Speedway Motorsports (TRK) 10-K 15 Mar 19 2018 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 12, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000934648
Trading Symbol	trk
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		40,809,370
Entity Public Float			$ 194,425,490
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 80,568,000	$ 81,924,000
Accounts receivable, net (Note 2)	19,497,000	28,459,000
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	960,000	2,135,000
Inventories, net	8,018,000	7,283,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note 2)	11,911,000	11,044,000
Total Current Assets	120,954,000	130,845,000
Note Receivable	613,000	799,000
Other Assets	23,634,000	23,724,000
Property and Equipment, Net (Note 4)	936,551,000	958,215,000
Other Intangible Assets	298,383,000	298,383,000
Goodwill	46,225,000	46,225,000
Total	1,426,360,000	1,458,191,000
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	167,000	7,662,000
Accounts payable	10,376,000	12,017,000
Deferred race event and other income (Note 2)	33,868,000	48,290,000
Accrued income taxes	689,000	383,000
Accrued interest	4,295,000	4,307,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	21,601,000	23,585,000
Total Current Liabilities	70,996,000	96,244,000
Long-term Debt	198,002,000	219,452,000
Deferred Income	2,357,000	3,054,000
Deferred Income Taxes, Net	201,486,000	201,760,000
Other Liabilities	18,764,000	18,458,000
Total Liabilities	491,605,000	538,968,000
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred Stock, $.10 par value, shares authorized – 3,000,000, no shares issued
Common Stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized – 200,000,000, issued and outstanding – 40,854,000 in 2018 and 40,992,000 in 2017	463,000	461,000
Additional Paid-in Capital	266,366,000	262,885,000
Retained Earnings	785,251,000	767,859,000
Treasury Stock at cost, shares – 5,436,000 in 2018 and 5,137,000 in 2017	(117,325,000)	(111,982,000)
Total Stockholders’ Equity	934,755,000	919,223,000
Total	$ 1,426,360,000	$ 1,458,191,000

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued (in shares)	40,854,000	40,992,000
Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	40,854,000	40,992,000
Treasury Stock at cost, shares (in shares)	5,436,000	5,137,000

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 461,914	$ 458,358	$ 495,407
Expenses and Other:
General and administrative	100,900	97,602	100,144
Depreciation and amortization (Note 4)	54,506	64,831	54,368
Interest expense, net	11,449	12,241	13,148
Impairment of goodwill (Note 2)		1,117
Other (income) expense, net	(1,906)	1,341	(997)
Total Expenses and Other	408,539	413,988	434,211
Income Before Income Taxes	53,375	44,370	61,196
Income Tax (Provision) Benefit (Note 8)	(12,926)	103,875	(21,651)
Net Income	$ 40,449	$ 148,245	$ 39,545
Basic Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.99	$ 3.61	$ 0.96
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in shares)	40,910	41,025	41,152
Diluted Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.99	$ 3.61	$ 0.96
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in shares)	40,922	41,041	41,167
Admissions [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 78,332	$ 86,949	$ 90,639
Event Related [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	140,210	133,632	142,574
NASCAR Broadcasting Revenue [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	216,592	209,155	201,804
Other Operating Revneues [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	26,780	28,622	60,390
Direct Expense of Events [Member]
Expenses and Other:
Cost of goods and services sold	101,876	98,973	108,460
NASCAR Event Management Fees [Member]
Expenses and Other:
Cost of goods and services sold	123,212	119,101	115,304
Other Direct Operating Expense [Member]
Expenses and Other:
Cost of goods and services sold	$ 18,502	$ 18,782	$ 43,784

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	41,235,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 458	$ 255,294	$ 629,115	$ (100,027)	$ 784,840
Net income			39,545		39,545
Share-based compensation, net of windfall tax benefits adjustment (in shares)	162,000
Share-based compensation, net of windfall tax benefits adjustment	$ 1	3,404	407		$ 3,812
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	11,000				11,500
Exercise of stock options		182			$ 182
Cash dividends of $0.60 per share of common stock			(24,759)		(24,759)
Repurchases of common stock at cost (in shares)	(310,000)
Repurchases of common stock at cost				(5,837)	(5,837)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	41,098,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 459	258,880	644,308	(105,864)	797,783
Net income			148,245		$ 148,245
Share-based compensation, net of windfall tax benefits adjustment (in shares)	160,000
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	41,000				40,500
Exercise of stock options		641			$ 641
Cash dividends of $0.60 per share of common stock			(24,694)		(24,694)
Repurchases of common stock at cost (in shares)	(307,000)
Repurchases of common stock at cost				(6,118)	(6,118)
Share-based compensation	$ 2	3,364			3,366
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	40,992,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 461	262,885	767,859	(111,982)	919,223
Net income			40,449		40,449
Share-based compensation, net of windfall tax benefits adjustment (in shares)	161,000
Share-based compensation, net of windfall tax benefits adjustment	$ 2	3,481			$ 3,483
Exercise of stock options (in shares)					0
Cash dividends of $0.60 per share of common stock			(24,624)		$ (24,624)
Repurchases of common stock at cost (in shares)	(299,000)
Repurchases of common stock at cost				(5,343)	(5,343)
Adjustment for adoption of revenue recognition standards using modified retrospective method (Note 2)			1,567		1,567
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	40,854,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 463	$ 266,366	$ 785,251	$ (117,325)	$ 934,755

Consolidated Statements of St_2

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash dividends, per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 40,449	$ 148,245	$ 39,545
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Impairment of goodwill		1,117
Gain on disposals of property and equipment and other assets	(2,286)	(944)	(1,412)
Deferred loan cost amortization	1,525	1,540	1,520
Depreciation and amortization	54,506	64,831	54,368
Amortization of deferred income	(798)	(905)	(944)
Deferred income tax provision (Note 8)	(124)	(127,722)	19,543
Share-based compensation	3,483	3,366	3,405
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (Note 2)	11,053	881	10,256
Prepaid, refundable and accrued income taxes	1,365	4,597	1,543
Inventories	(735)	929	499
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(867)	774	2,426
Accounts payable	(382)	(1,256)	101
Deferred race event and other income (Note 2)	(14,430)	(4,261)	(14,891)
Accrued interest	(12)	(4)	20
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(1,984)	(326)	(2,316)
Deferred income	109	217	138
Other assets and liabilities	(463)	(519)	(281)
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	90,409	90,560	113,520
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt	(30,162)	(36,157)	(54,177)
Exercise of common stock options		641	182
Dividend payments on common stock	(24,624)	(24,694)	(24,759)
Repurchases of common stock	(5,343)	(6,118)	(5,837)
Net Cash Used By Financing Activities	(60,129)	(66,328)	(84,591)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Payments for capital expenditures	(34,147)	(25,668)	(34,635)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment and other assets	2,394	3,620	2,742
Repayment of note receivable	176	448	243
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities	(31,577)	(21,600)	(31,650)
Net (Decrease) Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents	(1,297)	2,632	(2,721)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	82,200	79,568	82,289
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	80,903	82,200	79,568
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	11,995	12,773	13,322
Cash paid for income taxes	11,750	18,957	867
Supplemental Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities Information:
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable for capital expenditures	$ (1,259)	$ (224)	$ 1,284

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS Basis of Presentation no no Description of Business In early 2019, 2018 Gander Outdoors Truck Series Race Date Realignments to Las Vegas Motor Speedway one one September 2018. Racing Events 2, 2018, 24 13 11 eight five three two six one three 2017, 24 13 11 eight three four two six one three 2016, 24 13 11 eight three four two six one three Our 2018 2017 2016, three In 2018: • Poor weather or excessive heat surrounded Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race weekends at AMS and LVMS in the first second third 7 8 • One NASCAR Monster Energy Cup and one one 2018 • TMS held one 2018 not 2017 2016 In 2017 2016: • Poor weather surrounded Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race weekends at BMS and CMS in the second third fourth 2017 • Poor weather surrounded Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race weekends at LVMS in the first second third fourth 2016 Effective August 2018, eight may one not not not 2018. In 2016, 2017. not 2017 not December 31, 2016, $524,000 2016 2017. Seasonality may Racing schedule changes can lessen the comparability of operating results between quarters of successive years and increase or decrease the seasonal nature of our motorsports business. For example, we realigned one one one September 2018. one one third 2018 fourth 2017. 2019, second first 2019. The Battle at Bristol in 201 6 2016, two one 2016 13 not not

