TRK Speedway Motorsports Inc

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

☒ Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

 

OR

 

☐ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from             to            

 

Commission file number 1-13582

 

Speedway Motorsports, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		51 - 0363307
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(IRS employer identification no.)

 

5555 Concord Parkway South

Concord, North Carolina 28027

(704) 455-3239

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class $.01 Par Value Common Stock

Name of each exchange on which registered New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☐ Yes    ☒ No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ☐ Yes    ☒ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒     No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ☒ Yes    ☐ No

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ☐        Accelerated filer ☒        Non-accelerated filer ☐        Smaller reporting company ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes    ☒ No

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $214,556,125 based upon the closing sales price of the registrant’s common stock on June 30, 2014 of $18.25 per share. At March 2, 2015, 41,300,191 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

 

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 15, 2015 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PART I
Item 1	Business		4
Item 1A	Risk Factors		16
Item 1B	Unresolved Staff Comments		27
Item 2	Properties		27
Item 3	Legal Proceedings		29
Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures		29
PART II
Item 5	Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities		30
Item 6	Selected Financial Data		33
Item 7	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		35
Item 7A	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		53
Item 8	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		55
Item 9	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		87
Item 9A	Controls and Procedures		87
Item 9B	Other Information		88
PART III
Item 10	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance		89
Item 11	Executive Compensation		89
Item 12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		89
Item 13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence		89
Item 14	Principal Accountant Fees and Services		89
PART IV
Item 15	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules		90
	Signatures		94

 

 

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read along with the Consolidated Financial Statements, including the accompanying Notes, appearing later in this report. This Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Such forward-looking statements may include (i) statements that reflect projections or expectations of the Company’s future financial or economic performance; (ii) statements that are not historical information; (iii) statements of the Company’s beliefs, intentions, objectives, plans, and strategies for future operations, including, but not limited to, those contained in “Legal Proceedings”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”; (iv) statements relating to the Company’s operations or activities, including revenues, costs and margins for 2015 and beyond; and (v) statements relating to the Company’s future capital expenditures, hosting of races, broadcasting rights, dividends, common stock repurchases, income taxes, sponsorships, financing needs and costs, and legal proceedings and other contingencies. Words such as “anticipates”, “approximates”, “believes”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “hopes”, “intends”, “likely”, “may”, “objectives”, “plans”, “possible”, “projects”, “seeks”, “should” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our plans and expectations, including actual results, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond our control. No assurance can be given that actual results or events will not differ materially from those projected, estimated, assumed or anticipated in any such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could result in such differences, in addition to other factors noted with such forward-looking statements, include those discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other forms we may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Forward-looking statements included in this report are based on information available as of the date filed, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking information contained in this report.

 

The Company’s website is located at www.speedwaymotorsports.com. We make available free of charge, through our website, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) under the Exchange Act. These reports are available as soon as reasonably practicable after those materials are electronically filed with the SEC. Our SEC filings are publicly available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its Public Reference Facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the Public Reference Room operations by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. We post on our website the charters of our Audit, Compensation and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees; Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and any amendments or waivers thereto; and certain corporate governance materials stipulated by SEC or New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) regulations. Please note that our website is provided as an inactive textual reference only. Information provided on our website is not part of this report, and is not incorporated by reference unless otherwise specifically referenced as such in this report. The documents are also available in print, free of charge, to any requesting stockholder by contacting our corporate secretary at our company offices.

 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (the “Company”, “SMI”, “we”, “us”, and “our”) is a leading promoter, marketer and sponsor of motorsports activities in the United States. We own and operate eight first-class racing facilities in four of the top-ten media markets in the United States through our subsidiaries: Atlanta Motor Speedway (“AMS”), Bristol Motor Speedway (“BMS”), Charlotte Motor Speedway (“CMS”), Kentucky Speedway (“KyS”), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (“LVMS”), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (“NHMS”), Sonoma Raceway (“SR”), and Texas Motor Speedway (“TMS”). SMI was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1994. We also:

 

•	provide souvenir merchandising services, and food, beverage and hospitality catering services through our SMI Properties subsidiaries
•	provide radio programming, production and distribution through our Performance Racing Network (“PRN”) subsidiary
•	distribute wholesale and retail motorsports and other sports-related souvenir merchandise and apparel through our SMI Properties and SMI Trackside subsidiaries
•	manufacture and distribute smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through our US Legend Cars International subsidiary (“Legend Cars”) (formerly known as 600 Racing)

 

In 2015, we currently plan to promote the following racing events:

 

•	thirteen National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (“NASCAR”) sanctioned Sprint Cup Series (“Sprint Cup”) stock car racing events
•	eleven NASCAR-sanctioned Xfinity (formerly Nationwide) Series (“Xfinity”) racing events
•	eight NASCAR-sanctioned Camping World Truck Series racing events
•	three NASCAR-sanctioned K&N Pro Series racing events
•	four NASCAR-sanctioned Whelen Modified Tour racing events
•	two IndyCar Series (“IndyCar”) racing events
•	six major National Hot Rod Association (“NHRA”) racing events
•	three World of Outlaws (“WOO”) racing events
•	one Automobile Racing Club of America (“ARCA”) racing event
•	several other races and events

 

In 2015, the NASCAR Nationwide Series became the NASCAR Xfinity Series and that naming convention is used throughout this document.

 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Listed below are certain recent developments that affect or may affect our business. These developments are further discussed in the indicated sections within this report:

 

•	new expanded multi-year, multi-platform NASCAR Broadcasting Rights Agreement beginning in 2015 through 2024 (discussed below in “NASCAR Broadcasting Rights”)
•	reduced interest costs anticipated from 2015 debt refinancing and redemption transactions (discussed below in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources”)
•	continued constraint in capital expenditures anticipated for 2015 (discussed below in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Expenditures”)
•	anticipated income tax benefits from abandoned interest in Motorsports Authentics merchandising joint venture (discussed in Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)
•	removal of seating and suites for managing facility capacity at certain speedways (discussed below in “Operating Strategy” and Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

 

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Our speedways are strategically positioned in eight premier markets in the United States, including four of the top-ten media markets. At December 31, 2014, our total permanent seating capacity of approximately 808,000, with 763 luxury suites, was located at the following facilities: 

 

Speedway(1)	Location		Approx Acreage				Length of Primary Speedway (miles)				Luxury     Suites(2)(4)				Permanent Seating(3)			Media Market and Ranking
Atlanta Motor Speedway	Hampton, GA			820				1.5				93				71,000	(4)	Atlanta – 9
Bristol Motor Speedway	Bristol, TN			670				0.5				196				146,000		Tri-Cities – 97
Charlotte Motor Speedway	Concord, NC			1,310				1.5				75				89,000	(4)	Charlotte – 24
Kentucky Speedway	Sparta, KY			990				1.5				38				107,000		Cincinnati – 36
Las Vegas Motor Speedway	Las Vegas, NV			1,030				1.5				102				123,000		Las Vegas – 41
New Hampshire Motor Speedway	Loudon, NH			1,180				1.1				38				88,000	(4)	Boston – 7
Sonoma Raceway	Sonoma, CA			1,600				2.5				27				47,000	(5)	San Francisco – 6
Texas Motor Speedway	Fort Worth, TX			1,490				1.5				194				137,000		Dallas-Fort Worth – 5
												763				808,000

 

(1)	References to “our” or “eight” speedways exclude North Wilkesboro Speedway, which we also own and presently has no significant operations.
(2)	Excluding dragway and dirt track suites. From time to time, the number of suites may change due to combining or reconfiguring for marketing purposes.
(3)	Including seats in luxury suites and excluding infield admission, temporary seats, general admission, and dragway and dirt track seats.
(4)	From time to time, we may reduce the number of permanent seats to offer wider seating, improved sight lines, for managing facility capacity or other marketing or alternative development purposes. Reflects recent removal of low demand seats and suites at AMS, CMS and NHMS.
(5)	SR’s permanent seating capacity is supplemented by temporary and other general admission seating arrangements along its 2.52-mile road course.

 

We derive revenues principally from the following activities:

 

•	licensing of network television, cable television and radio rights to broadcast racing events
•	sales of tickets to motorsports races and other events held at our speedways
•	sales of sponsorships and promotions to companies desiring to advertise or sell their products or services surrounding our events
•	commissions earned on sales of food, beverages and hospitality catering (through a third-party concessionaire)
•	event sales and commissions from motorsports souvenir merchandise
•	rental of luxury suites during events and other track facilities
•	tracks rentals for motorsports and non-motorsports events and activities and driving schools
•	sales of smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts
•	radio motorsports programming, production and distribution
•	non-event sales of wholesale and retail racing and other sports-related souvenir merchandise and apparel

 

We have a diversified revenue stream with respect to both our revenue sources and geography. In 2014, admissions, NASCAR broadcasting, other event related revenues, and other operating revenue accounted for 21%, 43%, 30% and 6% of our total revenues, respectively. Many of our event related revenue streams such as sponsorship and other promotional revenues, radio broadcasting, driving schools and track rentals have grown over time through corporate partners involved in many different industries. In 2014, we derived approximately 81% of our total revenue from NASCAR-sanctioned racing events. We also derive revenue from IndyCar, NHRA, WOO, and other racing series events and various non-event merchandising operations. Our eight speedway facilities are strategically positioned in the West, Northeast, and South United States. We believe this diversification better insulates our revenues and profitability from negative economic and geopolitical conditions, as well as unfavorable weather conditions in any one particular market or region of the country.

 

 

Our Long-term, Multi-year Contracted Revenues Are Significant – Many of our future revenues are already contracted, including the new ten-year NASCAR television broadcast agreements starting in 2015 through 2024 as further described below. Many of our other sponsorships and corporate marketing contracts are for multiple years. Most of our NASCAR Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series event sponsorships for the 2015 racing season, and many for years beyond 2015, are already sold. We also have significant contracted revenues under long-term operating leases for various office, warehouse and industrial park space, track rentals and driving school activities with entities largely involved in motorsports. We believe the substantial revenue generated under such long-term contracts helps significantly solidify our financial strength, earnings and cash flows and stabilize our financial resilience and profitability during difficult economic conditions. See Notes 1, 2 and 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our businesses and activities.

 

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

NASCAR is universally regarded as one of the world’s most successful sports entertainment properties. NASCAR operates three national series, the Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series, as well as various regional racing series with more than 1,200 events in more than 30 US states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. In 2014, NASCAR sanctioned 94 Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series races, including the “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” based on “playoff” races to determine the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion. NASCAR races are generally heavily promoted, with a number of supporting weekend events surrounding the main event, for a total weekend experience.

 

We believe corporate interest in the sport has been significantly driven by the attractive demographics and brand-loyalty of the NASCAR fan. The NASCAR fan base is 63% male and 37% female, nearly 40% are between the ages of 18-44 and 1 out of 5 is multicultural. Independent research shows that NASCAR fans are the most brand-loyal fans in major US sports, demonstrating why many Fortune 500 companies choose NASCAR-sanctioned events as part of their marketing strategy, and we believe significant sponsorship opportunities exist. Sponsors are involved in all aspects of the industry, through event entitlement rights, official status designations and direct sponsorship of racing teams. For example, in September 2014, NASCAR announced a ten-year partnership with Comcast's Xfinity brand, which resulted in renaming of the Nationwide Series to the Xfinity Series starting in 2015. In December 2014, Sprint also announced it would not be extending its sponsorship of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beyond 2016. NASCAR is currently exploring potential new sponsors for that premier series.

 

Our corporate and other customers are increasingly involved in diversified non-motorsports industries, demonstrating the high marketing value of financial involvement and sponsorship in NASCAR and other motorsports racing. We believe these expanding marketing demographics, intensified media coverage, as well as the industry’s ongoing focus on enhancing NASCAR racing competition as discussed below, provide us and NASCAR with many long-term marketing and future growth opportunities. We believe the increasing value of our premium media content is reflected in the new, stronger ten-year NASCAR broadcasting rights agreements described below.

 

Nearly 100 million unique viewers tune in to NASCAR programming each season through radio, print, television and digital media. The average NASCAR fan consumes more than seven hours of NASCAR-related media on a weekly basis. In 2014, fan engagement across NASCAR.com, NASCAR mobile web and the NASCAR mobile “app” increased 45% year-over-year as it exceeded one billion aggregate page views. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has dominant television ratings among regular season sports from February to July. For 2014, the Series continued as the second highest rated regular-season televised sport, behind only the National Football League. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series averaged 5.3 million viewers per event on television, and 21 of the 26 regular season events for that series ranked among the top two sports of the weekend on television. In 2013, NASCAR and FOX Deportes, the number one US Latino sports network, provided our NASCAR sport with the most expansive Spanish-language broadcast offering with coverage of 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Hispanic viewership of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series increased by approximately 40% in 2013, and those gains were largely held in 2014. Similar to many televised sports, overall seasonal averages for motorsports may increase or decrease from year to year, and television ratings for certain individual events may fluctuate from year to year for any number of reasons. Television ratings can impact attendance at our events and sponsorship opportunities.

  

 

Ongoing Improvements In Our Sport – Similar to past years, NASCAR as a sanctioning body continues to make refinements to racing rules, championship points formats, technical changes and other adjustments to enhance on-track racing competition and excitement and generate additional fan interest.

 

In 2014, NASCAR introduced a new championship format that put a greater emphasis on winning races throughout the season. It expanded the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field to 16 drivers from 12 and implemented a round-by-round elimination and advancement format, and a new group qualifying format which more closely emulates actual on-track competition. NASCAR also has made changes to race car set-ups, spoilers and other configurations to increase racing competition. NASCAR recently introduced a special race car paint scheme for Sprint Cup “Chase” contenders as visible symbols of the new Chase format and easier fan identification. In 2014, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series featured redesigned truck bodies for use in competition by all three manufacturers. Beginning in 2015, NASCAR is changing the qualifying rules for its Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series to resemble that of the Sprint Cup Series, limiting the starting field for the Truck Series to 32, and the last names of drivers will be featured on car and truck back windows of all three national series to help fans better identify drivers. NASCAR recently announced new 2015 rules for Sprint Cup Series racing, including the use of tapered spacer plates to reduce horsepower by up to 200 HP, reduced spoiler sizes and softer tires, among other changes, to enhance on-track racing competition. Also, NASCAR continues to explore new engine packages and other race car changes in ongoing efforts to lower the barrier of entry into the sport and operating costs for team owners and manufacturers.

 

In 2013, car manufacturers Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford brought brand identity back to “stock car” racing with the introduction of re-styled Sprint Cup cars. This new major car change, referred to as the next generation Sprint Cup car or “Gen-6” program, reflects NASCAR’s efforts to restore manufacturer brand identity and improve on-track racing competition. NASCAR implemented a new qualifying format for the Sprint Cup Series that places a greater emphasis on speed and increased competition, and changed the maximum starting field for the Xfinity Series from 43 to 40 race cars. In recent years, NASCAR implemented competition rules designed to restore “pack racing” at restrictor plate speedways and other refinements such as “double-file restarts”, more consistent race start times, multiple attempts at finishing races under the “green flag” and relaxing on-track rules and regulations. NASCAR also changed the rules of participation so that race car drivers can now compete for championship points in only one of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, Xfinity or Camping World Truck Series. These changes give additional points and benefits for winning races and are intended to make racing more competitive during the entire season.

 

NASCAR BROADCASTING RIGHTS

Broadcasting revenues continue to be a significant long-term revenue source for our core business. A substantial portion of our profits in recent years has resulted from revenues received from NASCAR broadcasting rights contracts with various television networks, which is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The expiring and new ten-year television broadcasting agreements for 2015 through 2024 were negotiated and contracted by NASCAR. Our share of these television broadcast revenues are contracted, and event management (formerly purse and sanction) fees are negotiated, with NASCAR on an annual basis for each of our NASCAR-sanctioned racing events scheduled for the upcoming season (year). Under these annual agreements, we are obligated to conduct events in the manner stipulated under the terms and conditions of the respective sanctioning agreements.

  

 

New Expanded Multi-year, Multi-platform NASCAR Broadcasting Rights Agreements – We participate in the new ten-year, multi-platform and media partnership agreements with NASCAR, FOX Sports Media Group and NBC Sports Group for the broadcasting and digital rights to all (on a combined basis) NASCAR Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series racing events, as well as certain NASCAR K&N Pro Series and Whelen Modified Tour events, beginning in 2015 through 2024. NASCAR announcements have valued the new industry broadcasting contracts at more than $8.2 billion over ten years, representing approximately $820 million in gross average annual rights fees for the industry and an approximate 46% increase over the previous contract annual average of $560 million. These new ten-year broadcasting agreements are anticipated to provide us annual contracted revenue increases averaging almost 4% per year, and our contracted 2015 NASCAR broadcasting revenues are expected to approximate $217 million.

 

These new agreements include various “TV Everywhere” rights that allow 24-hour video-on-demand, expanded live-streaming and re-telecasting of certain races, before and after race coverage, in-progress and finished race highlights, and replays of FOX-televised races to a Fox Sports-affiliated website, some of which are first-time rights. Also included are the broadcasting rights for Spanish-language broadcasts, website content and other ancillary programming, as well as nightly and weekend NASCAR news and information shows. At this time, NASCAR continues to inform us that our share of net revenues separate from television broadcasting rights for ancillary broadcasting rights continue to be insignificant. Although we believe there is long-term value to those ancillary rights, we do not control the annual profitability shared with industry-wide participants and are unable determine if or when annual revenue amounts may increase. We believe this new and expanded market exposure to younger and widening demographics provides long-term marketing opportunities for our advertisers and other customers, reflecting the increasing value of our premium media content and venues.

 

Multi-year NASCAR Broadcasting Rights Agreements Prior to 2015 – Prior to 2015, we participated in combined eight-year NASCAR agreements with FOX, ABC/ESPN, TNT and SPEED Channel for the domestic television broadcast rights to all NASCAR Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series events for 2007 through 2014. NASCAR announced these agreements had an approximate $4.5 billion contract period value, representing approximately $560 million in gross average annual rights fees for the industry and a 40% increase over the former contract annual average of $400 million. These eight-year broadcasting rights arrangements provided us with increases in annual contracted revenues averaging approximately 3% per year, and our 2014 NASCAR broadcasting revenues totaled approximately $207 million.

 

OPERATING STRATEGY

A key component of our operating strategy is to own and operate first-class, modern facilities in premier geographic markets, and provide our individual and corporate fans and customers with the best entertainment experience and marketing value in our motorsports industry.

