Speedway Motorsports (TRK) 10-Q29 Apr 152015 Q1 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 29, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		41,325,152
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	934648
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$101,557	$110,046
Accounts and notes receivable, net	60,128	34,855
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	8,252	8,306
Inventories, net	10,063	8,350
Prepaid expenses	4,483	3,881
Deferred income taxes	15,818	23,786
Total Current Assets	200,301	189,224
Notes and Other Receivables	1,518	1,555
Other Assets	30,616	30,714
Property and Equipment, Net	1,044,429	1,052,153
Other Intangible Assets, Net	394,941	394,941
Goodwill	49,680	49,680
Total	1,721,485	1,718,267
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	11,093	7,070
Accounts payable	16,652	11,166
Deferred race event and other income, net	88,859	55,209
Accrued interest	1,862	7,055
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	19,948	25,131
Total Current Liabilities	138,414	105,631
Long-term Debt (Note 5)	390,000	397,747
Deferred Income, Net	4,689	4,822
Deferred Income Taxes	363,314	371,903
Other Liabilities	7,189	7,019
Total Liabilities	903,606	887,122
Stockholdersâ€™ Equity:
Common Stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized â€“ 200,000,000, issued and outstanding â€“ 41,331,000 in 2015 and 41,340,000 in 2014	456	456
Additional Paid-in Capital	251,947	252,571
Retained Earnings	661,016	671,648
Treasury Stock at cost, shares â€“ 4,305,000 in 2015 and 4,216,000 in 2014	-95,540	-93,530
Total Stockholdersâ€™ Equity	817,879	831,145
Total	$1,721,485	$1,718,267

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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	41,331,000	41,340,000
Common Stock, shares outstanding	41,331,000	41,340,000
Treasury Stock at cost, shares	4,305,000	4,216,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Admissions	$18,752	$21,251
Event related revenue	22,270	24,007
NASCAR broadcasting revenue	36,319	31,697
Other operating revenue	7,933	7,587
Total Revenues	85,274	84,542
Expenses and Other:
Direct expense of events	14,870	16,194
NASCAR event management fees	21,619	19,723
Other direct operating expense	4,838	4,729
General and administrative	23,091	23,036
Depreciation and amortization	13,335	13,552
Interest expense, net	6,257	5,601
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)	8,372
Other income, net	-390	-1,261
Total Expenses and Other	91,992	81,574
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes	-6,718	2,968
Provision for Income Taxes	2,319	-1,101
Net (Loss) Income	($4,399)	$1,867
Basic (Loss) Earnings Per Share (Note 6) (in Dollars per share)	($0.11)	$0.05
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	41,338	41,404
Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Share (Note 6) (in Dollars per share)	($0.11)	$0.05
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in Shares)	41,376	41,429

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
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$456,000	$252,571,000	$671,648,000	($93,530,000)	$831,145,000
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	41,340,000
Net loss			-4,399,000		-4,399,000
Share-based compensation, net of windfall tax benefits adjustment (Note 9)		-909,000			-909,000
Share-based compensation, net of windfall tax benefits adjustment (Note 9) (in Shares)	62,000
Exercise of stock options		285,000			285,000
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	18,000
Quarterly cash dividends of $0.15 per share of common stock			-6,233,000		-6,233,000
Repurchases of common stock				-2,010,000	-1,380,000
Repurchases of common stock (in Shares)	-89,000				-61,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$456,000	$251,947,000	$661,016,000	($95,540,000)	$817,879,000
Balance (in Shares) at Mar. 31, 2015	41,331,000

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc1

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 11, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash dividends, per share of common stock	$0.15	$0.15

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net (loss) income	($4,399,000)	$1,867,000
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred loan cost amortization	508,000	500,000
Gain on disposals of property and equipment and insurance recovery	-488,000	-1,277,000
Interest expense accretion of debt discount and premium, net	-149,000	-159,000
Depreciation and amortization	13,335,000	13,552,000
Amortization of deferred income	-176,000	-179,000
Deferred income tax provision	-2,319,000	1,095,000
Share-based compensation	796,000	639,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable	-25,273,000	-35,087,000
Prepaid, refundable and accrued income taxes	54,000	-1,000
Inventories	-1,713,000	-864,000
Prepaid expenses	-602,000	-68,000
Accounts payable	5,457,000	5,493,000
Deferred race event and other income	33,609,000	25,812,000
Accrued interest	-5,193,000	-4,220,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	-4,975,000	-3,748,000
Deferred income	84,000	253,000
Other assets and liabilities	162,000	140,000
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	8,718,000	3,748,000
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Borrowings under long-term debt	250,000,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	-250,375,000	-10,375,000
Payment of debt refinancing costs	-3,629,000
Dividend payments on common stock	-6,233,000	-6,240,000
Exercise of common stock options	285,000	47,000
Repurchases of common stock	-2,010,000	-1,122,000
Net Cash Used By Financing Activities	-11,962,000	-17,690,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Payments for capital expenditures	-6,089,000	-7,403,000
Payment for other non-current assets	-197,000
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment and insurance recovery	491,000	1,277,000
Repayment of notes and other receivables	37,000	47,000
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities	-5,758,000	-6,079,000
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-9,002,000	-20,021,000
Change in cash collected for and payable to third party, cash not provided or used by operating activities (Note 2)	513,000	-224,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	110,046,000	97,343,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	101,557,000	77,098,000
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	11,497,000	9,866,000
Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities Information:
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable for capital expenditures	($484,000)	$1,678,000

Note_1_Description_of_Business

Note 1 - Description of Business	3 Months Ended
Note 1 - Description of Business	Mar. 31, 2015
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 operating 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), New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Inc. (NHMS), North Wilkesboro Speedway, Inc. (NWS), Speedway Sonoma LLC (Sonoma Raceway or SR), 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 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K (2014 Annual Report) for further description of its business operations, properties and scheduled events.

