Speedway Motorsports (TRK) 10-Q 31 Jul 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS INC	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	41,387,602
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000934648	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$95,364	$97,343
Accounts and notes receivable, net	57,250	34,594
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	9,671	8,891
Inventories, net	9,474	8,605
Prepaid expenses	4,018	3,594
Deferred income taxes (Note 2)	27,828	49,181
Total Current Assets	203,605	202,208
Notes and Other Receivables:	'	'
Affiliates	2,890	3,294
Other	1,729	1,800
Other Assets	28,333	29,146
Property and Equipment, Net	1,093,077	1,105,177
Other Intangible Assets, Net	394,950	394,955
Goodwill	49,680	49,680
Total	1,774,264	1,786,260
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	13,895	13,847
Accounts payable	21,511	10,519
Deferred race event and other income, net	64,519	57,888
Accrued interest	7,041	7,044
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	23,119	21,656
Total Current Liabilities	130,085	110,954
Long-term Debt	412,019	453,142
Payable to Affiliate	2,594	2,594
Deferred Income, Net	5,572	6,932
Deferred Income Taxes	377,356	381,756
Other Liabilities	4,359	4,892
Total Liabilities	931,985	960,270
Stockholders’ Equity:	'	'
Common Stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized – 200,000,000, issued and outstanding – 41,398,000 in 2014 and 41,404,000 in 2013	455	454
Additional Paid-in Capital	250,860	249,505
Retained Earnings	682,005	665,394
Treasury Stock at cost, shares – 4,087,000 in 2014 and 3,999,000 in 2013	-91,041	-89,363
Total Stockholders’ Equity	842,279	825,990
Total	$1,774,264	$1,786,260

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
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
Common Stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	41,398,000	41,404,000
Common Stock, shares outstanding	41,398,000	41,404,000
Treasury Stock at cost, shares	4,087,000	3,999,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Admissions	$31,084,000	$34,194,000	$52,335,000	$55,950,000
Event related revenue	52,965,000	53,495,000	76,972,000	77,284,000
NASCAR broadcasting revenue	84,049,000	80,712,000	115,746,000	111,151,000
Other operating revenue	7,779,000	8,362,000	15,366,000	16,600,000
Total Revenues	175,877,000	176,763,000	260,419,000	260,985,000
Expenses and Other:	'	'	'	'
Direct expense of events	33,498,000	33,739,000	49,692,000	48,948,000
NASCAR event management fees	49,453,000	48,432,000	69,176,000	67,718,000
Other direct operating expense	5,150,000	5,286,000	9,879,000	10,267,000
General and administrative	25,615,000	23,882,000	48,651,000	45,999,000
Depreciation and amortization (Note 2)	15,359,000	13,822,000	28,911,000	27,563,000
Interest expense, net	5,326,000	9,241,000	10,927,000	20,151,000
Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	'	89,037,000	'	89,037,000
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)	'	18,467,000	'	18,467,000
Other (income) expense, net	-1,097,000	160,000	-2,358,000	305,000
Total Expenses and Other	133,304,000	242,066,000	214,878,000	328,455,000
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	42,573,000	-65,303,000	45,541,000	-67,470,000
Provision for Income Taxes	-15,374,000	-2,508,000	-16,475,000	-1,709,000
Net Income (Loss)	$27,199,000	($67,811,000)	$29,066,000	($69,179,000)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share (in Dollars per share)	$0.66	($1.64)	$0.70	($1.67)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	41,411	41,424	41,407	41,426
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (in Dollars per share)	$0.66	($1.64)	$0.70	($1.67)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	41,431	41,441	41,430	41,439

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance, January 1, 2014 at Dec. 31, 2013	$454	$249,505	$665,394	($89,363)	$825,990
Balance, January 1, 2014 (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	41,404,000	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	29,066	'	29,066
Share-based compensation	1	1,308	'	'	1,309
Share-based compensation (in Shares)	79,000	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	'	47	'	'	47
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	3,000	'	'	'	'
Quarterly cash dividends of $0.15 per share of common stock	'	'	-12,455	'	-12,455
Repurchases of common stock	'	'	'	-1,678	-1,678
Repurchases of common stock (in Shares)	-88,000	'	'	'	'
Balance, June 30, 2014 at Jun. 30, 2014	$455	$250,860	$682,005	($91,041)	$842,279
Balance, June 30, 2014 (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2014	41,398,000	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc1

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Quarterly cash dividends, per share of common stock	$0.15

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$29,066,000	($69,179,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Impairment of goodwill	'	89,037,000
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing, non-cash	'	6,386,000
Deferred loan cost amortization	801,000	1,361,000
Gain on insurance recovery and disposal of property and equipment	-2,346,000	'
Interest expense accretion of debt discount and premium, net	-325,000	294,000
Depreciation and amortization	28,911,000	27,563,000
Amortization of deferred income	-1,427,000	-3,094,000
Deferred income tax provision	16,470,000	-8,275,000
Share-based compensation	1,309,000	1,080,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts and notes receivable	-22,842,000	-22,889,000
Prepaid, refundable and accrued income taxes	-780,000	10,633,000
Inventories	-869,000	-649,000
Prepaid expenses	-424,000	-389,000
Accounts payable	4,678,000	8,042,000
Deferred race event and other income	6,435,000	13,226,000
Accrued interest	-3,000	1,227,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,463,000	515,000
Deferred income	195,000	138,000
Other assets and liabilities	158,000	-12,000
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	60,470,000	55,015,000
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Borrowings under long-term debt	'	355,000,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	-40,750,000	-371,500,000
Payment of debt refinancing and amendment costs	'	-5,779,000
Dividend payments on common stock	-12,455,000	-12,460,000
Exercise of common stock options	47,000	56,000
Repurchases of common stock	-1,678,000	-1,515,000
Net Cash Used By Financing Activities	-54,836,000	-36,198,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Payments for capital expenditures	-14,219,000	-5,118,000
Proceeds from insurance recovery and sales of property and equipment	1,397,000	64,000
Repayment of notes and other receivables	173,000	298,000
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities	-12,649,000	-4,756,000
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-7,015,000	14,061,000
Change in cash collected for and payable to third party, cash not provided or used by operating activities (Note 2)	5,036,000	-180,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	97,343,000	106,408,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	95,364,000	120,289,000
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	11,018,000	19,185,000
Cash paid for income taxes	553,000	600,000
Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities Information:	'	'
Increase in accounts payable for capital expenditures	$1,362,000	$244,000

Note_1_Description_of_Business

Note 1 - Description of Business	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	'
	1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
	Basis of Presentation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and all of its wholly-owned and operated subsidiaries: Atlanta Motor Speedway LLC (AMS), Bristol Motor Speedway LLC (BMS), Charlotte Motor Speedway LLC (CMS), Kentucky Raceway LLC d/b/a Kentucky Speedway (KyS), Nevada Speedway LLC d/b/a Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS), Speedway Sonoma LLC (Sonoma Raceway or SR), 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), 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. See Notes 1 and 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K (2013 Annual Report) for further description of its business operations, properties and scheduled events.
	Racing Events – In 2014, we plan to hold 24 major annual racing events sanctioned by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR), including 13 Sprint Cup and 11 Nationwide Series racing events. We also plan to hold seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, three NASCAR K&N Pro Series, four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, two IndyCar Series, six major National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), one Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and three World of Outlaws (WOO) racing events. In 2013, we held 24 major annual racing events sanctioned by NASCAR, including 13 Sprint Cup and 11 Nationwide Series racing events. We also held six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, three NASCAR K&N Pro Series, four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, two IndyCar Series, six major NHRA, one ARCA and three WOO racing events.
	Discontinued Oil and Gas Activities – In 2008, we discontinued our oil and gas operations primarily because of ongoing challenges and business risks in conducting these activities in foreign countries. Management believes associated activities for 2013, to-date in 2014 and future periods, if any, are not significant for continued presentation as discontinued operations. We had no continuing involvement or ownership interest in these discontinued operations, and there were no assets, liabilities or outstanding standby letters of credit associated with discontinued operations for any period presented herein. Remaining activities are now included in other income or expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, and all note disclosures pertain to continuing operations unless otherwise indicated. We incurred legal fees and other costs of $26,000 and $27,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $66,000 and $62,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, associated with efforts to recover previously reserved receivables, representing all activities during these periods (see Note 8 for information on legal proceedings associated with oil and gas activities). While we plan to continue litigation of the matter to maximize potential recovery value, future legal costs are expected to be insignificant.