Note 2 - Significant Accounting

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Use of Estimates Principles of Consolidation Revenue and Expense Classification • Admissions – includes ticket sales for all of our events • Event related revenue – includes amounts received from sponsorship, luxury suite rentals, event souvenir merchandise sales, commissions from food and beverage sales, advertising and other promotional revenues, radio programming, hospitality revenues, track rentals, driving school and karting revenues, camping and other non-admission access revenues, broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other event and speedway related revenues • NASCAR broadcasting revenue – includes rights fees obtained for domestic television broadcasts of NASCAR-sanctioned events held at our speedways • Other operating revenue – includes certain merchandising, including screen-printing and embroidery, revenues of SMI Properties and subsidiaries, car and part sales of US Legend Cars, restaurant, catering and membership income from the Speedway Clubs at CMS and TMS, revenues of Oil-Chem, which produces an environmentally-friendly micro-lubricant ® 2016 1 We classify our expenses, among other categories, as follows: • Direct expense of events – principally includes cost of souvenir sales, non-NASCAR race purses and sanctioning fees, property and event insurance, compensation of event related employees, advertising, sales and admission taxes, sales commissions, credit card processing fees, cost of driving school and karting revenues, event settlement payments to non-NASCAR sanctioning bodies and outside event support services • NASCAR event management (formerly purse and sanction) fees – includes payments to, and portions of broadcasting revenues retained by, NASCAR for associated events held at our speedways • Other direct operating expense – includes the cost of certain SMI Properties and subsidiaries merchandising, screen-printing and embroidery, US Legend Cars, Speedway Clubs, Oil-Chem, industrial park and office rental revenues, and expenses associated with the 2016 1 We determined that contracted direct expenses for track rentals and certain other events that are rebilled to customers should be presented gross rather than netted against revenues. We revised our previously issued financial statements to increase event related revenues and direct expense of events by $4,769,000 2017 $5,674,000 2016 $7,729,000 2018 not no Accounting Recognition for Event Related Revenues and Associated Deferred Event Income and Deferred Event Expenses – We recognize admissions, NASCAR broadcasting and event related revenues when an event is held. Deferred race event income, and associated deferred direct event expenses, pertain to scheduled events to be held in upcoming periods and are recognized when an event is held. Deferred revenues recognizable in each upcoming fiscal year are reflected as current liabilities in deferred race event and other income. Deferred race event income, and associated deferred direct event expenses, pertain to scheduled events to be held in upcoming periods and are recognized when an event is held. Deferred revenues recognizable in each upcoming fiscal year are reflected as current liabilities in deferred race event and other income. We recognize contracted sponsorship and other marketing arrangement fee revenues, and associated expenses, as events or activities are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms. Event souvenir merchandise sales and commission based net revenues from food and beverage sales are recognized at time of sale. Advance revenues and associated direct expenses pertaining to specific events are deferred until the event is held. Deferred expenses often include NASCAR Event Management Fees, race purses and sanction fees for other racing events, sales commissions, event specific advertising, signage and other marketing costs, sales and admission taxes, and credit card processing fees on advance revenues associated with our upcoming events. If circumstances prevent a race from being held during the racing season: (i) generally advance revenue is refundable, (ii) all deferred direct event expenses would be immediately recognized except for race event management fees which would be refundable from NASCAR or other sanctioning bodies, and (iii) sales and admission taxes would be refundable from taxing authorities. Management believes this accounting policy results in appropriate matching of revenues and expenses associated with our racing events and helps ensure comparability and consistency between our financial statements. Advance revenues, and associated direct expenses, if any, for track rentals, driving schools and similar activities are deferred and recognized when the activities take place. While preparing our annual financial statements, we determined that deferred direct event expense should be presented gross rather than netted against deferred race event income. We revised our previously issued financial statements to reflect deferred event expenses in other current assets and increase deferred race event and other income by $7,511,000 December 31, 2017 ( $6,978,000 December 31, 2018). not no NASCAR Broadcasting Revenues and NASCAR Event Management Fees – NASCAR contracts directly with certain television networks on broadcasting rights for all NASCAR-sanctioned racing events. We receive television broadcasting revenues under contractual sanction agreements for each such race. The Company periodically negotiates its sanction fees for individual races with NASCAR. SMI has separate five 2020. three four 10% 90% 25% 10% Food and Beverage Services – Levy Premium Foodservice Limited Partnership, wholly-owned by Compass Group USA, Inc., has exclusive rights to provide on-site food, beverage and hospitality catering services for essentially all Company speedway motorsports and non-motorsports events, catered “hospitality” receptions and private parties under an amended long-term food and beverage management contract through 2028. Customer Revenues – As further described below in “Recently Issued Accounting Standards”, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2014 09 606 January 1, 2018 ( 606 606 not not January 1, 2018, 606, Disaggregated Revenues 13 no Our disaggregated revenues and associated performance obligations are comprised of the following (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Admissions $ 78,332 $ 86,949 $ 90,639 NASCAR broadcasting 216,592 209,155 201,804 Sponsorships and other event related 131,951 125,457 131,720 Souvenir and other merchandise 23,970 24,831 27,742 Other (Note 1) 11,069 11,966 43,502 Total revenue $ 461,914 $ 458,358 $ 495,407 Admissions NASCAR Broadcasting Sponsorships and Other Event Related not one We derive other event related revenue from various marketing agreements for on-site advertising, hospitality and other promotion related activities. We also derive event related revenue from commissioned food and beverage sales during racing and non-racing events, speedway catered “hospitality” receptions and private parties. Food and beverages are also sold to individual, group, corporate and other customers primarily in concession areas located on or near speedway concourses, other areas surrounding our speedway facilities, and in luxury suites, club-style seating and food court areas located within the speedway facilities. We also derive revenue from luxury suite rentals, parking and other event and speedway related activities. Our speedways and related facilities are frequently leased to others for use in driving schools, testing, research and development of race cars and racing products, concerts, settings for commercials and motion pictures, and other outdoor events. We derive event related revenue from the sale of commercial time and other radio broadcast programming on PRN, and from ancillary broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue. Souvenir and Other Merchandise third third not Accounting Recognition for Non-Event Souvenir Merchandise and Other Revenues not Accounting Recognition for Noncurrent Net Deferred Income not Other ten We also derive other operating revenue from leasing of SR’s industrial park to individuals, corporate and other customers, including race teams and driving schools, from leasing of office towers located at several of our speedways, TMS natural gas mineral rights, and from sanctioning US Legend Cars circuit races. Other revenue also includes all revenues associated with the 2016 Performance Obligations not not not no We have contracted future revenues representing unsatisfied performance obligations, and the estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to these performance obligations. These contracts contain initial terms typically ranging from one five ten 606 not twelve 2024. 2019 $155,759,000 December 31, 2018. Contract Balances Changes in contract assets and liabilities result principally from recognition upon holding associated motorsport and non-motorsports events during the period. At December 31, 2018 2017, $6,978,000 $7,511,000, $36,225,000 $51,344,000. December 31, 2018, $47,855,000. $33,868,000 $2,357,000 December 31, 2018, twelve Taxes Collected from Customers $4,942,000 2018, $5,372,000 2017 $7,642,000 2016. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – three Under Accounting Standards Update No. 2016 15 January 1, 2018 ( We have revised the consolidated statements of cash flows to correctly classify certain activities which resulted in a decrease in net cash provided by operating activities, and a corresponding decrease in net cash used by investing activities, of $1,093,000 2017 $200,000 2016. not Accounts Receivable 2018 2017 2016 Balance, beginning of year $ 1,070 $ 1,178 $ 1,287 Bad debt expense 155 258 126 Actual write-offs, net of specific accounts recovered (226 ) (366 ) (235 ) Balance, end of year $ 999 $ 1,070 $ 1,178 Deferred Financing Costs $3,882,000 $3,525,000 December 31, 2018 2017. 2023 $9,708,000 $8,491,000 December 31, 2018 2017. Other Noncurrent Assets December 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Deferred financing costs, net (Note 6) $ 368 $ 726 Land held for development 12,265 12,265 Cash surrender values of life insurance and other 11,001 10,733 Total $ 23,634 $ 23,724 Noncurrent assets are generally reported at cost except for cash surrender values of life insurance policies which are reported at fair value (see Note 12 may December 31, 2018, no Land Held for Development Property and Equipment (Note 4 When events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may no no December 31, 2018. From time to time, we may In connection with the development and completed construction of TMS in 1997, 30 Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Note 5 no No Impairment Assessment Methodology. second may No no 3" not not Except for the 2018 not may one No 13 Annual Impairment Assessment second 2018 one one 2018, thirteen eleven eight 2020 not Management's assessment found the estimated fair value of each reporting unit and each indefinite-lived race date intangible asset substantially exceeded its associated carrying value except for three 2015 two December 31, 2018 2017, $298.4 three 2017 2017 $1,117,000, $419,000, 2017 $0. There have been no no December 31, 2018. Deferred Income December 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Preferred seat license fees $ 1,928 $ 2,185 Multi-year marketing and other arrangements, and deferred membership income 429 869 Total $ 2,357 $ 3,054 Advertising Expenses $12,522,000 2018, $13,324,000 2017 $17,321,000 2016 no December 31, 2018 2017. Operating Leases January 1, 2019 We have various operating leases principally for office and warehouse space and for equipment used in conducting racing events and other operations. Rent expense for operating leases amounted to $5,978,000 2018, $6,411,000 2017 $8,730,000 2016. one $5,642,000 2018, $5,676,000 2017 $5,625,000 2016. one December 31, 2018 Lease Payments Lease Revenues 2019 $ 1,152 $ 5,142 2020 855 2,561 2021 504 1,778 2022 156 1,250 2023 145 888 Thereafter 200 37 Total $ 3,012 $ 11,656 Other (Income) Expense , Net 2018 2017 2016 Removal costs for retired assets (Note 4) $ 338 $ 1,350 $ 59 Net gain on disposals of property and equipment and other assets (2,286 ) (944 ) (1,412 ) Write-off of certain development costs and other 42 935 356 Total $ (1,906 ) $ 1,341 $ (997 ) We recorded gains from disposal of certain TMS property in 2017 2016, 2017 2016. Income Taxes (Note 8 may no We follow applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes which, among other things, prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, and disclosures. Evaluation of a tax position includes determining whether it is more likely than not not not 50 TMS Mineral Rights Lease Receipts $1,385,000 2018, $1,916,000 2017 $2,139,000 2016. Such revenues can vary due to associated volatility in natural gas price levels and common diminishing well production, as well as other factors outside of TMS’s control. At this time, while extraction activities continue, no 25% 2017, 2019 not 2018, 2018. December 31, 2018 2017, no Fair Value of Financial Instruments no The following table presents estimated fair values and categorization levels of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Level Class Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Assets Cash and cash equivalents 1 R $ 80,568 $ 80,568 $ 81,924 $ 81,924 Note receivable 2 NR 613 613 799 799 Cash surrender values 2 NR 10,061 10,061 9,822 9,822 Liabilities Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan 2 NR – – 30,000 30,000 5.125% Senior Notes Payable due 2023 2 NR 200,000 195,000 200,000 205,000 Other long-term debt 2 NR 887 887 1,049 1,049 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 Class R: Measured at fair value on recurring basis, subsequent to initial recognition. Class NR: Measured at fair value on nonrecurring basis, subsequent to initial recognition. Concentrations of Credit Risk Loss and Other Contingencies and Financial Guarantees CMS’s property includes areas used as solid waste landfills for many years. Landfilling of general categories of municipal solid waste on the CMS property ceased in 1992, not Recently Issued Accounting Standards No. 2016 15 23 eight December 15, 2017, January 1, 2018 The FASB issued ASU No. 2016 02 842 No. 2018 10 842, may No. 2018 20 842 third The lease guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, January 1, 2019 not Our lease agreements are principally for office and warehouse space used in operations and equipment used in conducting racing and other events. We plan to use the following practical expedients and other considerations in applying the new lease accounting guidance: • Because our operations consist largely of weekend, single day or other short-period seasonal events, most equipment and other personal property lease agreements typically have initial terms of one 30 • Most of our various office and warehouse facilities are leased from an affiliate (as further described in Note 9 • Actual use, right-to-use or ability to cancel with minimal notice was considered, notwithstanding likelihood of renewal or general lease terms. Such considerations under the new lease guidance resulted in significantly reducing the impact of adoption. • No • Our initial direct costs are immaterial for all leases. • Continue to apply previous accounting and disclosure guidance for comparative periods presented in the year of adoption. The FASB issued ASU No. 2018 01 842 842" not not not not not No. 2016 02 may As of January 1, 2018, No. 2014 09 606 five 2018 $2,081,000 $1,567,000 $398,000 $116,000, January 1, 2018. not no no not no 606 not

Note 3 - Inventories

Note 3 - Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	3. INVENTORIES Inventory costs consist of: (i) souvenirs and apparel, 5/8 first first No December 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Finished race cars, parts and accessories $ 5,162 $ 4,507 Souvenirs and apparel 2,319 2,014 Micro-lubricant® and other 537 762 Total $ 8,018 $ 7,283 All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or realizable value with provisions for differences between cost and estimated market value based on assumptions about current and future demand, market conditions and trends that might adversely impact realization. Inventories are reflected net of lower of cost or realizable value provisions summarized as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Balance, beginning of year $ 2,377 $ 3,076 $ 2,756 Current year provision 60 48 1,024 Current year sales and write-offs (922 ) (747 ) (704 ) Balance, end of year $ 1,515 $ 2,377 $ 3,076