	Racing Events – In 2015, 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 Xfinity Series racing events. We also plan to hold eight 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 2014, we held 24 major annual racing events sanctioned by NASCAR, including 13 Sprint Cup and 11 Xfinity Series racing events. We also held seven 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.

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [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 2014 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 2014 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 months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to 2014 include:

•

AMS held one NASCAR Sprint Cup and one Xfinity Series racing event in the first quarter 2015 that were held in the third quarter 2014, and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing event (same day as the Xfinity event) in the first quarter 2015 that was not held in 2014

•

BMS held one NASCAR Sprint Cup and one Xfinity Series racing event in the first quarter 2014 that are being held in the second quarter 2015

•

CMS held one major NHRA racing event in the first quarter 2015 that was held in the second quarter 2014

•

LVMS held one major NHRA racing event in the first quarter 2014 that is being held in the second quarter 2015

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 2014 Annual Report for additional information on our accounting for income taxes.

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 34.5% and 37.1%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the current period was reduced by adjustments to certain deferred tax assets, and was 37.1% excluding such adjustments. The Company paid cash of $0 and $3,000 for income taxes in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Income tax liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits approximate $885,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and are included in other noncurrent liabilities, all of which would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, management believes $386,000 of unrecognized tax benefits will be recognized within the next twelve months. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized $7,000 of interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $335,000 and $328,000 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 2014 by the California Franchise Tax Board, and 2011 through 2014 by all other taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

Anticipated Income Tax Benefit From Equity Interest Abandonment – On January 31, 2014, the Company abandoned its interest and rights in Motorsports Authentics (former 50% owned merchandising equity investment joint venture) to focus management resources in areas that may be profitable and more productive. 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 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, and intends to recognize tax losses 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 for full utilization of these tax losses.

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 outside 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 and material acceleration of income taxes then currently payable could occur. 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 March 31, 2015 and 2014 amounted to $477,000 and $965,000.

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 $2,283,000 and $2,440,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. There were no deferred direct-response advertising costs at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

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 (in thousands):

31-Mar-15

31-Dec-14

Level

Class

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

101,557

110,046

Cash surrender values

8,353

8,177

Liabilities

Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan

200,000

150,000

5.125% Senior Notes Payable due 2023

200,000

202,500

–

6.75% Senior Notes Payable previously due 2019 (Note 5)

–

253,372

257,500

Other long-term debt

1,093

1,445

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.

Land Conservation Easement - SR plans to grant a “Perpetual Conservation Easement” for approximately 230 acres of land (the Grant) in favor of the Golden State Land Conservancy, a California nonprofit corporation, in the second quarter 2015. The Grant is under a long-term conservation project for wetland and habitat protection and associated changes in land use permits anticipated since major facility renovation several years ago. While the Grant contains specified restrictions and limitations, no significant changes in present SR use or access associated with the granted easement or any associated effect on our financial statements are anticipated at this time.

TMS Oil and Gas Mineral Rights Lease Receipts – TMS, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Sports Authority, has an oil and gas mineral rights lease agreement 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. The long-term lease remains enforceable as long as drilling or extraction related activities continue or certain prices levels are met. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, TMS received and recognized royalty payments of $1,255,000 and $1,062,000 under the lease agreement.

An initial lease agreement was extended and oil and gas extraction commenced in 2014, entitling TMS to stipulated stand-alone and shared royalties. The lessee expanded production capacity in 2014, 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there was no deferred income associated with the expired or extended agreements.

Quicksilver Resources, Inc. (Quicksilver), the company with whom TMS and FWSA contracted for the exploration and extraction of natural gas, filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on March 17, 2015. On April 15, 2015, the Bankruptcy Court entered a final order approving Quicksilver’s motion to continue operating in the ordinary course by honoring obligations under its oil and gas contracts (such as the contracts with TMS and the FWSA) in Quicksilver’s business judgment. As such, at this time, the Company anticipates that Quicksilver will continue to perform under the contracts for the foreseeable future.

Deferred Income, Other Arrangements - In late 2013, BMS announced plans to host a collegiate football game in September 2016. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, net 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.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – At times, the Company 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.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards – 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 is currently deliberating possible deferral of this update.

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.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03 "Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” which requires that debt issuance costs related to debt liabilities be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated carrying amount, similar to debt discounts. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that adoption may have on its financial statements.