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures [Abstract]

'

Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures [Text Block]

'

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER DISCLOSURES

These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements included in its 2013 Annual Report. In management's opinion, these unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary for their fair presentation at interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results that may be expected for the entire year due to the seasonal nature of the Company's motorsports business. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2013 Annual Report for further discussion of significant accounting policies.

Quarterly Reporting – The Company recognizes revenues and operating expenses for all events in the calendar quarter in which conducted. Changes in race schedules at the Company's speedways from time to time, including speedway acquisitions, can lessen the comparability of operating results between quarterly financial statements of successive years and increase or decrease the seasonal nature of its motorsports business. The more significant racing schedule changes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 as compared to 2013 include:

•

LVMS held one major NHRA racing event in the first quarter 2014 that was held in the second quarter 2013

•

Poor weather resulted in delays in starting and completing one NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at BMS in the first quarter 2014

•

Poor weather resulted in postponing and rescheduling one NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at TMS in the second quarter 2014

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – The Company infrequently collects and temporarily holds cash on behalf of its third party food and beverage concessionaire which is not remitted until after period end and is presented separately from cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. There are no specific limitations, restrictions or other holding requirements for such cash.

NASCAR Event Management Fees – Beginning in 2014, NASCAR renamed “purse and sanction” fees as “event management” fees in our annual race event sanctioning and renewal agreements. The change had no other impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

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). 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 agreements. The NASCAR Trust significantly influences MA’s 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. As further described below, and in Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2013 Annual Report, the Company recognized an anticipated material tax benefit related to abandonment as of December 31, 2013. There was no other impact on the Company’s December 31, 2013 or year-to-date 2014 Consolidated Financial Statements. The carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in MA was reduced to $0 as of December 31, 2009. 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 2014 and 2013 results were not impacted by MA’s operations under the equity method.

Income Taxes – The Company provides for income taxes at the end of each interim period based on management’s best estimate of the annual estimated effective income tax rate. Cumulative adjustments to the Company’s annual estimated effective income tax rate are recorded in the interim period in which a change in the annual estimated effective income tax rate is determined. See Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2013 Annual Report for additional information on our accounting for income taxes.

The effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was 36.1% and 36.2%, including derecognition of accrued interest and penalties as described below. The effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was 37.1%, excluding the negative impact of recording tax benefits of approximately $2.3 million related to the 2013 goodwill impairment charge of $89.0 million (a significant portion had no tax benefit) as further described in Note 4 and a one-time benefit of state income tax restructuring. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, current income taxes payable of approximately $21.4 million were reduced by utilization of current deferred income tax assets described below.The Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 reflect a reduction of accrued interest and penalties for estimated income tax liabilities, which decreased income tax expense and deferred income taxes, of approximately $397,000. Although various previous reporting periods were over accrued, the Company believes the impact was not material to prior or current periods.

Income tax liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits approximate $1,004,000 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and are included in other noncurrent liabilities, all of which would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. As of June 30, 2014, 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. There was no change or activity for unrecognized tax benefits during the three or six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013. Interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions of $483,000 were derecognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, and $19,000 and $37,000 were recognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $361,000 and $844,000 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions, which is included in other noncurrent liabilities. The tax years that remain open to examination include 2006 through 2013 by the California Franchise Tax Board, and 2010 through 2013 by all other taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. The Kentucky Department of Revenue has completed examining the Company’s 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 state tax returns with no material adjustments.

Anticipated Income Tax Benefit From Equity Interest Abandonment – On January 31, 2014, the Company abandoned its interest and rights in MA as previously described above. 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.

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.

Taxes Collected from Customers – The Company reports sales, admission and other taxes collected from customers on both a gross and net basis in operations. Such taxes reported on a gross basis for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were $1,373,000 and $1,521,000, and for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were $2,338,000 and $2,523,000.

Advertising Expenses – Event specific advertising costs are expensed when an associated event is held and included principally in direct expense of events. Non-event related advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included principally in other direct operating expense. Advertising expense amounted to $5,914,000 and $5,996,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $8,354,000 and $8,595,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. There were no deferred direct-response advertising costs at June 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

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. 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 June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

30-Jun-14

31-Dec-13

Level

Class

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

1

R

$

95,364

$

95,364

$

97,343

$

97,343

Floating rate notes receivable

2

NR

1,615

1,615

2,005

2,005

Cash surrender values

2

NR

5,087

5,087

4,937

4,937

Liabilities

Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan

2

NR

170,000

170,000

210,000

210,000

6.75% Senior Notes Payable due 2019

1

NR

253,784

265,000

254,197

265,000

Other long-term debt

2

NR

2,130

2,130

2,792

2,792

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.

Property and Equipment – In the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded accelerated depreciation on certain damaged BMS assets of $651,000 and certain retired NHMS assets of $1,131,000. NHMS removed approximately 7,000 low demand seats and is using the area for premium hospitality and advertising. The Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 reflect a gain from involuntary conversion of certain TMS property, increasing property and equipment and other income, net by approximately $985,000. Although this gain should have been recorded in an earlier period, the Company believes the impact was not material to prior or current periods.

Deferred Income – TMS, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Sports Authority (FWSA), has an oil and gas mineral rights lease agreement and a joint exploration agreement with the FWSA, 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 as 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 was accreted into other operating revenue over an associated two-year agreement term on a straight-line basis, with $803,000 and $1,605,000 recognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 ($0 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014).

Although the initial agreement term expired in December 2013, the lessee had initiated drilling activities prior to expiration, resulting in the long-term lease remaining enforceable as long as drilling or extraction related activities continue or certain prices levels are met. This lease agreement was extended and oil and gas extraction has commenced in 2014, which entitles TMS to stipulated stand-alone and shared royalties. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, TMS received and recognized royalty payments of $400,000 under the extended lease agreement. The lessee has expanded production capacity, including an increased number of extraction wells. At this time, while extraction activities continue, management is unable to determine possible ongoing volumes of production if any or for how long, or if stipulated natural gas price levels will be maintained or adequate. The lease agreement stipulates the sharing of production revenues, and requires TMS to spend a portion of shared royalties on TMS facility and road infrastructure improvements, up to specified amounts. Any future production revenues or royalties are subject to production levels and market prices that can fluctuate significantly and rapidly, as well as other factors outside of TMS’s control. As such, management is unable to determine the amounts if any, or timing, of possible future royalty payments to TMS. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there was no deferred income associated with the expired or extended agreements.

In late 2013, BMS announced plans to host a collegiate football game in September 2016. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, advance revenues and associated direct expenses were not significant. 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.

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

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. The Company’s adoption had no impact on its financial statements or disclosures, and the Company will apply this guidance where applicable in the future.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08 “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity: Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360)” which improves the definition of discontinued operations, changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and includes several new disclosures. Some of the new required disclosures include: (i) presentation of assets and liabilities of disposal groups that include a discontinued operation separately in assets and liabilities within the statement of financial position or reconciliation to total amounts presented; (ii) statement of cash flow presentation or note disclosure of total operating and investing cash flows for discontinued operations, or depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures, and significant operating and investing noncash items related to discontinued operations; and (iii) major classes of line items constituting pretax profit or loss of discontinued operations for periods in which results of discontinued operations are presented where net income is reported. Other disclosures are required when entities retain significant continuing involvement with a discontinued operation after disposal, including cash flows to and from a discontinued operation, and for disposals of individually significant entity components not qualifying for discontinued operations presentation, including noncontrolling interests and retained equity method investments after disposal transactions. For disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations, entities must disclose pre-tax earnings of the disposed component. Disposals of an entity component or group of entity components are required to be reported in discontinued operations if disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results when certain defined activities occur, including disposals by sale, abandonments and distributions. The guidance is effective for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of entity components, and activities upon acquisition classified as held for sale, that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Entities should not apply this guidance to entity components or business activities classified as held for sale before the effective date even if components or activities are disposed after the effective date. Early adoption is permitted only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in previously issued financial statements. At this time, the Company believes adoption will have no impact on its financial statements or disclosures, and the Company will apply such guidance where applicable in the future.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Section A—Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40)” which enhances comparability and clarifies principles of revenue recognition. The guidance includes the core principle that entities recognize revenue to depict transfers of promised goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration entities expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that adoption may have on its financial statements.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-12 "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period” which requires performance targets that affect vesting and could be achieved after requisite service periods be treated as performance conditions and reflected in estimating grant-date fair values of awards. Compensation cost should be recognized in the periods when achieving performance targets becomes probable, and should represent the compensation cost attributable to periods for which requisite services have already been rendered. If achieving performance targets becomes probable before the end of the requisite service periods, any remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. Among other things, the guidance applies to entities that grant employees share-based payments in which award terms provide that performance targets that affect vesting could be achieved after the requisite service periods. The guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. Entities may apply the guidance either (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that adoption may have on its financial statements.

