in 2012 or 2013 [Member] | Automobile Racing Club Of America [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
Held in 2011, Not in 2012 or 2013 [Member] | NASCAR | Nationwide Series [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
NASCAR [Member] | New Hampshire Motor Speedway [Member] | Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
NASCAR [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	24	24	23
NASCAR [Member] | Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	13	13	13
NASCAR [Member] | NASCAR | Nationwide Series [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	11	'	'
NASCAR [Member] | Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	6	8	9
NASCAR [Member] | K And N Pro Series Events [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	3	4	4
NASCAR [Member] | Whelen Modified Tour Member [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	4	4	5
NASCAR [Member] | Nationwide Series Events [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	'	11	10
IndyCar Series [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	2	2	5
National Hot Rod Association [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	6	6	6
Automobile Racing Club Of America [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	1	'	'
World Of Outlaws [Member]	'	'	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description Of Business (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Racing Events	3	3	3

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_2

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR | Nationwide Series [Member]

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series [Member]

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Inc (NHMS) [Member]

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Inc (NHMS) [Member]

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Inc (NHMS) [Member]

Motorsports Authentics [Member]

Motorsports Authentics [Member]

Motorsports Authentics [Member]

Motorsports Authentics [Member]

Assets Held under Capital Leases [Member]

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

Goodwill Impairment [Member]

Goodwill Impairment [Member]

New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]

Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]

Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]

Retained Earnings [Member]

Retained Earnings [Member]

New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway [Member]

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage Of Gross Broadcast Rights Revenue Retained

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of Gross Broadcasting Rights Revenue Paid By Event Promoter As Prize Money For Competitors

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expiration Period Of Agreements

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Agreements Additional Term After Renewal

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Undistributed Earnings of Domestic Subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$133,974,000

$133,974,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Highly Liquid Investments Maturity Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 months

'

Deferred Financing Cost Amortization Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 years

'5 years

Accumulated Amortization, Deferred Finance Costs

6,850,000

8,021,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'30 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Racing Events

'

'

'

24

24

23

13

13

13

11

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Impairment Loss, Net of Tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

89,037,000

'

'

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

-42,351,000

21,892,000

23,481,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,341,000

0

'

'

'

Goodwill

49,680,000

138,717,000

138,717,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Goodwill, Impairment Loss

89,037,000

'

48,609,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

82,725,000

48,609,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)

394,955,000

394,972,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

127,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Productive Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

330,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Revenue Recognition Period

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Cost of Operating Revenue

18,640,000

18,908,000

20,352,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,117,000

3,210,000

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

3,117,000

'

'

'

'

'

Advertising Expense

17,461,000

18,644,000

18,438,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'1 year

Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net

5,923,000

6,124,000

5,999,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue

4,835,000

4,482,000

4,275,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Excise and Sales Taxes

$5,455,000

$5,721,000

$6,498,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_3

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Summary of Financial Information for Motorsports Authentic (MA) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
			Motorsports Authentics [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current assets	$13,195	'	$10,925
Noncurrent assets	469	'	403
Current liabilities	6,733	'	4,154
Noncurrent liabilities	1,819	'	1,242
Net sales	34,041	34,788	30,510
Gross profit	18,921	19,056	17,168
Income (loss) income from continuing operations	1,747	-1,019	820
Net income (loss)	$1,747	($1,019)	$820

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_4

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Schedule of Revenues (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Revenues [Abstract]	'	'	'
Admissions	$106,050	$116,034	$130,239
NASCAR broadcasting	199,014	192,662	185,394
Sponsorships	54,832	57,633	63,378
Other event related	78,106	81,019	85,256
Souvenir and other merchandise	31,005	31,634	33,677
Other	11,642	11,178	7,901
Total revenue	$480,649	$490,160	$505,845

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_5

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of year	$1,270	$1,345	$1,588
Bad debt expense	253	189	276
Actual write-offs, net of specific accounts recovered	-250	-264	-519
Balance, end of year	$1,273	$1,270	$1,345

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_6

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Other Noncurrent Assets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred financing costs, net	$9,162	$8,613
Land held for development	12,265	12,265
Other	7,719	6,952
Total	$29,146	$27,830