Note 4 - Property and Equipment

Note 4 - Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment as of December 31, 2018 2017 Estimated Useful Lives 2018 2017 Land and land improvements 5 - 25 $ 465,083 $ 463,031 Racetracks and grandstands 5 - 45 733,082 720,989 Buildings and luxury suites 5 - 40 470,731 463,942 Machinery and equipment 3 - 20 45,433 43,628 Furniture and fixtures 5 - 20 42,175 39,842 Autos and trucks 3 - 10 13,171 12,755 Construction in progress 7,253 3,915 Total 1,776,928 1,748,102 Less accumulated depreciation (840,377 ) (789,887 ) Net $ 936,551 $ 958,215 Other Information (Note 2 $54,494,000 2018, $64,817,000 2017 $54,344,000 2016. From time to time, we renovate various seating, suite and other areas at our speedways for modernizing our facilities, alternative marketing or development purposes such as offering unique fan zones, expanded premium hospitality and RV camping areas, or wider seating and improved sight lines. We recorded non-cash pre-tax accelerated depreciation aggregating $1,750,000 2018 $11,055,000 2017 2017. $313,000 2016. 2 13

Note 5 - Other Intangible Asset

Note 5 - Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	5. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL The composition and accounting for intangible assets are further described in Note 2. Other Intangible Assets Goodwill 2018 2017 2018 2017 Balance, beginning of year $ 298,383 $ 298,383 $ 46,225 $ 47,342 Decrease from impairment charges (Note 2) – – – (1,117 ) Balance, end of period $ 298,383 $ 298,383 $ 46,225 $ 46,225 The 2017 $ 100.0 $ 149.7 December 31, 2018 2017. no

Note 6 - Long-term Debt

Note 6 - Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	6. LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt at December 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Credit Facility, all Term Loan $ – $ 30,000 2023 Senior Notes 200,000 200,000 Other notes payable 887 1,049 Total 200,887 231,049 Less current maturities (167 ) (7,662 ) Less deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization (Note 2) (2,718 ) (3,935 ) Long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 198,002 $ 219,452 Annual principal maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2018 2019 $ 167 2020 172 2021 177 2022 183 2023 200,188 Thereafter – Total $ 200,887 Bank Credit Facility five $100,000,000 $50,000,000 $10,000,000 five $150,000,000 five $50,000,000 December 2019; ( $100,000,000 $200,000,000, $250,000,000 $50,000,000, $75,000,000 $75,000,000 5% We repaid Term Loan borrowings of $30,000,000 2018, $36,000,000 2017 $54,000,000 2016. no December 31, 2018 2017, $587,000 $698,000. December 31, 2018, $99,413,000, $49,413,000 Interest is based, at the Company’s option, upon the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.25% 2.00% 0.5% 1%, 0.25% 1.00%. 0.25% 0.40% 2023 5.125% 2023 $200,000,000 2015 2023 2023 second 2015. 2023 $196,816,000 2023 February 2023 February 1 August 1. 2023 2023 $0.80 Other Notes Payable December 31, 2018 2017, 3% $887,000 $1,049,000 eight $194,000 January 2016. Other General Terms and Conditions 2023 third 2023 December 31, 2018. Subsidiary Guarantees – 2023 2023 no no Interest Expense, Net 2018 2017 2016 Gross interest costs $ 12,372 $ 13,050 $ 13,818 Less capitalized interest costs (389 ) (281 ) (476 ) Interest expense 11,983 12,769 13,342 Interest income (534 ) (528 ) (194 ) Interest expense, net $ 11,449 $ 12,241 $ 13,148 Weighted average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings 3.1 % 2.3 % 1.9 %

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders Equity and Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	7. CAPITAL STRUCTURE, PER SHARE DATA AND OTHER EQUITY INFORMATION Preferred Stock December 31, 2018, 3,000,000 $.10 may one may No December 31, 2018 2017. Per Share Data 2018 2017 2016 Net income applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions $ 40,449 $ 148,245 $ 39,545 Weighted average common shares outstanding 40,910 41,025 41,152 Dilution effect of assumed conversions, common stock equivalents – stock awards 12 16 15 Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions 40,922 41,041 41,167 Basic earnings per share $ 0.99 $ 3.61 $ 0.96 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.99 $ 3.61 $ 0.96 Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings per share 10 7 120 Declaration of Cash Dividends 2018 2017 2016 Cash dividends paid $ 24,624 $ 24,694 $ 24,759 Dividends per common share $ 0.60 $ 0.60 $ 0.60 Quarterly dividends were declared in each period and all declaration, record and payment dates were in the same fiscal periods. See Note 6 February 12, 2019, $0.15 $6.1 March 15, 2019 March 1, 2019. Stock Repurchase Program 6,000,000 5,000,000 February 12, 2018) may may We repurchased 246,000, 251,000 252,000 $4,395,000 2018, $5,015,000 2017 $4,667,000 2016, December 31, 2018, 945,000 2018, 2017 2016, 53,000, 56,000 58,000 $948,000, $1,103,000 $1,169,000 140,000, 139,000 136,000 December 31, 2018 2017, 381,000 328,000

Note 8 - Income Taxes

Note 8 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	8. INCOME TAXES Components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Current: Federal $ 12,679 $ 23,327 $ 12,630 State 1,035 436 262 13,714 23,763 12,892 Deferred: Federal (637 ) (127,310 ) 8,604 State (151 ) (328 ) 155 (788 ) (127,638 ) 8,759 Total $ 12,926 $ (103,875 ) $ 21,651 The reconciliation of statutory federal and effective income tax rates is as follows: 2018 2017 2016 Statutory federal tax rate 21.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect 2.4 2.2 1.8 Non-deductible executive compensation 1.3 1.6 – Change in valuation allowances – 0.1 0.6 Change in uncertain tax positions, including income tax liabilities for settlements with taxing authorities 0.8 0.1 (0.2 ) Change in federal tax rate (0.4 ) (270.8 ) – Change in state tax rates (1.3 ) (3.7 ) (0.9 ) Other, net 0.4 1.4 (0.9 ) Total 24.2 % (234.1 %) 35.4 % Tax effects of temporary differences resulting in deferred income taxes are as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment $ 136,221 $ 140,463 Goodwill and other intangible assets 70,775 68,752 Expenses deducted for tax purposes and other 2,287 1,707 Subtotal 209,283 210,922 Deferred tax assets: Income previously recognized for tax purposes 2,189 2,449 Stock option and other deferred compensation expense 1,732 1,838 PSL and other deferred income recognized for tax purposes 506 627 State and federal net operating loss carryforwards 5,167 6,188 Subtotal 9,594 11,102 Less: valuation allowance (1,797 ) (1,940 ) Net deferred tax assets 7,797 9,162 Total net deferred tax liabilities $ 201,486 $ 201,760 December 201 7 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Enactment (Note 2 – December 22, 2017, January 1, 2018, 35% 21%, 100% 2022, one As such, we recorded a provisional one $119,449,000 fourth 2017. 2017 $120,172,000 $723,000 no fourth 2018 $233,000 No Effective Tax Rate Comparison for 2016 through 2018 2018 24.2%, 2017 234.1% 2016 35.4%. 2018 $908,000 2017 one 21%, 2017 $575,000 $1,070,000 2017 2016 $546,000 2016 At December 31, 2018, $168,914,000 2018 2037. December 31, 2018 2017, $1,797,000 $1,940,000 not not $143,000 2018, $192,000 2017, $326,000 2016. Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes $11,711,000 December 31, 2018 2017, ion. Of those amounts, $ 11,534,000 $177,000 December 31, 2018 2017. December 31, 2018 2017, $201,000 $0 twelve $548,000 2018, $188,000 2017 $61,000 2016, $0 2018, $86,000 2017 $90,000 2016. December 31 2018 2017, $789,000 $241,000 2015 2017 2014 2017 A reconciliation of the change in the total unrecognized tax benefits and other information for the three December 31, 2018 2018 2017 2016 Beginning of period $ 11,711 $ 12,006 $ 12,280 Increases or decreases for tax positions of current year – – – Increases for tax positions of prior years – – – Decreases for tax positions of prior years – (295 ) (274 ) Reductions for lapse of applicable statute of limitations – – – Increases or decreases for settlements with taxing authorities – – – End of period $ 11,711 $ 11,711 $ 12,006 Income Tax Benefits may December 31, 2018 2017, $ 11.7 not no not

Note 9 - Related Party Transact

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The Company and Sonic Financial Corporation (Sonic Financial), a Company affiliate through common ownership by our Executive Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer, and by a member of our Board of Directors, share various expenses in the ordinary course of business under a shared services agreement. We incurred expenses under the shared services agreement of $1,523,000 2018, $845,000 2017 $930,000 2016. No December 31, 2018 2017. The Company and certain SMI subsidiaries lease office and warehouse facilities from companies affiliated through common ownership by our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and by a member of our Board of Directors, under annually renewable lease agreements. Rent expense amounted to $725,000 2018, $721,000 2017 $721,000 2016. December 31, 2018 2017 not Various SMI subsidiaries purchased new and used vehicles for operations and employee use from certain subsidiary dealerships of Sonic Automotive, Inc., an entity in which our Executive Chairman is a controlling stockholder, and our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors are affiliated through common ownership, for an aggregate of approximately $217,000 2018, $238,000 2017 $162,000 2016. 2018, 2017 2016 not $929,000 2018, $866,000 2017 $937,000 2016. December 31, 2018 2017, $142,000 $70,000 Oil-Chem sold zMAX micro-lubricant® product to certain SAI dealerships for resale to service customers of the dealerships in the ordinary course of business. Total purchases from Oil-Chem by SAI dealerships approximated $1,621,000 2018, $1,940,000 2017 $2,054,000 2016. December 31, 2018 2017, $217,000 $148,000 The foregoing related party balances as of December 31, 2018 2017, three December 31, 2018 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Accounts receivable $ 359 $ 218 2018 2017 2016 Merchandise and vehicle purchases $ 217 $ 238 $ 162 Shared services expense, net of accrued interest 1,523 845 930 Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions 2,550 2,806 2,991 Rent expense 725 721 721

Note 10 - Legal Proceedings and

Note 10 - Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	10. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES From time to time, we are party to routine litigation incidental to our business. We believe that the resolution of any or all of such litigation will not