Note_3_Inventories

Note 3 - Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	3. INVENTORIES
	Inventories, net consist of the following components (in thousands):
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Finished race cars, parts and accessories	$	5,477	$	5,372
	Souvenirs and apparel		3,204		2,409
	Micro-lubricant® and other		793		824
	Total	$	9,474	$	8,605

Note_4_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta

Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets represent the excess of business acquisition costs over the fair value of net assets acquired, and are all associated with the Company’s motorsports related activities and reporting units. Intangible assets consist predominately of goodwill and nonamortizable intangible assets for race event sanctioning and renewal agreements and, to a lesser extent, goodwill associated with event related motorsports merchandising. Acquired intangible assets are valued using the direct value method. The Company’s race event sanctioning and renewal agreements for each NASCAR-sanctioned racing event are awarded annually. The Company has evaluated each of its intangible assets for these agreements and determined that each will extend into the foreseeable future. The Company has never been unable to renew these race date agreements for any subsequent year and no such agreement has ever been cancelled. Based on these and other factors, such race date agreements are expected to be awarded to the Company in perpetuity. As such, these nonamortizable intangible assets for race event sanctioning and renewal agreements are considered to have indefinite useful lives because their renewal and cash flow generation are expected to continue indefinitely. 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.
	Annual 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. See Notes 2 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2013 Annual Report for additional information on the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets and assessment methodology and evaluation. The inputs for measuring fair value are considered "Level 3" or unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data under applicable fair value authoritative guidance, as quoted market prices are not available. Management's latest annual assessment in the second quarter 2014 was based predominately on management's best estimate of future discounted operating cash flows and profitability attributable to such assets for all individual reporting units.
	The 2014 annual assessment indicated the estimated fair value of each reporting unit and each indefinite-lived intangible asset substantially exceeded its associated carrying value except for race date event sanctioning and renewal agreements associated with NHMS acquired in 2008. The excess of estimated fair value over associated carrying values for those material nonamortizable agreements was found to be less than those associated with other reporting units, resulting in heightened sensitivity to management’s assumptions used in estimating future discounted cash flows and profitability and associated risk of failing impairment testing. Among other factors, the latest assessment assumes economic and industry condition improvements, and projected cash flow and profitability recovery, using modest annual inflationary growth rates for projected revenue streams and operating costs (other than NASCAR broadcasting revenues and event management fees), and strategic amounts of planned capital expenditures. Management assumed that increases in contracted NASCAR broadcasting rights revenues after 2014 would approximate those reflected in the recently negotiated multi-year contracts beginning in 2015, and that future annual increases in such revenues and associated NASCAR event management (purse and sanction) fees would approximate historical rates similar to the current eight-year broadcasting agreements. As such, no goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment charges were found necessary at this time. The current eight-year broadcasting agreements have provided the Company with annual contracted revenue increases averaging 3% per year, and associated annual increases in NASCAR event management fees averaging slightly less than 3% per year. NASCAR has not yet announced annual broadcasting revenues under the new broadcasting agreement through 2024, and annual NASCAR event management fees are under negotiation. Annual or total finalized NASCAR broadcasting revenues and event management fees could differ substantially from those assumed in management’s impairment assessment. Should this reporting unit or associated indefinite-lived intangible assets not achieve projected cash flows or profitability, or should actual capital expenditures exceed current plans, estimated fair values could be reduced to below carrying values resulting in material non-cash impairment charges.
	Management also considered that the estimated market value for comparable NASCAR race event sanction and renewal agreements based on historical sales transactions (the Company has agreements to annually conduct thirteen NASCAR Sprint Cup, eleven NASCAR Nationwide and seven 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.
	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. Management also believes the Company’s operational and cash flow forecasts support its conclusions that no unrecognized impairment exists as of June 30, 2014. 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 second quarter 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. The 2013 annual evaluation found the carrying values for NHMS and KyS exceeded estimated fair value reflecting lowered estimated future cash flows because the economic recovery has been slower and weaker than previous forecasts, and lower than anticipated revenues for certain 2013 major racing events at NHMS and KyS, further reducing visibility on profitability recovery. As such, a non-cash impairment charge of $89,037,000, before income tax benefits of $2,341,000, was reflected in the second quarter 2013 to reduce goodwill related to NHMS and KyS to estimated fair value of $0.
	Of that charge, goodwill for NHMS of $82,725,000 originated upon recording deferred tax liabilities associated with race date intangibles 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. The impairment did not pertain to or affect the underlying value of the Company’s race date intangibles. The 2013 charge and associated operations are included in the Company’s "motorsports event related" reporting segment (see Note 10).
	Other Information - There were no changes in the gross carrying value of goodwill or other intangible assets during the six months ended June 30, 2014. At June 30, 2014, the carrying amounts for goodwill and other intangible assets include accumulated impairments of $146.2 million. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, gross carrying values and accumulated amortization by class of intangible asset are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		30-Jun-14							31-Dec-13
		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Estimated
		Carrying							Carrying		Amortization					Amortization
		Value							Value							Period
																(Years)
	Nonamortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	$	394,913		—		$	394,913	$	394,913		—		$	394,913		—
	Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements		100	$	(63	)		37		100	$	(58	)		42		6-May
	Total	$	395,013	$	(63	)	$	394,950	$	395,013	$	(58	)	$	394,955

Note_5_Longterm_Debt

Note 5 - Long-term Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	'
	5. LONG-TERM DEBT
	Bank Credit Facility – The Company’s Credit Facility, as amended in February 2013, (the 2013 Credit Facility or Credit Facility) 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 Term Loan requires minimum quarterly principal payments of at least 5% of the initial amount drawn on an annualized basis (or $12,500,000 each twelve-month period based on an initial draw of $250,000,000).
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company repaid $30,000,000 and $40,000,000 of Term Loan borrowings. At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility were $170,000,000 and $210,000,000 (all Term Loan borrowings). At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, outstanding letters of credit amounted to $882,000 and $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 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to interest expense, contains other affirmative and negative financial covenants and restrictions, and is secured by a pledge of all capital stock and limited liability company interests of the Guarantors.
	2019 Senior Notes –The Company’s 6¾% senior notes consist of aggregate principal of $150,000,000 issued at par in 2011 and $100,000,000 issued at 105% of par in an add-on offering in 2013, with interest payments due semi-annually on February 1 and August 1, maturing in February 2019, and governed by the same indenture (the 2019 Senior Notes). All notes were initially issued in private placement offerings and subsequently exchanged for substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the 2019 Senior Notes carrying value of $253,784,000 and $254,197,000 includes unamortized issuance premium of $3,784,000 and $4,197,000, respectively.
	Other Notes Payable – Long-term debt includes a non-interest bearing debt obligation, payable in 60 monthly installments of $125,000, associated with the Company's acquisition of KyS. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, their combined carrying values of $2,130,000 and $2,792,000 reflect discounts of $120,000 and $208,000, respectively, based on an effective interest rate of 7%.
	2013 Early Redemption of 2016 Senior Notes – As described above, the Company issued $100.0 million of additional 6¾% Senior Notes due in 2019 and amended its Credit Facility in 2013. Effective June 1, 2013, the Company redeemed all outstanding 8¾% 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. The Company used Term Loan borrowings of $250,000,000 and cash on hand of $37,081,000 to fund the redemption, including redemption premium and transaction costs. The second quarter 2013 loss on early debt redemption and refinancing represents a charge to earnings of $18,467,000, before income taxes of approximately $6.8 million, for associated redemption premium, unamortized net deferred loan costs and issuance discount, and transaction costs.
	Other Terms and Conditions– The 2013 Credit Facility and 2019 Senior Notes contain specific requirements and restrictive financial covenants and limits or prohibits various financial and transactional activities. 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 June 30, 2014. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2013 Annual Report for additional information on these debt agreements, including dividend, redemption, right of payment provisions, and financial and restrictive covenants.
	Subsidiary Guarantees – Amounts outstanding under the 2013 Credit Facility and 2019 Senior Notes are guaranteed by all of SMI’s material operative subsidiaries except for Oil-Chem and its subsidiaries (which are presently non-material). These guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several, with the 2019 Senior Notes on a senior unsecured basis. The parent company has no independent assets or operations. There are no restrictions on the subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or advance funds to the parent company.
	Interest Expense, Net – Interest expense, interest income and capitalized interest costs are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30:						June 30:
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Gross interest costs	$	5,483		$	9,409		$	11,214		$	20,501
	Less: capitalized interest costs		(114	)		(53	)		(199	)		(89	)
	Interest expense		5,369			9,356			11,015			20,412
	Interest income		(43	)		(115	)		(88	)		(261	)
	Interest expense, net	$	5,326		$	9,241		$	10,927		$	20,151
	Weighted-average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings		2.2	%		2.2	%		2.2	%		2.3	%