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_7

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Deferred Income, Net (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred Income	$6,932	$9,015
Preferred Seat License Fees [Member]	'	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred Income	3,635	4,076
Multi-Year Marketing And Other Arrangements And Deferred Membership Income [Member]	'	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred Income	$3,297	$4,939

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_8

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Future Annual Minimum Lease Payments and Contracted Future Annual Minimum Lease Revenues under Operating Leases (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future Annual Minimum Lease Payments and Contracted Future Annual Minimum Lease Revenues under Operating Leases [Abstract]	'
2014	$1,493
2014	3,894
2015	800
2015	2,849
2016	484
2016	2,018
2017	424
2017	1,550
2018	249
2018	857
Thereafter	800
Thereafter	253
Total	4,250
Total	$11,421

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_9

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Other Income, Net (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Other Income, Net [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net loss on abandonment and disposals of property and equipment	$62	($3,145)	$155
Other	231	-763	-497
Total	293	-3,908	-342
Property Sold [Member]	'	'	'
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Other Income, Net [Line Items]	'	'	'
(Income) loss associated with property sales and other assets	'	-3,152	109
Abandoned and Disposed Of Property [Member]	'	'	'
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Other Income, Net [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net loss on abandonment and disposals of property and equipment	$62	$7	$46

Recovered_Sheet1

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Estimated Fair Values and Categorization Levels of Financial Instruments (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$97,343,000	$106,408,000	$87,368,000	$92,200,000
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	97,343,000	106,408,000	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	97,343,000	106,408,000	'	'
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 Carrying Value	254,197,000	150,000,000	'	'
Senior Notes Payable Fair Value	265,000,000	159,000,000	'	'
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 Carrying Value	'	270,758,000	'	'
Senior Notes Payable Fair Value	'	292,875,000	'	'
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	2,005,000	2,385,000	'	'
Floating rate notes receivable	2,005,000	2,385,000	'	'
Cash surrender values	4,937,000	4,621,000	'	'
Cash surrender values	4,937,000	4,621,000	'	'
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan	210,000,000	95,000,000	'	'
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan	210,000,000	95,000,000	'	'
Other long-term debt	2,792,000	5,501,000	'	'
Other long-term debt	$2,792,000	$5,501,000	'	'

Recovered_Sheet2

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Estimated Fair Values and Categorization Levels of Financial Instruments (Parentheticals)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes Payable Interest Rate	6.75%	6.75%
Notes Due 2016 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes Payable Interest Rate	8.75%	8.75%

Note_3_Inventories_Details

Note 3 - Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
General and Administrative Costs in Inventory, Amount Incurred	$0	$0

Note_3_Inventories_Details_Inv

Note 3 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory Types	$8,605	$8,794
Finished Vehicles Parts And Accessories [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory Types	5,372	5,591
Souvenirs And Apparel [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory Types	2,409	2,599
Micro Lubricant And Other [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory Types	$824	$604

Note_3_Inventories_Details_Inv1

Note 3 - Inventories (Details) - Inventory Balances (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventory Balances [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of year	$4,757	$5,765	$5,938
Current year provision	53	216	344
Current year sales and write-offs	-727	-1,224	-517
Balance, end of year	$4,083	$4,757	$5,765

Note_4_Property_and_Equipment_1

Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation	$54,671,000	$55,444,000	$53,956,000
Facility Improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other Commitment	$6,500,000	'	'

Note_4_Property_and_Equipment_2

Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) - Property and Equipment Summary (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Land and Land Improvements [Member]

Land and Land Improvements [Member]

Land and Land Improvements [Member]

Land and Land Improvements [Member]

Racetracks and Grandstands [Member]

Racetracks and Grandstands [Member]

Racetracks and Grandstands [Member]

Racetracks and Grandstands [Member]

Buildings and Luxury Suites [Member]

Buildings and Luxury Suites [Member]

Buildings and Luxury Suites [Member]

Buildings and Luxury Suites [Member]

Machinery and Equipment [Member]

Machinery and Equipment [Member]

Machinery and Equipment [Member]

