ISC names Matt Alexander
"We are very excited to announce Matthew Alexander as president of Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway," said John Saunders, executive vice president, chief operating officer of International Speedway Corporation. "During the past seven years, Matt has displayed great leadership skills and has been very active in the community, ensuring that the popularity for motorsports continued to grow throughout the Chicagoland area. We are confident that his proven ability to develop such a strong fan base in a short period of time will carry over into his new role as president and continue to help create a demand for motorsports each year in the nation's third largest media market."
Alexander joined the company in 2000 as director of marketing and sales and was responsible for acquiring and maintaining marketing relationships with the track's top sponsors, as well as overseeing the ticket sales department as Chicagoland Speedway prepared to open its doors in 2001. Alexander's duties also included the sales and management of corporate hospitality for the sold-out hospitality village and suites. Alexander also managed the day-to-day marketing, corporate sales and corporate hospitality of Route 66 Raceway.
Named vice president and general manager in 2003, Alexander has been an integral part of the tremendous growth motorsports has experienced in and around the Chicagoland area, which is reflected by the six consecutive sellouts he has been a part of since Chicagoland Speedway's inception. In his new role as president, Alexander will continue to ensure Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway remain a positive resource for the state of Illinois and the local community, as well as one of the top destinations for racing fans around the world.
"I am honored to be named president of Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway," said Alexander. "I look forward to the opportunity to build on our past successes, while developing new ways that will continue to help increase the popularity of motorsports in the Chicagoland area. By consistently striving to exceed expectations, I am confident that Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway will not only remain at the fore front of the motorsports industry but continue to be a leading force in Chicago sports."
The Marion, Ohio, native has also played a pivotal role in expanding motorsports' radio presence in the third largest market in the country by teaming up with local radio personality John (Jurko) Jurkovic to co-host "State Farm Motorsports Weekly," a live prime time show on ESPN Radio 1000 that airs on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. Alexander and Jurkovic were also a part of the "State Farm Motorsports Update," which aired during FOX Chicago's Saturday evening news broadcast throughout the 2006 racing season.
Alexander is not a stranger to the Chicagoland area as he held senior-level positions with local sports properties, including venue director during the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup at Soldier Field in Chicago and marketing director during the 1997 U.S. Senior Open Golf Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Ill.
Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway are wholly-owned by International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"), a leading promoter of motorsports activities. ISC owns and/or operates 13 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities, including Daytona International Speedway (home of the Daytona 500), as well as owns or has interest in a number of other motorsports-related businesses.