 

Our operating strategy is to increase revenues and profitability through the promotion and production of racing and related events at our strategically positioned modern facilities, including four of the top ten media markets. We believe this strategy serves to enhance customer loyalty, and helps market and distribute racing and other sports-related souvenir, apparel and other merchandise. We market our scheduled events throughout the year both regionally and nationally using extensive and innovative marketing activities. In particular, we concentrate on further developing long-term contracted revenue streams, which are less susceptible to weather and economic conditions. We believe our objectives can be achieved by increasing attendance, broadcasting, sponsorship and other revenues at existing facilities, and by expanding our promotional and marketing expertise to take advantage of opportunities in attractive existing and new markets. Those factors, along with high media intensity and enhanced on-track competition, are expected to drive increases in fan appeal and the long-term value of our sponsorship and other marketing rights. The key components of this strategy are described below.

 

Successful speedway operations require significant capital investments, marketing, promotional and operational expertise, and license agreements with NASCAR and other sanctioning bodies. Industry competitors are actively pursuing internal growth and industry consolidation due to the following factors:

 

•	high operating margins
•	strong fan brand loyalty
•	a widening demographic reach
•	high appeal to corporate sponsors
•	rising broadcast revenues

 

 

Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction, and Improvement of Existing Facilities – Since the 1970’s, we have continually improved the race experience enjoyed by our fans, sponsors, team owners and drivers, media and others attending and involved in racing and other motorsports activities that we conduct.

 

Over many years, we have built and modernized our permanent grandstand seating and luxury suites, offering outstanding views, new stadium-style terrace sections, wider and more comfortable seating, convenient elevator access, popular food courts and unique mezzanine level souvenir, concessions and restroom facilities. We believe our facilities are some of the finest in the industry, and offer superior spectator enjoyment, convenience and accessibility. Lighting is installed at all SMI speedways, except SR and NHMS, so that we can offer nighttime racing. We installed “SAFER” crash walls at all SMI speedways, except SR, to help improve the safety of race drivers and others using our facilities. The banking of several of our speedways has been reprofiled and resurfaced to offer our fans increased excitement inherent in high-bank racing. SMI has built trackside condominiums at AMS, CMS and TMS, with many used by team owners and drivers. We have built or reconstructed dragstrips at BMS, CMS, LVMS and SR, featuring modern, innovative facilities with permanent grandstand seating, luxury suites and extensive fan amenities. Our zMAX Dragway at CMS features revolutionary, unique “four lane” racing, which we believe is currently the finest facility in drag racing. Our other facilities include The Speedway Club at CMS and The Speedway Club at TMS, both containing exclusive dining and entertainment facilities and executive offices adjoining the main grandstands and overlooking the superspeedways. These VIP clubs are open year-round and offer exclusive race day privileges, first-class restaurant, catering and corporate meeting accommodations, and at TMS, health-club, salon and spa facilities.

 

We have modernized our ticket offices and gift shops to increase fan appeal, and expanded our camping, RV and hospitality facilities to meet the growing demand from fans who seek that entertainment experience surrounding our events. We have built extensive infield media centers, garage and entertainment facilities with modern technology infrastructure and access for increased appeal to media content providers, sports journalists, racing team owners and drivers, race fans and others involved in motorsports. Our leading-edge facilities also feature modern scoreboards, hillside terrace seats, pit road suites, underground pedestrian tunnels, widened concourses and other expanded pedestrian infrastructure, among many other modernizing improvements. We have reconfigured and expanded parking areas and on-site roadways, and revamped traffic patterns for better traffic flow at all of our speedways. Our many customer service enhancements include new and expanded entertainment, administrative and other marketing facilities as part of our ongoing efforts to attract fans, corporate and other clientele, and provide enhanced facility comfort and entertainment value for spectator benefit. From time to time, we plan to continue modernizing and making other significant improvements at our speedways, all consistent with our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. See “Properties” for additional information on each of our speedways.

 

We have an exclusive long-term food and beverage management agreement with Levy Premium Foodservice Limited Partnership (“Levy”) through 2021 to provide on-site food, beverage, and hospitality catering services for essentially all events and operations at our speedways and certain outside venues. We believe a consolidated food and beverage services agreement enables us to provide better products and expanded services to our customers. We offer high-end venues to corporate and other clientele desiring premium-quality menu choices and service, enhancing their overall entertainment experience, while allowing us to achieve substantial operating efficiencies.

 

Innovative and Expanding Marketing and Promotional Efforts – We, as well as NASCAR and the television broadcasters, continue to make sizable investments in new and expanding marketing initiatives, leading-edge facility improvements and new technology that appeals to younger fans, families and the changing demographics. Much of the success of the sport of NASCAR racing has long been attributed to the enduring and unsurpassed loyalty of our fans and customer base. Similar to what other motorsports competitors and many other sporting venues are experiencing, we believe that a portion of the decline in attendance over the past few years can be attributed to changing demographics. While those long-time fans are more important to us than ever, we recognize the importance of capturing the next generation of race fans as the average age of the general population and our traditional fan base increases. And as importantly, we are increasingly competing with improving and expanding non-motorsports related media coverage and content by network and cable broadcasters, and with ongoing improvements in high-definition television technology and increasing digital video recorder (“DVR”) use and on-demand content, particularly for Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series racing events.

 

 

We continue to invest in social media advertising, web-based applications and contemporary interactive digital systems and entertainment to enhance pre-race and during-the-race entertainment experiences that appeal to our younger demographic markets. We plan to complete installation of distributed antenna systems (DAS) at each of our speedways in the near future. This new technology should provide our race fans and corporate customers with significantly improved wireless performance and connectivity options and the latest in digital applications while attending our events. These systems, similar to technology other major sport venues are deploying, would also provide infrastructure for expanding wireless internet coverage and applications.

 

We again collaborated with Panasonic to install one of the world’s largest high-definition video boards at TMS in 2014, this in addition to the one installed at CMS in 2011. These new video boards significantly enhance the entertainment experience of fans at our events, and provide expanded promotional opportunities. As another example in a long line of industry firsts, SMI facilities now have two of the largest video boards in the world. We believe this high-end technology transforms the race experience for our fans, and helps attract younger and new fans, providing viewing entertainment that cannot be duplicated at home or other venues.

 

We believe it is important to market our scheduled events throughout the year locally, regionally and nationally. Along with innovative television, radio, newspaper and other traditional media promotions, we market our events and services using a wide variety of other programs and activities. We believe our initiatives, along with other factors discussed elsewhere, will encourage increased attendance, but are unable to quantify the timing or amount of any future impact. Many aspects of our marketing and promotional efforts include:

 

	•	organized fan advisory boards to continually improve entertainment experience and value
	•	working with local lodging proprietors to lower prices and reduce or eliminate minimum stay requirements
	•	ongoing efforts to shorten travel times
	•	programs to honor and reward long-time fans and continued patronage
	•	interactive fan “intelligence” mobile phone applications and real-time marketing and entertainment
	•	new, lower children ticket pricing and rainout policies for various ticket holders
	•	code of conduct text response systems, similar to other major sports venues
	•	marketing on popular social media websites
	•	internet sites offering “view-from-your-seat” and other ticket buying conveniences
	•	marketing on emerging internet sites with motorsports news and entertainment
	•	direct mail campaigns and e-mail “blasts”
	•	pre-race promotional activities such as live music, military aircraft flyovers and displays, skydivers and daredevil stunts
	•	offering tours of our facilities

 

Our marketing program also includes soliciting prospective event sponsors. Sponsorship provisions for a typical NASCAR event can include corporate promotional displays, luxury suite rentals, block ticket sales and company-catered hospitality, as well as souvenir race program and track signage advertising. We continually search for new and innovative promotional campaigns to foster attendance by families, particularly those with younger children and teenagers. We offer many family-friendly and first-time fan programs to help educate and engage patrons who are new to the sport. We are attempting to capture the interest of the next generation of race fans through kid-friendly entertainment options, family camping, kids’ zone play areas and kids’ clubs. We are also offering kid-sized headsets for scanners so the entire family can enjoy the race experience. We launched “The Chairman’s Club”, which offers ultra-exclusive membership with VIP access to races at all of our eight speedways, invitations to the drivers’ meetings and introductions, garage tours, pit passes, premiere camping and parking, and choice of luxury seating options including suite access. Members will also have a personal concierge to plan their “high-roller” race experiences. 

 

 

The “Neon Garage” built at LVMS is one of the most modern and extensive infield media centers, garage and fan-zone entertainment facilities in motorsports. LVMS’s “Neon Garage” is a desirable focal place for racing drivers, team owners and others involved in motorsports during major racing events. We have built or expanded premium suite, pavilion, hospitality and fan-zone entertainment areas along and close to pit road and grandstands, featuring upscale amenities and outstanding views of the entire superspeedway, at several of our speedways, most recently at CMS. TMS promotes a popular “No Limits” marketing campaign, including entertainment parties for season ticket holders and other guests in their infield garage area. Many of our speedways, particularly AMS, CMS, LVMS and TMS, have high-end RV park and campground areas, featuring upscale amenities and outstanding views of their entire superspeedways. CMS has 40 open-air boxes, each containing 32 seats, featuring convenient access to high-end food and beverages and waiter services, which are rented to corporate customers or others. These and other customer service enhancements are part of our ongoing efforts to attract fans, corporate and other clientele, and provide enhanced facility comfort, enjoyment and entertainment value.

 

From time to time, we may reduce or eliminate lower demand permanent seating and suites at certain speedways to help manage ticket demand, improve sight lines, convert space for other marketing uses, alternative development purposes or other reasons. As further described in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we removed or are removing low demand seats and suites at AMS, CMS and NHMS. We plan to use the areas for premium hospitality, advertising and other facility revenue generating uses, and removal is also anticipated to reduce depreciation and certain other operating costs. From time to time, we sell advertising, fixed billboards and other promotional space on wide areas of backstretch and diminished visibility seating depending on ticket demand for certain events, which we believe is desirable advertising space. We believe this seat removal and use of desirable advertising space helps improve pricing power, and provides increased marketing appeal from fuller grandstands because those areas are frequently displayed during television broadcasts, in photos, and are viewable by large numbers of fans attending our speedways.

 

Maximization of Media Exposure and Enhancement of Sponsorship and Other Promotional Revenues – We are strategically positioned with eight first-class speedway facilities in the Northeast, South, and West United States, including four of the nation’s top-ten media markets, with combined permanent seating of approximately 808,000 as of December 31, 2014. We have speedway facilities strategically positioned in Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas and San Francisco markets, providing us with critical mass west of the Mississippi River that enhances our overall operations, as well as broadcast and sponsorship opportunities. Our Atlanta, Bristol and Charlotte Motor Speedways are located in the South, which is considered the “heart” of racing. Our NHMS, about one hour north of Boston, is located in one of the largest media markets in North America, with more than 18 million people within 200 miles of the speedway, and is the largest sports facility in New England. KyS is located approximately one-half hour south of the Midwestern city of Cincinnati, Ohio, and strategically positioned between the desirable markets of Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky as well.

 

We seek to increase the visibility of our racing events and facilities through local, regional and national media interaction. We have built modern media centers with leading-edge technology infrastructure and access for increased appeal to media content providers, sports journalists, racing team owners and drivers and others involved in motorsports. For example, each January we sponsor a four-day media tour at CMS, and a similar one-day tour at TMS, to promote the upcoming Sprint Cup season. This event features Sprint Cup drivers and attracts media personnel representing television networks and stations from throughout the United States and around the world. Also, from time to time, SMI and top NASCAR drivers have teamed up to conduct “Fan Forums” that are produced by our Performance Racing Network. This fan appeal program includes question-and-answer sessions with NASCAR’s top drivers during Sprint Cup race weekends. We believe this program appeals to our fans and creates additional interest and excitement between fans, drivers and team owners.

 

The demand and appeal for motorsports entertainment in our markets has remained relatively strong even in challenging circumstances. Our corporate and other customers are increasingly involved in diversified non-motorsports industries. The new ten-year, multi-platform and media partnership broadcasting and digital rights agreements with NASCAR and media powerhouses FOX Sports Media Group and NBC Sports Group through 2024 are expected to help increase long-term fan and media awareness for all three NASCAR racing series, as well as corporate marketing appeal. We believe these media powerhouses provide broad marketing continuity and exposure to widening demographic audiences. We believe their increased ancillary programming and nightly and weekly NASCAR-branded programming and promotions benefits motorsports in general, similar to that provided for other major sports. We believe expanding marketing demographics, the intensifying media coverage, as well as the industry’s ongoing focus on enhancing NASCAR racing competition and the sport’s appeal to younger fans and families, provide us and NASCAR with many long-term marketing and future growth opportunities.

 

 

Further Development of SMI Properties, Performance Racing Network and US Legend Cars Businesses – Our SMI Properties subsidiaries, including SMI Trackside, provide event and non-event souvenir merchandising services at our speedways, non-SMI speedways and other outside venues. We believe opportunities exist for merchandising of motorsports and non-motorsports products. SMI Properties and SMI Trackside seek to enhance souvenir and other merchandise sales through expanded product offerings and new marketing arrangements.

 

We broadcast most of our NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series racing events, as well as many other events, at each of our speedways over our proprietary Performance Racing Network. PRN is syndicated nationwide to several hundred radio stations. Along with broadcasting our racing events, PRN produces innovative daily and weekly racing-oriented programs throughout the NASCAR season. We also own Racing Country USA, our national country music and NASCAR-themed radio show syndicated to several hundred affiliates nationwide. The combination of PRN’s and Racing Country USA’s national syndication networks, with SiriusXM Satellite Radio and NASCAR.com, offers sponsors a very powerful and expansive promotional network. We plan to carry additional programming over PRN and Racing Country USA in 2015.

 

US Legend Cars International continues to develop new domestic and overseas markets for distribution of their race cars and parts. Our subsidiary INEX is the official international sanctioning body of the Legends Circuit, and is the third largest oval short-track auto racing sanctioning body in terms of membership behind NASCAR and the International Motor Contest Association. US Legend Cars manufactures and sells the cars and parts used in Legends Circuit racing events. The “original” Legend Cars are 5/8-scale versions of the modified classic sedans and coupes driven by legendary early NASCAR racers, and are designed primarily to race on “short” tracks of 3/8-mile or less. As an extension of the original Legend Cars concept, US Legend Cars also manufactures the “Bandolero”, a smaller, lower-priced, entry level stock car which appeals to younger racing enthusiasts. US Legends also manufactures two special order, purpose-built race cars that have more performance, while maintaining affordability: (i) the faster “Thunder Roadster” race car modeled after older-style roadsters that competed in past Indianapolis 500’s in the early 1960’s, and (ii) the Legend Dirt Modified race car, developed in collaboration with Ray Evernham Enterprises, a former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief and team owner. These race car models (collectively referred to as “US Legend Cars” or “Legend Cars”) are not designed for general road use. Revenues from this business totaled approximately $9.2 million in 2014.

 

We believe the Legend Car is one of only a few complete race cars manufactured in the United States for a retail price of less than $14,000, and is an affordable entry into racing for enthusiasts who otherwise could not race on an organized circuit. Cars and parts are currently marketed and sold through distributors conducting business throughout the United States, in Canada, the Middle East, Russia, South Korea, Australia, South America, Africa, Europe and other countries. The Legends Circuit, which includes these race models (other than the Thunder Roadster and Legend Dirt Modified cars), held nearly 2,000 sanctioned races at over 150 different tracks in 2014, making it one of the most active short-track racing divisions in motorsports. We plan to continue broadening the Legends Circuit, increasing the number of sanctioned races and tracks where races are held.

 

Increased Daily Usage of Existing Facilities – We constantly seek revenue-producing uses for our speedway facilities on days not committed to racing events. Other uses include driving schools, track rentals, car and truck shows, auto fair shows, free-style motocross and monster truck events, vehicle testing, settings for television commercials, concerts, holiday season festivities, print advertisements and motion pictures. We host several NHRA and other bracket racing events throughout the year at our BMS, CMS, LVMS and SR dragways and at AMS and TMS, along with hosting frequent Legend Cars racing events at several of our speedways.

 

 

In another first, SMI announced BMS will host a collegiate football game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech, the "Battle at Bristol, College Football's Biggest Ever” in September 2016. We believe this could be the highest attended collegiate football game in history, with intense media coverage and fanfare. If successful as anticipated, SMI may hold other collegiate events in the future. In 2014, LVMS and TMS each held inaugural Red Bull Air Race World Championship events which were widely popular and successful. We plan to hold those events again at LVMS and TMS in 2015.

 

LVMS has more than thirteen different paved and dirt track configurations, including a new driving school and road course. LVMS hosts large track rentals used by car manufacturers for rallies and other corporate functions, and we plan to continue capitalizing on LVMS’s top market entertainment value and promote new expanded venues. Our larger road courses at AMS, CMS, LVMS, NHMS and TMS are rented for various activities such as driving schools, series racing and vehicle testing. Also, CMS and TMS own 4/10-mile, modern, lighted, dirt track facilities where nationally-televised events such as WOO Series, as well as AMA, events have been held.

 

Other examples of increased usage include holiday season festivities at many of our speedways, including “Speedway Christmas,” a long drive-through Christmas light park and village at CMS, and BMS’s holiday season “Speedway In Lights”, which is prominent in that region. LVMS continues to annually host the widely-popular Electric Daisy Carnival concert, attracting a large number of young fans. We frequently host concerts featuring popular bands at stand-alone events and as entertainment before and after our racing events. We are also exploring holding larger stand-alone concerts with popular musical acts at certain speedway facilities. CMS and TMS host auto fair shows and Goodguys Rod & Custom Association Nationals and other car shows, also very popular. In past years, we have conducted and hosted a wide variety of events such as snowmobile racing events at NHMS and Cirque Du Soleil entertainment shows at CMS. We have held Global RallyCross events at CMS, LVMS, NHMS and TMS, which featured exciting off-road circuit racing, particularly popular with younger fans.

 

Acquisition and Development – We consider growth by acquisition and development of motorsports facilities as appropriate opportunities arise. We continually attempt to locate, acquire, develop and operate venues and facilities that we believe are underdeveloped or underutilized, and to capitalize on markets where sponsorship and other promotional pricing and television broadcasting rights are more lucrative. We also look for profitable opportunities to grow our existing ancillary businesses through acquisitions, joint ventures or similar arrangements.