Machinery and Equipment [Member]

Furniture and Fixtures [Member]

Furniture and Fixtures [Member]

Furniture and Fixtures [Member]

Furniture and Fixtures [Member]

Automobiles [Member]

Automobiles [Member]

Automobiles [Member]

Automobiles [Member]

Construction in Progress [Member]

Construction in Progress [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated Useful Lives

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'25 years

'

'

'5 years

'45 years

'

'

'5 years

'40 years

'

'

'3 years

'20 years

'

'

'5 years

'20 years

'

'

'3 years

'10 years

'

'

Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross

$1,753,098

$1,744,044

$457,179

$454,828

'

'

$749,510

$747,613

'

'

$450,495

$449,105

'

'

$44,175

$45,147

'

'

$35,072

$33,962

'

'

$11,899

$11,811

'

'

$4,768

$1,578

Less accumulated depreciation

-647,921

-595,626

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net

$1,105,177

$1,148,418

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_5_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta2

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	$146,200,000	$57,200,000	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$18,000	$18,000	$12,000
Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'5 years	'	'

Note_5_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta3

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Gross Carrying Value and Accumulated Amortization by Class of Intangible Assets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 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]	Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]
							Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	$395,013	$395,013	$394,913	$394,913	$100	$100	'	'
Accumulated Amortization	-58	-41	'	'	-58	-41	'	'
Net	$394,955	$394,972	$394,913	$394,913	$42	$59	'	'
Estimated Amortization Period (Years)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'5 years	'6 years

Note_5_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta4

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Changes in Gross Carrying Value of Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in Gross Carrying Value of Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of year	$395,013	$394,983	'
Balance, beginning of year	138,717	138,717	'
Increase from acquisitions	'	30	'
Decrease from impairment charges	-89,037	'	-48,609
Balance, end of year	395,013	395,013	394,983
Balance, end of year	$49,680	'	$138,717

Note_6_Longterm_Debt_Details

Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2011

31-May-13

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

Beginning February 1, 2015 [Member]

Before February 1, 2014 [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

Non Interest Bearing Debt Obligation [Member]

Non Interest Bearing Debt Obligation [Member]

Interest Rate Option 1 [Member]

Interest Rate Option 1 [Member]

Interest Rate Option 1 [Member]

Interest Rate Option 1 [Member]

Interest Rate Option 2 [Member]

Interest Rate Option 2 [Member]

Interest Rate Option 2 [Member]

Interest Rate Option 3 [Member]

Interest Rate Option 3 [Member]

Interest Rate Option 3 [Member]

Non Interest Bearing Debt Obligation [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Swing Line Loans [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Subject To Maintaining Certain Financial Covenants [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2016 Senior Notes [Member]

2016 Senior Notes [Member]

2016 Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Non Interest Bearing Debt Obligation [Member]

Non Interest Bearing Debt Obligation [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Minimum [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Eurodollar [Member]

Minimum [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility Term Loan [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

Eurodollar [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

Note 6 - 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

'

$250,000,000

'

$75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line Of Credit Facility Additional Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Covenant Maximum Other Investments Permitted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Long-term Debt

95,000,000

413,000,000

53,000,000

388,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Issuance of Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Periodic Payment, Principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Lines of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

15,000,000

40,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,000,000

'

'

'

95,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

210,000,000

95,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

887,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

1.75%

2.00%

2.75%

0.25%

'

0.75%

'

'

1.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Interest Rate Additional Margin Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

1.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

0.35%

'

0.40%

0.55%

Senior Notes, Noncurrent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

275,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Offering Price Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

105.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103408000.00%

'

96.80%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Maturity Month And Year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'February 2019

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

254,197,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,197,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Redemption Price Percent Of Principal Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Change Of Control Debt Redemption Price Percent Of Par

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

101.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Covenant Maximum Annual Dividend Payments Per Share (in Dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.48

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

104.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,242,000

'

'

'

208,000

499,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Bank Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value

'

97,343,000

106,408,000

87,368,000

92,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,081,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt

'

-6,386,000

'

-2,816,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,467,000

7,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Income Tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,800,000