Note_6_Per_Share_and_Other_Equ

Note 6 - Per Share and Other Equity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Stockholders Equity And Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Stockholders Equity And Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	6. PER SHARE AND OTHER EQUITY INFORMATION
	The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted income (loss) per share (where computations are anti-dilutive, reported basic and diluted per share amounts are the same) (in thousands except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30:					June 30:
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	Income (loss) applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	27,199	$	(67,811	)	$	29,066	$	(69,179	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		41,411		41,424			41,407		41,426
	Dilution effect of assumed conversions:
	Common stock equivalents—stock awards		20		17			23		13
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions		41,431		41,441			41,430		41,439
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.66	$	(1.64	)	$	0.7	$	(1.67	)
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.66	$	(1.64	)	$	0.7	$	(1.67	)
	Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings (loss) per share		643		840			612		891
	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, and other factors the Board of Directors or its designees, in their sole discretion, may consider relevant. The purchases can be in the open market or private transactions. The stock repurchase program is presently funded using available cash and cash equivalents and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company repurchased 32,000 and 62,000 shares of common stock for $574,000 and $1,154,000. As of June 30, 2014, the Company could repurchase up to an additional 1,056,000 shares under the current authorization.
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, approximately 26,000 shares of common stock were delivered to the Company at an average price per share of $20.07 in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations of holders of restricted shares issued under our equity compensation plans that vested during the periods. As of and through June 30, 2014, treasury stock includes 143,000 shares of common stock delivered to the Company for such purposes.
	Declaration of Cash Dividends – To date in 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors has approved the following quarterly cash dividends on common stock, which are being paid using available cash and cash equivalents on hand (in thousands except per share amounts):
	Declaration date	12-Feb-14		15-Apr-14			17-Jul-14
	Record date	28-Feb-14		16-May-14			15-Aug-14
	Paid or payable to shareholders	14-Mar-14		6-Jun-14			5-Sep-14
	Aggregate quarterly cash dividend	$	6,240	$	6,216		Approximately $6,200
	Dividend per common share	$	0.15	$	0.15		$	0.15

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	Before July 30, 2002, the Company made loans to, and paid certain expenses on behalf of, Sonic Financial Corporation (Sonic Financial), a Company affiliate through common ownership by the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, for various corporate purposes. Also, the Company and Sonic Financial currently share various expenses in the ordinary course of business. Notes and other receivables from affiliates at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include $2,890,000 and $3,294,000 due from Sonic Financial. The amount due bears interest at 1% over prime, is payable on demand, and because the Company does not require repayment before June 30, 2015 is classified as a noncurrent asset in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the amount due from December 31, 2013 primarily reflect increases for accrued interest on outstanding balances and decreases from shared expenses and repayments. The amounts due were reduced from shared expenses and repayments (in 2014), net of accrued interest, by $102,000 and $96,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $404,000 and $191,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. Any increases pertain to note receivable arrangements in place before July 30, 2002.
	Amounts payable to affiliate at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 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 June 30, 2015.
	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 $167,000 and $164,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $333,000 and $330,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, amounts owed to these affiliated companies were not significant.
	Various SMI subsidiaries purchased new and used vehicles for operations and employee use from certain subsidiary dealerships of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (SAI), an entity in which the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is a controlling stockholder, for an aggregate of $129,000 and $28,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $161,000 and $39,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. There were no vehicles sold to SAI in the three or six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013. SMI Properties sold merchandise to SAI totaling $187,000 and $179,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $333,000 and $349,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. Amounts due from SAI at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were not significant.
	Oil-Chem sold zMAX micro-lubricant® product to certain dealerships of SAI for resale to service customers of the dealerships in the ordinary course of business. Total purchases from Oil-Chem by SAI dealerships approximated $587,000 and $450,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $1,063,000, and $1,022,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, approximately $305,000 and $154,000 was due from SAI to Oil-Chem and is reflected in current assets.
	The foregoing related party balances as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and transactions for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, are summarized below (in thousands):
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Notes and other receivables	$	3,272	$	3,522
	Amounts payable to affiliates		2,594		2,594
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30:				June 30:
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Merchandise and vehicle purchases	$	129	$	76	$	395	$	501
	Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses		869		1,336		1,847		2,746
	Rent expense		167		164		333		330
	Interest income		18		24		37		49
	Interest expense		25		25		50		50

Note_8_Legal_Proceedings_and_C

Note 8 - Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	8. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The Company is involved in various lawsuits in the normal course of business, some of which involve material claims.
	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 damages including $12,000,000 it alleges was converted by BNP France. SMIL is also seeking to recover contractual amounts it alleges are owed by Bronwen, Bronwen UK, and Dr. Ndiomu. Additionally, SMIL is seeking treble damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. 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. BNP Suisse was dismissed from the lawsuit on the basis that the court in North Carolina did not have jurisdiction over BNP Suisse. Following trial and appellate court rulings on various motions by BNP France, SMIL continues to prosecute claims based upon conversion, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, equitable subrogation, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and for an accounting against BNP France in the North Carolina Business Court. A mediated settlement conference was held between the parties on May 30, 2014. This matter did not settle at the mediated settlement conference. Discovery and motions practice are ongoing.
	On May 17, 2013, Gary Gaylor filed a lawsuit against AMS and SMI. The lawsuit was filed in the United States 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.