 

OPERATIONS

Our operations consist principally of motorsports racing and related events, along with ancillary businesses as further described in “Business – General Overview”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table summarizes our NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series racing events scheduled in 2015 (in chronological order):

 

Date	Speedway	Series	Event
February 28	AMS	Xfinity	Hisense 250
March 1	AMS	Sprint Cup	Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500
March 7	LVMS	Xfinity	Boyd Gaming 300
March 8	LVMS	Sprint Cup	Kobalt 400
April 10	TMS	Xfinity	O’Reilly Auto Parts 300
April 11	TMS	Sprint Cup	Duck Commander 500
April 18	BMS	Xfinity	Xfinity Series 300
April 19	BMS	Sprint Cup	Food City 500
May 16	CMS	Sprint Cup	NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
May 23	CMS	Xfinity	Hisense 300
May 24	CMS	Sprint Cup	Coca-Cola 600
June 28	SR	Sprint Cup	Toyota/SaveMart 350
July 10	KyS	Xfinity	Xfinity Series 300
July 11	KyS	Sprint Cup	Quaker State 400
July 18	NHMS	Xfinity	New Hampshire 200
July 19	NHMS	Sprint Cup	New Hampshire 301
August 21	BMS	Xfinity	Food City 300
August 22	BMS	Sprint Cup	IRWIN Tools Night Race
September 26	KyS	Xfinity	VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300
September 27	NHMS	Sprint Cup	SYLVANIA 300
October 9	CMS	Xfinity	Drive for the Cure 300
October 10	CMS	Sprint Cup	Bank of America 500
November 7	TMS	Xfinity	O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge
November 8	TMS	Sprint Cup	AAA Texas 500

 

 

Along with the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series races listed above, our speedways are scheduled to hold the following racing events in 2015:

 

Event		AMS				BMS				CMS				KyS				LVMS				NHMS				SR				TMS
NASCAR Camping World Truck			1				1				1				1				1				1								2
NASCAR K&N Pro							1																1				1
NASCAR Whelen Modified							1				1												2
NHRA Nationals							1				2								2								1
IndyCar																											1				1
WOO											2								1
ARCA															1

 

COMPETITION

We are the leading motorsports promoter in the local and regional markets served by our eight speedways, and compete locally, regionally and nationally with other speedway owners, including International Speedway Corporation (“ISC”), to sponsor events, especially Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series events, and to a lesser extent, other NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1, NHRA and WOO sanctioned events. We compete for spectator interest with all forms of professional, collegiate and amateur spring, summer and fall sports, concert venues, and with a wide range of other available regional and national entertainment and recreational activities, conducted in and near Atlanta, Boston, Bristol, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Lexington/Louisville/Cincinnati, and San Francisco. We compete with new and expanding entertainment options that are continually being developed and marketed to attract the changing demographics, particularly outside of motorsports. These competing events or activities may be held on the same days as our events. We also compete with improving and expanding non-motorsports and motorsports media coverage and content by network and cable broadcasters, and with ongoing improvements in high-definition television technology and increasing DVR use and on-demand content, particularly for Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series racing events. Furthermore, we believe that industry competitors are actively pursuing internal growth and industry consolidation. These and other competition related factors are further discussed in our “Risk Factors”.

 

SEASONALITY

Our business has been, and is expected to remain, somewhat seasonal. For further discussion on our seasonality, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Seasonality and Comparison of Quarterly Results”.

 

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 839 full-time and 231 part-time employees. We hire temporary employees and use volunteers to assist during periods of peak attendance at our events. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We believe we enjoy a good relationship with our employees.

 

 

INSURANCE

We maintain property, casualty, liability, and business interruption insurance, including coverage for acts of terrorism, with insurers we believe to be financially sound. Our insurance policies generally cover accidents that may occur at our speedways, subject to ordinary course deductibles, policy limits and exceptions. As further described below in “Risk Factors”, we use a combination of insurance and self-insurance to manage various risks associated with our speedway and other properties, and motorsports events and other business risks. We believe our insurance levels are sufficient for our needs and consistent with insurance maintained by similar companies.

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 

We have various registered and common law trademark rights, including, but not limited to, “Speedway Motorsports,” “Atlanta Motor Speedway,” “AMS,” “AutoFair,” “AvBlend,” “Bluegrass Club,” “Bristol Motor Speedway,” “Charlotte Motor Speedway,” “Kentucky Club,” “Kentucky Speedway,” “Las Vegas Motor Speedway,” “Loudon Classic,” “Magic Mile,” “Miles of Courage,” “New Hampshire Motor Speedway,” “Sears Point Raceway,” “Thunder Valley Nationals,” “Texas Motor Speedway,” “TMS,” “Legends Cars,” “Bandolero,” “It Soaks Into Metal,” “Linkite,” “Lenckite,” “Micro-Lubricant,” “zMAX,” “Motorsports by Mail,” “The Speedway Club,” “Top the Cops,” “Diesel 40 – The Engine Conditioner,” “Diesel 60 – The Fuel Conditioner,” “Diesel 90 – The Gear and Accessory Conditioner,” “Fans First,” “The Great American Speedway!,” “Radio Without a Restrictor Plate,” “Seal of Champions, Speedway Motorsports, Inc.,” “Speedway World,” “The Official Seal of Racing,” “Lug Nut,” “Sparky,” “Live Free & Race!,” “zMAX Dragway,” “Think Outside The Oval,” “U.S. Legend Cars International,” “Let the Troops Race,” “Raceday U,” “Raceday University,” “Wild Asphalt Circus,” “Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame,” “Battle at Bristol,” “Battle at Bristol, College Football’s Biggest Ever, September 10, 2016,” “Big Hoss TV,” “Big Hoss TV Dinner,” “No Limits Texas,” “Victory Lane Club” and our corporate logos. We have registered trademark rights to “zMAX” in Australia, Canada, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and the European Union, registered trademark rights to “Legends Cars” in the European Union and Canada, and registered service mark rights to “Motorsports by Mail” in Japan. We also have one patent related to our Legends Car, Bandolero Car and Thunder Roadster design and technology and one patent pending related to Catch Fence design and technology. Our policy is to protect our intellectual property rights zealously, including use of litigation, if necessary, to protect their proprietary value in sale and market recognition.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Solid waste landfilling has occurred on and around CMS’s property for many years. Landfilling of general categories of municipal solid waste on the CMS property ceased in 1992. However, there is one landfill at CMS currently being permitted to receive inert debris and waste from land clearing activities (“LCID” landfill), and one LCID landfill that was closed in 1999. Two other LCID landfills on the CMS property were closed in 1994. CMS intends to allow similar LCID landfills to be operated on the CMS property in the future. Prior to 1999, CMS leased a portion of our property to Allied Waste Industries, Inc. (“Allied”) for use as a construction and demolition debris landfill (a “C&D” landfill), which received solid waste resulting solely from construction, remodeling, repair or demolition operations on pavement, buildings or other structures, but could not receive inert debris, land-clearing debris or yard debris. The CMS C&D landfill is now closed. In addition, Allied owns and operates an active solid waste landfill adjacent to CMS. We believe the active solid waste landfill was constructed in such a manner as to minimize the risk of contamination to surrounding property. Management believes that our operations, including the landfills on our property, comply with all applicable federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Management is not aware of any situation related to landfill operations which would have a material adverse effect on our future financial position or results of operations.

 

Portions of the inactive solid waste landfill areas on the CMS property are subject to a groundwater monitoring program, and data is submitted to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (“DENR”). DENR has noted that data from certain groundwater sampling events have indicated levels of certain regulated compounds that exceed acceptable trigger levels and organic compounds that exceed regulatory groundwater standards. DENR has not required any remedial action by us at this time with respect to this situation. If DENR was to require us to take certain actions in the future, although none are known at this time, those actions could result in us incurring material costs.

 

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Set forth below are all material known risks and uncertainties that, if they were to occur, could materially adversely affect our business or cause our actual results to differ materially from results contemplated by forward-looking statements contained in this report or other public statements we may make. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impact our business. Shareholders and prospective investors should carefully consider and evaluate all of the risk factors described below. However, many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or foresee, and undue reliance should not be put on forward-looking statements. Risk and other forward-looking factors, including future or forecasted results or events, may or may not ultimately be found correct. These risk factors may change from time to time and may be amended, supplemented, or superseded by updates to the risk factors contained in future periodic reports on Form 10-Q, Form 10-K or other forms we file with the SEC.

 

The United States and global economies, disruptions in the financial markets and geopolitical events could have a continued significant adverse impact on consumer and corporate spending and our business. Consumer and corporate spending can significantly impact our operating results, and national or local catastrophes, elevated terrorism alerts, outbreaks of infectious diseases or natural disasters could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.

 

Our business depends on discretionary consumer and corporate spending. High unemployment or underemployment, food and health care costs, tight credit markets, difficult residential real estate and mortgage markets, and stock market volatility, among other factors, could dampen, consumer and corporate spending, including adversely impacting disposable income and recreational and entertainment spending. Such reduced spending has resulted, and may continue to result, in negatively impacting our admissions, sponsorship, advertising and hospitality spending, concession and souvenir sales demand, luxury suite, and other event related revenue, with related effects on our motorsports and non-motorsports activities and future revenues, profitability and cash flows. High or higher unemployment, underemployment or fuel, food or health-care costs could have a significant adverse impact on our future results of operations.

 

While the direction and strength of the United States economy appear to be improving, government responses and actions may or may not successfully restore prolonged stability to the credit and consumer markets or improved economic conditions. State and federal budgetary deficits could result in government responses such as higher consumer and corporate income or other tax rates. Governmental spending deficits could also lead to higher inflation and higher interest rates and continued difficult borrowing conditions for consumers and corporate customers. Other factors that can affect consumer and corporate spending include hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters, elevated terrorism alerts, terrorist attacks, military actions, air travel concerns, and geopolitical events, as well as various industry and other business conditions. Incidents such as the 2013 bombings in Boston or outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Ebola or measles can affect public concerns regarding large gatherings of people, including travel to large populated venues or locations. Additional incidents could have a particularly significant negative impact on attendance and other event related spending by individuals or corporate fans and customers who have or might have planned to attend one or more of our racing events. Such factors or incidents, even if not directly impacting us, can disrupt or otherwise adversely impact the financial results, spending sentiment and interest of our present or potential customers. These factors can adversely impact local, regional and national consumer and corporate spending sentiment.

 

Possible changes in governmental taxing, regulatory, spending and other policies could significantly impact consumer spending, economic recovery and our future results. The economy or financial and credit markets might not continue to improve or stabilize for long periods or could worsen. Each of these aforementioned negative factors, and particularly when combined, may adversely impact corporate and individual customer spending and have a material adverse impact on our future operating results and growth.

 

 

Bad weather or postponement or cancellation of motorsports events could adversely affect us.

 

We promote outdoor motorsports events. Weather conditions surrounding these events affect sales of tickets, concessions and souvenirs, driving schools and track rentals, among other things. Although we sell many tickets in advance of our events, poor weather conditions can have a material effect on our results of operations, particularly because we promote a limited number of premier events. Due to inclement weather conditions, we may be required to move a race event to the next raceable day. Poor weather leading up to, or forecast for a weekend that surrounds, a race can negatively impact our advance sales and walk-up admissions and food, beverage and souvenir sales. Poor weather can affect current periods as well as successive events in future periods because consumer demand can be affected by the success or experience of past events.

 

When events are delayed, postponed or rescheduled because of weather (or if due to national security concerns, natural disasters or other reasons), we typically incur additional operating expenses associated with conducting the rescheduled event, as well as generate lower admissions, food, beverage and souvenir revenues. If an event is cancelled, we would incur expenses associated with preparing to conduct the event, as well as losing associated event revenues, including live broadcast revenues, to the extent such losses were not covered by insurance. If a cancelled event is part of the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Xfinity or Camping World Series, the amounts we receive from television revenues for all of our NASCAR events in the series that experienced cancellation could be reduced. This would occur if, as a result of cancellation and without regard to whether the cancelled event was scheduled for one of our facilities, NASCAR experienced a reduction in television revenues in excess of amounts scheduled to be paid to the promoter of the cancelled event.

 

Lack of competitiveness in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races or closeness of championship points races, the popularity of racecar drivers or changes made by NASCAR on conducting, promoting and racing as a series sanctioning body, can significantly impact our operating results.

 

A lack of competitiveness in Sprint Cup Series races or the closeness of the championship points race, racecar driver popularity, and the success of NASCAR racing in general, in any particular racing season can significantly impact our operating results. Various performance factors of racing competitors, particularly popular drivers, can affect on-track competition and the appeal of racing. New or changed racing teams could be formed with drivers that generate less fan interest or race less competitively. As further discussed in “Business – Industry Overview”, NASCAR as a sanctioning body periodically implements new rules or technical and other required changes for race teams and drivers and event promoters in attempts to increase safety, racing competition, and fan and media interest, among other things. These and other periodically implemented changes may or may not become more successful or popular with fans. Such factors can affect attendance and other event related revenues for our NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series racing events, corporate interest, media attention, and the promotional marketing appeal for these series, as well as other events surrounding the weekends races are promoted. Rule changes can increase operating costs that we may or may not be able to control. There can be no assurance these factors will not have an adverse impact on our attendance or other event related revenues, or that operating costs will not be adversely impacted by sanctioning body changes in any particular season.

 

We compete with improving and expanding non-motorsports related media coverage and content by network and cable broadcasters and with ongoing improvements in high-definition television technology - both of which are increasingly influenced by changing demographics and could adversely affect us.

 

Much of the success of the sport of NASCAR racing has long been attributed to the exceptionally strong loyalty of our fans and customer base. Similar to what other motorsports competitors and many other sporting venues are experiencing, we believe that a portion of the decline in attendance over the past few years can be attributed to changing demographics. While those long-time fans are more important to us than ever, we recognize the importance of capturing the next generation of race fans as the average age of the general population and our traditional fan base increases. New and expanding entertainment media options and content are continually being developed and marketed to attract the changing demographics, particularly outside of motorsports. And as importantly, we are increasingly competing with improving and expanding non-motorsports related media coverage and content by network and cable broadcasters, and with ongoing improvements in high-definition television technology and increasing DVR use and on-demand content, particularly for Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series racing events.

 

 

We, NASCAR and the television broadcasters continue to make sizable investments in new and expanding marketing initiatives and leading-edge facility improvements that appeal to younger fans and the changing demographics. We are increasingly investing in new marketing approaches and technology to foster attendance by families, particularly those with younger children and teenagers. We are also increasingly investing in social media, web-based applications and interactive digital systems to enhance pre-race and during-the-race entertainment experiences that appeal to our younger demographic markets. Some of our recent larger investments include installing two of the world’s largest high-definition video boards at CMS and TMS. There can be no assurance that our various initiatives, and those of NASCAR or the television broadcasters, individually or in combination, will successfully increase attendance, event related revenues or corporate or individual marketing appeal or interest in our sport or venues.

 

Strong competition in the motorsports industry, with other professional, collegiate and amateur sports, and with new and expanding non-motorsports entertainment alternatives could hinder our ability to maintain or improve our position in the industry.

 

Motorsports promotion is a competitive industry. We compete in local, regional and national markets, and with ISC and other NASCAR related speedways to promote events, especially NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series events, and to a lesser extent, with other speedway owners to promote other NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA and WOO events. We believe our principal competitors are other motorsports promoters of Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series or equivalent events. NASCAR is owned by the France family, who also controls ISC. ISC presently hosts a significant number of Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series races. Our competitors may attempt to build speedways and conduct racing and other motorsports related activities in new markets that may compete with us and our local and regional fan base or marketing opportunities. Furthermore, we believe that industry competitors are actively pursuing internal growth and industry consolidation.

 

We compete for spectator interest with all forms of professional, collegiate and amateur spring, summer and fall sports, such as football, baseball, basketball, soccer and hockey, conducted in and near Atlanta, Boston, Bristol, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Lexington, Louisville, and San Francisco, and locally, regionally and nationally. We also compete for spectator interest with non-sports related venues and events, such as concerts, shows and a widening range of other available entertainment and recreational activities, in those same geographical areas. New and expanding entertainment venues and activities are continually being developed and marketed to attract the changing demographics, particularly outside of motorsports. These competing events and activities may be held on the same days or weekends as our events. Many of those sports and non-sports competing promoters have resources that exceed ours.

 

Failure to be awarded a NASCAR event or deterioration in our relationship with NASCAR could adversely affect our profitability.

 

Our success has been and will remain, to a significant extent, dependent upon maintaining a good working relationship with organizations that sanction the races we promote at our facilities, particularly NASCAR, the sanctioning body for Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series races. Each NASCAR event is awarded on an annual basis. Although we believe our relationship with NASCAR is good, nonrenewal of a NASCAR event license could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition and results of operations. We cannot provide assurance that we will continue to obtain NASCAR licenses to sponsor races at our facilities.

 

 

Relocation, failure to relocate, or other scheduling changes in holding our motorsports events could adversely affect us.

 

We may evaluate or attempt to realign one or more NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (or other motorsports series) race dates among our multiple track facilities, or change the quarterly periods in which the same number of race dates are held each year. For example, we obtained approval to realign an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup racing event from AMS to KyS beginning in 2011, and reschedule annual NASCAR Sprint Cup racing events at AMS, BMS and KyS in different quarters in 2015 as compared to 2014 as further discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Racing Events”.

 

Many factors and alternatives must be considered, including the popularity and profitability of various races, the relative speedway seating capacity, alternative speedway uses and revenues when a race is moved, costs of any capital expenditures to upgrade or expand facilities, lead time required to complete any upgrades or expansion, alternative uses of capital, existing or potential governmental tax incentives, changing economic conditions for the individual speedway or economy as a whole, as well as various other strategic issues. NASCAR has previously stated it would consider potential track realignment of Sprint Cup Series racing events to desirable, potentially more profitable market venues of speedway operators, but is not obligated to do so. Similarly, NASCAR is not obligated to modify its race schedules to allow us to schedule our races more efficiently or favorably.

 

Relocation or changes in calendar periods of our larger events held among our speedways, and particularly Sprint Cup racing events, could result in a net increase or decrease in our future operating profitability. The profitability of Sprint Cup and other events that are relocated or held in changed periods could be less than management anticipated, resulting in a net decrease in our future results of operations. Also, long-lived assets of a speedway from where a Sprint Cup racing event may move could become impaired resulting in a material impairment charge that adversely affects our future financial condition or results of operations. Different economic or industry conditions or assumptions, changes in projected cash flows or profitability, if significantly negative or unfavorable, or actual race date realignments that differ significantly from those assumed in any impairment evaluation, could have a material adverse effect on the outcome of our impairment evaluations and future financial condition or results of operations.

