Today we’d like to introduce you to Ted Austad.
Ted, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Grew up in the car business back in Minnesota. My father was involved with motorsports through the dealership so we would frequent auto racing events. This profession is something I have always wanted to be a part of ever since I was a youngster. I promoted bicycle races and bicycle stunt shows near my home before I was a teenager. I would charge my friends’ parents a dollar to watch our shows and then provide candy prizes to my buddies for their performance within the shows.
I have been lucky enough to have transformed that time into a lifelong career that has seen me promote at a multitude of events from the midwest to southeastern parts of the country. I have enjoyed opportunities to manager facilities, broadcast motorsports events, produce new events and series and consult with fellow promoters across the nation.
My current position with the speedway allows me to develop events and create new revenue streams while also helping other event producers build their shows at the track.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The business has changed greatly over the 30 years I have been involved professionally. Motorsports experienced a tremendous growth spurt in the 90’s as the baby boomer generation reached maturity. Their passion for the automobile resulted in the rise of popularity in our sport and that popularity brought prosperity for many who were involved at the highest levels of the industry,
Today, the baby boomers have become older and quite simply are not as actively involved with a sport they were so intertwined with for years. That has resulted in declining interest and attendance at our major events. This continues to be one of our industry’s struggles. The generations after the baby boomers have separated themselves from that passion for the automobile. It is my goal to reignite that excitement in the younger generations through the final years of my career (which will really probably never end).
Atlanta Motor Speedway – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are in the entertainment business! That entertainment can be in the form of motorsports, concerts, event weekends, car shows and more! Everything from NASCAR racing to the Atlanta Motorama to the Friday Night Drags to the Imagine Festival and Georgia State Fair. Atlanta Motor Speedway plays host to these and as many as 200 other events each year.
Atlanta Motor Speedway is one of only three speedway in the nation that hosted more than 100 NASCAR Premier Series (Monster Energy Cup Series) events. Our commitment to our guests and their experience every time they choose to attend an event at Atlanta Motor Speedway is what sets us apart from other Atlanta area sports facilities.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Seeing so many young drivers develop their careers behind the wheel. Everyone from Joey Logan to the Busch brothers (Kurt and Kyle) now to Chase Elliott. I was fortunate enough to watch these drivers begin their careers on various short tracks and then grow to Sunday afternoon gladiators on the NASCAR Cup circuit.
Pricing:
- Friday Night Drags – Friday Nights thru August 24 – $10 admission
- Atlanta Air Show – October 13 & 14 – prices begin at $19.50
- Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 NASCAR Race – February 25, 26 and 27, 2019 – prices begin at $19
Contact Info:
- Address: 1500 US Highway 19/41 Hampton, GA 30228
- Website: www.atlantamotorspeedway.com
- Phone: 770.946.4211
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