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

330,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Redemption Price Percent Of Par

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

101.25%

'

'

'

101.38%

'

'

Number Of Installments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'60 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

125,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

$466,989,000

$521,259,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,792,000

$5,501,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.00%

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_6_Longterm_Debt_Details_L

Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Details) - Long-Term Debt (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	$466,989,000	$521,259,000
Less current maturities	-13,847,000	-17,709,000
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	453,142,000	503,550,000
2019 Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes Payable	254,197,000	150,000,000
2016 Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes Payable	'	270,758,000
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Other notes payable	2,792,000	5,501,000
Term Loan Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, all term loan	$210,000,000	$95,000,000

Note_6_Longterm_Debt_Details_A

Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Details) - Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$13,847	'
2015	13,945	'
2016	12,500	'
2017	12,500	'
2018	160,000	'
Thereafter	254,197	'
Total	$466,989	$521,259

Note_6_Longterm_Debt_Details_I

Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Details) - Interest Expense (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Details) - Interest Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross interest costs	$32,408	$42,155	$44,700
Less capitalized interest costs	-168	-574	-2,286
Interest expense	32,240	41,581	42,414
Interest income	-369	-364	-302
Interest expense, net	$31,871	$41,217	$42,112
2012 Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Details) - Interest Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average interest rate on borrowings under bank Credit Facility	2.20%	2.70%	2.80%

Note_7_Capital_Structure_Per_S2

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 12, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 12, 2014	Feb. 14, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
					Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Equity Compensation Plans [Member]	Equity Compensation Plans [Member]
Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	'	3,000,000	3,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in Dollars per share)	'	$0.10	$0.10	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	'	0	0	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	0	0	'	'	'	'	'
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared (in Dollars per share)	'	$0.60	$0.60	$0.40	'	$0.15	'	'
Dividends Payable, Current (in Dollars)	'	'	'	'	'	$6,200,000	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	14-Mar-14	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	'	'	'	'	28-Feb-14	'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	'	4,000,000	'	'	5,000,000	'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	'	126,000	124,000	255,000	'	'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value (in Dollars)	'	$2,291,000	$2,039,000	$3,597,000	'	'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	'	118,000	'	'	1,104,000	'	'	'
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'	'	117,000	74,000

Note_7_Capital_Structure_Per_S3

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) - Schedule of Reconciliation on Basic and Diluted Earnings or Loss Per Share (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Reconciliation on Basic and Diluted Earnings or Loss Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
(Loss) income from continuing operations applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions (in Dollars)	($6,212)	$41,793	($5,561)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	41,405	41,431	41,524
Dilution effect of assumed conversions, common stock equivalents – stock awards	18	6	'
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions	41,423	41,437	41,524
Basic (loss) earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	($0.15)	$1.01	($0.14)
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	($0.15)	$1.01	($0.14)
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings or loss per share	794	1,057	1,237

Note_7_Capital_Structure_Per_S4

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) - Dividends on Common Stock (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Dividends on Common Stock [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid (in Dollars)	$24,875	$24,883	$16,623
Dividends per common share	$0.60	$0.60	$0.40

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 30, 2013

Dec. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Excluding State Income Tax Law Changes and Strategic State Tax Law Restructuring [Member]

State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]

State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]

State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]

Federal [Member]

Federal [Member]

Federal [Member]

Motorsports Authentics [Member]

Goodwill Impairment [Member]

Effective Income Tax Rate Excluding Non-Deductible Goodwill Impairment Charge [Member]

Motorsports Authentics [Member]

Motorsports Authentics [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Abandonment of Interest in Investment [Member]

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

-42,351,000

21,892,000

23,481,000

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-49,300,000

0

'

Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent

87.20%

34.40%

131.00%

'

'

'

'

'

36.80%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36.10%

Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5,547,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Loss Carryforwards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

107,160,000

'

'

43,000

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Dec-14

31-Dec-33

'

31-Dec-25

31-Dec-27

'

'

'

Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance

14,868,000

65,903,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

1,004,000

1,004,000

1,004,000

'

'

2,879,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense

73,000

74,000

270,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued

'

'

'