 

Our NASCAR broadcasting rights revenues are significant and changes could adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.

 

Our NASCAR broadcasting rights revenues are significant multi-year contracted revenue and cash flow sources for us. Any significant adverse changes to such rights revenues could adversely impact our results. As further discussed in “Business – Industry Overview”, NASCAR reached ten-year, multi-platform and media partnership agreements with FOX Sports Media Group and NBC Sports Group beginning in 2015 through 2024. These new ten year broadcasting agreements are anticipated to provide us annual contracted revenue increases averaging almost 4% per year, with total contracted NASCAR broadcasting revenues of approximately $217 million in 2015. Future changes in race schedules could impact broadcasting revenues. Similar to many televised sports, overall seasonal averages for motorsports may increase or decrease from year to year, and television ratings for certain individual events may fluctuate from year to year for any number of reasons. NASCAR ratings can impact attendance at our events and sponsorship opportunities. While these long-term rights agreements are anticipated to result in annual revenue increases over the contract period, associated annual increases in event management (purse and sanction) fees paid to NASCAR may continue.

 

Increased costs associated with, and inability to obtain, adequate insurance and the risks of partial self-insurance could adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.

 

We have a material investment in property and equipment at each of our eight speedway facilities, which are generally located near highly populated cities and which hold motorsports events typically attended by large numbers of fans. These operational, geographical and situational factors, among others, can result in high or increasing insurance premium costs and difficulties obtaining sufficiently high policy limits, which could adversely impact our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance to manage various risks associated with our speedways and other properties and motorsports events and other business risks. We may increase the marketing of certain products using self-insured promotional warranty programs that could subject us to increased risk of loss should the number and amount of claims significantly increase. We have increased and may further increase our self-insurance limits, which could subject us to increased risk of loss should the number of incidents, damages, casualties or other claims below such self-insured limits increase. Management cannot guarantee that the number of uninsured losses will not increase. An increase in the number of uninsured losses could have a material adverse effect on our future financial position and results of operations.

 

Our insurance coverage may not be adequate if a catastrophic event occurred or major motorsports events were cancelled, and liability for personal injuries and product liability claims could significantly affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Management attempts to obtain, and believes we presently have, reasonable policy limits of property, casualty, liability and business interruption insurance, including coverage for acts of terrorism, with financially sound insurers. However, we cannot guarantee that our policy limits or coverage currently in force would be adequate should one or multiple catastrophic events occur at or near any of our speedway facilities, or one or more of our major motorsports events were cancelled. Once our present coverage expires, we cannot guarantee that adequate coverage limits will be available, offered at reasonable costs, or offered by insurers with sufficient financial soundness. The occurrence of such an incident or incidents affecting any one or more of our speedway facilities could have a material adverse effect on our future financial position and results of operations if our asset damage or liability was to exceed insurance coverage limits or an insurer was unable to sufficiently or fully pay our related claims or damages. The occurrence of regional or national incidents, in particular incidents at sporting events, entertainment or other public venues, could significantly impair our ability to obtain such insurance coverage in the future.

 

Motorsports can be dangerous to participants and to spectators. We believe we maintain insurance policies that provide coverage within limits that are sufficient to protect us from material financial loss due to liability for personal injuries sustained by persons on our premises in the ordinary course of business. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that such insurance will be adequate at all times and in all circumstances. Also, sanctioning bodies could impose additional safety or security measures or requirements that involve significant capital expenditures or increase operating expenses.

 

The financial stability of certain insurance companies that provide our insurance coverage could be adversely affected by economic, geopolitical and other events or conditions as further discussed above. In that case, the ability of these insurance companies to pay our potential claims could be impaired, and we might not be able to obtain adequate replacement insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or at all. Any of these events could harm our business, and we cannot provide assurance that future increases in such insurance costs and difficulties in obtaining high policy limits will not adversely impact our future financial position or results of operations.

 

The loss of our key personnel could adversely affect our operations and growth.

 

Our success depends to a great extent upon the availability and performance of our senior management. Their experience within the industry, especially their working relationship with NASCAR, continues to be of considerable importance to us. The loss of any of our key personnel due to illness, retirement or otherwise, or our inability to attract and retain key employees in the future could have a material adverse effect on our operations and business plans.

 

We may make significant expenditures for capital projects and investments, and costs and uncertainties associated with capital improvements could adversely affect our profitability.

 

Our Credit Facility allows for annual capital expenditures of up to $75.0 million, and provides for additional borrowings of up to $98.8 million as of December 31, 2014 subject to meeting specified conditions. We may make material capital improvements over several years in amounts that have not yet been determined. The cost, profitability, timing or success of future capital projects and investments is subject to numerous factors, conditions and assumptions, many of which are beyond our control, including:

 

•	delays in or denials of government approvals or permits
•	undetected soil or land, including environmental conditions
•	additional land acquisition costs
•	increases in the cost of construction materials and labor
•	unforeseen changes in design
•	litigation, accidents or natural disasters affecting the construction site
•	national or regional economic, regulatory or geopolitical changes

 

 

Significant negative or unfavorable outcomes could reduce our available cash and cash investments or our ability to service current or future indebtedness, require additional borrowings resulting in higher debt service and interest costs, lower our ratings by credit agencies, increase our difficulties in borrowing additional amounts, cause higher than anticipated depreciation expense, among other negative consequences, and could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

Should projects be abandoned or substantially decreased in scope due to unforeseen negative factors, we could be required to expense some or all previously capitalized costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition or results of operations. Also, should improvement projects not produce a sufficient economic yield, including those requiring demolition of speedway facility components, or where capitalization of demolition, construction and historical component costs are limited to a revised estimated project value, capitalized expenditures could become impaired resulting in a material impairment charge that adversely affects our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

Future impairment of our property and equipment, other intangible assets and goodwill, and future changes in asset depreciation periods could adversely affect our profitability.

 

As of December 31, 2014, we have net property and equipment of $1.1 billion, net other intangible assets of $394.9 million and goodwill of $49.7 million. We periodically evaluate long-lived assets for possible impairment, and our evaluation methodology, assumptions, and results are further described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. While we believe no unrecognized impairment exists at December 31, 2014, different conditions, trends or assumptions or changes in cash flows or profitability, if significantly negative or unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the outcome of our impairment evaluation. Should our reporting units or their indefinite-lived intangible assets not achieve projected cash flows or profitability, or should actual capital expenditures exceed current plans, estimated fair values could be reduced to below carrying values resulting in material non-cash impairment charges and adversely affect our future financial condition or results of operations. The evaluations are subjective and based on conditions, trends and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation.

 

From time to time, we may decide to reduce or eliminate lower demand seating and suites at certain speedways to help manage ticket demand, improve sight lines, convert space for other marketing uses or for other reasons. We may incur significant expenditures to demolish or convert such seating, including associated grandstand areas, in years and amounts that have not yet been determined. Such expenditures may or may not increase our future success and profitability, which depends on many factors outside of management’s control. In 2014, we recorded accelerated depreciation of $24.5 million related to removal of certain low demand seating and suites at AMS, CMS and NHMS related to managing facility capacity as further described in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Notwithstanding such charges, the depreciable carrying values for our grandstands and suites are material. Depending on management’s plans, we could be required to accelerate or shorten depreciation periods or write off remaining undepreciated net book value of associated assets, or expense the costs of demolition and disposal, all or some of which could have a material adverse impact on our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

The success of our business depends, in part, on achieving our objectives for strategic acquisitions and dispositions and efficient and successful integration into our operations.

 

From time to time, we pursue acquisitions or joint ventures as part of our long-term business strategy, which may involve significant challenges and risks. For example, transactions may not advance our business strategy or we may not realize a satisfactory return on our investments. We may experience difficulty integrating new employees, business systems and technology, or management’s attention may be diverted from our other businesses or operations. Also, the use of cash or additional borrowings to fund such transactions could significantly impact our liquidity, impair our ability to borrow additional funds for other business purposes or cause lowered ratings by credit agencies resulting in higher borrowing costs or increased difficulties borrowing additional amounts, among other things. These factors could adversely affect our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

We may continue to significantly improve our speedway facilities, involving material capital expenditures over several years in amounts or nature that have not yet been determined. Such expenditures may or may not increase our future success and the ability to compete and operate successfully and profitably depends on many factors outside of management’s control. Management may from time to time evaluate the potential disposition of assets and businesses that may no longer be in alignment with our strategic direction. For example, as further discussed in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we abandoned our 50% interest in the Motorsports Authentics merchandising joint venture with ISC in early 2014. We may have difficulty finding buyers or alternative exit strategies on acceptable terms in a timely manner, or we may dispose of or sell a business at a price or on terms that are less than optimal or whose subsequent performance exceeds expectations. These factors could adversely affect our future financial condition or results of operation.

 

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial position, our ability to meet our obligations under our debt instruments, and our ability to pay dividends.

 

We have substantial amounts of debt and debt service obligations. As of December 31, 2014, we had total outstanding long-term debt of approximately $404.8 million as further described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our substantial indebtedness and leverage could make it more difficult and costly to borrow money and may reduce funds available for financing our operations and other business activities and have other important consequences, including the following:

 

•	requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payment of principal, debt redemption premium, interest costs, reducing funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, stock repurchases, and other corporate purposes
•	our ability to adjust to adverse or changing market conditions and withstand competitive pressures could be limited, and we may be vulnerable to additional risk in difficult general economic conditions or our business
•	we may be at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less leverage and greater operating and financial flexibility than we do
•	our debt levels may increase our interest costs or increase the risks we may not be able to obtain additional or replacement financing or obtain financing at acceptable rates
•	our debt levels may cause lowered ratings by credit agencies, resulting in higher borrowing costs or increased difficulties borrowing additional amounts

 

Each or all of the factors could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

Servicing our indebtedness will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control.

 

A significant portion of our cash flow must be used to service our indebtedness and is therefore not available for use in our business. In 2014, we paid $21.8 million in interest on our indebtedness. Our ability to make debt service payments depends on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, legislative, regulatory, industry, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our operations are substantially impacted by the success of NASCAR in the promotion and conduct of racing as a sanctioning body, our relationship with NASCAR, the popularity of NASCAR and other motorsports generally, and the impact of competition. Although under our control, our cash outlays for dividends are funded in part with cash that would otherwise be available for capital spending, repurchases of common stock or other liquidity needs, and dividend increases further limit cash otherwise available for such uses or needs. Our business may not be able to generate sufficient cash from operations to pay our indebtedness or fund other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity.

 

 

As further described in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we issued new 2023 Senior Notes in January 2015, and plan to fully redeem our 2019 Senior Notes in March 2015 at a redemption premium of 103.375% of par plus accrued interest. The new 2023 Senior Notes contain various redemption premium provisions. Although lower future interest costs are anticipated, these refinancing transactions are not expected to substantially reduce our net outstanding debt. Redemptions and payment of associated debt issuance and other transaction costs limit funds otherwise available for future working capital, capital expenditures, debt service, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes.

 

Our future borrowing costs on current outstanding or future indebtedness could substantially increase, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had total outstanding long-term debt of approximately $404.8 million and our revolving Credit Facility permits additional borrowings of up to $98.8 million. Our operating results have benefited from relatively low interest rates on our floating rate Credit Facility and future increases, if significant, could have a significant adverse impact on our future results. Our future capital spending or investments could significantly increase our future outstanding debt. Also, our future interest and borrowing costs under our Credit Facility or any refinanced or additional debt could substantially increase and adversely affect our financial condition or profitability. We are currently unable to predict if or when interest rates could change. Our significant indebtedness levels and leverage could result in higher interest and other borrowing costs and more restrictive financial and other loan covenants under any new credit facility or other borrowing arrangements.

 

As further discussed in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, interest rates under our Credit Facility are based on specified tier levels that are adjustable periodically based upon certain consolidated total leverage ratios. Our current planned or unplanned future capital spending and possible increases in our future outstanding indebtedness, along with our current leverage, could further reduce the amounts by which we exceed minimum required covenant compliance levels and result in changes to our interest cost tier levels under our Credit Facility. Future changes in such surplus in our compliance levels or interest cost tiers could result in increased interest costs on current or future indebtedness, restricted or reduced borrowings and availability under our Credit Facility, and increased costs of borrowing for any new financing. Each or all of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

Restrictions imposed by terms of our indebtedness could limit our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions and to secure additional financing.

 

The indenture for the 2019 Senior Notes (and new 2023 Senior Notes issued in January 2015 as further described in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and our Credit Facility agreement restrict, among other things, our and our subsidiaries’ ability to do any of the following:

 

•	incur additional debt or liens
•	pay dividends or make distributions
•	make specified types of investments
•	apply net proceeds from certain asset sales
•	engage in transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate
•	sell equity interests of subsidiaries, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of assets
•	incur indebtedness subordinate in right of payment to any senior indebtedness and senior in right of payment to the 2019 Senior Notes or the new 2023 Senior Notes

 

 

Because of our significant outstanding indebtedness, debt covenant compliance is important to our operations. Our Credit Facility is the primary source of committed funding for our planned capital expenditures, strategic initiatives, repurchases of our common stock and working capital needs. Our Credit Facility contains more extensive and restrictive covenants than our 2019 Senior Notes and new 2023 Senior Notes, and requires us to maintain specified financial ratios as further described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity”.

 

Failure to comply with any covenant could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on us. Non-compliance with financial covenant ratios or other covenants could prevent us from further borrowings or require repayment under our Credit Facility. Our ability to meet those covenants, financial ratios and tests can be affected by material impairment or other charges, declines in profitability or cash flows or other economic or market factors beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that we will continue to meet those tests. Our Credit Facility, 2019 Senior Notes and new 2023 Senior Notes contain cross-default provisions. A default under any of these debt agreements could likely trigger cross-default provisions allowing lenders, in each case, to exercise their rights and remedies as defined under their respective agreements, including declaring all amounts outstanding, accrued interest or other obligations to be immediately due and payable. If we were unable to repay these amounts, such lenders could proceed against collateral, if any, securing that indebtedness. If any indebtedness was accelerated, there can be no assurance that we could repay or refinance accelerated amounts due.

 

Under these covenants, our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions and secure additional financing, if needed, may be significantly restricted. We may be prevented from engaging in transactions that might otherwise be considered beneficial to us. Should we pursue further development or acquisition opportunities, the timing, size and success, as well as associated potential capital commitments of which are unknown at this time, we may need to raise additional capital through debt or equity financings. There can be no assurance that adequate debt and equity financing will be available if and when needed, on satisfactory terms or permitted under our debt arrangements. Failure to obtain further financing could have a negative effect on our business and operations.

 

We may be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future.

 

Despite our level of indebtedness, we may be permitted to incur significant additional debt in the future. Also, we may be able to secure additional debt with Company, subsidiary or new business assets. Furthermore, any new financing arrangements may contain additional restrictive and financial covenants. These covenants may restrict or prohibit many actions including, but not limited to, our ability to incur debt, create liens, prepay debt, pay dividends, limit capital expenditures, investments or transactions with stockholders and affiliates, issue capital stock, sell certain assets, or engage in mergers, consolidations or other transactions. Failure to maintain compliance with any new covenants could constitute a default, which could accelerate payment due of any or all amounts outstanding under new or existing debt agreements.

 

Government regulation of certain motorsports sponsors could negatively impact the availability of promotion, sponsorship and advertising revenue for us.

 

The motorsports industry generates significant revenue each year from the promotion, sponsorship and advertising of various companies and their products, some of which are subject to government regulation. Advertising of the alcoholic beverage and tobacco industry is generally subject to greater governmental regulation than advertising by other sponsors of our events. Certain of our sponsorship and other marketing contracts are terminable upon the implementation of adverse regulations. The alcoholic beverage and tobacco industries have provided substantial financial support to the motorsports industry through, among other things, the purchase of advertising time, sponsorship of racing teams and past sponsorship of racing series such as the Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup) Series and the Busch, then Nationwide and now Xfinity Series. We cannot assure you that the alcoholic beverage or tobacco industry will continue to sponsor motorsports events or participate in other promotional activities, suitable alternative sponsors will be located, or NASCAR will continue to sanction individual racing events involving alcoholic beverage industry sponsors or promotional activities. Implementation of further restrictions on the advertising or promotion of alcoholic beverage products could adversely affect us.

 

 

Failure to maintain adequate security for certain customer-related information could damage our reputation with current or prospective customers, subject us to litigation or adverse regulatory actions or cause us to incur substantial additional costs.

 

In the ordinary course of business, we collect and store certain financial and other information from individuals, corporations and others, including customers, employees and outside contractors. We process customer payment card information, perform credit, employment and other business related inquiries, and collect customary information used for marketing purposes. We contract with third-parties for processing orders and payments of a large portion of our tickets and other access sold for our events, much of which is transacted indirectly through links with our external websites. Our online operations depend upon secure transmission of confidential information over public networks, including information permitting and transacting cashless payments. We commit significant internal and external resources to network security, data encryption, and other security measures to protect our networks and data, but there can be no assurance these security measures provide complete security. We attempt to limit exposure to security breaches and sensitive customer data through the use of “tokens” in certain processing applications, which is an industry best practice that does not require storage of credit card numbers.

 

As with all entities, security measures are subject to third-party security hardware and software soundness, employee and consultant errors or intentional harmful actions and other unforeseen factors or circumstances. Our or third-party networks could be breached and we could be unable to protect sensitive data. A breach of our security networks that results in personal, corporate or other sensitive information being obtained by unauthorized persons could adversely affect our reputation with current or prospective customers, credit card processers and others. Such security breaches could result in litigation against us, adverse regulatory or credit card processer actions, restrictions or imposing substantial penalties or fines. Also, a security breach could require or result in us spending significant additional resources on our information security systems and could disrupt our operations, particularly sales and marketing. Any significant breach could have a material adverse impact on our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

Results and costs attributable to the extraction of oil and natural gas are uncertain.

