The Chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Bruton Smith is never at a loss of words. Smith took time to address the media Saturday afternoon, discussing a variety of things from Kentucky Speedway, to the Jeremy Mayfield controversy, to the departure of H.A. ‘Humpy’ Wheeler one year ago.

Smith began the Q&A session pleading with the media to help end the appeal on the lawsuit between the former track owners and the International Speedway Corporation. The Chairman explained he had “tried every way in the world” to convince the former owners to drop the appeal, however he has had no such luck. NASCAR has said they will not take Kentucky into consideration for a date of the Cup Series schedule while the appeal is ongoing. According to Smith, there are two primary opponents to dropping the lawsuit against NASCAR and ISC - Richard Duchossios, president of Churchill Downs and Dick Farmer of Cintas.

“I tried to actually place shame on them, because they have a moral responsibility,” Smith said of the former owners. “The state of Kentucky spent $96 million there…building that speedway. So, there’s 96 million reasons right there they ought to drop that lawsuit, but it’s still there.”

Throughout the press conference, Smith also made his way to the drama surrounding Jeremy Mayfield. Smith believes NASCAR should come out and say exactly what substance Mayfield tested positive for in Richmond.

“I think we need some clarity on this,” Smith explained. “NASCAR, in my opinion, should come forth and say what the substance is. Why would we want all this secrecy behind it? I don’t think we progress by being that secretive about something and I think that’s what we need to do.”

As the conversation progressed, Smith touched on last weekend’s All-Star race, saying the final ten laps featured some of the best racing he has seen in years. When asked if he were in favor of double-file restarts with lap cars in the back at all times, he was clear with his answer, “Absolutely for it, 1000%, it should be done. It’s great for the fans.”

Smith ended the nearly forty-minute talk with the media attempting to clear the air about the departure of ‘Humpy’ Wheeler one year ago. There remains a cloud of uncertainty surrounds Wheeler’s ‘retirement’ from the speedway, with many feeling the long-time president and general manager was forced to leave by Smith.

The Chairman attempted to drive home the fact Wheeler retired on his own accord.

“Some of you don’t realize that he retired,” Smith said addressing the media. “Do you understand that? Do you all know what retirement is? Well he retired.”

Smith claims Wheeler approached him in April of last year to talk about retiring, but the two never discussed a date at that time. Then in May, Wheeler once again brought up the issue of retirement and this time the two worked out the details of his retirement. As a ‘consultant’ to the speedway, Wheeler would receive $12,500 a month for ten years after retiring from his position as president and general manager. In addition, according to Smith, they decided Wheeler would retire the Wednesday following the Coca-Cola 600.

“Well, it didn’t happen that way,” Smith explained. “He decided, without calling me, that he would do it on Wednesday before the 600. I don’t know why he did that, I still don’t’ know.

“I think I’ve seen or heard something, indicating like he was terminated or something,” Smith went on to say. “He retired at his own will, period, period, period.”

In all, the Chairman was upbeat and pleased with how his speedway’s two weeks had gone thus far. Fifty years behind him, Smith explained he looked forward to many more year operating the Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports Inc.

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