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Pl

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	11. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS 2013 April 19, 2017 2013 2013 2013 may February 2017, 2013 2017 not 2013 may 2013 The 2013 2013 3,500,000 2013 no may 300,000 no may 100,000 may one $10,000,000. may not may not ten December 31, 2018, 2,728,000 All restricted stock and restricted stock units issued to date vest in equal installments over three five may not may The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved grants of 35,000 35,000 2018. 2013 three 2018, 30,864 5,727 no December 31, 2018, 64,697 125,561 In 2018, 83,300 three 24,994 $408,000 78,369 2013 2018, 27,815 $540,000 61,728 2013 . 2018 2008 February 2018. March 2018, 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 16b 3 2018 no may Under the 2018 250,000 first $75,000 twenty first first 2008 December 31, 2018, 229,000 2008 April 17, 2012 2008 2008 February 2018 no 2018 2008 16b 3 2018 2008 not 2008 2008 December 31, 2018, 2008 2004 February 10, 2009 – 2004 2004 February 2014 no 2004 2004 ten three three three 2004 not 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan 800,000. December 31, 2018, 439,000 January 1, No 500 90% No 2018, 2017 2016. Share-Based Payment January 1, 2006. Share-based compensation cost totaled $3,483,000 2018, $3,366,000 2017 $3,405,000 2016, $843,000, $1,251,000 $1,205,000, no December 31, 2018 2017. December 31, 2018, $3,423,000 2013 2018 0.9 No 2018, 2017 2016. There were no 2016 2018 no no not not No 2013 2004 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Options Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding, January 1, 2018 97 $ 15.31 Granted – – Exercised – – Forfeited – – Expired – – Outstanding, December 31, 2018 97 $ 15.31 0.6 $ 93 Exercisable, December 31, 2018 97 $ 15.31 0.6 $ 93 As of December 31, 2018, no No 2018, 2017 2016 no 2018. 2017 2016, 40,500 11,500 $199,000 $48,000, The following is a summary of non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity regarding the 2013 2018 2008 2018, 2017 2016 2013 Stock Incentive Plan 2018 Formula Restricted Stock Plan 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Shares Weighted Average Grant - date Fair Value Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Shares Weighted Average Grant - date Fair Value Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Shares Weighted Average Grant - date Fair Value Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding, January 1, 2018 355 $ 20.97 – 16 $ 19.47 Granted 153 17.74 21 $ 17.63 – – Vested (140 ) 20.69 – (16 ) 19.47 Forfeited (14 ) 21.12 – – – Outstanding, December 31, 2018 354 $ 19.68 1.3 $ 5,759 21 $ 17.63 0.4 $ 348 – $ – – $ – Granted, 2017 154 20.48 – – – 16 19.47 Granted, 2016 151 20.27 – – – 16 18.17 As of December 31, 2018, 2013 126,000 $2,043,000 1.0 No 2018 2018. 2013 2004 2008 2018, 2017 2016 2013 Stock Incentive Plan 2004 Stock Incentive Plan 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan Number Vested Fair Value Number Vested Fair Value Number Vested Fair Value Year Ended December 31, 2018: Restricted Stock 109 $ 1,887 – – 16 $ 279 Restricted Stock Units 31 607 – – – – Total 140 $ 2,494 – – 16 $ 279 Year Ended December 31, 2017: Restricted Stock 107 $ 2,157 – – 16 $ 311 Restricted Stock Units 32 627 – – – – Total 139 $ 2,784 – – 16 $ 311 Year Ended December 31, 2016: Restricted Stock 71 $ 1,471 33 $ 683 13 $ 233 Restricted Stock Units 22 412 10 199 – – Total 93 $ 1,883 43 $ 882 13 $ 233

Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plan

Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]	12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS The Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 401 75% 25% first 4% six $424,000 2018, $423,000 2017 $406,000 2016. The Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan is available to all our employees who meet eligibility requirements. This plan allows participants to elect to defer up to 75% 100% one not not $3,964,000 $4,008,000 $3,813,000 $3,912,000 December 31, 2018 2017, may one 100% three first no 2016 2018.

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	13. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES Our operations are predominately comprised of promoting, marketing and sponsoring motorsports racing events, merchandising and other related activities conducted at our various major speedway facilities located in the United States. Our business activities, including those of our subsidiaries, are further described in Notes 1 2. not 2016 1. Of our total revenues, approximately 78% 2018, 79% 2017 74% 2016 47% $216,592,000 2018, 46% $209,155,000 2017, 41% $201,804,000 2016 2018 2017 2016 Motorsports Event Related All Other Consolidated Total Motorsports Event Related All Other Consolidated Total Motorsports Event Related All Other Consolidated Total Revenues $ 445,111 $ 16,803 $ 461,914 $ 439,656 $ 18,702 $ 458,358 $ 444,561 $ 50,846 $ 495,407 Depreciation and amortization (Note 4) 54,326 180 54,506 64,688 143 64,831 54,213 155 54,368 Impairment of goodwill (Note 2) – – – 1,117 – 1,117 – – – Segment operating income 60,969 1,949 62,918 53,894 4,058 57,952 62,120 11,227 73,347 Capital expenditures 33,593 554 34,147 25,582 86 25,668 34,580 55 34,635 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Other intangibles $ 298,383 – $ 298,383 $ 298,383 – $ 298,383 Goodwill 46,225 – 46,225 46,225 – 46,225 Total assets 1,402,474 $ 23,886 1,426,360 1,435,068 $ 23,123 1,458,191 The following table reconciles segment operating income above to consolidated income before income taxes (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Total segment operating income $ 62,918 $ 57,952 $ 73,347 Adjusted for: Interest expense, net (11,449 ) (12,241 ) (13,148 ) Other income (expense), net 1,906 (1,341 ) 997 Consolidated income before income taxes $ 53,375 $ 44,370 $ 61,196