 

One of our subsidiaries, TMS, is the lessor under an oil and gas mineral rights lease agreement and joint exploration agreement, under which the lessee has various exploration and extraction rights and TMS shares in the production revenues. The lessee began drilling activities in 2013, and TMS began to receive royalty payments in 2014. Drilling crude oil and natural gas wells involves numerous risks and our revenues and royalties from such operations may be impacted as a result of a variety of factors, including:  

 

●	fluctuations in price levels

●	availability of commercially productive crude oil and natural gas reserves on the premises

●	unexpected drilling conditions

●	equipment failures or accidents

●	adverse weather conditions

●	compliance with, or changes in, environmental, health and safety laws and regulations imposing conditions or restrictions on drilling and completion operations and on the transportation of crude oil and natural gas, and other laws and regulations, such as tax laws and regulations

●	the availability and timely issuance of required federal, state, tribal and other permits and licenses

●	the availability of, and costs associated with, third party contractual arrangements

●	the costs of, or shortages or delays in availability of, necessary facilities, equipment, materials, supplies, services and personnel

 

  

At this time, while extraction and drilling operations continue, there can be no assurance that they will continue in the future or that operation will not be curtailed, delayed or canceled. 

 

Our Executive Chairman owns a majority of our common stock and will control any matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders.

 

As of March 2, 2015, Mr. O. Bruton Smith, our Executive Chairman, beneficially owned, directly and indirectly, 29,011,400 shares or approximately 70.0% of our common stock. As a result, he will continue to control the outcome of issues submitted to our stockholders, including the election of all of our directors. As a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE rules, we also qualify for exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirement that we have nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees composed entirely of independent directors. Although we qualify, we do not currently use this “controlled company” exemption.

 

Our large net deferred tax liabilities, and changes in income tax laws, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

At December 31, 2014, net deferred tax liabilities totaled $348.1 million, after reduction for net deferred tax assets of $23.8 million. At December 31, 2014, valuation allowances of $12.7 million have been provided against deferred tax assets because management has determined that ultimate realization is not more likely than not. These net deferred tax liabilities will likely reverse in future years and could negatively impact cash flows from operations in the years in which reversal occurs. Changes in tax laws, assumptions, estimates or methods used in the accounting for income taxes, if significantly negative or unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on amounts or timing of realization or settlement. Such effects could result in a material acceleration of income taxes currently payable or valuation charges for realization uncertainties, which could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We recognized an anticipated tax benefit of $49.3 million related to abandonment of our Motorsports Authentics (“MA”) equity investment as of December 31, 2013 for the reversal of previously recorded valuation allowances under applicable accounting guidance. The technical merits, accounting treatment and conclusions reached on our tax position are further described in Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and are not repeated here. As a result of abandonment, we intend to recognize tax losses that will be reported on our 2014 income tax returns. We have reduced current income taxes payable by approximately $20.0 million as of December 31, 2014 through utilization of current deferred income tax assets related to abandonment. We plan to fully utilize the associated tax losses. We believe it is more likely than not that the filing position would be sustained. However, should our tax position not be fully sustained if examined, a valuation allowance would be required to reduce or eliminate the associated deferred tax assets and material acceleration of income taxes then currently payable could be required. Any differences between the final tax outcome and amounts recorded would affect our income tax provision in the period in which such determination was made, and could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

Environmental costs may negatively impact our financial condition.

 

Solid waste landfilling has occurred on and around the property at CMS for many years. If damage to persons or property or contamination of the environment is determined to have been caused by the conduct of our business or by pollutants used, generated or disposed of by us, or which may be found on our property, we may be held liable for such damage and may be required to pay the cost of investigation or remediation, or both, of such contamination or damage. The amount of such liability, as to which we are self-insured, could be material. State and local laws relating to the protection of the environment also can include noise abatement laws that may be applicable to our racing events. Changes in federal, state or local laws, regulations or requirements, or the discovery of previously unknown conditions, could require additional significant expenditures by us for remediation and compliance.

 

 

Land use laws may negatively impact our growth.

 

Our development of new motorsports facilities (and, to a lesser extent, the expansion of existing facilities) requires compliance with applicable federal, state and local land use planning, zoning and environmental regulations. Regulations governing the use and development of real estate may prevent us from acquiring or developing prime locations for motorsports facilities, substantially delay or complicate the process of improving existing facilities or increase the costs of any such activities.

 

The market price of our common stock could be adversely affected by future exercises or future grants of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock unit awards or other stock-based compensation, sales of shares held by key personnel, or default of loans under which some of our common stock is pledged.

 

The market price of our common stock could be adversely affected by the sale of approximately 529,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of various options under our equity compensation plans, by the issuance or sale of approximately 3,938,000 shares of our common stock available for grant under our equity compensation plans, or by the sale of approximately 29,011,400 shares of our common stock available for resale in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, including shares held by Mr. O. Bruton Smith, our Executive Chairman. The market price for our common stock could also be adversely affected if there was a default of one of the non-Company loans under which 500,000 shares of our common stock, owned by Mr. Smith and Sonic Financial Corporation, an affiliate through common ownership by Mr. Smith, have been pledged.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 5555 Concord Parkway South, Concord, North Carolina, 28027, and our telephone number is (704) 455-3239. A description of each SMI speedway as of December 31, 2014 follows:

 

Atlanta Motor Speedway – AMS is located on approximately 820 acres in Hampton, Georgia, approximately 30 miles south of downtown Atlanta. AMS is located in a top-ten media market, and has the long-standing reputation of offering fans some of the best on-track competition in NASCAR. AMS has a modern 1.54-mile, lighted, asphalt, 24-degree banked, quad-oval superspeedway, an on-site 2.5-mile road course and 46 condominiums overlooking the speedway. AMS has permanent seating capacity of approximately 71,000, including 93 luxury suites.

 

Bristol Motor Speedway – BMS is located on approximately 670 acres in Bristol, Tennessee and is a 0.533-mile, lighted, high-banked concrete oval speedway. BMS also owns and operates Thunder Valley, a 1/4-mile modern, lighted dragway, which features permanent grandstand seating, luxury suites and extensive fan amenities. We believe BMS is the most popular facility on the Sprint Cup circuit among race fans due to its steep banked turns, lighted nighttime races and outstanding stadium-like views. BMS has permanent seating capacity of approximately 146,000, including 196 luxury suites.

 

Charlotte Motor Speedway – CMS is located on approximately 1,310 acres in Concord, North Carolina, approximately 12 miles northeast of uptown Charlotte. CMS’s main track is a 1.5-mile banked, lighted, asphalt quad-oval facility, with significant club-style seating offering convenient access to premium restaurant-quality food and beverage service, and 52 condominiums overlooking turn one. CMS has one of the world’s largest high-definition video boards, and a modern media center with leading-edge technology infrastructure and access. CMS also has an executive office tower adjoining the main grandstand, featuring The Speedway Club at CMS which offers exclusive dining and entertainment and premium restaurant, catering and corporate meeting facilities.

 

 

CMS owns and operates the zMAX Dragway, a leading-edge facility featuring a unique, lighted “four lane” racing configuration, almost 30,000 premium permanent seats, 31 luxury suites and upscale food and beverage concession areas. CMS also has a 4/10-mile, modern, lighted, dirt track facility, several lighted “short” tracks (a 1/5-mile asphalt oval, a 1/4-mile asphalt oval and a 1/5-mile dirt oval), and a 2.25-mile asphalt road course. CMS has permanent seating capacity of approximately 89,000, including 75 luxury suites.

 

Kentucky Speedway – KyS is located in Sparta, Kentucky, approximately one-half hour south of Cincinnati, Ohio and strategically located between Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, on approximately 990 acres, featuring a 1.5-mile, asphalt, tri-oval superspeedway. KyS has significant club-style seating with convenient access to food and beverage service, and modern and extensive infield media center, garage and fan-zone entertainment facilities. KyS has permanent seating capacity of approximately 107,000, including 38 luxury suites.

 

Las Vegas Motor Speedway – LVMS is located on approximately 1,030 acres in Las Vegas, Nevada, and consists of a 1.5-mile, lighted, asphalt, quad-oval superspeedway, and several other on-site paved and dirt race tracks. These other race tracks include a 1/4-mile dragstrip, 1/8-mile dragstrip, 2.5-mile road course, 1/2-mile clay oval, 3/8-mile paved oval, motocross and other off-road race courses. LVMS also owns and operates a modern, state-of-the-art dragway, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which features permanent grandstand seating, luxury suites and extensive fan amenities.

 

LVMS has significant club-style seating at its superspeedway, with convenient access to premium restaurant-quality food and beverage service. LVMS also has one of the most modern and extensive infield media centers, garage and fan-zone entertainment facilities in motorsports, The Neon Garage. LVMS has permanent seating capacity of approximately 123,000, including 102 luxury suites.

 

New Hampshire Motor Speedway – NHMS is a multi-use complex located in Loudon, New Hampshire on approximately 1,180 acres approximately 80 miles northwest of Boston, consisting of a 1.058-mile asphalt, oval superspeedway and a 1.6-mile road course. NHMS is located in a top-ten media market, and is the largest sports facility in New England. NHMS has permanent seating capacity of approximately 88,000, including 38 luxury suites.

 

Sonoma Raceway – SR is located on approximately 1,600 acres in Sonoma, California and consists of a 2.52-mile, twelve-turn road course, a 1/4-mile modern dragstrip, and a modern, expansive industrial park. SR is located in a top-ten media market, and is one of only two road courses on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race schedule. For NASCAR Sprint Cup and other racing, SR’s road course is reconfigured into a 10-turn, 1.99-mile course by creating “The Chute”, which connects Turns 4 and 7 and provides spectators with improved sightlines and expanded viewing areas. SR also has a world-class 16-turn, three-quarter mile karting center.

 

SR installed a large number of solar panels and a large, solar-powered LED display board as part of their “green initiatives”, which offset portions of their overall energy needs. SR has permanent seating capacity of approximately 47,000 (many are hillside terrace seats), including 27 luxury suites, and provides temporary seating and other general admission seating arrangements along its 2.52-mile road course.

 

Texas Motor Speedway – TMS, located on approximately 1,490 acres in Fort Worth, Texas, is a 1.5-mile, lighted, banked, asphalt quad-oval superspeedway, with an infield 2.5-mile road course, a 4/10-mile, modern, lighted, dirt track facility and 76 condominiums overlooking turn two of the speedway. TMS is one of the largest sports facilities in the United States in terms of permanent seating capacity, and is located in a top-ten media market. TMS has one of the world’s largest high-definition video boards. Also, TMS has premium club-style seating areas in approximately 50 converted luxury suites, and some of the most modern and extensive infield media centers, garage and fan-zone entertainment facilities in motorsports, including an infield two-story, multi-purpose Victory Lane Broadcast Center facility for television and radio media broadcast coverage of our events.

 

TMS has an executive office tower adjoining the main grandstand overlooking the speedway, featuring The Speedway Club at TMS which offers exclusive dining and entertainment, premium restaurant, catering and corporate meeting facilities and a health-fitness membership club. We operate the TMS facilities under a 30-year arrangement with the Fort Worth Sports Authority as further described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. TMS has permanent seating capacity of approximately 137,000, including 194 luxury suites.

 

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are involved in various lawsuits in the normal course of business, some of which involve material claims. Management does not believe the outcome of these lawsuits or incidents will have a material adverse effect on our future financial position, results of operations or cash flows. New or material developments, if any, on the more significant of these lawsuits are described in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. See our “Risk Factors” for additional information on our liability insurance program and self-insured retention.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

SMI’s common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TRK.” As of March 2, 2015, 41,300,191 shares of common stock were outstanding and held by approximately 2,067 record holders based on information from our stock transfer agent. The Company had no unregistered sales of equity securities during 2014.

 

We intend to retain a portion of our future earnings to provide funds for the operation and expansion of our business. SMI depends on cash flows and other payments from our speedways and other subsidiaries to pay cash dividends to stockholders, as well as meet debt service and working capital requirements. Our Board of Directors approved aggregate dividends on common stock in 2012 through 2014 as follows:

 

		2014				2013				2012
Cash dividends paid (in thousands)		$	24,860			$	24,875			$	24,883
Dividends per common share		$	0.60			$	0.60			$	0.60

 

Quarterly dividends were declared in each of the three year periods. All declaration, record and payment dates were in the same fiscal periods. On February 11, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock aggregating approximately $6.2 million payable on March 13, 2015 to shareholders of record as of March 2, 2015. All cash dividends were or will be paid using available cash. Although we plan to continue paying quarterly cash dividends, we may or may not pay similar cash dividends in the future. Any decision concerning the payment of dividends depends upon our results of operations, financial condition, capital expenditure plans, applicable limitations under our debt agreements as further described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and other factors as the Board of Directors or its designees, in their sole discretion, may consider relevant.

 

The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales prices for SMI’s common stock as reported by the NYSE for each calendar quarter during the periods indicated:

 

		High				Low
2014:
First Quarter		$	20.19			$	18.56
Second Quarter			19.06				17.51
Third Quarter			18.70				17.06
Fourth Quarter			22.47				16.56
2013:
First Quarter		$	18.46			$	16.16
Second Quarter			18.58				17.30
Third Quarter			19.70				17.38
Fourth Quarter			20.64				17.50

 

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

In April 2005, our Board of Directors approved and publicly announced a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to one million shares of SMI outstanding common stock in open market or private transactions, depending on market conditions, share price, applicable limitations under our debt agreements, and other factors the Board of Directors or its designees, in their sole discretion, may consider relevant. The amount of repurchases made under the program in any given month or quarter may vary as a result of changes in our business, operating results, working capital or other factors, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. In each of February 2007, December 2008, December 2009 and February 2014, our Board of Directors increased the authorized total number of shares that can be repurchased under this program by one million, for a present approved program aggregate of 5,000,000 shares. All approved increases contain the same terms and conditions as previous share repurchase authorizations. The program currently has no scheduled expiration date. As of December 31, 2014, we could repurchase up to an additional 946,000 shares under the current authorization.

 

 

As set forth in the table below, we repurchased 172,000 shares of common stock under this program for approximately $3.2 million in 2014. In 2014, approximately 45,000 shares of our common stock were delivered to us at an average price per share of $20.70 in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations of holders of restricted shares issued under our equity compensation plans that vested during the periods. These shares are reflected in the table below.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities under Authorized Programs as of December 31, 2014
Period		Total Number of Shares Purchased				Average Price Paid per Share				Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs				Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January through September 2014			139,000			$	18.78				113,000				1,005,000
October 2014			23,000				17.45				23,000				982,000
November 2014			14,000				19.63				14,000				968,000
December 2014			41,000				21.47				22,000				946,000
Fourth Quarter 2014			78,000				19.95				59,000				946,000
Total 2014			217,000			$	19.20				172,000				946,000

 

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table sets forth information regarding the shares of SMI common stock issuable under all of SMI’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these plans.

 

Plan Category		Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)				Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)				Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)(2)			529,000	(3)		$	27.97	(4)			3,938,000	(5)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders			–				–				–
Total			529,000			$	27.97				3,938,000

 

(1)

Includes the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, the Formula Stock Option Plan, the 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan expired in February 2014 and the Formula Stock Option Plan was terminated in February 2008 after which no further securities can be granted under either plan. Expiration and termination of these plans did not adversely affect rights under any previously granted outstanding securities. All outstanding stock options previously issued under the 1994 Stock Option Plan have now expired. As such, there are no outstanding stock options or securities remaining for future issuance under that plan.

(2)	Grants under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be exercised once at the end of each calendar quarter, and unexercised grants expire at each calendar year end. No shares were granted to employees for calendar years 2012 through 2014.

(3)	Includes the following outstanding stock options and restricted stock units: 345,000 stock options and 29,000 restricted stock units under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, 35,000 restricted stock units under the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, and 120,000 stock options under the Formula Stock Option Plan.

(4)	Does not include the restricted stock units because they do not have an exercise price.

(5)	Includes the following securities available for future issuance: 3,355,000 under the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, 145,000 under the 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan and 439,000 under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

  

 

STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock against the cumulative total returns of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Index and a Peer Group Index for the period December 31, 2009 through 2014. The Russell 2000 Index is included because management believes, as a small-cap index, it more closely represents companies with market capitalization similar to ours than the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. The Peer Group Index consists of International Speedway Corporation and Dover Motorsports, Inc., which are publicly traded companies involved in conducting NASCAR racing events. We believe this Peer Group, which now excludes Walt Disney Co. whose principal business is not NASCAR racing, provides better comparative information. The graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2009 in each of our common stock, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Index and the Peer Group Index companies, and all dividends were reinvested.

 

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

All financial data below are qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes appearing elsewhere in this report or in previously filed Reports on Form 10-K. The composition and categorization of our revenues and expenses, and further information on our operations and results, are set forth below in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. See Notes to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements as indicated below for additional information on certain specified items.

 

OPERATING STATEMENT DATA

 

Years Ended December 31:		2014				2013				2012				2011				2010
(in thousands, except per share data)
Revenues:
Admissions		$	100,798			$	106,050			$	116,034			$	130,239			$	139,125
Event related revenue			146,849				145,749				151,562				163,621				156,691
NASCAR broadcasting revenue			207,369				199,014				192,662				185,394				178,722
Other operating revenue			29,293				29,836				29,902				26,591				27,705
Total revenues			484,309				480,649				490,160				505,845				502,243
Expenses and other:
Direct expense of events			102,196				99,500				101,402				106,204				100,843
NASCAR event management fees			128,254				125,003				122,950				120,146				120,273
Other direct operating expense			18,513				18,640				18,908				20,352				21,846
General and administrative			96,762				91,676				90,407				89,384				85,717
Depreciation and amortization (Note 4)			78,426				54,725				55,499				54,004				52,762
Interest expense, net			21,237				31,871				41,217				42,112				52,095
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets (Note 2)			–				89,037				–				48,609				–
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 6)			–				18,467				–				7,456				–
Other (income) expense, net			(2,305	)			293				(3,908	)			(342	)			(2,378	)
Total expenses and other			443,083				529,212				426,475				487,925				431,158
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			41,226				(48,563	)			63,685				17,920				71,085
Provision for income taxes (Note 8)			(15,822	)			42,351				(21,892	)			(23,481	)			(25,822	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations			25,404				(6,212	)			41,793				(5,561	)			45,263
Income (loss) from discontinued operation, net of taxes (Note1)			5,710				(246	)			326				(883	)			(782	)
Net Income (Loss)		$	31,114			$	(6,458	)		$	42,119			$	(6,444	)		$	44,481
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations		$	0.61			$	(0.15	)		$	1.01			$	(0.14	)		$	1.08
Discontinued operation			0.14				(0.01	)			0.01				(0.02	)			(0.02	)
Net Income (Loss)		$	0.75			$	(0.16	)		$	1.02			$	(0.16	)		$	1.06
Weighted average shares outstanding			41,377				41,405				41,431				41,524				41,927
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations		$	0.61			$	(0.15	)		$	1.01			$	(0.14	)		$	1.08	)
Discontinued operation			0.14				(0.01	)			0.01				(0.02	)			(0.02	)
Net Income (Loss)		$	0.75			$	(0.16	)		$	1.02			$	(0.16	)		$	1.06
Weighted average shares outstanding			41,400				41,423				41,437				41,524				41,928
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Cash and cash equivalents		$	110,046			$	97,343			$	106,408			$	87,368			$	93,175
Goodwill and other intangible assets (Note 2)			444,621				444,635				533,689				533,677				582,298
Assets of discontinued operation (Note 1)			–				–				–				–				2,150
Total assets			1,718,267				1,786,260				1,877,113				1,904,643				1,951,524
Long-term debt, including current maturities (Note 6):
Revolving credit facility and term loan			150,000				210,000				95,000				145,000				20,000
Senior notes			253,372				254,197				420,758				419,517				268,275
Senior subordinated notes			–				–				–				–				330,000
Other debt			1,445				2,792				5,501				8,040				10,422
Stockholders’ equity			831,145				825,990				857,876				841,180				866,237
Cash dividends per share of common stock		$	0.60			$	0.60			$	0.60			$	0.40			$	0.40

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Information and Reconciliation – Income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations as adjusted and set forth below are non-GAAP (other than generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures presented as supplemental disclosures to their individual corresponding GAAP basis amounts. Non-GAAP income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are derived by adjusting GAAP basis amounts as indicated below. The following schedule reconciles those non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable information presented using GAAP, all net of taxes. Management believes such non-GAAP information is useful and meaningful to investors because it identifies and separately adjusts for and presents transactions that are not reflective of ongoing operating results, and helps in understanding, using and comparing our results of operations for the periods presented. See the indicated Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these non-GAAP adjustments.

