| |
|
 |
|
Administration Team
 Clay Campbell
Like Hank Williams Jr., Clay Campbell is just carrying on a family tradition.
Campbell is the president of Martinsville Speedway, the historic Virginia race track founded by his grandfather H. Clay Earles 59 years ago.
When International Speedway Corporation purchased Martinsville Speedway from Campbell's family in 2004, Campbell never thought about leaving the helm of the historic track.
"As my grandfather used to say, 'Martinsville Speedway is a work in progress.¿ Even though ownership changed, I want to make sure that work continues the way my grandfather wanted it to," said Campbell. ¿We¿ve achieved a lot here at Martinsville Speedway, but we can achieve much more.¿
Campbell certainly knows everything essential to operating the speedway. He started working there as a young boy by picking up trash, cutting grass with a swing blade and anything else that needed to be done. But he also knows the promoting side of operating the track after following his grandfather from race track to racetrack, passing out driver's trophies in victory lane and driving Miss Virginias around the track in pre race ceremonies at an age so young he couldn't see over the steering wheel.
He has known the sport¿s early drivers like David Pearson, Fred Lorenzen and Wendell Scott as well as the current crop of NEXTEL Cup drivers. He has been part of racing from the 1960s until today. That one factor helps keep things in perspective for Campbell.
"Racing has not always been the great success that it is today. I know we have to work hard to make fans¿ visits here the best experience possible," Campbell said. "If we create a great memory they will keep coming back."
Campbell began working for his grandfather full-time after graduating from Drewry Mason High School in 1978. His start came in the maintenance department.
"I liked what I did in maintenance. I learned the value of hard work. Believe me, there are a lot of days I'd rather be working outside than in here."
Campbell later worked with concessions and souvenirs and then become vice president and assistant general manager before being named president in 1988.
Racing is not just a business for Campbell, it's is also his pastime. He raced go-karts for about six years and later moved up to race cars.
"I've driven just about anything with a steering wheel," Campbell said.
Besides racing, Campbell has a few other hobbies including golf and he is an instrument and multi-engine rated pilot.
Campbell also has plenty of things to keep him busy outside of work. He currently serves on the Harvest Foundation board of directors, the Martinsville YMCA board of directors, is on the board of directors of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and is on the National Stock Car Racing Commission. He also is a past-president of the Chamber of Commerce of Martinsville-Henry County and has served on the board of directors for Piedmont Trust Bank.
Campbell and family live in Henry County about 10 minutes from the track. Just like Earles, after his family, the speedway is his life.
"I grew up here, have done about every job we have and I learned this business from granddaddy," he said. "Because I love this place I want to keep it successful. As long as we continue to make it as comfortable as possible for fans and work hard, I know we will succeed. |
| Administration Team |
| Track President |
W. Clay Campbell |
| Division Controller |
Rob Gehman
|
| Director, Busines Development and Partnerships |
Karen Parker |
| Director, Public Relations |
Mike Smith |
| Director, Ticket Operations |
Tracie Powell |
| Director, Track Operations |
Gordon Wilson |
| Senior Director, Facilities Operations |
Henry Williams |
|
|
|
|
|
