The man behind Sonic Automotive and Speedway Motorsports, O. Bruton Smith, was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Saturday, recognized for his decades of dedication to the motorsports world.

Smith is currently the executive chairman and director at Sonic Automotive, based in Charlotte, N.C. He founded Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) in 1994, which became the first motorsports company to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange a year later.  

“Being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame is truly an honor,” Smith said. “For nearly 60 years, my life’s work has been to build first-rate facilities and host world-class events for fans around the country. Along with thousands of my employees, I have worked hard for the fans in hopes of providing each of them a truly unforgettable experience every time they walk through the gates. When I say, ‘we work for the fans,’ I really take it to heart. I look forward to seeing Speedway Motorsports continue to lead the way in innovation and fan fun for many years to come.”

Those more familiar with his motorsport proclivities will know Smith as the chairman, chief executive officer, director and controlling stockholder of SMI, the latter which owns Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway.

A North Carolina native born in Oakboro, Smith began construction of what is now known as the “home track” of NASCAR, Charlotte Motor Speedway, in 1959. The next year, it was home to NASCAR’s first 600-mile race, the World 600.

SMI’s eight raceways are also home to Smith’s Speedway Children’s Charities, which was founded in 1982 to care for children in financial, educational, social and medical need in order to help them lead productive lives. The Speedway Children’s Charities has donated more than $46 million to other charities nationwide since its founding.

Other inductees from Saturday include the legendary drivers Jerry Cook, Bobby Isaac, Terry Labonte and Curtis Turner.