Note_3_Inventories

Note 3 - Inventories	3 Months Ended
Note 3 - Inventories	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	3. INVENTORIES

	Inventories, net consist of the following components (in thousands):

		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Finished race cars, parts and accessories	$	5,453	$	5,186
	Souvenirs and apparel		3,812		2,472
	Micro-lubricant^® and other		798		692
	Total	$	10,063	$	8,350

Note_4_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta

Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

	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 2014 Annual Report for additional information on the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets and assessment methodology and evaluation. 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. That 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 aggregate carrying values of $296,130,000 for those material nonamortizable agreements was found to be relatively nominal, 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 annual increases in contracted NASCAR broadcasting rights revenues beginning in 2015 through 2024 would approximate those reflected in the recently negotiated multi-year contracts and announced by NASCAR. Management also assumed annual increases in associated NASCAR event management (purse and sanction) fees would approximate historical and 2015 contracted rates. NASCAR event management fees for years after 2015 have not been negotiated, and future annual fees could differ substantially from those assumed in management’s impairment assessment.

	As such, no goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment charges were found necessary at this time. 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. There have since been no other events or circumstances that indicate possible unrecognized impairment as of March 31, 2015. 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 impairment exists as of March 31, 2015. 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.

	Other Information - There were no changes in the gross carrying value of goodwill or other intangible assets during the three months ended March 31, 2015. At March 31, 2015, the carrying amounts for goodwill and other intangible assets include accumulated impairments of $146.2 million. The gross carrying values and accumulated amortization by class of intangible asset are as follows (dollars in thousands):

		31-Mar-15							31-Dec-14
		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	$	(72	)		28		100	$	(72	)		28		6-May
	Total	$	395,013	$	(72	)	$	394,941	$	395,013	$	(72	)	$	394,941

Note_5_Longterm_Debt

Note 5 - Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	5. LONG-TERM DEBT

	Bank Credit Facility – The Company’s Credit Facility, as amended in December 2014, (the 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 $150,000,000 senior secured term loan (which was fully drawn in December 2014) and a five-year delayed draw term loan of up to $50,000,000 (which was fully drawn in March 2015) (the Term Loan or Term Loans); (iii) matures in December 2019; (iv) contains an accordion feature allowing the Company to increase revolving commitments or establish a term loan up to an aggregate additional $100,000,000 or $200,000,000, respectively (or a combined aggregate additional amount of up to $250,000,000) 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 and provides for motor speedway acquisitions and related businesses. Term Loans require equal minimum quarterly principal payments of at least 5% of initial amounts drawn on an annualized basis (or $10,000,000 each twelve-month period based on initial draws of $200,000,000, with first payment due June 2015).

	Interest is based, at the Company’s option, upon the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.25% to 2.00% or a base rate defined as the higher of Bank of America’s prime rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or the Eurodollar Rate plus 1%, plus 0.25% to 1.00%. The 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 Credit Facility contains a number of affirmative and negative financial covenants, including requirements that the Company maintain certain consolidated total leverage ratios and consolidated interest coverage ratios.

	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company borrowed $50,000,000 under the Term Loan (for partial funding of the 2019 Senior Notes redemption as further described below). During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company repaid $10,000,000 of Term Loan borrowings. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility were $200,000,000 and $150,000,000 (all Term Loan borrowings), and outstanding letters of credit amounted to $1,150,000 and $1,152,000. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had availability for borrowing up to an additional $98,850,000, including up to an additional $48,850,000 in letters of credit, under the revolving Credit Facility.

	2015 Issuance of New Senior Notes – In January 2015, the Company completed a private placement of new 5.125% Senior Notes due 2023 in aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000 (the 2023 Senior Notes), issued at par value and net proceeds after commissions and fees approximated $196,816,000. The Company used net offering proceeds, Term Loan borrowings under the Credit Facility and cash on hand to fund the redemption of the 2019 Senior Notes in March 2015 as further described below. The Company has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC related to its offer to exchange registered notes for unregistered notes. The 2023 Senior Notes mature in February 2023 and interest payments are due semi-annually on February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1, 2015.

	The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Senior Notes at annually declining redemption premiums ranging from 103.844% of par in fiscal years beginning February 1, 2018 to par after February 1, 2021, and up to 35% of the 2023 Senior Notes before February 1, 2018 with proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption premium of 105.125% of par. The Company may also redeem some or all of the 2023 Senior Notes before February 1, 2018 at par plus a "make-whole" premium. In the event of a change of control, the Company must offer to repurchase the 2023 Senior Notes at 101% of par value. The 2023 Senior Notes rank equally in right of payment with all other Company existing and future unsubordinated debt, are senior in right of payment to any future subordinated debt and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured debt, including the Credit Facility. The Indenture governing the 2023 Senior Notes permits dividend payments each year of up to approximately $0.80 per share of common stock, increasable subject to meeting certain financial covenants. The 2023 Senior Notes contain specific requirements and restrictive financial covenants and limitations, guarantees and cross-default provisions generally similar to those of the 2019 Senior Notes.