 

This non-GAAP financial information is not presented elsewhere in this Annual Report. Management uses the non-GAAP information to assess our operations for the periods presented, analyze performance trends and make decisions regarding future operations because it believes this separate information better reflects ongoing operating results. This non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered independent of or a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial information may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities and should not be considered as alternatives to net income (loss), diluted earnings (loss) per share, or income (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations, determined in accordance with GAAP. Individual quarterly amounts may not be additive due to rounding. Amounts below are in thousands except per share amounts.

 

Years Ended December 31:				2014				2013				2012				2011				2010
(in thousands, except per share data)
Consolidated net income (loss) using GAAP				$	31,114			$	(6,458	)		$	42,119			$	(6,444	)		$	44,481
Income (loss) from discontinued operation and associated income taxes on recovery settlement (Notes 1 and 8)					(3,405	)			246				(326	)			883				782
Accelerated depreciation on retired assets (Note 4)					15,270			–				–				–				–
Gains from involuntary property conversion, and insurance recovery net of accelerated depreciation on damaged assets (Note 4)					(1,000	)		–				–				–				–
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets (Note 2)				–					86,696			–					48,609			–
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 6)				–					11,619			–					4,471			–
Decrease in accrued interest and penalties on estimated income tax liabilities (2014), and non-recurring benefits of state income tax restructuring and tax law changes (2013) (Note 8)					(397	)			(5,547	)		–				–				–
Non-recurring tax benefit of equity investee abandonment (Notes 2 and 8)				–					(49,339	)		–				–				–
Non-GAAP consolidated net income from continuing operations				$	41,582			$	37,217			$	41,793			$	47,519			$	45,263
Consolidated diluted earnings (loss) per share using GAAP				$	0.75			$	(0.16	)		$	1.02			$	(0.16	)		$	1.06
Discontinued operation and associated income taxes on recovery settlement					(0.08	)			0.01				(0.01	)			0.02				0.02
Accelerated depreciation on retired assets					0.37			–				–				–				–
Gains from involuntary property conversion, and insurance recovery net of accelerated depreciation on damaged assets					(0.03	)		–				–				–				–
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets				–					2.09			–					1.17			–
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing				–					0.28			–					0.11			–
Decrease in accrued interest and penalties on estimated income tax liabilities (2014), and non-recurring benefits of state income tax restructuring and tax law changes (2013)					(0.01	)			(0.13	)		–				–				–
Non-recurring tax benefit of equity investee abandonment				–					(1.19	)		–				–				–
Non-GAAP consolidated diluted earnings per share from continuing operations				$	1.00			$	0.90			$	1.01			$	1.14			$	1.08

 

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes and “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this report. Additional information on our revenues and operations can be found above in “Business – General Overview and Operating Strategy”. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on our reporting segments and certain concentrated revenue streams.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our core business is promoting, marketing and sponsoring motorsports events and activities. We derive a substantial portion of our total revenues from admissions, event related and NASCAR broadcasting revenue. Our revenues and expenses are classified in the following categories because they are important to, and used by, management in assessing operations:

 

•	Admissions – includes ticket sales for all of our events
•	Event related revenue – includes amounts received from sponsorship and naming rights fees, luxury suite rentals, event souvenir merchandise sales, commissions from food and beverage sales, advertising and other promotional revenues, radio programming, hospitality revenues, track rentals, driving school and karting revenues, camping and other non-admission access revenues, broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other event and speedway related revenues
•	NASCAR broadcasting revenue – includes rights fees obtained for domestic television broadcasts of NASCAR-sanctioned events held at our speedways
•	Other operating revenue – includes certain merchandising revenues of SMI Properties and subsidiaries; car and part sales of US Legend Cars; restaurant, catering and membership income from the Speedway Clubs at CMS and TMS; revenues of Oil-Chem, which produces an environmentally-friendly micro-lubricant ®; TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease revenues; and industrial park and office rentals

 

Our revenue items produce different operating margins. Broadcast rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, commissions from food and beverage sales, and luxury suite and track rentals and TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease revenues produce higher margins than event and non-event merchandise sales, US Legend Cars, Oil-Chem and certain other operating revenues. We classify our expenses, among other categories, as follows:

 

•	Direct expense of events – principally includes cost of souvenir sales, non-NASCAR race purses and sanctioning fees, property and event insurance, compensation of event related employees, advertising, sales and admission taxes, sales commissions, credit card processing fees, cost of driving school and karting revenues, event settlement payments to non-NASCAR sanctioning bodies and outside event support services
•	NASCAR event management (formerly purse and sanction) fees – includes payments to, and portions of broadcasting revenues retained by, NASCAR for associated events held at our speedways
•	Other direct operating expense – includes the cost of certain SMI Properties and subsidiaries merchandising, US Legend Cars, Speedway Clubs, Oil-Chem and industrial park and office rental revenues

 

 

We promote outdoor motorsports events. Weather conditions surrounding these events can significantly affect sales of tickets, concessions and souvenirs, among other things. Although we sell a substantial number of tickets in advance of our larger events, poor weather conditions can have a negative effect on our operating results particularly because we promote a limited number of premier events. Poor weather can affect current periods as well as successive events in future periods because consumer demand can be affected by the success or experience of past events.

 

We believe our financial performance has not been materially affected by inflation.

 

Management believes the comparative financial information below helps in understanding and comparing our results of operations. Along with our principal operations of motorsports racing and related events, our ancillary businesses are further described and categorized as “Non-Event Motorsports Related Merchandise Revenue”, “Non-Motorsports Merchandise Revenue”, and “Other Revenue” below. The following table shows the composition of selected revenues for the three years ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

		2014								2013								2012
Admissions		$	100,798				21	%		$	106,050				22	%		$	116,034				24	%
NASCAR broadcasting			207,369				43	%			199,014				41	%			192,662				39	%
Sponsorships			51,578				11	%			54,832				11	%			57,633				12	%
Other event related			81,493				17	%			78,106				16	%			81,019				17	%
Souvenir and other merchandise			31,058				6	%			31,005				7	%			31,634				6	%
Other			12,013				2	%			11,642				3	%			11,178				2	%
Total revenue		$	484,309				100	%		$	480,649				100	%		$	490,160				100	%

 

Admissions – Our admissions revenues include ticket sales for our events at a wide range of prices, generally established based on spectator demand, economic conditions and, at times, cost of living increases.

 

NASCAR Broadcasting – We have annual contracts with NASCAR for domestic television broadcast coverage of all of our NASCAR-sanctioned events. NASCAR broadcasting revenue consists of rights fees obtained for domestic television broadcasts of NASCAR-sanctioned events held at our speedways.

 

Sponsorships – Our revenue from corporate sponsorships is received in accordance with negotiated contracts. Sponsors and the terms of sponsorships change from time to time. We have sponsorship contracts with many major manufacturing and consumer products companies and brands, and many include official sponsorship designations at our speedways and exclusive advertising and promotional rights in various sponsor product categories. None of our individual sponsorship or naming rights contracts exceeded 5% of total revenues in 2014.

 

Our marketing agreements sometimes include multiple specified elements such as sponsorships, tickets, hospitality, suites or on-site advertising in varying combinations for one or more events or contract periods, although there is typically a predominant element. Our marketing agreements can be event, speedway or period specific, or pertain to multiple events, speedways or years.

 

Other Event Related – We derive other event related revenue from various marketing agreements for on-site advertising, hospitality and other promotion related activities, and commissioned food and beverage sales during racing and non-racing events, speedway catered “hospitality” receptions and private parties. Food and beverages are also sold to individual, group, corporate and other customers primarily in concession areas located on or near speedway concourses, other areas surrounding our speedway facilities, and in luxury suites, club-style seating and food court areas located within the speedway facilities.

 

 

We also derive revenue from luxury suite rentals, parking and other event and speedway related activities. Our speedways and related facilities are frequently leased to others for use in driving schools, testing, research and development of racecars and racing products, concerts, settings for commercials and motion pictures, and other outdoor events. We derive event related revenue from the sale of commercial time and other radio broadcast programming on PRN. None of our individual other event related contracts exceeded 5% of total revenues in 2014.

 

Souvenir and Other Merchandise – We derive event related revenue from sales of owned motorsports related souvenir merchandise and commissioned souvenir merchandise sales during racing and non-racing events and in our speedway gift shops throughout the year. Souvenir merchandise is sold in concession areas located on or near speedway concourses and other areas surrounding our speedway facilities to individual, group, corporate and other customers. Fees and sales based commissions are paid to us by third-party vendors to allow on-site selling of merchandise and promotional items during our events and activities. Such revenues are generated primarily from SMI Properties and SMI Trackside event souvenir merchandising for our speedways and third-party speedways (“motorsports event merchandise”). We derive other operating revenue from Legend Cars operations (“non-event motorsports related merchandise”) and from Oil-Chem operations (“non-motorsports merchandise”).

 

Other – We derive other operating revenue from The Speedway Club at CMS and The Speedway Club at TMS (together the “Speedway Clubs”) dining and entertainment facilities, which serve individual, group, corporate and other clientele. We also derive other operating revenue from leasing of SR’s industrial park to individuals, corporate and other customers, including race teams and driving schools, from leasing of office towers located at several of our speedways to motorsports and non-motorsports associated corporate and other customers, TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease revenues, and from the sanctioning of US Legend Cars circuit races.

 

NEAR-TERM OPERATING FACTORS

There are many factors that affect our growth potential, future operations and financial results, including the following operating factors that are discussed below or elsewhere as indicated.

 

Significant items discussed elsewhere in indicated sections of this report:

 

•	New expanded multi-year, multi-platform NASCAR Broadcasting Rights Agreement beginning in 2015 through 2024 (discussed above in “Business - NASCAR Broadcasting Rights”)
•	Our long-term, multi-year contracted revenues are significant (discussed above in “Business – General Overview”)
•	Ongoing improvements in our sport (discussed above in “Business – Industry Overview”)
•	Ongoing expanded marketing and promotional efforts (discussed above in “Business – Operating Strategy”)
•	Removal of seating and suites for managing facility capacity at certain speedways (discussed above in “Business - Operating Strategy” and Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)
•	Further reduced interest costs anticipated from 2015 debt refinancing and redemption transactions (discussed below in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity”)
•	Continued constraint in capital expenditures anticipated for 2015 (discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Expenditures”)
•	Anticipated income tax benefits from abandoned interest in Motorsports Authentics merchandising joint venture (discussed in Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)
•	Repurchases of common stock (discussed below in “Liquidity and Capital Resources, Future Liquidity – Dividends”)
•	Unrecognized compensation cost for non-vested share based payments (discussed in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

 

General Factors and Current Operating Trends – Our 2014 race season reflects smaller decreases in admissions, and many of our event related revenue categories reflect stabilizing revenues, as well as higher track rentals, driving school, luxury suite and other event related revenue categories on a year-over-year comparable event basis. Our 2014 results also reflect decreases in certain marketing arrangements and non-television broadcasting rights revenues as compared to last year. Management believes many of our revenue categories continue to be negatively impacted by ongoing weak consumer and corporate spending, including high underemployment in certain demographic groups, high food and health-care costs and other economic factors. Admission revenues for 2014 principally reflect fewer fans attending our NASCAR racing events and, to a much lesser degree, lower average ticket prices. Lower average ticket prices and fewer fans constituted relatively equal percentages of the total decline in admission revenues for NASCAR racing events in 2013 as compared to 2012.

 

Many parts of the United States experienced a particularly harsh or longer-lasting winter in 2014, and there was record snowfall in 2015 and record rainfall in 2013 in many parts of the East Coast. Management also believes admissions and certain event related revenues and expenses were negatively impacted by poor weather surrounding 2014 NASCAR racing events held at BMS and TMS. Although we sell many tickets in advance of our events, poor weather conditions can have a material effect on our results of operations. Poor weather leading up to, or forecast for a weekend that surrounds, a race can negatively impact our advance sales and walk-up admissions and food, beverage and souvenir sales. Poor weather can affect current periods as well as successive events in future periods because consumer demand can be affected by the success or experience of past events. When events are delayed or postponed because of weather, we typically incur additional operating expenses, as well as generate lower admissions, food, beverage, and souvenir revenues.

 

For our 2015 events, similar to 2014, management continues to maintain many reduced ticket prices and offer extended payment terms to many ticket buyers (although generally not beyond when events are held) to help foster fan support and offset the ongoing impact of these adverse economic conditions. Many of our fans are purchasing tickets closer to event dates. We have increased promotional campaigns to incentivize earlier ticket purchasing and season ticket package renewal. SMI’s seasonal and event based business model results in relatively long revenue cycles because many tickets and event related revenues are sold in advance. As such, it may take relatively longer for SMI’s results to again reflect sales growth as economic conditions improve. While lower ticket prices and extended payment terms can affect operating margins and lengthen cash flow cycles as compared to historical levels, management believes these are prudent measures in the current operating environment.

 

NASCAR as a sanctioning body continues to make ongoing improvements in our sport to enhance on-track racing competition and excitement and generate additional fan interest. As further discussed in our “Risk Factors”, the competitiveness in Sprint Cup Series races, the closeness of championship points racing, race car driver popularity, and the success of NASCAR racing in general, can also significantly impact attendance and our operating results. Much of the success of the sport of NASCAR racing has long been attributed to the enduring and unsurpassed loyalty of our fans and customer base. Similar to what other motorsports competitors and many other sporting venues are experiencing, we believe that a portion of the decline in attendance over the past few years can be attributed to changing demographics. While those long-time fans are more important to us than ever, we recognize the importance of capturing the next generation of race fans as the average age of the general population and our traditional fan base increases. As further discussed in “Business - Operating Strategy”, we, NASCAR and the television broadcasters continue to make sizable investments in new and expanding marketing initiatives, leading-edge facility improvements and new technology that appeals to younger fans, families and the changing demographics. We are increasingly investing in social media advertising, web-based applications and interactive digital systems to enhance pre-race and during-the-race entertainment experiences that appeal to our younger demographic markets. 

 

As further discussed above in “Business - Competition”, motorsports promotion is a competitive industry. We compete with others in the motorsports industry and with all forms of professional, collegiate and amateur spring, summer and fall sports - locally, regionally and nationally – as well as other forms of leisure and recreational entertainment activities. We compete with new and expanding entertainment options that are continually being developed and marketed to attract the changing demographics, particularly outside of motorsports. We are increasingly competing with improving and expanding non-motorsports related media coverage and content by network and cable broadcasters, and with ongoing improvements in high-definition television technology and increasing DVR use and expanding media, internet and on-demand content, particularly for Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series racing events, both of which are increasingly influenced by changing demographics. As such, we continue to increase and expand our promotional efforts and initiatives as further discussed in “Business - Operating Strategy”.

 

 

We have increased promotional activities to help offset the ongoing impact of these adverse economic and market conditions. While the direction and strength of the United States economy appear to be improving, significant uncertainty remains as to its recovery strength and duration. Possible changes in governmental taxing, regulatory, spending and other policies could significantly impact consumer and corporate spending, economic recovery and our future results. Government responses and actions may or may not successfully restore long-term stability to the consumer and credit markets and improve long-term economic conditions. State and federal budgetary deficits could result in government responses such as higher consumer and corporate income or other tax rates. Governmental spending deficits could lead to higher interest rates and difficult borrowing conditions for consumers and corporate customers. Whether or when these conditions might further improve cannot be determined at this time. See our “Risk Factors” for additional information on ongoing difficult economic conditions and geopolitical risks.

 

The demand and appeal for motorsports entertainment in our markets has remained relatively strong even in challenging circumstances. We believe expanding marketing demographics, the intensifying media coverage, as well as the industry’s ongoing focus on enhancing NASCAR racing competition and the sport’s appeal to younger fans and families, provide us and NASCAR with many long-term marketing and future growth opportunities. Management believes our strong operating cash flow will continue and that ticket demand and corporate marketing and promotional spending will increase as the economy improves.

 

2015 Earnings Guidance – In connection with our fourth quarter and full year 2014 earnings release, management provided full year 2015 guidance of $0.90-$1.10 per diluted share from continuing operations, excluding non-recurring and other special items. The range of earnings guidance reflects the continuing negative impact of uncertain economic conditions, among other factors. Potential higher fuel, health-care and food costs and underemployment could significantly impact our future results.