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	9. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS
	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 described below.
	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.
	2004 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated as of February 10, 2009  – The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan) terminated in February 2014 and no awards were granted under this plan in the six months ended June 30, 2014. Previously granted awards under the 2004 Plan consisted of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock units or restricted stock. All stock options granted under the 2004 Plan had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock at grant date, expire ten years from grant date and vested immediately or in equal installments over three years, and restricted stock and restricted stock units vest three years from grant date or in equal installments over three years. Once applicable restrictions lapse or have been satisfied, restricted stock units may be payable in cash, shares of common stock or a combination, as specified in the award agreement.
	Under the Company’s performance-based Incentive Compensation Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved grants of restricted stock to the Company’s Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer and restricted stock units to the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer in each of the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. The 2014 grants were awarded under the 2013 Plan and the 2013 grants were awarded under the 2004 Plan which is now terminated. All grants under both plans 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. 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. The following is a summary of restricted stock and restricted stock units granted, vested and forfeited under the Incentive Compensation Plan for the indicated periods (shares in thousands):
		Six Months Ended June 30:
		2014						2013
		Restricted Stock			Restricted			Restricted Stock			Restricted
					Stock						Stock
					Units						Units
	Outstanding, beginning of period		59			59			60			60
	Granted		35			35			35			35
	Vested		(27	)		(27	)		(24	)		(24	)
	Forfeited		(3	)		(3	)		(12	)		(12	)
	Outstanding, end of period		64			64			59			59
	In the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased 26,000 and 25,000 shares of common stock for $523,000 and $418,000 from executive management employees to settle income taxes on 54,000 and 48,000 shares that vested during the period, respectively. Additionally, the Company awarded 4,500 shares of restricted stock to a non-executive management employee during the six months ended June 30, 2014 under the 2013 Plan.
	2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan, Amended and Restated as of April 17, 2012 – The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan (the 2008 Formula Plan) is for the benefit of the Company’s outside directors, and is scheduled to terminate in February 2018. On the first business day following each annual meeting, each non-employee director who is then a member of the Board receives a grant of restricted stock consisting of the number of shares equaling $75,000 divided by the average closing sale price for the twenty days immediately preceding the grant date, rounded up to the nearest whole share. Grants of restricted stock fully vest on the earlier of (i) the first grant date anniversary or (ii) the day before the Company’s next annual meeting following the grant date. Vesting is subject to continued service as a director through scheduled vesting dates. The Company awarded 4,028 shares of restricted stock to each of the Company’s four non-employee directors on April 16, 2014. An aggregate of 16,668 shares granted to non-employee directors on April 17, 2013 vested on April 14, 2014, and 17,200 shares granted in 2012 vested on April 15, 2013. All restricted stock awards were granted and vested in accordance with plan provisions.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan – No shares were granted to employees under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for calendar years 2014 or 2013.
	Share-Based Payments – The Company generally records share-based compensation cost for stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards on either the accelerated method using a graded vesting schedule or the straight-line method over the requisite service period, depending on the vesting schedule of the awards. The Company’s practice has been to issue new shares upon option exercise; however, repurchases of shares in the open market are permitted. There were no significant changes in the characteristics of restricted stock or restricted stock units granted in 2014 or 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. No stock options were granted under any of the Company’s stock compensation plans during the six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013. A total of 3,000 and 3,500 stock options previously granted under the 2004 Plan were exercised in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, at an exercise price of $15.83.
	Share-based compensation cost for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 totaled $670,000 and $555,000, before income taxes of $249,000 and $206,000, and for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 totaled $1,309,000 and $1,080,000, before income taxes of $486,000 and $400,000, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expense. There were no capitalized share-based compensation costs at June 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013. As of June 30, 2014, there was approximately $2,879,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units granted under the 2013 Plan, the 2004 Plan and the 2008 Formula Plan that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.9 year. As of June 30, 2014, all stock options were vested and there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under any of the Company’s stock compensation plans.
	See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2013 Annual Report for additional information and terms of the Company’s stock compensation plans.

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	10. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES
	The Company’s operations are predominately comprised of promoting, marketing and sponsoring motorsports racing events, merchandising and other related activities conducted at its various major speedway facilities located in the United States. The Company’s business activities, including those of its subsidiaries, are further described in Notes 1 and 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2013 Annual Report. The Company’s “motorsports event related” segment consists of revenues and expenses associated with all admissions, event related, NASCAR broadcasting and event motorsports merchandising activities. 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 and SMI Trackside 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, TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease and related revenues, and office rentals at certain Company speedways. All segment information below pertains to continuing operations and excludes discontinued oil and gas operations for all periods presented.
	Segment information as presented below comports with information the Company’s chief operating decision maker and management use and focus on when assessing segment performance and allocating resources. Segment operating income or loss excludes interest, taxes, other income or expense and specified non-recurring items, if any, and corporate general and administrative and depreciation costs are allocated to operating segments based on their respective revenues relative to consolidated revenues. Segment information on continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30:
		2014									2013
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated			Motorsports			All		Consolidated
		Event			Other						Event			Other
		Related									Related
	Revenues	$	171,037		$	4,840		$	175,877		$	171,592		$	5,171	$	176,763
	Depreciation and amortization		15,312			47			15,359			13,766			56		13,822
	Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	–			–			–				89,037		–			89,037
	Segment operating income (loss)		45,912			890			46,802			(38,440	)		1,005		(37,435	)
	Capital expenditures	–			–			–			–			–		–
		Six Months Ended June 30:
		2014									2013
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated			Motorsports			All		Consolidated
		Event			Other						Event			Other
		Related									Related
	Revenues	$	251,141		$	9,278		$	260,419		$	250,616		$	10,369	$	260,985
	Depreciation and amortization		28,814			97			28,911			27,446			117		27,563
	Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	–			–			–				89,037		–			89,037
	Segment operating income (loss)		52,927			1,183			54,110			(30,317	)		1,770		(28,547	)
	Capital expenditures		14,187			32			14,219			5,100			18		5,118
		30-Jun-14									31-Dec-13
	Other intangibles	$	394,950		–			$	394,950		$	394,955		–		$	394,955
	Goodwill		49,680		–				49,680			49,680		–			49,680
	Total assets		1,748,922			25,342			1,774,264			1,761,698			24,562		1,786,260
	The following table reconciles segment operating income or loss above to consolidated income or loss before income taxes for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30:						June 30:
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Total segment operating income (loss)	$	46,802		$	(37,435	)	$	54,110		$	(28,547	)
	Adjusted for:
	Interest expense, net		(5,326	)		(9,241	)		(10,927	)		(20,151	)
	Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)	–				(18,467	)	–				(18,467	)
	Other income (expense), net		1,097			(160	)		2,358			(305	)
	Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes	$	42,573		$	(65,303	)	$	45,541		$	(67,470	)

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

'

Quarterly Reporting [Policy Text Block]

'

Quarterly Reporting – The Company recognizes revenues and operating expenses for all events in the calendar quarter in which conducted. Changes in race schedules at the Company's speedways from time to time, including speedway acquisitions, can lessen the comparability of operating results between quarterly financial statements of successive years and increase or decrease the seasonal nature of its motorsports business. The more significant racing schedule changes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 as compared to 2013 include:

•

LVMS held one major NHRA racing event in the first quarter 2014 that was held in the second quarter 2013

•

Poor weather resulted in delays in starting and completing one NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at BMS in the first quarter 2014

•

Poor weather resulted in postponing and rescheduling one NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at TMS in the second quarter 2014

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). 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 agreements. The NASCAR Trust significantly influences MA’s 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. As further described below, and in Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2013 Annual Report, the Company recognized an anticipated material tax benefit related to abandonment as of December 31, 2013. There was no other impact on the Company’s December 31, 2013 or year-to-date 2014 Consolidated Financial Statements. The carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in MA was reduced to $0 as of December 31, 2009. 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 2014 and 2013 results were not impacted by MA’s operations under the equity method.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

'

Income Taxes – The Company provides for income taxes at the end of each interim period based on management’s best estimate of the annual estimated effective income tax rate. Cumulative adjustments to the Company’s annual estimated effective income tax rate are recorded in the interim period in which a change in the annual estimated effective income tax rate is determined. See Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2013 Annual Report for additional information on our accounting for income taxes.

The effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was 36.1% and 36.2%, including derecognition of accrued interest and penalties as described below. The effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was 37.1%, excluding the negative impact of recording tax benefits of approximately $2.3 million related to the 2013 goodwill impairment charge of $89.0 million (a significant portion had no tax benefit) as further described in Note 4 and a one-time benefit of state income tax restructuring. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, current income taxes payable of approximately $21.4 million were reduced by utilization of current deferred income tax assets described below.The Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 reflect a reduction of accrued interest and penalties for estimated income tax liabilities, which decreased income tax expense and deferred income taxes, of approximately $397,000. Although various previous reporting periods were over accrued, the Company believes the impact was not material to prior or current periods.

Income tax liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits approximate $1,004,000 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and are included in other noncurrent liabilities, all of which would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. As of June 30, 2014, 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. There was no change or activity for unrecognized tax benefits during the three or six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013. Interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions of $483,000 were derecognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, and $19,000 and $37,000 were recognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $361,000 and $844,000 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions, which is included in other noncurrent liabilities. The tax years that remain open to examination include 2006 through 2013 by the California Franchise Tax Board, and 2010 through 2013 by all other taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. The Kentucky Department of Revenue has completed examining the Company’s 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 state tax returns with no material adjustments.