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue and Expense Classification • Admissions – includes ticket sales for all of our events • Event related revenue – includes amounts received from sponsorship, luxury suite rentals, event souvenir merchandise sales, commissions from food and beverage sales, advertising and other promotional revenues, radio programming, hospitality revenues, track rentals, driving school and karting revenues, camping and other non-admission access revenues, broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other event and speedway related revenues • NASCAR broadcasting revenue – includes rights fees obtained for domestic television broadcasts of NASCAR-sanctioned events held at our speedways • Other operating revenue – includes certain merchandising, including screen-printing and embroidery, revenues of SMI Properties and subsidiaries, car and part sales of US Legend Cars, restaurant, catering and membership income from the Speedway Clubs at CMS and TMS, revenues of Oil-Chem, which produces an environmentally-friendly micro-lubricant ® 2016 1 We classify our expenses, among other categories, as follows: • Direct expense of events – principally includes cost of souvenir sales, non-NASCAR race purses and sanctioning fees, property and event insurance, compensation of event related employees, advertising, sales and admission taxes, sales commissions, credit card processing fees, cost of driving school and karting revenues, event settlement payments to non-NASCAR sanctioning bodies and outside event support services • NASCAR event management (formerly purse and sanction) fees – includes payments to, and portions of broadcasting revenues retained by, NASCAR for associated events held at our speedways • Other direct operating expense – includes the cost of certain SMI Properties and subsidiaries merchandising, screen-printing and embroidery, US Legend Cars, Speedway Clubs, Oil-Chem, industrial park and office rental revenues, and expenses associated with the 2016 1 We determined that contracted direct expenses for track rentals and certain other events that are rebilled to customers should be presented gross rather than netted against revenues. We revised our previously issued financial statements to increase event related revenues and direct expense of events by $4,769,000 2017 $5,674,000 2016 $7,729,000 2018 not no Accounting Recognition for Event Related Revenues and Associated Deferred Event Income and Deferred Event Expenses – We recognize admissions, NASCAR broadcasting and event related revenues when an event is held. Deferred race event income, and associated deferred direct event expenses, pertain to scheduled events to be held in upcoming periods and are recognized when an event is held. Deferred revenues recognizable in each upcoming fiscal year are reflected as current liabilities in deferred race event and other income. Deferred race event income, and associated deferred direct event expenses, pertain to scheduled events to be held in upcoming periods and are recognized when an event is held. Deferred revenues recognizable in each upcoming fiscal year are reflected as current liabilities in deferred race event and other income. We recognize contracted sponsorship and other marketing arrangement fee revenues, and associated expenses, as events or activities are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms. Event souvenir merchandise sales and commission based net revenues from food and beverage sales are recognized at time of sale. Advance revenues and associated direct expenses pertaining to specific events are deferred until the event is held. Deferred expenses often include NASCAR Event Management Fees, race purses and sanction fees for other racing events, sales commissions, event specific advertising, signage and other marketing costs, sales and admission taxes, and credit card processing fees on advance revenues associated with our upcoming events. If circumstances prevent a race from being held during the racing season: (i) generally advance revenue is refundable, (ii) all deferred direct event expenses would be immediately recognized except for race event management fees which would be refundable from NASCAR or other sanctioning bodies, and (iii) sales and admission taxes would be refundable from taxing authorities. Management believes this accounting policy results in appropriate matching of revenues and expenses associated with our racing events and helps ensure comparability and consistency between our financial statements. Advance revenues, and associated direct expenses, if any, for track rentals, driving schools and similar activities are deferred and recognized when the activities take place. While preparing our annual financial statements, we determined that deferred direct event expense should be presented gross rather than netted against deferred race event income. We revised our previously issued financial statements to reflect deferred event expenses in other current assets and increase deferred race event and other income by $7,511,000 December 31, 2017 ( $6,978,000 December 31, 2018). not no NASCAR Broadcasting Revenues and NASCAR Event Management Fees – NASCAR contracts directly with certain television networks on broadcasting rights for all NASCAR-sanctioned racing events. We receive television broadcasting revenues under contractual sanction agreements for each such race. The Company periodically negotiates its sanction fees for individual races with NASCAR. SMI has separate five 2020. three four 10% 90% 25% 10% Food and Beverage Services – Levy Premium Foodservice Limited Partnership, wholly-owned by Compass Group USA, Inc., has exclusive rights to provide on-site food, beverage and hospitality catering services for essentially all Company speedway motorsports and non-motorsports events, catered “hospitality” receptions and private parties under an amended long-term food and beverage management contract through 2028. Customer Revenues – As further described below in “Recently Issued Accounting Standards”, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2014 09 606 January 1, 2018 ( 606 606 not not January 1, 2018, 606, Disaggregated Revenues 13 no Our disaggregated revenues and associated performance obligations are comprised of the following (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Admissions $ 78,332 $ 86,949 $ 90,639 NASCAR broadcasting 216,592 209,155 201,804 Sponsorships and other event related 131,951 125,457 131,720 Souvenir and other merchandise 23,970 24,831 27,742 Other (Note 1) 11,069 11,966 43,502 Total revenue $ 461,914 $ 458,358 $ 495,407 Admissions NASCAR Broadcasting Sponsorships and Other Event Related not one We derive other event related revenue from various marketing agreements for on-site advertising, hospitality and other promotion related activities. We also derive event related revenue from commissioned food and beverage sales during racing and non-racing events, speedway catered “hospitality” receptions and private parties. Food and beverages are also sold to individual, group, corporate and other customers primarily in concession areas located on or near speedway concourses, other areas surrounding our speedway facilities, and in luxury suites, club-style seating and food court areas located within the speedway facilities. We also derive revenue from luxury suite rentals, parking and other event and speedway related activities. Our speedways and related facilities are frequently leased to others for use in driving schools, testing, research and development of race cars and racing products, concerts, settings for commercials and motion pictures, and other outdoor events. We derive event related revenue from the sale of commercial time and other radio broadcast programming on PRN, and from ancillary broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue. Souvenir and Other Merchandise third third not Accounting Recognition for Non-Event Souvenir Merchandise and Other Revenues not Accounting Recognition for Noncurrent Net Deferred Income not Other ten We also derive other operating revenue from leasing of SR’s industrial park to individuals, corporate and other customers, including race teams and driving schools, from leasing of office towers located at several of our speedways, TMS natural gas mineral rights, and from sanctioning US Legend Cars circuit races. Other revenue also includes all revenues associated with the 2016 Performance Obligations not not not no We have contracted future revenues representing unsatisfied performance obligations, and the estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to these performance obligations. These contracts contain initial terms typically ranging from one five ten 606 not twelve 2024. 2019 $155,759,000 December 31, 2018. Contract Balances Changes in contract assets and liabilities result principally from recognition upon holding associated motorsport and non-motorsports events during the period. At December 31, 2018 2017, $6,978,000 $7,511,000, $36,225,000 $51,344,000. December 31, 2018, $47,855,000. $33,868,000 $2,357,000 December 31, 2018, twelve Taxes Collected from Customers $4,942,000 2018, $5,372,000 2017 $7,642,000 2016.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – three Under Accounting Standards Update No. 2016 15 January 1, 2018 ( We have revised the consolidated statements of cash flows to correctly classify certain activities which resulted in a decrease in net cash provided by operating activities, and a corresponding decrease in net cash used by investing activities, of $1,093,000 2017 $200,000 2016. not
Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounts Receivable 2018 2017 2016 Balance, beginning of year $ 1,070 $ 1,178 $ 1,287 Bad debt expense 155 258 126 Actual write-offs, net of specific accounts recovered (226 ) (366 ) (235 ) Balance, end of year $ 999 $ 1,070 $ 1,178
Deferred Charges, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Deferred Financing Costs $3,882,000 $3,525,000 December 31, 2018 2017. 2023 $9,708,000 $8,491,000 December 31, 2018 2017.
Other Assets [PolicyText Block]	Other Noncurrent Assets December 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Deferred financing costs, net (Note 6) $ 368 $ 726 Land held for development 12,265 12,265 Cash surrender values of life insurance and other 11,001 10,733 Total $ 23,634 $ 23,724 Noncurrent assets are generally reported at cost except for cash surrender values of life insurance policies which are reported at fair value (see Note 12 may December 31, 2018, no
Real Estate Held for Development and Sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Land Held for Development
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and Equipment (Note 4 When events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may no no December 31, 2018. From time to time, we may In connection with the development and completed construction of TMS in 1997, 30
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Note 5 no No
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Including Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impairment Assessment Methodology. second may No no 3" not not Except for the 2018 not may one No 13 Annual Impairment Assessment second 2018 one one 2018, thirteen eleven eight 2020 not Management's assessment found the estimated fair value of each reporting unit and each indefinite-lived race date intangible asset substantially exceeded its associated carrying value except for three 2015 two December 31, 2018 2017, $298.4 three 2017 2017 $1,117,000, $419,000, 2017 $0. There have been no no December 31, 2018.
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block]	Deferred Income December 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Preferred seat license fees $ 1,928 $ 2,185 Multi-year marketing and other arrangements, and deferred membership income 429 869 Total $ 2,357 $ 3,054
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Advertising Expenses $12,522,000 2018, $13,324,000 2017 $17,321,000 2016 no December 31, 2018 2017.
Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]	Operating Leases January 1, 2019 We have various operating leases principally for office and warehouse space and for equipment used in conducting racing events and other operations. Rent expense for operating leases amounted to $5,978,000 2018, $6,411,000 2017 $8,730,000 2016. one $5,642,000 2018, $5,676,000 2017 $5,625,000 2016. one December 31, 2018 Lease Payments Lease Revenues 2019 $ 1,152 $ 5,142 2020 855 2,561 2021 504 1,778 2022 156 1,250 2023 145 888 Thereafter 200 37 Total $ 3,012 $ 11,656
Other Income Expense Net [PolicyText Block]	Other (Income) Expense , Net 2018 2017 2016 Removal costs for retired assets (Note 4) $ 338 $ 1,350 $ 59 Net gain on disposals of property and equipment and other assets (2,286 ) (944 ) (1,412 ) Write-off of certain development costs and other 42 935 356 Total $ (1,906 ) $ 1,341 $ (997 ) We recorded gains from disposal of certain TMS property in 2017 2016, 2017 2016.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes (Note 8 may no We follow applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes which, among other things, prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, and disclosures. Evaluation of a tax position includes determining whether it is more likely than not not not 50
TMS Mineral Rights Lease Receipts, Policy [Policy Text Block]	TMS Mineral Rights Lease Receipts $1,385,000 2018, $1,916,000 2017 $2,139,000 2016. Such revenues can vary due to associated volatility in natural gas price levels and common diminishing well production, as well as other factors outside of TMS’s control. At this time, while extraction activities continue, no 25% 2017, 2019 not 2018, 2018. December 31, 2018 2017, no
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments no The following table presents estimated fair values and categorization levels of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Level Class Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Assets Cash and cash equivalents 1 R $ 80,568 $ 80,568 $ 81,924 $ 81,924 Note receivable 2 NR 613 613 799 799 Cash surrender values 2 NR 10,061 10,061 9,822 9,822 Liabilities Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan 2 NR – – 30,000 30,000 5.125% Senior Notes Payable due 2023 2 NR 200,000 195,000 200,000 205,000 Other long-term debt 2 NR 887 887 1,049 1,049 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 Class R: Measured at fair value on recurring basis, subsequent to initial recognition. Class NR: Measured at fair value on nonrecurring basis, subsequent to initial recognition.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentrations of Credit Risk
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Loss and Other Contingencies and Financial Guarantees CMS’s property includes areas used as solid waste landfills for many years. Landfilling of general categories of municipal solid waste on the CMS property ceased in 1992, not
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently Issued Accounting Standards No. 2016 15 23 eight December 15, 2017, January 1, 2018 The FASB issued ASU No. 2016 02 842 No. 2018 10 842, may No. 2018 20 842 third The lease guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, January 1, 2019 not Our lease agreements are principally for office and warehouse space used in operations and equipment used in conducting racing and other events. We plan to use the following practical expedients and other considerations in applying the new lease accounting guidance: • Because our operations consist largely of weekend, single day or other short-period seasonal events, most equipment and other personal property lease agreements typically have initial terms of one 30 • Most of our various office and warehouse facilities are leased from an affiliate (as further described in Note 9 • Actual use, right-to-use or ability to cancel with minimal notice was considered, notwithstanding likelihood of renewal or general lease terms. Such considerations under the new lease guidance resulted in significantly reducing the impact of adoption. • No • Our initial direct costs are immaterial for all leases. • Continue to apply previous accounting and disclosure guidance for comparative periods presented in the year of adoption. The FASB issued ASU No. 2018 01 842 842" not not not not not No. 2016 02 may As of January 1, 2018, No. 2014 09 606 five 2018 $2,081,000 $1,567,000 $398,000 $116,000, January 1, 2018. not no no not no 606 not

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_2

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Admissions $ 78,332 $ 86,949 $ 90,639 NASCAR broadcasting 216,592 209,155 201,804 Sponsorships and other event related 131,951 125,457 131,720 Souvenir and other merchandise 23,970 24,831 27,742 Other (Note 1) 11,069 11,966 43,502 Total revenue $ 461,914 $ 458,358 $ 495,407
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Balance, beginning of year $ 1,070 $ 1,178 $ 1,287 Bad debt expense 155 258 126 Actual write-offs, net of specific accounts recovered (226 ) (366 ) (235 ) Balance, end of year $ 999 $ 1,070 $ 1,178
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 Deferred financing costs, net (Note 6) $ 368 $ 726 Land held for development 12,265 12,265 Cash surrender values of life insurance and other 11,001 10,733 Total $ 23,634 $ 23,724
Deferred Revenue, by Arrangement, Disclosure [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 Preferred seat license fees $ 1,928 $ 2,185 Multi-year marketing and other arrangements, and deferred membership income 429 869 Total $ 2,357 $ 3,054
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	Lease Payments Lease Revenues 2019 $ 1,152 $ 5,142 2020 855 2,561 2021 504 1,778 2022 156 1,250 2023 145 888 Thereafter 200 37 Total $ 3,012 $ 11,656
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Removal costs for retired assets (Note 4) $ 338 $ 1,350 $ 59 Net gain on disposals of property and equipment and other assets (2,286 ) (944 ) (1,412 ) Write-off of certain development costs and other 42 935 356 Total $ (1,906 ) $ 1,341 $ (997 )
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 Level Class Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Assets Cash and cash equivalents 1 R $ 80,568 $ 80,568 $ 81,924 $ 81,924 Note receivable 2 NR 613 613 799 799 Cash surrender values 2 NR 10,061 10,061 9,822 9,822 Liabilities Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan 2 NR – – 30,000 30,000 5.125% Senior Notes Payable due 2023 2 NR 200,000 195,000 200,000 205,000 Other long-term debt 2 NR 887 887 1,049 1,049

Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)

Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 Finished race cars, parts and accessories $ 5,162 $ 4,507 Souvenirs and apparel 2,319 2,014 Micro-lubricant® and other 537 762 Total $ 8,018 $ 7,283
Inventory Valuation Reserve Balances [Member]
Notes Tables
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Balance, beginning of year $ 2,377 $ 3,076 $ 2,756 Current year provision 60 48 1,024 Current year sales and write-offs (922 ) (747 ) (704 ) Balance, end of year $ 1,515 $ 2,377 $ 3,076

Note 4 - Property and Equipme_2

Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	Estimated Useful Lives 2018 2017 Land and land improvements 5 - 25 $ 465,083 $ 463,031 Racetracks and grandstands 5 - 45 733,082 720,989 Buildings and luxury suites 5 - 40 470,731 463,942 Machinery and equipment 3 - 20 45,433 43,628 Furniture and fixtures 5 - 20 42,175 39,842 Autos and trucks 3 - 10 13,171 12,755 Construction in progress 7,253 3,915 Total 1,776,928 1,748,102 Less accumulated depreciation (840,377 ) (789,887 ) Net $ 936,551 $ 958,215

Note 5 - Other Intangible Ass_2

Note 5 - Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	Other Intangible Assets Goodwill 2018 2017 2018 2017 Balance, beginning of year $ 298,383 $ 298,383 $ 46,225 $ 47,342 Decrease from impairment charges (Note 2) – – – (1,117 ) Balance, end of period $ 298,383 $ 298,383 $ 46,225 $ 46,225

Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Tables

Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 Credit Facility, all Term Loan $ – $ 30,000 2023 Senior Notes 200,000 200,000 Other notes payable 887 1,049 Total 200,887 231,049 Less current maturities (167 ) (7,662 ) Less deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization (Note 2) (2,718 ) (3,935 ) Long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 198,002 $ 219,452
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	2019 $ 167 2020 172 2021 177 2022 183 2023 200,188 Thereafter – Total $ 200,887
Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Gross interest costs $ 12,372 $ 13,050 $ 13,818 Less capitalized interest costs (389 ) (281 ) (476 ) Interest expense 11,983 12,769 13,342 Interest income (534 ) (528 ) (194 ) Interest expense, net $ 11,449 $ 12,241 $ 13,148 Weighted average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings 3.1 % 2.3 % 1.9 %

Note 7 - Capital Structure, P_2

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Net income applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions $ 40,449 $ 148,245 $ 39,545 Weighted average common shares outstanding 40,910 41,025 41,152 Dilution effect of assumed conversions, common stock equivalents – stock awards 12 16 15 Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions 40,922 41,041 41,167 Basic earnings per share $ 0.99 $ 3.61 $ 0.96 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.99 $ 3.61 $ 0.96 Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings per share 10 7 120
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Cash dividends paid $ 24,624 $ 24,694 $ 24,759 Dividends per common share $ 0.60 $ 0.60 $ 0.60

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Current: Federal $ 12,679 $ 23,327 $ 12,630 State 1,035 436 262 13,714 23,763 12,892 Deferred: Federal (637 ) (127,310 ) 8,604 State (151 ) (328 ) 155 (788 ) (127,638 ) 8,759 Total $ 12,926 $ (103,875 ) $ 21,651
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Statutory federal tax rate 21.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect 2.4 2.2 1.8 Non-deductible executive compensation 1.3 1.6 – Change in valuation allowances – 0.1 0.6 Change in uncertain tax positions, including income tax liabilities for settlements with taxing authorities 0.8 0.1 (0.2 ) Change in federal tax rate (0.4 ) (270.8 ) – Change in state tax rates (1.3 ) (3.7 ) (0.9 ) Other, net 0.4 1.4 (0.9 ) Total 24.2 % (234.1 %) 35.4 %
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment $ 136,221 $ 140,463 Goodwill and other intangible assets 70,775 68,752 Expenses deducted for tax purposes and other 2,287 1,707 Subtotal 209,283 210,922 Deferred tax assets: Income previously recognized for tax purposes 2,189 2,449 Stock option and other deferred compensation expense 1,732 1,838 PSL and other deferred income recognized for tax purposes 506 627 State and federal net operating loss carryforwards 5,167 6,188 Subtotal 9,594 11,102 Less: valuation allowance (1,797 ) (1,940 ) Net deferred tax assets 7,797 9,162 Total net deferred tax liabilities $ 201,486 $ 201,760
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Beginning of period $ 11,711 $ 12,006 $ 12,280 Increases or decreases for tax positions of current year – – – Increases for tax positions of prior years – – – Decreases for tax positions of prior years – (295 ) (274 ) Reductions for lapse of applicable statute of limitations – – – Increases or decreases for settlements with taxing authorities – – – End of period $ 11,711 $ 11,711 $ 12,006

Note 9 - Related Party Transa_2

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Balances [Member]
Notes Tables
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Accounts receivable $ 359 $ 218 2018 2017 2016 Merchandise and vehicle purchases $ 217 $ 238 $ 162 Shared services expense, net of accrued interest 1,523 845 930 Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions 2,550 2,806 2,991 Rent expense 725 721 721

Note 11 - Stock Compensation _2

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	2004 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Options Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding, January 1, 2018 97 $ 15.31 Granted – – Exercised – – Forfeited – – Expired – – Outstanding, December 31, 2018 97 $ 15.31 0.6 $ 93 Exercisable, December 31, 2018 97 $ 15.31 0.6 $ 93
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	2013 Stock Incentive Plan 2018 Formula Restricted Stock Plan 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Shares Weighted Average Grant - date Fair Value Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Shares Weighted Average Grant - date Fair Value Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Shares Weighted Average Grant - date Fair Value Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding, January 1, 2018 355 $ 20.97 – 16 $ 19.47 Granted 153 17.74 21 $ 17.63 – – Vested (140 ) 20.69 – (16 ) 19.47 Forfeited (14 ) 21.12 – – – Outstanding, December 31, 2018 354 $ 19.68 1.3 $ 5,759 21 $ 17.63 0.4 $ 348 – $ – – $ – Granted, 2017 154 20.48 – – – 16 19.47 Granted, 2016 151 20.27 – – – 16 18.17
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	2013 Stock Incentive Plan 2004 Stock Incentive Plan 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan Number Vested Fair Value Number Vested Fair Value Number Vested Fair Value Year Ended December 31, 2018: Restricted Stock 109 $ 1,887 – – 16 $ 279 Restricted Stock Units 31 607 – – – – Total 140 $ 2,494 – – 16 $ 279 Year Ended December 31, 2017: Restricted Stock 107 $ 2,157 – – 16 $ 311 Restricted Stock Units 32 627 – – – – Total 139 $ 2,784 – – 16 $ 311 Year Ended December 31, 2016: Restricted Stock 71 $ 1,471 33 $ 683 13 $ 233 Restricted Stock Units 22 412 10 199 – – Total 93 $ 1,883 43 $ 882 13 $ 233

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Motorsports Event Related All Other Consolidated Total Motorsports Event Related All Other Consolidated Total Motorsports Event Related All Other Consolidated Total Revenues $ 445,111 $ 16,803 $ 461,914 $ 439,656 $ 18,702 $ 458,358 $ 444,561 $ 50,846 $ 495,407 Depreciation and amortization (Note 4) 54,326 180 54,506 64,688 143 64,831 54,213 155 54,368 Impairment of goodwill (Note 2) – – – 1,117 – 1,117 – – – Segment operating income 60,969 1,949 62,918 53,894 4,058 57,952 62,120 11,227 73,347 Capital expenditures 33,593 554 34,147 25,582 86 25,668 34,580 55 34,635
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	2018 2017 2016 Total segment operating income $ 62,918 $ 57,952 $ 73,347 Adjusted for: Interest expense, net (11,449 ) (12,241 ) (13,148 ) Other income (expense), net 1,906 (1,341 ) 997 Consolidated income before income taxes $ 53,375 $ 44,370 $ 61,196
Other Intangibles and Good will [Member]
Notes Tables
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Other intangibles $ 298,383 – $ 298,383 $ 298,383 – $ 298,383 Goodwill 46,225 – 46,225 46,225 – 46,225 Total assets 1,402,474 $ 23,886 1,426,360 1,435,068 $ 23,123 1,458,191

Note 1 - Basis of Presentatio_2

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Description of Business (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	$ 47,855,000
Bristol Motor Speedway LLC [Member]
Number of Collegiate Football Games Hosted			2
NASCAR [Member]
Number of Racing Events	24	24	24
NASCAR [Member] | Deferred Race Event Income for Unredeemed Tickets [Member]
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized		$ 524,000
NASCAR [Member] | Monster Energy Cup [Member]
Number of Racing Events	13	13	13
NASCAR [Member] | Xfinity Series Events [Member]
Number of Racing Events	11	11	11
NASCAR [Member] | Camping World Trucks Series Events [Member]
Number of Racing Events	8	8	8
NASCAR [Member] | K and N Pro Series Events [Member]
Number of Racing Events	5	3	3
NASCAR [Member] | Whelen Modified Tour [Member]
Number of Racing Events	3	4	4
Indy Car Series [Member]
Number of Racing Events	2	2	2
National Hot Rod Association [Member]
Number of Racing Events	6	6	6
Automobile Racing Club of America [Member]
Number of Racing Events	1	1	1
World of Outlaws [Member]
Number of Racing Events	3	3	3

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_3

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies 1 (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 461,914,000	$ 458,358,000	$ 495,407,000
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net, Total	$ 6,978,000	7,511,000
Term Period of Event Management Agreements	5 years
Percentage of Gross Broadcast Rights Revenue Retained	25.00%
Revenue Recognized, Percentage of Gross Broadcasting Rights Revenue	90.00%
Contract with Customer, Liability, Total	$ 36,225,000	51,344,000
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	47,855,000
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current	33,868,000	48,290,000
Contract with Customer, Liability, Noncurrent	2,357,000	3,054,000
Excise and Sales Taxes	4,942,000	5,372,000	7,642,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Total	(31,577,000)	(21,600,000)	(31,650,000)
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Ending Balance	298,383,000	298,383,000	298,383,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		1,117,000
Advertising Expense	12,522,000	13,324,000	17,321,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Total	5,978,000	6,411,000	8,730,000
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue, Total	5,642,000	5,676,000	5,625,000
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Current, Total	19,497,000	28,459,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent	201,486,000	201,760,000
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	689,000	383,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total	$ 90,409,000	90,560,000	113,520,000
Texas Motor Speedway Inc. [Member]
Royalty Revenue, Distribution, Percentage	25.00%
Texas Motor Speedway Inc. [Member] | Royalty Arrangement [Member]
Contract with Customer, Liability, Total		0
Deferred Revenue	$ 0
Unrecognized [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		1,117,000
Impairment of Goodwill Income Tax Expense Benefit		419,000
Goodwill, Fair Value Disclosure		0
NHMS Race Date Agreements [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Ending Balance	298,400,000	298,400,000
The 2023 Senior Notes and Term Loan [Member]
Accumulated Amortization, Debt Issuance Costs	9,708,000	8,491,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Accumulated Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs, Line of Credit Arrangements	$ 3,882,000	3,525,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-15 [Member]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Total		(1,093,000)	(200,000)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total		(1,093,000)	(200,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Current, Total				$ 2,081,000
Retained Earnings, Appropriated				1,567,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent				398,000
Accrued Income Taxes, Current				$ 116,000
Sanction Fees [Member]
Percentage of Gross Broadcast Rights Revenue Retained	10.00%
Minimum [Member]
Percentage of Annual Increases in Broadcast Rights Revenue and Event Management Fees	3.00%
Maximum [Member]
Percentage of Annual Increases in Broadcast Rights Revenue and Event Management Fees	4.00%
NASCAR Broadcasting and Event Management Revenue [Member] | Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 7,729,000	4,769,000	5,674,000
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net, Total	6,978,000	7,511,000
Advertising [Member]
Contract with Customer, Asset, Gross	0	0
Royalty [Member] | Texas Motor Speedway Inc. [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 1,385,000	$ 1,916,000	$ 2,139,000

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_4

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies 2 (Details Textual) - Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 155,759,000
Minimum [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	5 years