$844,000

$771,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details_Co

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Components of the Provision for Income Taxes (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	$9,756	($2,247)	($1,051)
State	227	-47	-2,743
	9,983	-2,294	-3,794
Deferred:	'	'	'
Federal	-42,015	24,521	17,612
State	-10,319	-335	9,663
	-52,334	24,186	27,275
Total	($42,351)	$21,892	$23,481

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details_Re

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Reconciliation of Statutory Federal and Effective Income Tax Rates	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of Statutory Federal and Effective Income Tax Rates [Abstract]	'	'	'
Statutory federal tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect	8.70%	-0.20%	16.80%
Non-deductible impairment of goodwill	-59.60%	'	94.90%
Change in valuation allowances, primarily related to losses on equity investees	101.60%	-0.10%	2.40%
Change in uncertain tax positions, including income tax liabilities for settlements with taxing authorities	-0.10%	0.10%	-12.60%
Other, net	1.60%	-0.40%	-5.50%
Total	87.20%	34.40%	131.00%

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details_Ta

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Tax Effects of Temporary Differences Resulting in Deferred Income Taxes (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Property and equipment	$256,966,000	$260,458,000
Goodwill and other intangible assets	143,245,000	144,814,000
Expenses deducted for tax purposes and other	3,581,000	3,863,000
Subtotal	403,792,000	409,135,000
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Income previously recognized for tax purposes	-14,618,000	-16,330,000
Stock option and other deferred compensation expense	-4,389,000	-4,228,000
PSL and other deferred income recognized for tax purposes	-1,683,000	-1,984,000
State and federal net operating loss carryforwards	-3,945,000	-3,660,000
Basis difference for equity investment and subsidiary	-61,450,000	-63,841,000
Subtotal	-86,085,000	-90,043,000
Less: Valuation allowance	14,868,000	65,903,000
Net deferred tax assets	-71,217,000	-24,140,000
Total net deferred tax liabilities	332,575,000	384,995,000
Net current deferred tax assets	49,181,000	741,000
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	$381,756,000	$385,736,000

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details_Re1

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Reconciliation of the Change in the Total Unrecognized Tax Benefits and Other Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of the Change in the Total Unrecognized Tax Benefits and Other Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Beginning of period	$1,004,000	$1,004,000	$2,879,000
Increases (decreases) for tax positions of current year	0	0	0
Increases for tax positions of prior years	0	0	358,000
Decreases for tax positions of prior years	0	0	-1,744,000
Reductions for lapse of applicable statute of limitations	0	0	0
Increases (decreases) for settlements with taxing authorities	0	0	-489,000
End of period	$1,004,000	$1,004,000	$1,004,000

Note_9_Related_Party_Transacti2

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	$3,522,000	$4,336,000	'
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	'	30,000	'
Revenue from Related Parties	5,040,000	4,968,000	5,328,000
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	689,000	767,000	879,000
Sonic Financial [Member]	'	'	'
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	3,294,000	3,681,000	'
Notes Receivable Interest Additional Interest Above Prime Rate	1.00%	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Notes Receivable, Related Parties	-387,000	-373,000	-358,000
Due to Affiliate	2,594,000	2,594,000	'
Sonic Financial | Amount with Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Prime Rate [Member]	'	'	'
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%	1.00%	'
Sonic Financial | Amount with Fixed Interest Rate [Member]	'	'	'
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Due to Affiliate	1,800,000	1,800,000	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.83%	3.83%	'
Affiliated Entity [Member]	'	'	'
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	659,000	640,000	554,000
Sonic Automotive, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	89,000	166,000	270,000
Sonic Automotive, Inc. | SMI Properties [Member]	'	'	'
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenue from Related Parties	692,000	552,000	640,000
Sonic Automotive, Inc. | Oil-Chem [Member]	'	'	'
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenue from Related Parties	1,966,000	2,047,000	1,507,000
Due from Related Parties	154,000	137,000	'
Motorsports Authentics [Member]	'	'	'
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenue from Related Parties	2,002,000	1,989,000	2,801,000
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	600,000	601,000	609,000
Due from Related Parties, Current	$8,000	$491,000	'