Anticipated Income Tax Benefit From Equity Interest Abandonment – On January 31, 2014, the Company abandoned its interest and rights in MA as previously described above. 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.

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.

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 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were $1,373,000 and $1,521,000, and for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were $2,338,000 and $2,523,000.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

'

Advertising Expenses – Event specific advertising costs are expensed when an associated event is held and included principally in direct expense of events. Non-event related advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included principally in other direct operating expense. Advertising expense amounted to $5,914,000 and $5,996,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $8,354,000 and $8,595,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. There were no deferred direct-response advertising costs at June 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

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. 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 June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

30-Jun-14

31-Dec-13

Level

Class

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

1

R

$

95,364

$

95,364

$

97,343

$

97,343

Floating rate notes receivable

2

NR

1,615

1,615

2,005

2,005

Cash surrender values

2

NR

5,087

5,087

4,937

4,937

Liabilities

Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan

2

NR

170,000

170,000

210,000

210,000

6.75% Senior Notes Payable due 2019

1

NR

253,784

265,000

254,197

265,000

Other long-term debt

2

NR

2,130

2,130

2,792

2,792

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.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

'

Property and Equipment – In the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded accelerated depreciation on certain damaged BMS assets of $651,000 and certain retired NHMS assets of $1,131,000. NHMS removed approximately 7,000 low demand seats and is using the area for premium hospitality and advertising. The Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 reflect a gain from involuntary conversion of certain TMS property, increasing property and equipment and other income, net by approximately $985,000. Although this gain should have been recorded in an earlier period, the Company believes the impact was not material to prior or current periods.

Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]

'

Deferred Income – TMS, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Sports Authority (FWSA), has an oil and gas mineral rights lease agreement and a joint exploration agreement with the FWSA, 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 as 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 was accreted into other operating revenue over an associated two-year agreement term on a straight-line basis, with $803,000 and $1,605,000 recognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 ($0 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014).

Although the initial agreement term expired in December 2013, the lessee had initiated drilling activities prior to expiration, resulting in the long-term lease remaining enforceable as long as drilling or extraction related activities continue or certain prices levels are met. This lease agreement was extended and oil and gas extraction has commenced in 2014, which entitles TMS to stipulated stand-alone and shared royalties. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, TMS received and recognized royalty payments of $400,000 under the extended lease agreement. The lessee has expanded production capacity, including an increased number of extraction wells. At this time, while extraction activities continue, management is unable to determine possible ongoing volumes of production if any or for how long, or if stipulated natural gas price levels will be maintained or adequate. The lease agreement stipulates the sharing of production revenues, and requires TMS to spend a portion of shared royalties on TMS facility and road infrastructure improvements, up to specified amounts. Any future production revenues or royalties are subject to production levels and market prices that can fluctuate significantly and rapidly, as well as other factors outside of TMS’s control. As such, management is unable to determine the amounts if any, or timing, of possible future royalty payments to TMS. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there was no deferred income associated with the expired or extended agreements.

In late 2013, BMS announced plans to host a collegiate football game in September 2016. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, advance revenues and associated direct expenses were not significant. 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.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

'

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

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements [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. The Company’s adoption had no impact on its financial statements or disclosures, and the Company will apply this guidance where applicable in the future.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08 “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity: Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360)” which improves the definition of discontinued operations, changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and includes several new disclosures. Some of the new required disclosures include: (i) presentation of assets and liabilities of disposal groups that include a discontinued operation separately in assets and liabilities within the statement of financial position or reconciliation to total amounts presented; (ii) statement of cash flow presentation or note disclosure of total operating and investing cash flows for discontinued operations, or depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures, and significant operating and investing noncash items related to discontinued operations; and (iii) major classes of line items constituting pretax profit or loss of discontinued operations for periods in which results of discontinued operations are presented where net income is reported. Other disclosures are required when entities retain significant continuing involvement with a discontinued operation after disposal, including cash flows to and from a discontinued operation, and for disposals of individually significant entity components not qualifying for discontinued operations presentation, including noncontrolling interests and retained equity method investments after disposal transactions. For disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations, entities must disclose pre-tax earnings of the disposed component. Disposals of an entity component or group of entity components are required to be reported in discontinued operations if disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results when certain defined activities occur, including disposals by sale, abandonments and distributions. The guidance is effective for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of entity components, and activities upon acquisition classified as held for sale, that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Entities should not apply this guidance to entity components or business activities classified as held for sale before the effective date even if components or activities are disposed after the effective date. Early adoption is permitted only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in previously issued financial statements. At this time, the Company believes adoption will have no impact on its financial statements or disclosures, and the Company will apply such guidance where applicable in the future.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Section A—Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40)” which enhances comparability and clarifies principles of revenue recognition. The guidance includes the core principle that entities recognize revenue to depict transfers of promised goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration entities expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that adoption may have on its financial statements.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-12 "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period” which requires performance targets that affect vesting and could be achieved after requisite service periods be treated as performance conditions and reflected in estimating grant-date fair values of awards. Compensation cost should be recognized in the periods when achieving performance targets becomes probable, and should represent the compensation cost attributable to periods for which requisite services have already been rendered. If achieving performance targets becomes probable before the end of the requisite service periods, any remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. Among other things, the guidance applies to entities that grant employees share-based payments in which award terms provide that performance targets that affect vesting could be achieved after the requisite service periods. The guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. Entities may apply the guidance either (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that adoption may have on its financial statements.

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_1

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies And Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	'
					30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
		Level		Class	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	R	$	95,364	$	95,364	$	97,343	$	97,343
	Floating rate notes receivable		2	NR		1,615		1,615		2,005		2,005
	Cash surrender values		2	NR		5,087		5,087		4,937		4,937
	Liabilities
	Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan		2	NR		170,000		170,000		210,000		210,000
	6.75% Senior Notes Payable due 2019		1	NR		253,784		265,000		254,197		265,000
	Other long-term debt		2	NR		2,130		2,130		2,792		2,792

Note_3_Inventories_Tables

Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Finished race cars, parts and accessories	$	5,477	$	5,372
	Souvenirs and apparel		3,204		2,409
	Micro-lubricant® and other		793		824
	Total	$	9,474	$	8,605

Note_4_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta1

Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
		30-Jun-14							31-Dec-13
		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Estimated
		Carrying							Carrying		Amortization					Amortization
		Value							Value							Period
																(Years)
	Nonamortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	$	394,913		—		$	394,913	$	394,913		—		$	394,913		—
	Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements		100	$	(63	)		37		100	$	(58	)		42		6-May
	Total	$	395,013	$	(63	)	$	394,950	$	395,013	$	(58	)	$	394,955

Note_5_Longterm_Debt_Tables

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30:						June 30:
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Gross interest costs	$	5,483		$	9,409		$	11,214		$	20,501
	Less: capitalized interest costs		(114	)		(53	)		(199	)		(89	)
	Interest expense		5,369			9,356			11,015			20,412
	Interest income		(43	)		(115	)		(88	)		(261	)
	Interest expense, net	$	5,326		$	9,241		$	10,927		$	20,151
	Weighted-average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings		2.2	%		2.2	%		2.2	%		2.3	%

Note_6_Per_Share_and_Other_Equ1

Note 6 - Per Share and Other Equity Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders Equity And Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30:					June 30:
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	Income (loss) applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	27,199	$	(67,811	)	$	29,066	$	(69,179	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		41,411		41,424			41,407		41,426
	Dilution effect of assumed conversions:
	Common stock equivalents—stock awards		20		17			23		13
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions		41,431		41,441			41,430		41,439
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.66	$	(1.64	)	$	0.7	$	(1.67	)
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.66	$	(1.64	)	$	0.7	$	(1.67	)
	Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings (loss) per share		643		840			612		891

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti1

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Related Party Balances [Member]	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	'
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Notes and other receivables	$	3,272	$	3,522
	Amounts payable to affiliates		2,594		2,594
Related Party Transactions [Member]	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30:				June 30:
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Merchandise and vehicle purchases	$	129	$	76	$	395	$	501
	Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses		869		1,336		1,847		2,746
	Rent expense		167		164		333		330
	Interest income		18		24		37		49
	Interest expense		25		25		50		50

