Bristol Motor Speedway general manager Jeff Byrd takes medical leave of absence

Jeff Byrd has helped to orchestrate one of the most enduring streaks in motorsports, but the charismatic track president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway will be on the sidelines for the upcoming Food City 500.

BMS officials announced Tuesday that Byrd has taken a leave of absence to undergo tests and treatment for a recently-discovered medical matter.

According to the statement released by BMS director of media and public relations Lori Worley, Byrd “recently went through a series of tests and his doctors are encouraged that the condition is limited to one area and is treatable.”

The statement added that Byrd and his family have asked for prayers and privacy.

“I fully intend to be back on the job as soon as the doctors say it is OK,” said Byrd, in the press release. “I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and will miss being at the track for the Food City 500 weekend. I have said for years I have the best team in motorsports and things are in good hands.”

Contacted by phone Tuesday evening, BMS vice president of public affairs Kevin Triplett declined to reveal the nature or prognosis of Byrd’s medical condition. Triplett said that BMS staffers are working overtime to extend the streak of sellouts for Sprint Cup events at the .533-mile concrete oval to 56.

“Jeff lets us do what we’re put in charge to do and he gives us quite a bit of rope to run with,” Triplett said. “We’re all just leaning on each other now and doing our jobs.”

Triplett said that the position of track president will not be filled while Byrd is away. Byrd, a graduate of Wake Forest University, has 35 years experience in the field of sports marketing.
“Jeff fully expects to be back,” Triplett said. “We’re praying for Jeff and his family.”

Byrd came to BMS March of 1996, and became president of Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway in October 2002. The native of Winston-Salem, N.C., formerly served as vice president of development for Sports Marketing Enterprises, a division of R. J. Reynolds Nabisco. Byrd also worked as a sportswriter at the Winston-Salem Journal where his father previously held the title of sports editor.

Unlike other track promoters who generate publicity through outlandish gimmicks, Byrd has taken a more straightforward and business-like approach. For example, Byrd has served as president of the United Way in Bristol, Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol Rotary Club.

“Jeff is very low-key,” Triplett said. “He prefers to work behind the scenes and doesn’t like the attention.”

Instead of making splashy predictions, Byrd has strived to build upon the down-home atmosphere and family approach at BMS. He maintains an open-door philosophy in his office and personally answers e-mails from fans.

“When Jeff writes in our track magazine, he includes the number of his direct phone line and his e-mail address,” Triplett said. “Not a lot of people in Jeff’s position would do that, but that’s why Jeff runs this place.”

And Triplett said the BMS employees follow Byrd’s folksy lead. Triplett said he wasn’t sure when Byrd officially began his leave of absence, but Byrd did not attend a BMS press conference on Feb. 24.

“Jeff’s last instruction to us was to simply do our jobs,” Triplett said. “Honestly, we can’t work much harder. We have the incentive that Jeff has instilled us. We realize that our guests write our paychecks.
“Our mission statement is to exceed expectations. That’s our daily quest, and Jeff sets the example.”

Meanwhile, the quest for another sellout continues in the midst of a troubled national economy, declining television ratings and lackluster attendance at other NASCAR tracks.

“We still have tickets available and we’re doing everything we can to let people know that,” Triplett said. “It’s a challenge when you have a 160,000-seat stadium. We can sell 130,000 seats and have one of the largest sporting events in the country, and still have 30,000 empty seats.”

Byrd was not able to declare a sellout for last year’s Food City 500 until the day before the race. Triplett said he wishes Byrd could be around to work his promotional magic this month.

“It will be different,” said Triplett, referring to Byrd’s absence.

Byrd’s wife, Claudia, serves as the director of the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities while his son, Christian, has worked as executive director and general manager of zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. since 2008.

agregory@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2544