Note_9_Related_Party_Transacti3

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) - Related Party Balances (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Related Party Balances [Abstract]	'	'
Notes and other receivables	$3,522	$4,336
Amounts payable to affiliates	$2,594	$2,594

Note_9_Related_Party_Transacti4

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details) - Related Party Transactions (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Merchandise and vehicle purchases	$689	$767	$879
Merchandise and vehicle sales, event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses	5,040	4,968	5,328
Rent expense	659	640	554
Interest income	95	110	125
Interest expense	$102	$103	$103

Note_10_Legal_Proceedings_and_1

Note 10 - Legal Proceedings and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Legal Claims Filed	$12,000,000

Note_11_Stock_Compensation_Pla2

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Options and Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Other Awards [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]

New 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

1994 Stock Option Plan [Member]

1994 Stock Option Plan [Member]

1994 Stock Option Plan [Member]

Formula Stock Option Plan [Member]

Formula Stock Option Plan [Member]

Formula Stock Option Plan [Member]

Formula Stock Option Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

New 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

New 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]

Chief Financial Officer [Member]

Chief Operating Officer [Member]

Chief Financial Officer [Member]

Non-Executive Management Employees [Member]

Executive Management Employees [Member]

Non-Employee Directors [Member]

Chief Operating Officer [Member]

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

'

'

250,000

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

100,000

500

35,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

439,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,253,000

'

'

157,000

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 months

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

35,000

35,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

'

0

0

0

0

10,000

0

0

0

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

'

'

'

24,267

24,267

109,000

'

'

17,000

'

'

'

60,731

48,534

17,200

'

24,000

29,000

'

'

'

'

109,000

97,000

96,000

17,000

16,000

15,000

'

0

101,000

61,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

11,667

11,667

26,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number

'

'

'

'

'

252,000

247,000

'

17,000

17,000

'

59,422

'

'

'

59,422

59,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

140,000

136,000

131,000

17,000

17,000

16,000

'

70,000

'

16,668

'

'

'

8,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,650

24,264

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$373,000

$418,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Numerator for Restricted Stock Grant (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Maximum Cash Award During Calendar Year (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount From Share Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Based Compensation (in Dollars)

2,224,000

1,936,000

1,885,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

818,000

666,000

680,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

0

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

128,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

7,500

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value (in Dollars)

23,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

5,004,000

'

'

331,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,180,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year 109 days

'

'

'109 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'328 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,563,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,049,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$418,000

$467,000

$114,000

'

'

'

'

$1,599,000

$1,370,000

$299,000

$266,000

$230,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_11_Stock_Compensation_Pla3

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Stock Option Activity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Stock Option Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Exercised	-7,500	0	0
1994 Stock Option Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Stock Option Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Outstanding, January 1, 2013	305,000	'	'
Outstanding, January 1, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	33.3	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	160,000	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	36.63	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	'328 days	'	'
Exercisable, December 31, 2013	160,000	'	'
Exercisable, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	36.63	'	'
Exercisable, December 31, 2013	'328 days	'	'
Forfeited	-20,000	'	'
Forfeited (in Dollars per share)	29.64	'	'
Expired	-125,000	'	'
Expired (in Dollars per share)	29.64	'	'
2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Stock Option Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Outstanding, January 1, 2013	602,000	'	'
Outstanding, January 1, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	29.56	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	545,000	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	28.96	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	'3 years 73 days	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars)	916	'	'
Exercisable, December 31, 2013	545,000	'	'
Exercisable, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	28.96	'	'
Exercisable, December 31, 2013	'3 years 73 days	'	'
Exercisable, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars)	916	'	'
Exercised	-7,000	'	'
Exercised (in Dollars per share)	15.83	'	'
Forfeited	-50,000	'	'
Forfeited (in Dollars per share)	38.25	'	'
Formula Stock Option Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Stock Option Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Outstanding, January 1, 2013	180,000	'	'
Outstanding, January 1, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	33.94	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	150,000	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	35.51	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	'1 year 219 days	'	'
Exercisable, December 31, 2013	150,000	'	'
Exercisable, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	35.51	'	'
Exercisable, December 31, 2013	'1 year 219 days	'	'
Expired	-30,000	'	'
Expired (in Dollars per share)	26.06	'	'

