NASCAR's Strategic Acquisition of ISC Officially Concluded, Marking Major Industry Consolidation

In a significant development for the motorsports industry, NASCAR Holdings, Inc. successfully finalized its acquisition of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) on October 18, 2019, establishing full ownership of one of North America’s largest racing venue operators. The transaction, which had been formally announced earlier in the year with an agreement dated May 22, 2019, represents a transformative merger within the competitive motorsports promotion sector.

Transaction Details and Shareholder Approval

ISC shareholders voted decisively to approve the merger agreement at a special meeting held on October 16, 2019. Notably, the approval included support from a majority of shareholders excluding certain controlling stakeholders of ISC. Under the finalized merger agreement terms, eligible ISC shareholders received $45.00 per share in cash compensation for both Class A and Class B common stock holdings, a valuation that reflects NASCAR’s confidence in ISC’s operational and strategic value.

Market and Regulatory Implications

The completion of this acquisition fundamentally altered ISC’s market status. Trading of ISC Class A common stock, previously listed on NASDAQ under its stock symbol, officially ceased on October 18, 2019. The listing on NASDAQ Global Select Market has been suspended, and ISC Class B common stock, which had been quoted on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board, will no longer maintain that quotation status. As a privately held company under NASCAR’s ownership, ISC is proceeding with deregistration of its common stock and suspending its SEC reporting obligations. The company will also discontinue its annual shareholder meetings.

Integrated Operations Under NASCAR Control

International Speedway Corporation, now a wholly owned subsidiary of NASCAR, operates 13 premier motorsports entertainment venues across the United States. Its portfolio includes iconic racing facilities such as Daytona International Speedway in Florida (home of the DAYTONA 500), Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, Michigan International Speedway, Richmond Raceway, Kansas Speedway, and additional championship venues in Arizona, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, South Carolina, and New York.

Beyond venue operations, ISC maintains ownership of Motor Racing Network, an independent sports radio network specializing in motorsports coverage; Racing Electronics, a technology leader in motorsports communication systems; and Americrown Service Corporation, which provides hospitality and food services. The company also developed and operates ONE DAYTONA, a mixed-use retail and entertainment complex, and holds a 50 percent stake in Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.

NASCAR Holdings, Inc. operates as a comprehensive motorsports sanctioning authority, overseeing national, international, regional, and touring racing series. The organization manages intellectual property creation, oversight, and monetization across its series portfolio, controls television broadcast rights, and has established long-term distribution partnerships with major media platforms for racing content delivery. NASCAR provides comprehensive statistical, informational, and news services covering races, drivers, teams, and industry developments. The company was established in 2004 and maintains headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida.

This acquisition consolidates NASCAR’s control over both the sanctioning body operations and major venue infrastructure, creating a vertically integrated motorsports enterprise positioned to maximize the sport’s commercial and operational opportunities.