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_5

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Composition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues	$ 461,914	$ 458,358	$ 495,407
Admissions [Member]
Revenues	78,332	86,949	90,639
NASCAR Broadcasting Revenue [Member]
Revenues	216,592	209,155	201,804
Sponsorships and Other Event Related Revenue [Member]
Revenues	131,951	125,457	131,720
Souvenir and Other Merchandise Revenue [Member]
Revenues	23,970	24,831	27,742
Other [Member]
Revenues	$ 11,069	$ 11,966	$ 43,502

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_6

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance, beginning of year	$ 1,070	$ 1,178	$ 1,287
Bad debt expense	155	258	126
Actual write-offs, net of specific accounts recovered	(226)	(366)	(235)
Balance, end of year	$ 999	$ 1,070	$ 1,178

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_7

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Other Noncurrent Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred financing costs, net (Note 6)	$ 368	$ 726
Land held for development	12,265	12,265
Cash surrender values of life insurance and other	11,001	10,733
Total	$ 23,634	$ 23,724

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_8

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Deferred Income, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Income, Net	$ 2,357	$ 3,054
Preferred Seat License Fees [Member]
Deferred Income, Net	1,928	2,185
Multi-year Marketing and Other Arrangements [Member]
Deferred Income, Net	$ 429	$ 869

Note 2 - Significant Accounti_9

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Future Annual Minimum Lease Payments and Contracted Future Annual Minimum Lease Revenues Under Operating Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Lease payments, 2019	$ 1,152
Lease revenues, 2019	5,142
Lease payments, 2020	855
Lease revenues, 2020	2,561
Lease payments, 2021	504
Lease revenues, 2021	1,778
Lease payments, 2022	156
Lease revenues, 2022	1,250
Lease payments, 2023	145
Lease revenues, 2023	888
Lease payments, Thereafter	200
Lease revenues, Thereafter	37
Lease payments, Total	3,012
Lease revenues, Total	$ 11,656

Note 2 - Significant Account_10

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Other Income, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Removal costs for retired assets (Note 4)	$ 2,286	$ 944	$ 1,412
Write-off of certain development costs and other	42	935	356
Total	(1,906)	1,341	(997)
Removal Costs for Retired Assets [Member]
Removal costs for retired assets (Note 4)	338	1,350	59
Disposals of Property and Equipment [Member]
Net gain on disposals of property and equipment and other assets	$ (2,286)	$ (944)	$ (1,412)

Note 2 - Significant Account_11

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Fair Values and Categorization Levels of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 80,568	$ 81,924
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Note receivable	613	799
Cash surrender values	10,061	9,822
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan		30,000
5.125% Senior Notes Payable due 2023	200,000	200,000
Other long-term debt	887	1,049
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	80,568	81,924
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Note receivable	613	799
Cash surrender values	10,061	9,822
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan		30,000
5.125% Senior Notes Payable due 2023	195,000	205,000
Other long-term debt	$ 887	$ 1,049

Note 2 - Significant Account_12

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Fair Values and Categorization Levels of Financial Instruments (Details) (Parentheticals)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Senior notes payable, interest	5.125%	5.125%

Note 3 - Inventories - Inventor

Note 3 - Inventories - Inventories Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventories, net	$ 8,018	$ 7,283
Finished Vehicles Parts and Accessories [Member]
Inventories, net	5,162	4,507
Souvenirs and Apparel [Member]
Inventories, net	2,319	2,014
Micro Lubricant and Other [Member]
Inventories, net	$ 537	$ 762

Note 3 - Inventories - Invent_2

Note 3 - Inventories - Inventory Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance, beginning of year	$ 2,377	$ 3,076	$ 2,756
Current year provision	60	48	1,024
Current year sales and write-offs	(922)	(747)	(704)
Balance, end of year	$ 1,515	$ 2,377	$ 3,076

Note 4 - Property and Equipme_3

Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Depreciation, Total	$ 54,494,000	$ 64,817,000	$ 54,344,000
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]
Depreciation, Total	$ 1,750,000	$ 11,055,000	$ 313,000

Note 4 - Property and Equipme_4

Note 4 - Property and Equipment - Property and Equipment Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	$ 1,776,928	$ 1,748,102
Less accumulated depreciation	(840,377)	(789,887)
Net	936,551	958,215
Land and Land Improvements [Member]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	465,083	463,031
Racetracks and Grandstands [Member]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	733,082	720,989
Buildings and Luxury Suites [Member]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	470,731	463,942
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	45,433	43,628
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	42,175	39,842
Automobiles [Member]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	13,171	12,755
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	$ 7,253	$ 3,915
Minimum [Member] | Land and Land Improvements [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Racetracks and Grandstands [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Buildings and Luxury Suites [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Automobiles [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Land and Land Improvements [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	25 years
Maximum [Member] | Racetracks and Grandstands [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	45 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings and Luxury Suites [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Automobiles [Member]
Estimated useful lives (Year)	10 years

Note 5 - Other Intangible Ass_3

Note 5 - Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Intangible Assets, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	149,700	149,700
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 0	$ 0

Note 5 - Other Intangible Ass_4

Note 5 - Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Changes in Gross Carrying Value of Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance, beginning of year	$ 298,383	$ 298,383
Balance, beginning of year	46,225	47,342
Decrease from impairment charges (Note 2)
Decrease from impairment charges (Note 2)		(1,117)
Balance, end of period	298,383	298,383	298,383
Balance, end of period	$ 46,225	$ 46,225	$ 47,342

Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Detail

Note 6 - Long-term Debt (Details Textual)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.125%	5.125%
Eurodollar [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.00%
Eurodollar [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.25%
Eurodollar [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			2.00%
Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.50%
Prime Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.25%
Prime Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.00%
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility Accordion Feature			$ 100,000,000
Term Loan, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			200,000,000
Debt Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			250,000,000
Debt Instrument Covenant, Maximum Dividends Payments and Repurchases of Securities			50,000,000
Debt Instrument Covenant Annual Capital Expenditures			$ 75,000,000
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage			0.25%
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage			0.40%
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument Quarterly Principal Repayment Percentage			5.00%
Repayments of Debt			$ 30,000,000	$ 36,000,000	$ 54,000,000
The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member] | Subject to Maintaining Certain Financial Covenants [Member]
Debt Instrument Covenant, Maximum Dividends Payments and Repurchases of Securities			$ 75,000,000
The 2023 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 200,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.125%
Proceeds from Notes Payable, Total		$ 196,816,000
Debt Instrument, Covenant Dividend Payments, Per Share | $ / shares		$ 0.80
Interest Bearing Debt Associated With BMS Purchase [Member]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate			3.00%	3.00%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Amount			$ 887,000	$ 1,049,000
Debt Instrument, Number of Periodic Payments	8
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Total	$ 194,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			587,000	$ 698,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			100,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity			99,413,000
Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			50,000,000
Swing Line Loans [Member] | The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 10,000,000
Senior Secured Term Loan [Member] | The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Term			5 years
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 150,000,000
Delayed Draw Term Loan [Member] | The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 50,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term			5 years
Letter of Credit [Member] | The 2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity			$ 49,413,000

Note 6 - Long-term Debt - Long-

Note 6 - Long-term Debt - Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Long-term debt	$ 200,887	$ 231,049
Less current maturities	(167)	(7,662)
Less deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization (Note 2)	(2,718)	(3,935)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	198,002	219,452
The 2023 Senior Notes [Member]
Senior notes	200,000	200,000
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Other notes payable	887	1,049
Term Loan Borrowings [Member]
Long-term line of credit		$ 30,000

Note 6 - Long-term Debt - Annua

Note 6 - Long-term Debt - Annual Maturities of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
2019	$ 167
2020	172
2021	177
2022	183
2023	200,188
Thereafter
Total	$ 200,887	$ 231,049

Note 6 - Long-term Debt - Inter

Note 6 - Long-term Debt - Interest Expense, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Gross interest costs	$ 12,372	$ 13,050	$ 13,818
Less capitalized interest costs	(389)	(281)	(476)
Interest expense	11,983	12,769	13,342
Interest income	(534)	(528)	(194)
Interest expense, net	$ 11,449	$ 12,241	$ 13,148
Weighted average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings	3.10%	2.30%	1.90%

Note 7 - Capital Structure, P_3

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Feb. 12, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 12, 2018
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized		3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share		$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total		0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance		0	0
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared		$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method		$ 5,343,000	$ 6,118,000	$ 5,837,000
Treasury Stock, Shares Held for Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation		381,000	328,000
Management [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		53,000	56,000	58,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method		$ 948,000	$ 1,103,000	$ 1,169,000
Management [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		140,000	139,000	136,000
Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased		5,000,000			6,000,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		246,000	251,000	252,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method		$ 4,395,000	$ 5,015,000	$ 4,667,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased		945,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.15
Dividends Payable, Current	$ 6,100,000

Note 7 - Capital Structure, P_4

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information - Basic and Diluted Earnings or Loss Per Share From Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net income applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions	$ 40,449	$ 148,245	$ 39,545
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	40,910	41,025	41,152
Dilution effect of assumed conversions, common stock equivalents – stock awards (in shares)	12	16	15
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions (in shares)	40,922	41,041	41,167
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.99	$ 3.61	$ 0.96
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.99	$ 3.61	$ 0.96
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings per share (in shares)	10	7	120

Note 7 - Capital Structure, P_5

Note 7 - Capital Structure, Per Share Data and Other Equity Information - Declaration of Cash Dividends (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash dividends paid	$ 24,624	$ 24,694	$ 24,759
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent			21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability	$ (233,000)	$ (119,449,000)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount		(120,172,000)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Share-based Compensation Cost, Amount		723,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent, Total			24.20%	(234.10%)	35.40%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Certain State Income Tax Law, Amount			$ (908,000)	$ (575,000)	$ (546,000)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in State Income Tax Rate, Amount				(1,070,000)
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Total	1,797,000	1,940,000	1,797,000	1,940,000
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount			143,000	192,000	326,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	11,711,000	11,711,000	11,711,000	11,711,000	12,006,000	$ 12,280,000
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	201,000	0	201,000	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense, Total			548,000	188,000	61,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefit Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expenses, Derecognized			0	86,000	$ 90,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued, Total	789,000	241,000	789,000	241,000
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	11,534,000	11,534,000	11,534,000	11,534,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	177,000		177,000
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	11,711,000	$ 11,711,000	11,711,000	$ 11,711,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total	$ 168,914,000		$ 168,914,000
Open Tax Year			2014 2015 2016 2017
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Open Tax Year			2015 2016 2017

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Compone

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Components of the Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Federal	$ 12,679	$ 23,327	$ 12,630
State	1,035	436	262
Sub-total, current	13,714	23,763	12,892
Federal	(637)	(127,310)	8,604
State	(151)	(328)	155
Sub-total, deffered	(124)	(127,722)	19,543
Total	$ 12,926	$ (103,875)	$ 21,651