 

RACING EVENTS

Set forth below are comparative summaries of our NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series (major) racing events by quarter, and other racing events on an annual basis, as scheduled for 2015 and held in 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

		Number of Major NASCAR-sanctioned Events
		2015				2014				2013				2012
1st Quarter			4				4				4				4
2nd Quarter			8				8				8				8
3rd Quarter			8				8				8				8
4th Quarter			4				4				4				4
Total			24				24				24				24

 

		Other Racing Events
		2015				2014				2013				2012
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series			8				7				6				8
NASCAR K&N Pro Series			3				3				3				4
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour			4				4				4				4
National Hot Rod Association			6				6				6				6
IndyCar Series			2				2				2				2
World of Outlaws			3				3				3				3
Automobile Racing Club of America			1				1				1				-

 

 

The scheduled number of major NASCAR racing events in 2015 is the same as 2012 through 2014. However, AMS’s annual NASCAR Sprint Cup race weekend was moved to the first quarter 2015 from the third quarter 2014, one BMS annual NASCAR Sprint Cup race weekend was moved to the second quarter 2015 from the first quarter 2014, and KyS’ annual NASCAR Sprint Cup race weekend was moved to the third quarter 2015 from the second quarter 2014.

 

The more significant racing schedule changes during the last three years include:

 

•	In 2014, poor weather resulted in delays in starting and completing one NASCAR Sprint Cup race at BMS and postponing and rescheduling one NASCAR Sprint Cup race at TMS
•	LVMS and TMS each held one Red Bull Air Race World Championship event in 2014 that was not held in 2013 or 2012
•	NHMS held one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing event in 2014 that was not held in 2013 or 2012
•	In 2013, one NASCAR Sprint Cup and one Xfinity Series race at both CMS and KyS, and one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at SR, was delayed, rescheduled or shortened due to poor weather
•	AMS held one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2012 that was not held in 2014 or 2013
•	KyS held one ARCA race in 2014 and 2013 that was not held in 2012, and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2012 that was not held in 2014 or 2013

 

YEAR OVER YEAR COMPARISONS OF OPERATING RESULTS

Management believes the comparative information below, the non-GAAP financial information in “Selected Financial Data” above, and the various economic and weather factors discussed in “General Factors and Current Operating Trends” above, helps in understanding and comparing our results of operations. Admissions and event related revenues directly impact many event expenses such as sales and admission taxes, costs of merchandise sales, credit card processing fees, sales commissions and certain other operating costs.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2013

 

Total Revenues for 2014 increased by $3.7 million, or 0.8%, over such revenues for 2013 due to the factors discussed below.

 

Admissions for 2014 decreased by $5.3 million, or 5.0%, from such revenue for 2013. This decrease is due primarily to lower overall attendance at NASCAR racing events on a comparable year-over-year event basis. The overall decrease was partially offset by the additional events in 2014 described above.

 

Event Related Revenue for 2014 increased by $1.1 million, or 0.8%, over such revenue for 2013. This increase is due primarily to higher track rental revenues at certain Company speedways, and the additional 2014 events. The increase also reflects higher luxury suite rentals in 2014 as compared to 2013. The overall increase was partially offset by decreases in certain marketing agreement and radio broadcasting revenues associated with NASCAR racing events on a comparable year-over-year event basis.

 

NASCAR Broadcasting Revenue for 2014 increased by $8.4 million, or 4.2%, over such revenue for 2013. This increase is due to higher annual contractual broadcast rights fees for NASCAR-sanctioned racing events held in 2014.

 

Other Operating Revenue for 2014 decreased by $543,000, or 1.8%, from such revenue for 2013. This decrease is due primarily to lower Legend Cars and Oil-Chem revenues, which were partially offset by a combination of individually insignificant items, in 2014 as compared to 2013.

 

Direct Expense of Events for 2014 increased by $2.7 million, or 2.7%, over such expense for 2013. This increase is due to higher operating costs associated with the additional 2014 events, poor weather at certain 2014 events, and certain NASCAR racing events held in 2014 as compared to 2013. The overall increase was partially offset by lower advertising and other operating costs associated with certain NASCAR racing events on a comparable year-over-year event basis.

 

 

NASCAR Event Management Fees for 2014 increased by $3.3 million, or 2.6%, over such expense for 2013. This increase reflects higher annual contractual race event management fees for NASCAR racing events held in 2014 and, to a lesser extent, NHMS hosting a NASCAR Truck Series race in 2014 that was not held in 2013.

 

Other Direct Operating Expense for 2014 decreased by $127,000, or 0.7%, from such expense for 2013. This decrease is due primarily to lower operating costs associated with Legend Cars revenues and a combination of individually insignificant items in 2014 as compared to 2013.

 

General and Administrative Expense for 2014 increased by $5.1 million, or 5.5%, over such expense for 2013. This increase is due primarily to higher utility, legal and other professional service, repair and maintenance costs, and higher compensation costs including wage cost inflation, in 2014 as compared to 2013.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense for 2014 increased by $23.7 million, or 43.3%, over such expense for 2013. This increase reflects accelerated depreciation on retired assets and certain damaged property in 2014 as further described in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The overall increase was partially offset by lower depreciation on certain assets now fully depreciated.

 

Interest Expense, Net for 2014 was $21.2 million compared to $31.9 million for 2013. This change reflects redemption of higher interest rate 2016 Senior Notes in 2013 with lower interest rate Credit Facility borrowings, lower total outstanding debt and, to a lesser extent, higher interest income and capitalized interest in 2014 as compared to 2013. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Impairment of Goodwill for 2013 represents a non-cash impairment charge of $89.0 million, before income tax benefits of $2.3 million, to reduce the carrying value of NHMS and KyS goodwill to estimated fair value based on our 2013 annual impairment assessment as further described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Loss on Early Debt Redemption and Refinancing for 2013 represents a charge to earnings of $18.5 million, before income taxes of $6.8 million, for redemption premium, unamortized net deferred loan costs, issuance discount and transaction costs associated with the former 2016 Senior Notes as further described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Other Income, Net for 2014 was $2.3 million compared to other expense, net of $293,000 for 2013. This change reflects net gains related to involuntary conversion of certain TMS property and insurance recovery for certain damaged BMS property, lower unused loan commitment fees and a combination of individually insignificant items in 2014 as compared to 2013.

 

Income Tax Provision. As further described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, our effective income tax rate for 2014 was 38.4% and for 2013 was 87.2%. Our 2014 tax rate reflects income tax expense associated with discontinued oil and gas activities as further described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, offset by the positive impact of net decreases in uncertain tax position liabilities of prior years and lower effective state income tax rates. The higher 2013 tax rate results primarily from the tax benefit related to the equity interest abandonment as further discussed in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and partially offset by a goodwill impairment charge for which a significant portion had no tax benefit as further discussed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The 2013 rate also reflects tax benefits of $5.5 million resulting from certain state income tax law changes and strategic state tax restructuring. Excluding those items, the 2013 effective income tax rate would have been 36.8%.

 

Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operation, Net of Taxes for 2014 reflects recovery of $6.0 million of previously reserved receivables through favorable settlements as further described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and legal fees and other costs associated with efforts to recover previously reserved receivables in 2014 and 2013.

 

 

Net Income for 2014 was $31.1 million compared to a net loss of $6.5 million for 2013. This change is due to the factors discussed above.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2012

 

Total Revenues for 2013 decreased by $9.5 million, or 1.9%, from such revenues for 2012 due to the factors discussed below.

 

Admissions for 2013 decreased by $10.0 million, or 8.6%, from such revenue for 2012. This decrease is due primarily to lower overall admissions at NASCAR racing events on a comparable year-over-year event basis. Lower average ticket prices for NASCAR racing events in 2013 constituted approximately 45% of the total decline in NASCAR admissions revenue as compared to 2012. The decrease also reflects, to a much smaller degree, the changes in 2013 events as compared to 2012 described above.

 

Event Related Revenue for 2013 decreased by $5.8 million, or 3.8%, from such revenue for 2012. This decrease is due primarily to declines in sponsorship, luxury suite and radio time revenues, as well as most other event related revenues, associated with NASCAR racing events on a comparable year-over-year event basis. The overall decrease was partially offset by higher track rental revenues at certain Company speedways in 2013.

 

NASCAR Broadcasting Revenue for 2013 increased by $6.4 million, or 3.3%, over such revenue for 2012. This increase is due to higher annual contractual broadcast rights fees for NASCAR-sanctioned racing events held in 2013.

 

Other Operating Revenue for 2013 decreased by $66,000, or 0.2%, from such revenue for 2012. This decrease is due to lower Oil-Chem revenues, which were partially offset by higher facility lease rental revenues, and to a combination of individually insignificant items in 2013 as compared to 2012.

 

Direct Expense of Events for 2013 decreased by $1.9 million, or 1.9%, from such expense for 2012. This decrease reflects lower advertising and a combination of individually insignificant items in the current period. The overall decrease was partially offset by higher operating costs associated with poor weather at certain 2013 events.

 

NASCAR Event Management Fees for 2013 increased by $2.1 million, or 1.7%, over such expense for 2012. This increase reflects higher annual contractual race purses and sanctioning fees for NASCAR-sanctioned racing events held in 2013. The overall increase was partially offset by the changes in 2013 events as compared to 2012.

 

Other Direct Operating Expense for 2013 decreased by $268,000, or 1.4%, from such expense for 2012. This decrease is due primarily to lower advertising and other operating costs associated with Legend Cars sales and to a combination of individually insignificant items in 2013 as compared to 2012.

 

General and Administrative Expense for 2013 increased by $1.3 million, or 1.4%, over such expense for 2012. This increase reflects wage cost inflation, higher franchise taxes and a combination of individually insignificant items, which were partially offset by lower property taxes and legal and other professional service costs in 2013 as compared to 2012.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense for 2013 decreased by $774,000, or 1.4%, from such expense for 2012. This decrease reflects that certain assets are now fully depreciated and a combination of individually insignificant items in 2013.

 

Interest Expense, Net for 2013 was $31.9 million compared to $41.2 million for 2012. This change reflects redemption of higher interest rate 2016 Senior Notes with lower interest rate Credit Facility borrowings as further described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, lower total outstanding debt and lower interest on Credit Facility borrowings in 2013. The decrease was partially offset by lower capitalized interest in 2013 as compared to 2012.

  

 

Impairment of Goodwill for 2013 represents a non-cash impairment charge of $89.0 million, before income tax benefits of $2.3 million, to reduce the carrying value of NHMS and KyS goodwill to estimated fair value based on our 2013 annual impairment assessment as further described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Loss on Early Debt Redemption and Refinancing for 2013 represents a charge to earnings of $18.5 million, before income taxes of $6.8 million, for redemption premium, unamortized net deferred loan costs, issuance discount and transaction costs associated with the former 2016 Senior Notes as further described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Other Expense, Net for 2013 was $293,000 compared to other income, net of $3.9 million for 2012. This change is due primarily to higher gains recognized on disposals of certain property in 2012 and to a lesser extent, higher unused loan commitment fees and a combination of individually insignificant items in 2013.

 

Income Tax Provision. As further described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, our effective income tax rate for 2013 was 87.2% and for 2012 was 34.4%. The higher 2013 tax rate results primarily from the tax benefit related to the equity interest abandonment as further discussed in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and partially offset by a goodwill impairment charge for which a significant portion had no tax benefit as further discussed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The 2013 rate also reflects tax benefits of $5.5 million resulting from certain state income tax law changes and strategic state tax restructuring. Excluding those items, the 2013 effective income tax rate would have been 36.8%. The lower 2012 tax rate reflects favorable recoveries and settlements with certain taxing authorities, and lower effective state income tax rates.

 

Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operation, Net of Taxes for 2013 and 2012 represents legal fees and other costs associated with efforts to sell or dissolve our remaining foreign investment interest and recover previously reserved receivables. The costs in 2012 were offset by a gain recognized upon favorable settlement of certain insurance claims.

 

Net Loss for 2013 was $6.5 million compared to net income of $42.1 million for 2012. This change is due to the factors discussed above.

 

The table below shows the relationship of our income and expenses relative to total revenue for the three years ended December 31, 2014:

 

		Percentage of Total Revenue
Years Ended December 31:		2014				2013				2012
Revenues:
Admissions		20.8		%			22.1	%			23.7	%
Event related revenue			30.3				30.3				30.9
NASCAR broadcasting revenue			42.9				41.4				39.3
Other operating revenue			6.0				6.2				6.1
Total revenues			100.0				100.0				100.0
Expenses and other:
Direct expense of events			21.1				20.7				20.7
NASCAR event management fees			26.5				26.0				25.1
Other direct operating expense			3.8				3.9				3.9
General and administrative		20.0				19.1					18.4
Depreciation and amortization			16.2				11.4				11.3
Interest expense, net			4.4				6.6				8.4
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets		–					18.5			–
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing		–					3.8			–
Other (income) expense, net			(0.5	)			0.1				(0.8	)
Total expenses and other			91.5				110.1				87.0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			8.5				(10.1	)			13.0
Income tax provision			(3.3	)			8.8				(4.5	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations			5.2				(1.3	)			8.5
Income (loss) from discontinued operation, net of taxes			1.2				(0.0	)			0.1
Net income (loss)			6.4	%			(1.3	)%			8.6	%

 

 

SEASONALITY AND COMPARISON OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

Our business has been, and is expected to remain, somewhat seasonal. We recognize revenues and operating expenses for all events in the calendar quarter in which conducted. Concentration of racing events in any particular future quarter, and growth in our operations, with attendant increases in overhead expenses, may tend to minimize operating income in respective future quarters. Realignment or moving of racing events can significantly increase or decrease quarterly operating income, corresponding with the move of race dates between quarters, which can lessen the comparability of operating results between quarters of successive years and increase or decrease the seasonal nature of our motorsports business. Also, certain racing events are more profitable than others dependent on facility size, media market, broadcasting rights, weather and many other factors. See “Racing Events” above for additional comparative quarterly information on our Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series racing events, and “Year over Year Comparisons of Operating Results” above for additional information on changes in various racing events held in 2012 through 2014, and scheduled to be held in 2015.

 

The quarterly information below is derived from our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed in 2014 and 2013. As further described in the indicated Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we recorded net gains related to insurance recovery for certain damaged BMS property in the first quarter 2014, involuntary conversion of certain TMS property in the second quarter 2014 and accelerated depreciation on retired assets and certain damaged property in the second and fourth quarters 2014 (Note 4). We recorded recovery of $6.0 million of previously reserved receivables through favorable settlement in discontinued operations in the third quarter 2014, with the associated income tax effect reflected in continuing operations under applicable authoritative guidance (Note 1). We recorded an impairment charge on goodwill (Note 2) and a loss on early debt redemption and refinancing in the second quarter 2013 (Note 6). As further described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, our 2014 effective income tax rates reflects third quarter income tax expense associated with the favorable settlement in discontinued oil and gas activities, offset by the fourth quarter positive impact of net decreases in uncertain tax position liabilities of prior years and lower effective state income tax rates. Our 2013 effective income tax rates reflect certain non-recurring benefits related to state income tax restructuring in the first quarter and tax law changes in the third quarter, goodwill impairment charges for which a significant portion had no tax benefit in the second quarter 2013, and abandonment of MA joint venture as of December 31, 2013.

 

Where computations are anti-dilutive, reported basic and diluted per share amounts below are the same. As such, individual quarterly per share amounts may not be additive. Also, individual quarterly amounts may not be additive due to rounding.

 

 

		2014 (unaudited)																				2013 (unaudited)
		(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
		1st Quarter				2nd Quarter				3rd Quarter				4th Quarter				Total				1st Quarter				2nd Quarter				3rd Quarter				4th Quarter				Total
Total revenues		$	84,542			$	175,877			$	139,837			$	84,053			$	484,309			$	84,222			$	176,763			$	137,500			$	82,164			$	480,649
Total expenses			81,533				133,277				121,484				106,789				443,083				86,354				134,535				119,981				80,838				421,708
Sub-total			3,009				42,600				18,353				(22,736	)			41,226				(2,132	)			42,228				17,519				1,326				58,941
Impairment of goodwill			–				–				–				–				–				–				89,037				–				–				89,037
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing			–				–				–				–				–				–				18,467				–				–				18,467
Provision for income taxes			(1,101	)			(15,374	)			(9,336	)			9,989				(15,822	)			799				(2,508	)			(5,157	)			49,217				42,351
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	1,908			$	27,226			$	9,017			$	(12,747	)		$	25,404			$	(1,333	)		$	(67,784	)		$	12,362			$	50,543			$	(6,212	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operation			(41	)			(27	)			5,978				(200	)			5,710				(35	)			(27	)			(68	)			(116	)			(246	)
Net income (loss)		$	1,867			$	27,199			$	14,995			$	(12,947	)		$	31,114			$	(1,368	)		$	(67,811	)		$	12,294			$	50,427			$	(6,458	)
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations		$	0.05			$	0.66			$	0.22			$	(0.31	)		$	0.61			$	(0.03	)		$	(1.64	)		$	0.30			$	1.22			$	(0.15	)
Discontinued operation			(0.00	)			(0.00	)			0.14				(0.00	)			0.14				(0.00	)			(0.00	)			(0.00	)			(0.00	)			(0.01	)
Net income (loss)		$	0.05			$	0.66			$	0.36			$	(0.31	)		$	0.75			$	(0.03	)		$	(1.64	)		$	0.30			$	1.22			$	(0.16	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations		$	0.05			$	0.66			$	0.22			$	(0.31	)		$	0.61			$	(0.03	)		$	(1.64	)		$	0.30			$	1.22			$	(0.15	)
Discontinued operation			(0.00	)			(0.00	)			0.14				(0.00	)			0.14				(0.00	)			(0.00	)			(0.00	)			(0.00	)			(0.01	)
Net income (loss)		$	0.05			$	0.66			$	0.36			$	(0.31	)		$	0.75			$	(0.03	)		$	(1.64	)		$	0.30			$	1.22			$	(0.16	)
Major NASCAR-sanctioned events			4				8				8				4				24				4				8				8				4				24

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have historically met our working capital and capital expenditure requirements through a combination of cash flows from operations, bank borrowings and other debt offerings. Significant changes in our financial condition and liquidity in 2014, 2013 and 2012 resulted primarily from:

 

(1)

net cash provided by operations amounting to $125.3 million in 2014, $93.4 million in 2013 and $122.1 million in 2012

(2)

borrowings under long-term debt for refinancing amounting to $150.0 million in 2014, $355.0 million in 2013 and $0 in 2012

(3)

repayments of long-term debt amounting to $211.5 million in 2014, $413.0 million in 2013 and $53.0 million in 2012

(4)

payment of loan amendment and debt refinancing costs amounting to $1.6 million in 2014, $5.9 million in 2013 and $0 in 2012

(5)

payment of quarterly cash dividends amounting to $24.9 million in each of 2012 through 2014

	(6)	repurchases of common stock amounting to $4.2 million in 2014, $3.1 million in 2013 and $2.6 million in 2012
	(7)	cash outlays for capital expenditures amounting to $22.0 million in 2014, $12.0 million in 2013 and $26.8 million in 2012
	(8)	proceeds from insurance recovery and sales of property and equipment amounting to $1.3 million in 2014, $160,000 in 2013 and $3.6 million in 2012

 

 

 

The 2013 change in cash flows from operating activities associated with the deferred income tax provision results primarily from valuation allowance reversal of $49.3 million related to MA as further described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In 2013, recognition of the tax benefit reduced net deferred tax liabilities and had no impact on cash flows from operations. As further discussed in Notes 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we had the following contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

		Payments Due By Period
		Total				Less than 1 Year				1-3 Years				3-5 Years				More than 5 Years
Contractual Obligations:(1)
Current liabilities, excluding deferred race event income		$	43,351			$	43,351			–				–				–
Long-term debt, bank credit facility and senior notes(2)			404,816				7,070			$	15,000			$	382,746			–
Other liabilities			5,806			–				–					5,806			–
Interest on fixed rate debt obligations(3)			68,962				16,930				33,750				18,282			–
Deferred income taxes(4)			371,903			–				–				–					371,903
Interest on floating rate credit facility debt(3)			13,919				3,086				5,732				5,101			–
NASCAR event management fees(5)			133,773				133,773			–				–				–
Contracted capital expenditures(1)			3,404				3,404			–				–				–
Declared dividends on common stock(6)			6,200				6,200			–				–				–
Operating leases			3,307				1,001				1,079				521				706
Total Contractual Cash Obligations		$	1,055,441			$	214,815			$	55,561			$	412,456			$	372,609

  

Commitment Expiration By Period

Total

Less than 1 Year

1-3 Years

3-5 Years

More than 5 Years

Other Commercial Commitments, Letters of credit

$

1,152

$

1,152

–

–

–

 

(1)

Contractual cash obligations above exclude: (a) income taxes that may be paid in future periods and not reflected in accrued income taxes or deferred income taxes (cash paid for income taxes was approximately $557,000 in 2014); (b) income tax liabilities of approximately $1.2 million as of December 31, 2014 for unrecognized tax benefits due to uncertainty on the timing of related payments, if any; and (c) capital expenditures that may be made although not under contract (cash paid for capital expenditures was approximately $22.0 million in 2014).