Note_11_Stock_Compensation_Pla4

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Activity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member] | 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Outstanding, January 1, 2013	247,000	'	'
Outstanding, January 1, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	$15.46	'	'
Granted, Shares	140,000	136,000	131,000
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in Dollars per share)	$18.54	$16.16	$14.29
Vested	-109,000	'	'
Vested (in Dollars per share)	$15.34	'	'
Forfeited	-26,000	'	'
Forfeited (in Dollars per share)	$15.29	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	252,000	247,000	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	$17.24	$15.46	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	'1 year 109 days	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars)	$5,004,000	'	'
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member] | 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Outstanding, January 1, 2013	17,000	'	'
Outstanding, January 1, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	$17.18	'	'
Granted, Shares	17,000	17,000	16,000
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in Dollars per share)	$17.39	$17.18	$15.44
Vested	-17,000	'	'
Vested (in Dollars per share)	$17.18	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	17,000	17,000	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars per share)	$17.39	$17.18	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	'109 days	'	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars)	$331,000	'	'
2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vested	0	-101,000	-61,000

Note_12_Employee_Benefit_Plans1

Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Employer Contribution (in Dollars)	'	$336,000	'
The Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 401(k) Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	75.00%	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	25.00%	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay	4.00%	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'6 years	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Employer Contribution (in Dollars)	334,000	'	320,000
The Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Annual Bonus and Other Cash Compensation [Member]	'	'	'
Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	100.00%	'	'
The Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	75.00%	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'3 years	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Employer Contribution (in Dollars)	$0	$0	$0
Defined Contribution Plan, Employers Matching Contribution, Annual Vesting Percentage	100.00%	'	'

Note_13_Segment_Disclosures_De

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues (in Dollars)	$480,649,000	$490,160,000	$505,845,000
NASCAR [Member] | Sales [Member]	'	'	'
Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	82.00%	83.00%	83.00%
NASCAR Broadcasting Rights [Member] | Sales [Member]	'	'	'
Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	41.00%	39.00%	37.00%
Revenues (in Dollars)	$199,014,000	$192,662,000	$185,394,000

Note_13_Segment_Disclosures_De1

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Segment Information on Continuing Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	$480,649,000	$490,160,000	$505,845,000
Depreciation and amortization	54,725,000	55,499,000	54,004,000
Impairment of goodwill (Note 2)	89,037,000	'	48,609,000
Segment operating (loss) income	2,068,000	100,994,000	67,146,000
Capital expenditures	12,036,000	26,787,000	59,321,000
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	462,938,000	472,221,000	488,957,000
Depreciation and amortization	54,511,000	55,234,000	53,741,000
Impairment of goodwill (Note 2)	89,037,000	'	48,609,000
Segment operating (loss) income	-204,000	98,522,000	66,442,000
Capital expenditures	11,998,000	26,647,000	59,142,000
Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	17,711,000	17,939,000	16,888,000
Depreciation and amortization	214,000	265,000	263,000
Segment operating (loss) income	2,272,000	2,472,000	704,000
Capital expenditures	$38,000	$140,000	$179,000

Note_13_Segment_Disclosures_De2

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Assets by Segment (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other intangibles	$394,955,000	$394,972,000	'
Goodwill	49,680,000	138,717,000	138,717,000
Total assets	1,786,260,000	1,877,113,000	'
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other intangibles	394,955,000	394,972,000	'
Goodwill	49,680,000	138,717,000	'
Total assets	1,761,698,000	1,852,150,000	'
Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets	$24,562,000	$24,963,000	'

Note_13_Segment_Disclosures_De3

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income or Loss to Consolidated Amounts (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income or Loss to Consolidated Amounts [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total segment operating income from continuing operations	$2,068	$100,994	$67,146
Adjusted for:	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	-31,871	-41,217	-42,112
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 6)	-18,467	'	-7,456
Other (expense) income, net	-293	3,908	342
Consolidated (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	($48,563)	$63,685	$17,920