	2015 Early Redemption of 2019 Senior Notes – Effective March 13, 2015, the Company redeemed all outstanding 6.75% Senior Notes due in 2019 (the 2019 Senior Notes) in aggregate principal of $250,000,000 at 103.375% of par plus accrued interest. The notes were scheduled to mature in February 2019, with interest payments due February 1 and August 1, and had unamortized issuance premium of $3,372,000 at December 31, 2014. Net proceeds of the new 2023 Senior Notes, $50,000,000 of delayed draw Term Loan borrowings under the Credit Facility and cash on hand were used to fund the redemption, including redemption premium and transaction costs. The Company recognized a first quarter 2015 charge to earnings of $8,372,000, before income taxes of $3,106,000, for associated redemption premium, unamortized net deferred loan costs of $3,134,000, and transaction costs, net of issuance premium of $3,200,000 and transaction costs.

	Other Notes Payable – Long-term debt includes a non-interest bearing debt obligation, payable in 60 monthly installments of $125,000 through December 2015, associated with the Company's acquisition of KyS. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying values of $1,093,000 and $1,445,000 reflect discounts of $32,000 and $55,000, respectively, based on an effective interest rate of 7%.

	Other Terms and Conditions– The Credit Facility and 2023 Senior Notes contain specific requirements and restrictive financial covenants and limits or prohibits various financial and transactional activities, and also contain cross-default provisions. The Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants under these debt agreements as of March 31, 2015. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report for additional information on these debt agreements, including dividend, redemption, and right of payment provisions, pledged security and financial and restrictive covenants.

	Subsidiary Guarantees – Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility and 2023 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 2023 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
		March 31:
		2015			2014
	Gross interest costs	$	6,365		$	5,731
	Less: capitalized interest costs		(61	)		(85	)
	Interest expense		6,304			5,646
	Interest income		(47	)		(45	)
	Interest expense, net	$	6,257		$	5,601
	Weighted-average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings		1.9	%		2.2	%

	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company incurred net interest expense of $1,688,000 on the former 2019 Senior Notes between January 27, 2015 (issuance date of the new 2023 Senior Notes) and March 13, 2015 (redemption date of the 2019 Senior Notes). The new notes were issued before redemption of the former notes because of a favorable interest rate environment and required notice of redemption to 2019 Senior Note holders by the Company.

Note_6_Per_Share_Data_and_Othe

Note 6 - Per Share Data and Other Equity Information	3 Months Ended
Note 6 - Per Share Data and Other Equity Information	Mar. 31, 2015
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 (loss) income 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
		March 31:
		2015			2014
	Net (loss) income applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	(4,399	)	$	1,867

	Weighted average common shares outstanding		41,338			41,404
	Dilution effect of assumed conversions:
	Common stock equivalents—stock awards		38			25
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions		41,376			41,429

	Basic (loss) income per share	$	(0.11	)	$	0.05
	Diluted (loss) income per share	$	(0.11	)	$	0.05
	Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings per share		163			580

	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 of the Company’s outstanding common stock from time to time, depending on market conditions, share price, applicable limitations under the Company’s debt agreements (see Note 5), 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 months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 61,000 shares of common stock for $1,380,000. As of March 31, 2015, the Company could repurchase up to an additional 885,000 shares under the current authorization. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 28,000 shares of common stock for $630,000 from management employees to settle income taxes on 58,000 restricted shares that vested during the period. As of and through March 31, 2015, treasury stock includes 190,000 shares of common stock delivered to the Company for such purposes.

	Declaration of Cash Dividends – On February 11, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock aggregating $6,233,000, which was paid on March 13, 2015 to shareholders of record as of March 2, 2015. On April 15, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock aggregating approximately $6.2 million payable on June 5, 2015 to shareholders of record as of May 15, 2015. These quarterly cash dividends are being paid using available cash and cash equivalents on hand.

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

	Before July 30, 2002, the Company made loans to, paid certain expenses on behalf of and had a loan due to Sonic Financial Corporation (Sonic Financial), a Company affiliate through common ownership by the Company's Executive Chairman, for various corporate purposes. The Company and Sonic Financial share various expenses in the ordinary course of business under a shared services agreement. Due to final loan repayment and settlement in 2014, no amounts were due at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, amounts due under the prior agreements were reduced from shared expenses and repayments, net of accrued interest, by $302,000. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company incurred expenses of $129,000 under the shared services agreement.

	The Company and certain SMI subsidiaries lease office and warehouse facilities from companies affiliated through common ownership by the Company's Executive Chairman, under annually renewable lease agreements. Rent expense amounted to $167,000 and $166,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Amounts owed to these affiliated companies at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 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 Executive Chairman is a controlling stockholder, for an aggregate of $23,000 and $32,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. There were no vehicles sold to SAI in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Also, SMI sold through certain speedways and its SMIP merchandising subsidiary various event related inventory and merchandise to SAI totaling $161,000 and $146,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, approximately $89,000 was due from SAI and is reflected in current assets.

	Oil-Chem sold zMAX micro-lubricant^® product to certain SAI dealerships for resale to service customers of the dealerships in the ordinary course of business. Total purchases from Oil-Chem by SAI dealerships were $550,000 and $476,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, approximately $215,000 and $143,000 was due from SAI and is reflected in current assets.