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan1

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
		Six Months Ended June 30:
		2014						2013
		Restricted Stock			Restricted			Restricted Stock			Restricted
					Stock						Stock
					Units						Units
	Outstanding, beginning of period		59			59			60			60
	Granted		35			35			35			35
	Vested		(27	)		(27	)		(24	)		(24	)
	Forfeited		(3	)		(3	)		(12	)		(12	)
	Outstanding, end of period		64			64			59			59

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_Ta

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended June 30:
		2014									2013
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated			Motorsports			All		Consolidated
		Event			Other						Event			Other
		Related									Related
	Revenues	$	171,037		$	4,840		$	175,877		$	171,592		$	5,171	$	176,763
	Depreciation and amortization		15,312			47			15,359			13,766			56		13,822
	Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	–			–			–				89,037		–			89,037
	Segment operating income (loss)		45,912			890			46,802			(38,440	)		1,005		(37,435	)
	Capital expenditures	–			–			–			–			–		–
		Six Months Ended June 30:
		2014									2013
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated			Motorsports			All		Consolidated
		Event			Other						Event			Other
		Related									Related
	Revenues	$	251,141		$	9,278		$	260,419		$	250,616		$	10,369	$	260,985
	Depreciation and amortization		28,814			97			28,911			27,446			117		27,563
	Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	–			–			–				89,037		–			89,037
	Segment operating income (loss)		52,927			1,183			54,110			(30,317	)		1,770		(28,547	)
	Capital expenditures		14,187			32			14,219			5,100			18		5,118
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
		30-Jun-14									31-Dec-13
	Other intangibles	$	394,950		–			$	394,950		$	394,955		–		$	394,955
	Goodwill		49,680		–				49,680			49,680		–			49,680
	Total assets		1,748,922			25,342			1,774,264			1,761,698			24,562		1,786,260
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30:						June 30:
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Total segment operating income (loss)	$	46,802		$	(37,435	)	$	54,110		$	(28,547	)
	Adjusted for:
	Interest expense, net		(5,326	)		(9,241	)		(10,927	)		(20,151	)
	Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)	–				(18,467	)	–				(18,467	)
	Other income (expense), net		1,097			(160	)		2,358			(305	)
	Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes	$	42,573		$	(65,303	)	$	45,541		$	(67,470	)

Note_1_Description_of_Business1

Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

IndyCar Series [Member]

IndyCar Series [Member]

National Hot Rod Association [Member]

National Hot Rod Association [Member]

ARCA Event [Member]

ARCA Event [Member]

World Of Outlaws [Member]

World Of Outlaws [Member]

Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]

Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]

Nationwide Series Events [Member]

Nationwide Series Events [Member]

Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]

Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]

K And N Pro Series Events [Member]

K And N Pro Series Events [Member]

Whelen Modified Tour Member [Member]

Whelen Modified Tour Member [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Events Planned

'

'

'

'

24

'

2

'

6

'

1

'

3

'

13

'

11

'

7

'

3

'

4

'

Number Of Racing Events

'

'

'

'

'

24

'

2

1

6

'

1

'

3

13

13

11

11

7

6

'

3

'

4

Legal Fees (in Dollars)

$26,000

$27,000

$66,000

$62,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_2

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

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2009

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

Oil and Gas Properties [Member]

Motorsports Authenitcs [Member]

Motorsports Authenitcs [Member]

Motorsports Authenitcs [Member]

Bristol Motor Speedway LLC [Member]

Bristol Motor Speedway LLC [Member]

NHMS [Member]

NHMS [Member]

TMS [Member]

TMS [Member]

National Hot Rod Association [Member]

National Hot Rod Association [Member]

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Racing Events

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

6

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent

36.10%

37.10%

36.20%

37.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset

'

'

'

2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Impairment Loss

'

89,037,000

'

89,037,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Taxes Payable, Current

21,400,000

'

21,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Examination, Increase (Decrease) in Liability from Prior Year

-397,000

'

-397,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

1,004,000

'

1,004,000

'

1,004,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions, Current

483,000

'

483,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense

'

19,000

'

37,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued

361,000

'

361,000

'

844,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

15,374,000

2,508,000

16,475,000

1,709,000

-49,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Excise and Sales Taxes

1,373,000

1,521,000

2,338,000

2,523,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Advertising Expense

5,914,000

5,996,000

8,354,000

8,595,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Depreciation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

651,000

651,000

1,131,000

1,131,000

'

'

'

'

Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment

'

'

2,346,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

985,000

985,000

'

'

Recognition of Deferred Revenue

'

'

1,427,000

3,094,000

'

803,000

0

1,605,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Royalties Received

400,000

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Revenue

$0

'

$0

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_3

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures (Details) - Estimated Fair Values and Categorization Levels of Financial Instruments (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$95,364,000	$97,343,000	$120,289,000	$106,408,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
6.75% Senior Notes Payable due 2019	253,784,000	254,197,000	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
6.75% Senior Notes Payable due 2019	265,000,000	265,000,000	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	95,364,000	97,343,000	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	95,364,000	97,343,000	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Floating rate notes receivable	1,615,000	2,005,000	'	'
Cash surrender values	5,087,000	4,937,000	'	'
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan	170,000,000	210,000,000	'	'
Other long-term debt	2,130,000	2,792,000	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Floating rate notes receivable	1,615,000	2,005,000	'	'
Cash surrender values	5,087,000	4,937,000	'	'
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan	170,000,000	210,000,000	'	'
Other long-term debt	$2,130,000	$2,792,000	'	'

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_4

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures (Details) - Estimated Fair Values and Categorization Levels of Financial Instruments (Parentheticals) (Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member])	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reported Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
6.75% Senior Notes Payable due 2019, Interest Rate	6.75%	6.75%
6.75% Senior Notes Payable due date	'2019	'2019
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
6.75% Senior Notes Payable due 2019, Interest Rate	6.75%	6.75%
6.75% Senior Notes Payable due date	'2019	'2019

Note_3_Inventories_Details_Inv

Note 3 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory	$9,474	$8,605
Finished Vehicles Parts And Accessories [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory	5,477	5,372
Souvenirs And Apparel [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory	3,204	2,409
Micro Lubricant And Other [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory	$793	$824

Note_4_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta2

Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

NHMS And KyS [Member]

NHMS [Member]

Goodwill [Member]

Goodwill [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]

Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]

Nationwide Series Events [Member]

Nationwide Series Events [Member]

Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]

Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

NASCAR [Member]

Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average Contracted Revenue Increase Percentage

'

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average Management Fee Increases Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Racing Events

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24

'

13

13

11

11

7

6

Goodwill, Impairment Loss

$89,037,000

'

$89,037,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Tax Expense (Benefit)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,341,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

'

49,680,000

'

'

49,680,000

0

82,725,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

127,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired

'

'

'

330,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Impairments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$146,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_4_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta3

Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Gross Carrying Values and Accumulated Amortization by Class of Intangible Asset (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Nonamortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Nonamortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
							Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]	Amortizable Race Event Sanctioning And Renewal Agreements [Member]
Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Gross Carrying Values and Accumulated Amortization by Class of Intangible Asset [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonamortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	'	'	$394,913	$394,913	'	'	'	'
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	'	'	'	'	100	100	'	'
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	-63	-58	'	'	-63	-58	'	'
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	'	'	'	'	37	42	'	'
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	'	'	'	'	'	'	'5 years	'6 years
Total	395,013	395,013	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total	-63	-58	'	'	-63	-58	'	'
Total	$394,950	$394,955	'	'	'	'	'	'

Note_5_Longterm_Debt_Details

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

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Feb. 28, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt Issued at Par [Member]

Debt Issued at 105% Par [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2013 Credit Facility [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

Other Notes Payable [Member]

Other Notes Payable [Member]

2016 Senior Notes [Member]

2016 Senior Notes [Member]

2016 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Swing Line Loans [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]

Subject To Maintaining Certain Financial Covenants [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Term Loan Borrowings [Member]

Letters Of Credit [Member]

Letters Of Credit [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000,000

$50,000,000

$10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

100,000,000

'

'

'