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Reconci

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory Federal and Effective Income Tax Rates (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statutory federal tax rate	21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect	2.40%	2.20%	1.80%
Non-deductible executive compensation	1.30%	1.60%
Change in valuation allowances		0.10%	0.60%
Change in uncertain tax positions, including income tax liabilities for settlements with taxing authorities	0.80%	0.10%	(0.20%)
Change in federal tax rate	(0.40%)	(270.80%)
Change in state tax rates	(1.30%)	(3.70%)	(0.90%)
Other, net	0.40%	1.40%	(0.90%)
Total	24.20%	(234.10%)	35.40%

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Tax Eff

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Tax Effects of Temporary Differences Resulting in Deferred Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	$ 136,221,000	$ 140,463,000
Goodwill and other intangible assets	70,775,000	68,752,000
Expenses deducted for tax purposes and other	2,287,000	1,707,000
Subtotal	209,283,000	210,922,000
Deferred tax assets:
Income previously recognized for tax purposes	2,189,000	2,449,000
Stock option and other deferred compensation expense	1,732,000	1,838,000
PSL and other deferred income recognized for tax purposes	506,000	627,000
State and federal net operating loss carryforwards	5,167,000	6,188,000
Subtotal	(9,594,000)	(11,102,000)
Less: valuation allowance	(1,797,000)	(1,940,000)
Net deferred tax assets	7,797,000	9,162,000
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$ 201,486,000	$ 201,760,000

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Recon_2

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Change in the Total Unrecognized Tax Benefits and Other Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Beginning of period	$ 11,711	$ 12,006	$ 12,280
Increases or decreases for tax positions of current year
Increases for tax positions of prior years
Decreases for tax positions of prior years		(295)	(274)
Reductions for lapse of applicable statute of limitations
Increases or decreases for settlements with taxing authorities
End of period	$ 11,711	$ 11,711	$ 12,006

Note 9 - Related Party Transa_3

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) xbrli-pure in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 1,523,000	$ 845,000	$ 930,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Total	5,978,000	6,411,000	8,730,000
Revenue from Related Parties	2,550,000	2,806,000	2,991,000
Sonic Financial [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	1,523,000	845,000	930,000
Due from Affiliates	0	0
Sonic Financial [Member] | Oil Chem [Member]
Revenue from Related Parties	1,621,000	1,940,000	2,054,000
Due from Related Parties, Total	217,000	148,000
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Total	725,000	721,000	721,000
Sonic Automotive Inc. [Member]
Due from Affiliates	142,000	70,000
Revenue from Related Parties	$ 929,000	$ 866,000	$ 937,000
Number of Vehicles Sold	0	0	0
Sonic Automotive Inc. [Member] | SMI Properties [Member]
Revenue from Related Parties	$ 217,000	$ 238,000	$ 162,000

Note 9 - Related Party Transa_4

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions - Foregoing Related Party Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts receivable	$ 359	$ 218
Merchandise and vehicle purchases	217	238	$ 162
Shared services expense, net of accrued interest	1,523	845	930
Merchandise and vehicle sales and event related commissions	2,550	2,806	2,991
Rent expense	$ 725	$ 721	$ 721

Note 11 - Stock Compensation _3

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans (Details Textual)	Mar. 11, 2018USD ($)shares	Apr. 09, 2017USD ($)shares	Feb. 10, 2009	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares
Discount from Share Price				90.00%
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Total | $				$ 3,483,000	$ 3,366,000	$ 3,405,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense | $				$ 843,000	1,251,000	$ 1,205,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount | $					$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross				0	0	0
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options | $				$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested, Number of Shares				0	0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period				0	40,500	11,500
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value | $					$ 199,000	$ 48,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance		3,500,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Maximum Amount | $		$ 10,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period		10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant				2,728,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period				140,000	139,000	93,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Options and SARs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee		300,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee		100,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Performance Shares [Member] | Non Executive Management Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period				61,728
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares				27,815
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation | $				$ 540,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period				153,000	154,000	151,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period				140,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period				14,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance				354,000	355,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms				1 year 109 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding | $				$ 5,759,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period				5,727
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Cliff Vesting [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		5 years
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period				31,000	32,000	22,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance				125,561
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms				1 year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding | $				$ 2,043,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Three Year Vesting Period [Member] | Chief Executive Officer and President [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period				35,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period				109,000	107,000	71,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance				64,697
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period				35,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Non Executive Management Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period				83,300
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period				78,369
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares				24,994
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation | $				$ 408,000
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Performance Shares and RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period				30,864
2018 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	250,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period				0
2018 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period				21,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance				21,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms				146 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding | $				$ 348,000
2018 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Value of Shares Used as Numerator to Determine Annual Grant Amount | $	$ 75,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Number of Days Preceding Grant Date Used to Determine Average Closing Price Used as Denominator to Determine Grant Award Amount	20
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period			10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant				229,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period						43,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			3 years
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Equal Installments [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			3 years
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period						10,000
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period						33,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee				500
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant				439,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized				800,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period				0
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan and 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options | $				$ 3,423,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms				328 days

Note 11 - Stock Compensation _4

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Granted (in shares)	0	0	0
Exercised (in shares)	0	(40,500)	(11,500)
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Outstanding, shares (in shares)	97,000
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 15.31
Granted (in shares)
Granted, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Exercised (in shares)
Exercised, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Forfeited (in shares)
Forfeited, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Expired (in shares)
Expired, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Outstanding, shares (in shares)	97,000	97,000
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 15.31	$ 15.31
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term (Year)	219 days
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 93
Exercisable, shares (in shares)	97,000
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 15.31
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term (Year)	219 days
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 93

Note 11 - Stock Compensation _5

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans - Summary of Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Non-vested, Vested (in shares)	(140,000)	(139,000)	(93,000)
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Non-vested, outstanding (in shares)	355,000
Non-vested, outstanding, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 20.97
Non-vested, Granted (in shares)	153,000	154,000	151,000
Non-vested, Granted, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 17.74	$ 20.48	$ 20.27
Non-vested, Vested (in shares)	(140,000)
Non-vested, Vested, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 20.69
Non-vested, Forfeited (in shares)	(14,000)
Non-vested, Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 21.12
Non-vested, outstanding (in shares)	354,000	355,000
Non-vested, outstanding, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 19.68	$ 20.97
Non-vested, outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Year)	1 year 109 days
Non-vested, outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 5,759
2018 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]
Non-vested, Vested (in shares)	0
2018 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Non-vested, outstanding (in shares)
Non-vested, outstanding, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)
Non-vested, Granted (in shares)	21,000
Non-vested, Granted, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 17.63
Non-vested, Vested (in shares)
Non-vested, Vested, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)
Non-vested, Forfeited (in shares)
Non-vested, Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)
Non-vested, outstanding (in shares)	21,000
Non-vested, outstanding, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 17.63
Non-vested, outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Year)	146 days
Non-vested, outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 348
The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]
Non-vested, Vested (in shares)	(16,000)	(16,000)	(13,000)
The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Non-vested, outstanding (in shares)	16,000
Non-vested, outstanding, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 19.47
Non-vested, Granted (in shares)		16,000	16,000
Non-vested, Granted, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)		$ 19.47	$ 18.17
Non-vested, Vested (in shares)	(16,000)
Non-vested, Vested, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 19.47
Non-vested, Forfeited (in shares)
Non-vested, Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)
Non-vested, outstanding (in shares)		16,000
Non-vested, outstanding, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value (in dollars per share)		$ 19.47

Note 11 - Stock Compensation _6

Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plans - Summary of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units and Their Fair Values on Date Vested (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Number of stock vested (in shares)	140	139	93
Number of stock vested, fair value	$ 2,494	$ 2,784	$ 1,883
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Number of stock vested (in shares)	109	107	71
Number of stock vested, fair value	$ 1,887	$ 2,157	$ 1,471
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Number of stock vested (in shares)	31	32	22
Number of stock vested, fair value	$ 607	$ 627	$ 412
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Number of stock vested (in shares)			43
Number of stock vested, fair value			$ 882
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Number of stock vested (in shares)			33
Number of stock vested, fair value			$ 683
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Number of stock vested (in shares)			10
Number of stock vested, fair value			$ 199
The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member]
Number of stock vested (in shares)	16	16	13
Number of stock vested, fair value	$ 279	$ 311	$ 233
The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Number of stock vested (in shares)	16	16	13
Number of stock vested, fair value	$ 279	$ 311	$ 233
The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Number of stock vested (in shares)
Number of stock vested, fair value

Note 12 - Employee Benefit Pl_2

Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Contributions by Employer	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total	23,634,000	23,724,000
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total	$ 18,764,000	18,458,000
Speedway Motorsports, Inc 401(k) Plan and Trust [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	75.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	25.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay	4.00%
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Contributions by Employer	$ 424,000	423,000	$ 406,000
Speedway Motorsports, Inc Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	75.00%
Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total	$ 3,964,000	4,008,000
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total	$ 3,813,000	$ 3,912,000
Speedway Motorsports, Inc Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Annual Bonus and Other Cash Compensation [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	100.00%

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures_2

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 461,914,000	$ 458,358,000	$ 495,407,000
Sales Revenue, Segment [Member] | NASCAR [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	78.00%	79.00%	74.00%
Sales Revenue, Segment [Member] | NASCAR Broadcasting Rights [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	47.00%	46.00%	41.00%
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 216,592,000	$ 209,155,000	$ 201,804,000

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures -

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures - Segment Information on Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 461,914	$ 458,358	$ 495,407
Depreciation and amortization (Note 4)	54,506	64,831	54,368
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		1,117
Segment operating income	62,918	57,952	73,347
Capital expenditures	34,147	25,668	34,635
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	445,111	439,656	444,561
Depreciation and amortization (Note 4)	54,326	64,688	54,213
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		1,117
Segment operating income	60,969	53,894	62,120
Capital expenditures	33,593	25,582	34,580
Other Segments [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	16,803	18,702	50,846
Depreciation and amortization (Note 4)	180	143	155
Goodwill, Impairment Loss
Segment operating income	1,949	4,058	11,227
Capital expenditures	$ 554	$ 86	$ 55

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures_3

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures - Summary of Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other intangibles	$ 298,383	$ 298,383
Goodwill	46,225	46,225	$ 47,342
Total assets	1,426,360	1,458,191
Motorsports Event Segment [Member]
Other intangibles	298,383	298,383
Goodwill	46,225	46,225
Total assets	1,402,474	1,435,068
Other Segments [Member]
Other intangibles
Goodwill
Total assets	$ 23,886	$ 23,123

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures_4

Note 13 - Segment Disclosures - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income or Loss to Consolidated Amounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Total segment operating income	$ 62,918	$ 57,952	$ 73,347
Interest expense, net	(11,449)	(12,241)	(13,148)
Other income (expense), net	1,906	(1,341)	997
Consolidated income before income taxes	$ 53,375	$ 44,370	$ 61,196