	SMI Properties and, to a lesser extent, other SMI subsidiaries purchased and sold motorsports merchandise, and received commissions from MA for merchandise sold during Company events. As further described in Note 2, the Company abandoned its interest in MA on January 31, 2014, after which MA is no longer a related party. Merchandise purchases in the one month ended January 31, 2014 approximated $234,000. Merchandise sales and event related commissions in the one month ended January 31, 2014 approximated $60,000.

	The foregoing related party balances as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, are summarized below (in thousands):

		2015		2014
	Notes and other receivables	$	304	$	232

	Merchandise and vehicle purchases		23		266
	Shared services expense, net of reimbursements		129		296
	Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses		711		682
	Rent expense		167		166
	Interest income		-		19
	Interest expense		-		25

Note_8_Legal_Proceedings_and_C

Note 8 - Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Note 8 - Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2015
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.

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 – The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (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. To date, the Company has awarded restricted stock and restricted stock units under the 2013 Plan.

	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.

	The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved grants of 35,000 restricted stock units to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President (former Chief Operating Officer until February 2015) and 35,000 shares of restricted stock to the Company’s Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer in each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. These grants 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. An additional 65,000 restricted stock units were granted to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President in the three months ended March 31, 2015 under the same conditions as described above except with a vesting period of five years. 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):

		Three Months Ended March 31:
		2015						2014
		Restricted Stock			Restricted Stock			Restricted Stock			Restricted Stock
					Units						Units
	Outstanding, beginning of period		64			64			59			59
	Granted		35			100			35			35
	Vested		(29	)		(29	)		(27	)		(27	)
	Forfeited		(3	)		(3	)		(3	)		(3	)
	Outstanding, end of period		67			132			64			64

	In the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company repurchased 28,000 and 27,000 shares of common stock for $630,000 and $523,000 from executive management employees to settle income taxes on 58,000 and 54,000 shares that vested during the period, respectively.

	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 3,204 shares of restricted stock to each of the Company’s four non-employee directors in April 2015. An aggregate of 16,112 shares granted to non-employee directors in April 2014 vested in April 2015, and 16,668 shares granted in April 2013 vested in April 2014. All restricted stock awards were granted and vested in accordance with plan provisions.

	2004 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated as of February 10, 2009 – The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan) terminated by its terms in February 2014 and no awards were granted under this plan in the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 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.

	Employee Stock Purchase Plan – No shares were granted to employees under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for calendar years 2015 or 2014.

	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 2015 or 2014 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 three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014. A total of 18,000 and 3,000 stock options previously granted under the 2004 Plan were exercised in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, at an exercise price of $15.83.

	Share-based compensation cost for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 totaled $796,000 and $639,000, before income taxes of $295,000 and $237,000, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expense. There were no capitalized share-based compensation costs at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. The Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2015 reflect a reduction of additional paid-in capital of $1,705,000 and deferred tax assets of approximately $1,874,000 and an increase in income tax expense of $169,000 for windfall tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. Although the adjustment pertains to previous reporting periods, the Company believes the impact was not material to prior or current periods. As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $5,173,000 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 1.4 year. As of March 31, 2015, 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 2014 Annual Report for additional information and terms of the Company’s stock compensation plans.

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures	3 Months Ended
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures	Mar. 31, 2015
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 2014 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.

	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. The following tables present the Company’s segment information (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended March 31:
		2015								2014
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated		Motorsports		All		Consolidated
		Event			Other					Event		Other
		Related								Related
	Revenues	$	79,500		$	5,774		$	85,274	$	80,104	$	4,438	$	84,542
	Depreciation and amortization		13,290			45			13,335		13,502		50		13,552
	Segment operating income		5,645			1,876			7,521		7,015		293		7,308
	Capital expenditures		6,070			19			6,089		7,396		7		7,403

		31-Mar-15								31-Dec-14
	Other intangibles	$	394,941		–			$	394,941	$	394,941	–		$	394,941
	Goodwill		49,680		–				49,680		49,680	–			49,680
	Total assets		1,696,500		$	24,985			1,721,485		1,694,103	$	24,164		1,718,267

	The following table reconciles segment operating income above to consolidated income or loss before income taxes (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended
		March 31:
		2015			2014
	Total segment operating income	$	7,521		$	7,308
	Adjusted for:
	Interest expense, net		(6,257	)		(5,601	)
	Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)		(8,372	)	–
	Other income, net		390			1,261
	Consolidated (loss) income before income taxes	$	(6,718	)	$	2,968

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Quarterly Reporting [Policy Text Block]

•

BMS held one NASCAR Sprint Cup and one Xfinity Series racing event in the first quarter 2014 that are being held in the second quarter 2015

•

CMS held one major NHRA racing event in the first quarter 2015 that was held in the second quarter 2014

•

LVMS held one major NHRA racing event in the first quarter 2014 that is being held in the second quarter 2015

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Taxes Collected From Customers [Policy Text Block]

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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

The following table presents estimated fair values and categorization levels of the Company’s financial instruments (in thousands):

31-Mar-15

31-Dec-14

Level

Class

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

101,557

110,046

Cash surrender values

8,353

8,177

Liabilities

Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan

200,000

150,000

5.125% Senior Notes Payable due 2023

200,000

202,500

–

6.75% Senior Notes Payable previously due 2019 (Note 5)

–

253,372

257,500

Other long-term debt

1,093

1,445

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.

Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_1

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]					31-Mar-15				31-Dec-14
		Level		Class	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	R	$	101,557	$	101,557	$	110,046	$	110,046
	Cash surrender values		2	NR		8,353		8,353		8,177		8,177

	Liabilities
	Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan		2	NR		200,000		200,000		150,000		150,000
	5.125% Senior Notes Payable due 2023		2	NR		200,000		202,500	–		–
	6.75% Senior Notes Payable previously due 2019 (Note 5)		2	NR	–		–			253,372		257,500
	Other long-term debt		2	NR		1,093		1,093		1,445		1,445

Note_3_Inventories_Tables

Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Finished race cars, parts and accessories	$	5,453	$	5,186
	Souvenirs and apparel		3,812		2,472
	Micro-lubricant^® and other		798		692
	Total	$	10,063	$	8,350

Note_4_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta1

Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]		31-Mar-15							31-Dec-14
		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	$	(72	)		28		100	$	(72	)		28		6-May
	Total	$	395,013	$	(72	)	$	394,941	$	395,013	$	(72	)	$	394,941

Note_5_Longterm_Debt_Tables

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended
		March 31:
		2015			2014
	Gross interest costs	$	6,365		$	5,731
	Less: capitalized interest costs		(61	)		(85	)
	Interest expense		6,304			5,646
	Interest income		(47	)		(45	)
	Interest expense, net	$	6,257		$	5,601
	Weighted-average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings		1.9	%		2.2	%

Note_6_Per_Share_Data_and_Othe1

Note 6 - Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders Equity And Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended
		March 31:
		2015			2014
	Net (loss) income applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$	(4,399	)	$	1,867

	Weighted average common shares outstanding		41,338			41,404
	Dilution effect of assumed conversions:
	Common stock equivalents—stock awards		38			25
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions		41,376			41,429

	Basic (loss) income per share	$	(0.11	)	$	0.05
	Diluted (loss) income per share	$	(0.11	)	$	0.05
	Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings per share		163			580

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti1

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Tables) (Related Party Transactions [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Member]
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]		2015		2014
	Notes and other receivables	$	304	$	232

	Merchandise and vehicle purchases		23		266
	Shared services expense, net of reimbursements		129		296
	Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses		711		682
	Rent expense		167		166
	Interest income		-		19
	Interest expense		-		25

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan1

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended March 31:
		2015						2014
		Restricted Stock			Restricted Stock			Restricted Stock			Restricted Stock
		Restricted Stock			Units			Restricted Stock			Units
	Outstanding, beginning of period		64			64			59			59
	Granted		35			100			35			35
	Vested		(29	)		(29	)		(27	)		(27	)
	Forfeited		(3	)		(3	)		(3	)		(3	)
	Outstanding, end of period		67			132			64			64

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_Ta

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2015
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]		31-Mar-15								31-Dec-14
	Other intangibles	$	394,941		–			$	394,941	$	394,941	–		$	394,941
	Goodwill		49,680		–				49,680		49,680	–			49,680
	Total assets		1,696,500		$	24,985			1,721,485		1,694,103	$	24,164		1,718,267
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended
		March 31:
		2015			2014
	Total segment operating income	$	7,521		$	7,308
	Adjusted for:
	Interest expense, net		(6,257	)		(5,601	)
	Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)		(8,372	)	–
	Other income, net		390			1,261
	Consolidated (loss) income before income taxes	$	(6,718	)	$	2,968
Nine Months Ended [Member]
Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended March 31:
		2015								2014
		Motorsports			All			Consolidated		Motorsports		All		Consolidated
		Event			Other					Event		Other
		Related								Related
	Revenues	$	79,500		$	5,774		$	85,274	$	80,104	$	4,438	$	84,542
	Depreciation and amortization		13,290			45			13,335		13,502		50		13,552
	Segment operating income		5,645			1,876			7,521		7,015		293		7,308
	Capital expenditures		6,070			19			6,089		7,396		7		7,403

Note_1_Description_of_Business1

Note 1 - Description of Business (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| NASCAR [Member] \| Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Events Planned	13
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| NASCAR [Member] \| Xfinity Series Events [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Events Planned	11
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| NASCAR [Member] \| Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Events Planned	8
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| NASCAR [Member] \| K And N Pro Series Events [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Events Planned	3
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| NASCAR [Member] \| Whelen Modified Tour [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Events Planned	4
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| NASCAR [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Events Planned	24
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| IndyCar Series [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Events Planned	2
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| National Hot Rod Association [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Events Planned	6
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| Automobile Racing Club of America [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Events Planned	1
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| World of Outlaws [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Events Planned	3
NASCAR [Member] \| Sprint Cup Series Events [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Racing Events		13
NASCAR [Member] \| Xfinity Series Events [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Racing Events		11
NASCAR [Member] \| Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Racing Events		7
NASCAR [Member] \| K And N Pro Series Events [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Racing Events		3
NASCAR [Member] \| Whelen Modified Tour [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Racing Events		4
NASCAR [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Racing Events		24
IndyCar Series [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Racing Events		2
National Hot Rod Association [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Racing Events		6
Automobile Racing Club of America [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Racing Events		1
World of Outlaws [Member]
Note 1 - Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Racing Events		3