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Covenant Maximum Dividends Payments And Repurchases Of Securities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Covenant Annual Capital Expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Quarterly Principal Repayment Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Lines of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000,000

40,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Line of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

170,000,000

170,000,000

210,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000,000

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

882,000

887,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

2.00%

0.25%

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

0.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Issue Price, Percent of Par

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

105.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

253,784,000

254,197,000

'

'

'

275,000,000

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,784,000

4,197,000

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Installments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

125,000

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,130,000

2,792,000

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

120,000

208,000

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.00%

'

'

'

'

Debt Redemption Price Percent Of Par

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

104.38%

'

Debt Instrument Offering Price Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

96.80%

'

Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value

120,289,000

95,364,000

97,343,000

106,408,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,081,000

Debt Redemption Premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,467,000

'

'

Income Taxes Paid, Net

$6,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_5_Longterm_Debt_Details_I

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) - Interest Expense, Net (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Interest Expense, Net [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Gross interest costs	$5,483	$9,409	$11,214	$20,501
Less: capitalized interest costs	-114	-53	-199	-89
Interest expense	5,369	9,356	11,015	20,412
Interest income	-43	-115	-88	-261
Interest expense, net	$5,326	$9,241	$10,927	$20,151
Weighted-average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings	2.20%	2.20%	2.20%	2.30%

Note_6_Per_Share_and_Other_Equ2

Note 6 - Per Share and Other Equity Information (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 12, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Apr. 15, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 17, 2014
						Subsequent Event [Member]
Note 6 - Per Share and Other Equity Information (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	'	5,000,000	'	5,000,000	4,000,000	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	'	32,000	'	62,000	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	'	$574,000	'	$1,154,000	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	'	1,056,000	'	1,056,000	'	'
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation	'	26,000	'	26,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Per Share Weighted Average Price of Shares Purchased	'	$20.07	'	$20.07	'	'
Treasury Stock, Number of Shares Held	'	143,000	'	143,000	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	12-Feb-14	'	15-Apr-14	'	'	17-Jul-14
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	28-Feb-14	'	16-May-14	'	'	15-Aug-14
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	14-Mar-14	'	6-Jun-14	'	'	5-Sep-14
Dividends, Cash	$6,240	'	$6,216	'	'	$6,200
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0.15	'	$0.15	'	'	$0.15

Note_6_Per_Share_and_Other_Equ3

Note 6 - Per Share and Other Equity Information (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings or Loss Per Share from Continuing Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Basic and Diluted Earnings or Loss Per Share from Continuing Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions (in Dollars)	$27,199	($67,811)	$29,066	($69,179)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	41,411	41,424	41,407	41,426
Common stock equivalents—stock awards	20	17	23	13
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions	41,431	41,441	41,430	41,439
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.66	($1.64)	$0.70	($1.67)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.66	($1.64)	$0.70	($1.67)
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings (loss) per share	643	840	612	891

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti2

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	$3,272,000	'	$3,272,000	'	$3,522,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	167,000	164,000	333,000	330,000	'
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	129,000	76,000	395,000	501,000	'
Revenue from Related Parties	869,000	1,336,000	1,847,000	2,746,000	'
Sonic Financial [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	2,890,000	'	2,890,000	'	3,294,000
Notes Receivable Interest Additional Interest Above Prime Rate	'	'	1.00%	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Notes Receivable, Related Parties	-102,000	-96,000	-404,000	-191,000	'
Due to Affiliate	2,594,000	'	2,594,000	'	2,594,000
Sonic Financial | Amount with Fixed Interest Rate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Due to Affiliate	1,800,000	'	1,800,000	'	'
Related Party Transaction, Rate	'	'	3.83%	'	'
Sonic Financial | Amount with Floating Interest Rate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	'	'	1.00%	'	'
Affiliated Entity [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	167,000	164,000	333,000	330,000	'
Sonic Automotive, Inc. [Member] | SMI Properties [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from Related Parties	187,000	179,000	333,000	349,000	'
Sonic Automotive, Inc. [Member] | Oil-Chem [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from Related Parties	587,000	450,000	1,063,000	1,022,000	'
Sonic Automotive, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Due to Affiliate	305,000	'	305,000	'	154,000
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$129,000	$28,000	$161,000	$39,000	'

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti3

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) - Foregoing Related Party Balances (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Foregoing Related Party Balances [Abstract]	'	'
Notes and other receivables	$3,272	$3,522
Amounts payable to affiliates	$2,594	$2,594

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti4

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) - Related Party Transactions (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Merchandise and vehicle purchases	$129	$76	$395	$501
Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses	869	1,336	1,847	2,746
Rent expense	167	164	333	330
Interest income	18	24	37	49
Interest expense	$25	$25	$50	$50

Note_8_Legal_Proceedings_and_C1

Note 8 - Legal Proceedings and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Gain Contingency, Unrecorded Amount	$12,000,000

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan2

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

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Apr. 16, 2014

Apr. 15, 2013

Apr. 17, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 17, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

General and Administrative Expense [Member]

General and Administrative Expense [Member]

General and Administrative Expense [Member]

General and Administrative Expense [Member]

Options and SARs [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 [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 [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan Twenty Thirteen [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan Amended and Restated [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan Amended and Restated [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan Amended and Restated [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan Twenty Thirteen [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan Twenty Thirteen [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan 2004 [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Management [Member]

Per a Non-employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Directors [Member]

Non-Employee Directors [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan Amended and Restated [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan Amended and Restated [Member]

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan Amended and Restated [Member]

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Amount (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares

32,000

'

62,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,000

25,000

Stock Repurchased During Period, Value (in Dollars)

574,000

'

1,154,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

523,000

418,000

Restricted Stock, Shares Issued Net of Shares for Tax Withholdings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

54,000

48,000

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000

'

'

Weighted Average Stock Price Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 days

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,028

'

'

'

35,000

35,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,200

16,668

'

27,000

24,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans

'

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000

3,500

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$15.83

$15.83

'

'

'

Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

670,000

555,000

1,309,000

1,080,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

249,000

206,000

486,000

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,879,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'328 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

$0

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan3

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period	59,000	60,000
Granted	35,000	35,000
Vested	-27,000	-24,000
Forfeited	-3,000	-12,000
Outstanding, end of period	64,000	59,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period	59,000	60,000
Granted	35,000	35,000
Vested	-27,000	-24,000
Forfeited	-3,000	-12,000
Outstanding, end of period	64,000	59,000

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_De

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Segment Information on Continuing Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$175,877,000	$176,763,000	$260,419,000	$260,985,000
Depreciation and amortization	15,359,000	13,822,000	28,911,000	27,563,000
Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	'	89,037,000	'	89,037,000
Segment operating income (loss)	46,802,000	-37,435,000	54,110,000	-28,547,000
Capital expenditures	'	'	14,219,000	5,118,000
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	171,037,000	171,592,000	251,141,000	250,616,000
Depreciation and amortization	15,312,000	13,766,000	28,814,000	27,446,000
Impairment of goodwill (Note 4)	'	89,037,000	'	89,037,000
Segment operating income (loss)	45,912,000	-38,440,000	52,927,000	-30,317,000
Capital expenditures	'	'	14,187,000	5,100,000
Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	4,840,000	5,171,000	9,278,000	10,369,000
Depreciation and amortization	47,000	56,000	97,000	117,000
Segment operating income (loss)	890,000	1,005,000	1,183,000	1,770,000
Capital expenditures	'	'	$32,000	$18,000

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_De1

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangibles	$394,950,000	$394,955,000
Goodwill	49,680,000	49,680,000
Total assets	1,774,264,000	1,786,260,000
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]	'	'
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangibles	394,950,000	394,955,000
Goodwill	49,680,000	49,680,000
Total assets	1,748,922,000	1,761,698,000
Other Segments [Member]	'	'
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$25,342,000	$24,562,000

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_De2

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income or Loss to Consolidated Amounts (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income or Loss to Consolidated Amounts [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total segment operating income (loss)	$46,802	($37,435)	$54,110	($28,547)
Adjusted for:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	-5,326	-9,241	-10,927	-20,151
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)	'	-18,467	'	-18,467
Other income (expense), net	1,097	-160	2,358	-305
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes	$42,573	($65,303)	$45,541	($67,470)