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_2

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures (Details) [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	34.50%	37.10%
Income Taxes Paid	$0	$3,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	885,000			885,000
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	386,000			386,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	7,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	335,000			328,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-2,319,000	1,101,000	-49,300,000
Excise and Sales Taxes	477,000	965,000
Advertising Expense	2,283,000	2,440,000
Proceeds from Royalties Received	1,255,000	1,062,000
Adjustments to Certain Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures (Details) [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	37.10%
Motorsports Authentics [Member]
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage					50.00%
Equity Method Investments					$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 $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$101,557,000	$110,046,000	$77,098,000	$97,343,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	101,557,000	110,046,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes Payable	200,000,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes Payable		253,372,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash surrender values	8,353,000	8,177,000
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan	200,000,000	150,000,000
Other long-term debt	1,093,000	1,445,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	101,557,000	110,046,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes Payable	202,500,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes Payable		257,500,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash surrender values	8,353,000	8,177,000
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan	200,000,000	150,000,000
Other long-term debt	$1,093,000	$1,445,000

Note_2_Significant_Accounting_4

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Other Disclosures (Details) - Estimated Fair Values and Categorization Levels of Financial Instruments (Parentheticals)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes Payable, interest rate	5.13%	5.13%
Senior Notes Payable due	2023	2023
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes Payable, interest rate	6.75%	6.75%
Senior Notes Payable due	2019	2019
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes Payable, interest rate	5.13%	5.13%
Senior Notes Payable due	2023	2023
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes Payable, interest rate	6.75%	6.75%
Senior Notes Payable due	2019	2019

Note_3_Inventories_Details_Inv

Note 3 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory	$10,063	$8,350
Finished Vehicles Parts And Accessories [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory	5,453	5,186
Souvenirs And Apparel [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory	3,812	2,472
Micro Lubricant And Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory	$798	$692

Note_4_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta2

Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Reporting Unit, Amount of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount	$296,130,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	0
Intangible Assets [Member]
Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]
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 $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Gross Carrying Values and Accumulated Amortization by Class of Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	-72	($72)
Total	395,013	395,013
Total	-72	-72
Total	394,941	394,941
Nonamortizable 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
Minimum [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]
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	5 years
Maximum [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]
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	6 years
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]
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	100	100
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	-72	-72
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements	28	28
Total	-72	($72)

Note_5_Longterm_Debt_Details

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 13, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Subject To Maintaining Certain Financial Covenants [Member] \| The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Covenant Maximum Dividends Payments And Repurchases Of Securities		75,000,000
Beginning February 1, 2018 [Member] \| The 2023 Senior Notes [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	103.84%
Before February 1, 2018 [Member] \| The 2023 Senior Notes [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	105.13%
Debt Instrument Redeemable, Percent	35.00%
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| The 2023 Senior Notes [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	101.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Eurodollar [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.25%
Minimum [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		0.25%
Minimum [Member] \| The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net		100,000,000
Minimum [Member] \| The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.25%
Maximum [Member] \| Eurodollar [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.00%
Maximum [Member] \| The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		200,000,000
Maximum [Member] \| The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.40%
Eurodollar [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.00%
Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		0.50%
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term		5 years
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		100,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		48,850,000
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] \| Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		50,000,000
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] \| Swing Line Loans [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		10,000,000
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] \| Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		150,000,000
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] \| Delayed Draw Term Loan [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		50,000,000
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		250,000,000
Debt Instrument Quarterly Principal Repayment Percentage		5.00%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal		10,000,000
Proceeds from Lines of Credit		200,000,000
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Covenant Maximum Dividends Payments And Repurchases Of Securities		50,000,000
Debt Instrument Covenant Annual Capital Expenditures		75,000,000
Term Loan [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit		200,000,000			150,000,000
Term Loan [Member] \| The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		50,000,000
Repayments of Debt			10,000,000
The 2023 Senior Notes [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	200,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.13%
Proceeds from Notes Payable	196,816,000
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Dividend Payments Per Share (in Dollars per share)	0.8
The 2019 Senior Notes [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				250,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				6.75%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage				103.38%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium		3,200,000			3,372,000
Debt Redemption Premium		8,372,000
Income Taxes Paid, Net		3,106,000
Unamortized Net Deferred Loan Costs		3,134,000
Interest Expense, Debt		1,688,000
Other Notes Payable [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment		125,000
Long-term Debt		1,093,000			1,445,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		32,000			55,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		7.00%			7.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		98,850,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		1,150,000			1,152,000
Term Loan [Member]
Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$50,000,000

Note_5_Longterm_Debt_Details_I

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details) - Interest Expense, Net (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest Expense, Net [Abstract]
Gross interest costs	$6,365	$5,731
Less: capitalized interest costs	-61	-85
Interest expense	6,304	5,646
Interest income	-47	-45
Interest expense, net	$6,257	$5,601
Weighted-average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings	1.90%	2.20%

Note_6_Per_Share_Data_and_Othe2

Note 6 - Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 11, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 15, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Note 6 - Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased		5,000,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		61,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method (in Dollars)		$1,380,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased		885,000
Treasury Stock, Number of Shares Held		190,000
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared (in Dollars per share)	$0.15	$0.15
Dividends Payable, Current (in Dollars)	6,233,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Note 6 - Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared (in Dollars per share)			$0.15
Dividends Payable, Current (in Dollars)			6,200,000
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Management [Member]
Note 6 - Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		58,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Note 6 - Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		-29,000		-27,000
Management [Member]
Note 6 - Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		28,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method (in Dollars)		$630,000

Note_6_Per_Share_Data_and_Othe3

Note 6 - Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings or Loss Per Share from Continuing Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Basic and Diluted Earnings or Loss Per Share from Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Net (loss) income applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions (in Dollars)	($4,399)	$1,867
Weighted average common shares outstanding	41,338	41,404
Dilution effect of assumed conversions:
Common stock equivalentsâ€”stock awards	38	25
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions	41,376	41,429
Basic (loss) income per share (in Dollars per share)	($0.11)	$0.05
Diluted (loss) income per share (in Dollars per share)	($0.11)	$0.05
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings per share	163	580

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti2

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	$304,000	$232,000
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	129,000	296,000
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	23,000	266,000
Revenue from Related Parties	711,000	682,000
Sonic Financial [Member]
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	0			0
Increase (Decrease) in Notes Receivable, Related Parties		-302,000
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	129,000
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	167,000	166,000
Sonic Automotive, Inc. [Member] \| SMI Properties [Member]
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	161,000	146,000
Sonic Automotive, Inc. [Member] \| Oil-Chem [Member]
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	550,000	476,000
Sonic Automotive, Inc. [Member]
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	23,000	32,000
Due from Affiliates	89,000			89,000
Due from Related Parties	215,000			143,000
Motorsports Authentics [Member]
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party			234,000
Revenue from Related Parties			$60,000

Note_7_Related_Party_Transacti3

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions (Details) - Related Party Transactions (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Notes and other receivables	$304	$232
Merchandise and vehicle purchases	23	266
Shared services expense, net of reimbursements	129	296
Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses	711	682
Rent expense	167	166
Interest income		19
Interest expense		$25

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan2

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	0	0
Share-based Compensation (in Dollars)	$796,000	$639,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (in Dollars)	0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Decrease in Additioal Paid-in Capital (in Dollars)	1,705,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Decrease in Deferred Tax Assets (in Dollars)	1,874,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Increase in Income Tax Expense (in Dollars)	169,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options (in Dollars)	0		0
Options and SARs [Member] \| The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee	300,000
Performance Shares [Member] \| The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee	100,000
Restricted Stock [Member] \| The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] \| Chief Executive Officer and President [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	35,000	35,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized	65,000
Restricted Stock [Member] \| The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] \| Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		35,000
Restricted Stock [Member] \| The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Restricted Stock [Member] \| The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member] \| Non-Employee Directors [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period				3,204	16,112	16,668
Restricted Stock [Member] \| The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
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
Restricted Stock [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	35,000	35,000
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options (in Dollars)	5,173,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 146 days
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense (in Dollars)	295,000	237,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] \| Management [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	28,000	27,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value (in Dollars)	630,000	523,000
Restricted Stock, Shares Issued Net of Shares for Tax Withholdings	58,000	54,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [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 Amount (in Dollars)	$10,000,000
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
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
Stock Incentive Plan 2004 [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	18,000	3,000

Note_9_Stock_Compensation_Plan3

Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock [Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning of period	64,000	59,000
Granted	35,000	35,000
Vested	-29,000	-27,000
Forfeited	-3,000	-3,000
Outstanding, end of period	67,000	64,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Note 9 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - Summary of Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock [Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning of period	64,000	59,000
Granted	100,000	35,000
Vested	-29,000	-27,000
Forfeited	-3,000	-3,000
Outstanding, end of period	132,000	64,000

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_De

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Segment Information on Continuing Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$85,274	$84,542
Depreciation and amortization	13,335	13,552
Segment operating income	7,521	7,308
Capital expenditures	6,089	7,403
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	79,500	80,104
Depreciation and amortization	13,290	13,502
Segment operating income	5,645	7,015
Capital expenditures	6,070	7,396
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,774	4,438
Depreciation and amortization	45	50
Segment operating income	1,876	293
Capital expenditures	$19	$7

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_De1

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Summary of Intangible Assets and Goodwill (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other intangibles	$394,941	$394,941
Goodwill	49,680	49,680
Total assets	1,721,485	1,718,267
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other intangibles	394,941	394,941
Goodwill	49,680	49,680
Total assets	1,696,500	1,694,103
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$24,985	$24,164

Note_10_Segment_Disclosures_De2

Note 10 - Segment Disclosures (Details) - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income or Loss to Consolidated Amounts (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income or Loss to Consolidated Amounts [Abstract]
Total segment operating income	$7,521	$7,308
Adjusted for:
Interest expense, net	-6,257	-5,601
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 5)	-8,372
Other income, net	390	1,261
Consolidated (loss) income before income taxes	($6,718)	$2,968