(2)

Long-term debt reflects payments under the 2019 Senior Notes as currently scheduled and other long-term debt, and associated minimum required quarterly principal payments for Term Loan borrowings. As of December 31, 2014, there were no outstanding revolving Credit Facility borrowings, and the Company had availability for borrowing up to an additional $98.8 million, including up to an additional $48.8 million in letters of credit. The new 2023 Senior Notes issued in January 2015, and planned redemption of the 2019 Senior Notes in March 2015, are not reflected above.

(3)

Interest payments for fixed rate debt pertain to the 2019 Senior Notes as currently scheduled and other long-term debt through maturity. Interest payments for the floating rate Term Loan are estimated based on outstanding borrowings of $150.0 million at December 31, 2014 and a weighted average interest rate of 2.1% in 2014.

(4)	All non-current deferred income taxes are reflected as due in “more than 5 years” because timing of annual future reversal and payment is not readily determinable at this time.

(5)

NASCAR event management (purse and sanction) fees for each upcoming racing season (or year) are negotiated with NASCAR on an annual basis. Contracted fees include anticipated cash payments to NASCAR and 35% of broadcasting revenues to be retained by NASCAR as currently negotiated for 2015. Both cash payments to, and amounts retained by, NASCAR as reflected above correspond with the reporting of NASCAR broadcasting revenues and NASCAR event management fees. Fees for years after 2015 have not yet been negotiated and could increase or decrease or change substantially should future race schedules change.

(6)

Dividends on common stock reflect estimated amounts payable for declarations after December 31, 2014. In February 2015, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock payable in March 2015. Quarterly cash dividends paid in 2014 totaled approximately $24.9 million.

 

 
LIQUIDITY

As of December 31, 2014, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $110.0 million, outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility totaled $150.0 million (all Term Loan), outstanding letters of credit amounted to $1.2 million, and the Company had availability for borrowing up to an additional $98.8 million, including $48.8 million in letters of credit, under the revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2014, net deferred tax liabilities totaled $348.1 million. While primarily representing the tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, the likely future reversal and payment of net deferred income tax liabilities could negatively impact cash flows from operations in years in which reversal occurs.

 

We anticipate that cash from operations and funds available through our Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our operating needs through at least the next twelve months, including estimated planned capital expenditures, income tax liabilities, and repurchases of common stock or payment of future declared dividends, if any. We may, from time to time, engage in additional financing depending on future growth and financing needs, or redeem, retire or purchase our debt and equity securities depending on liquidity, prevailing market conditions, permissibility under our debt agreements, and other factors as the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may consider relevant. Our debt agreements do not restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer, advance or dividend funds to the parent company, SMI, or other subsidiaries.

 

Our Long-term, Multi-year Contracted Revenues are Significant – As further described above in “Business – Industry Overview”, much of our revenue is generated under long-term multi-year contracts, including the new ten-year NASCAR television broadcast agreements starting in 2015 through 2024. NASCAR announcements have valued the new industry broadcasting contracts at more than $8.2 billion over ten years, representing approximately $820 million in gross average annual rights fees for the industry and an approximate 46% increase over the previous contract annual average of $560 million. These new ten-year broadcasting agreements are anticipated to provide us annual contracted revenue increases averaging almost 4% per year, and our total contracted NASCAR broadcasting revenues are expected to approximate $217 million in 2015.

 

Most of our NASCAR Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series event sponsorships for our 2015 racing season, and many for years beyond 2015, are already sold. Many of our other sponsorships and corporate marketing contracts are for multiple years. We also have significant contracted revenues under long-term operating leases for various office, warehouse and industrial park space, track rentals and driving school activities with entities largely involved in motorsports. We believe the substantial revenue generated under such long-term contracts helps significantly solidify our financial strength, earnings and cash flows and stabilize our financial resilience and profitability during difficult economic conditions. While the long-term television broadcasting rights agreements include annual revenue increases over the contract periods, associated annual increases in event management (purse and sanction) fees paid to NASCAR may continue.

 

As further discussed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we recognized revenue of approximately $3.1 million in 2013 and $3.2 million in 2012 ($0 in 2014) under a two-year TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease agreement. This lease agreement was extended and oil and gas extraction commenced in 2014, entitling TMS to stipulated stand-alone and shared royalties. In 2014, TMS received and recognized royalty payments of $3.2 million under the extended lease agreement. The lease agreement stipulates the sharing of production revenues, and requires TMS to spend a portion of shared royalties on TMS facility and road infrastructure improvements, up to specified amounts. At this time, while extraction activities continue, management is unable to determine possible ongoing volumes of production if any or for how long, or if stipulated natural gas price levels will be maintained or adequate. Any future production revenues or royalties are subject to production levels and market prices that can fluctuate significantly and rapidly, as well as other factors outside of TMS’s control.

 

 

General Debt Overview - We have reduced total long-term debt ($61.5 million in 2014, $58.0 million in 2013 and $53.0 million in 2012) and reduced interest costs through principal repayment and various financing transactions. As further described below and in Notes 6 and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we amended our Credit Facility in December 2014, issued new 5.125% Senior Notes due 2023 in January 2015 and plan to fully redeem our 2019 Senior Notes in March 2015. In 2013, we issued $100.0 million of additional 2019 Senior Notes, amended our Credit Facility and redeemed all outstanding $275.0 million of 8.75% Senior Notes. Although our 2014 and 2013 (and 2015) financing transactions did not substantially change our overall outstanding debt levels, interest costs under our Credit Facility have been, and will likely continue to be, substantially lower. Also, our amended Credit Facility contains less restrictive financial ratio covenants, and the structured repayment of Term Loan borrowings over five years and lower interest costs under the new Senior Notes are expected to reduce our indebtedness levels, leverage and future interest costs earlier than under our previous debt structure. Our operating results have benefited from relatively lower interest rates under our Credit Facility. Future economic and financial market conditions could result in increases in interest rates and other borrowing costs. At our present outstanding debt levels, with exposure to variable interest rate fluctuations, higher interest rates would negatively impact our future profitability and cash flows and make compliance with restrictive financial covenants more difficult. See the "Risk Factors" in this Annual Report for other factors related to our indebtedness and general economic conditions.

 

2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility - In December 2014, we amended our Credit Facility which, among other things: (i) provides for a five-year $100.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, (ii) provides for a five-year $150.0 million senior secured term loan (which was fully drawn by the Company on December 29, 2014) and a five-year delayed draw term loan of up to $50.0 million borrowable in a single advance no later than March 29, 2015; (iii) matures in December 2019; and (iv) contains an accordion feature with specified limits and conditions. Delayed draw term loan borrowings or proceeds of the first $200.0 million increase in revolving commitments, additional term loans or combination thereof under the Credit Facility's accordion feature must be used to repay or redeem the Company's 2019 Senior Notes. Term Loans require equal minimum quarterly principal payments of at least 5% of initial amounts drawn on an annualized basis (or $7.5 million each twelve-month period based on an initial draw of $150.0 million, with first payment due June 2015).

 

Under the amended facility, interest is based, at the Company’s option, upon the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.25% to 2.00% or a base rate defined as the higher of Bank of America’s prime rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or the Eurodollar Rate plus 1%, plus 0.25% to 1.00%. The interest rate margins on borrowings are adjustable periodically based upon certain consolidated total leverage ratios.

 

2013 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility – In February 2013, we amended our Credit Facility in connection with issuing additional 2019 Senior Notes and redeeming our 2016 Senior Notes as further discussed below. Prior to 2014 amendment, the Credit Facility provided for a five-year $100.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, a five-year $250.0 million senior secured term loan, and was scheduled to mature in February 2018. Interest was based, at our option, upon LIBOR plus 1.25% to 2.00% or Bank of America’s base rate plus 0.25% to 1.00%. The Term Loan required minimum quarterly principal payments of at least 5% of the initial amount drawn on an annualized basis (or $12.5 million in a twelve-month period on an initial draw of $250.0 million).

 

2019 Senior Notes, Add-on Offering in 2013 and Early Redemption Planned in 2015 – As further described in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we plan to redeem all outstanding 6.75% 2019 Senior Notes in aggregate principal of $250.0 million on March 13, 2015. The 2019 Senior Notes consist of $150.0 million issued in 2011 at par and $100.0 million issued in an add-on offering in January 2013 at 105% of par, and net proceeds after commissions and fees approximated $103.4 million. The proceeds were used to repay $95.0 million of Credit Facility borrowings, representing all facility borrowings then outstanding. The 2019 Senior Notes are scheduled to mature in February 2019 and interest payments are scheduled due February 1 and August 1.

 

Under the terms of the 2019 Senior Notes agreement, we plan to redeem the notes at a redemption premium of 103.375% of par plus accrued interest. We plan to use the net proceeds of the new 2023 Senior Notes discussed below, $50.0 million of delayed draw Credit Facility term loan borrowings and cash on hand to fund the redemption, including redemption premium and transaction costs. We anticipate recognizing a pre-tax charge to earnings in the first quarter 2015 of approximately $8.4 million for associated redemption premium, unamortized net deferred loan costs and transaction costs, net of issuance premium.

 

 

2015 Issuance of New Senior Notes – As further described in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we completed a private placement issuance of new 5.125% Senior Notes due 2023 in aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million (the 2023 Senior Notes) in January 2015. These 2023 Senior Notes were issued at par, and net proceeds after commissions and fees approximated $196.8 million. We plan to use the net offering proceeds to fund a portion of the planned March 2015 redemption of 2019 Senior Notes as described above. We also plan to offer to exchange these notes for substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act in the second quarter 2015. The 2023 Senior Notes mature in February 2023 and interest payments are due semi-annually on February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1, 2015. The 2023 Senior Notes agreement contains specified redemptions premiums and change of control repurchase provisions. The 2023 Senior Notes also contain specific requirements and restrictive financial covenants and limitations, guarantees and cross-default provisions generally similar to those of the 2019 Senior Notes.

 

2013 Early Redemption of 2016 Senior Notes – Effective June 1, 2013, we fully redeemed our 8.75% Senior Notes aggregating $275.0 million in outstanding principal at a redemption premium of 104.375% of par plus accrued interest. The 2016 Senior Notes, originally issued at 96.8% of par and scheduled to mature in June 2016, had interest payments due June 1 and December 1. We used Term Loan borrowings of $250.0 million and cash on hand of $37.1 million to fund the redemption, including redemption premium and transaction costs.

 

Other General Debt Agreement Terms and Conditions – Our amended Credit Facility, 2019 Senior Notes and 2023 Senior Notes contain specific requirements and restrictive financial covenants and limits or prohibits various financial and transactional activities. These three debt agreements also contain cross-default provisions. The terms and conditions of our debt agreements, including dividend, redemption, right of payment and other provisions, are further described in Notes 6 and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Our amended Credit Facility contains a number of affirmative and negative financial covenants, including requirements that we maintain certain defined consolidated total leverage ratios and consolidated interest coverage ratios. We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2014. Management believes the most restrictive financial covenant is the amended Credit Facility requirement for maintaining a consolidated interest coverage ratio of no less than 3.25 to 1.0. Management actively monitors compliance with this and all other financial covenants. If future operating results or events result in ratios below the required minimum, management is prepared to take certain actions to remain compliant. Such actions could include, for example, loan repayments or refinancing, reducing capital expenditures or operating expenses where practical, or obtaining loan compliance waivers. Any non-compliance could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition, operating results or cash flows, and our ability to maintain compliance can be affected by events beyond our control. As further described in our “Risk Factors”, possible material adverse effects from non-compliance include cross-default under any or all of our debt agreements and acceleration of all amounts outstanding.

 

Stock Repurchase Program – Our stock repurchase program authorizes SMI to repurchase up to an aggregate of 5.0 million shares (increased from 4.0 million shares with Board of Director approval on February 12, 2014) of our outstanding common stock, depending on market conditions, share price, applicable limitations under our various debt agreements, and other factors the Board of Directors or their designees, in their sole discretion, may consider relevant. The stock repurchase program is presently funded using available cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2014, we could repurchase up to an additional 946,000 shares under the current authorization.

 

 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

We continually evaluate new opportunities that may increase stockholder value. At December 31, 2014, we had various construction projects underway. In 2015, we plan to complete construction of a new infield road course at CMS. Similar to 2014, we plan to improve traffic infrastructure, improve certain permanent seating, and continue to modernize and expand premium hospitality and fan-zone entertainment areas, and upgrade restroom and other fan amenities at certain speedway facilities. We also plan to continue investing in additional social media and web application technology to attract and enhance the entertainment experience of our race fans. As of December 31, 2014, we had contractual obligations for capital expenditures of approximately $3.4 million for facility improvements at our various speedways.

 

In 2014 and 2013, capital expenditures amounted to $22.0 million and $12.0 million, representing sizable reductions compared to many previous years. At this time, aggregate payments for capital expenditures in 2015 are estimated to approximate $20.0 to $30.0 million. Management plans to fund these capital expenditures with available cash, working capital or borrowings under our Credit Facility as needed.

 

DIVIDENDS

Any decision concerning the payment of quarterly or annual common stock dividends depends upon our results of operations, financial condition and capital expenditure plans, and applicable limitations under our various debt agreements, and other factors the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may consider relevant. As further described in “Liquidity” above, our Credit Facility allows aggregate payments of dividends and repurchases of SMI securities of up to $50.0 million each year, increasable up to $75.0 million, subject to maintaining certain financial covenants. The 2019 Senior Notes Indenture permits dividend payments each year of up to $0.48 per share (up to $0.80 under the new 2023 Senior Notes indenture) of common stock, increasable subject to meeting certain financial covenants.

 

On February 11, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock aggregating approximately $6.2 million, payable on March 13, 2015 to shareholders of record as of March 2, 2015. This 2015 quarterly cash dividend is expected to be paid using available cash, which would otherwise be available for repurchases of common stock or other general corporate purposes.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As further described in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above, our Credit Facility provides for a separate sub-limit for letters of credit of up to $50.0 million. As of December 31, 2014, we had aggregate outstanding letters of credit of $1.2 million. We presently do not have any other off-balance sheet arrangements (including off-balance sheet obligations, guarantees, commitments, or other contractual cash obligations, other commercial commitments or contingent obligations) that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the financial statement date, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses, including amounts that are susceptible to change. We continually review our accounting policies and accounting estimates, and the application and effect on our financial statements and disclosures, for conformity with GAAP, including relevance, accuracy, completeness and non-omission of material information. Our critical accounting policies include accounting methods and estimates underlying such financial statement preparation, as well as judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of those policies. In applying critical accounting policies and making estimates, materially different amounts or results could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with “Risk Factors”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”, and the Consolidated Financial Statements, including the associated Notes, appearing elsewhere in this report. As indicated below, certain accounting policies that are described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are not repeated in this section. We believe the critical accounting policies, including amounts involving significant estimates, uncertainties and susceptibility to change, include the following:

 

 

The following critical accounting policies are further described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements where indicated below:

 

•	Revenue and expense recognition for racing events (Note 2)
•	Accounting for NASCAR broadcasting revenue and event management fees (Note 2)
•	Revenue recognition for marketing agreements (Note 2)
•	Revenue recognition for non-racing event deferred income (Note 2)
•	Revenue recognition for non-event souvenir merchandise and other revenues (Note 2)
•	Accounting for uncertainties in income taxes (Notes 2 and 8)
•	Interest expense, deferred loan cost amortization and original debt issuance discount and premium (Note 2)
•	Loss contingencies and financial guarantees (Note 2)
•	Accounting for share-based compensation (Note 11)
•	Fair value of financial instruments (Note 2)

 

Recoverability of Property and Equipment and Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – As of December 31, 2014, we had net property and equipment of $1.1 billion, net other intangible assets of $394.9 million and goodwill of $49.7 million. As described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we follow applicable authoritative guidance which specifies, among other things, nonamortization of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and requires testing for possible impairment at least annually. We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for possible impairment annually in the second quarter, or when events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may have occurred. The methods, assumptions and business factors used in our annual impairment assessment and other factors associated with recoverability and impairment considerations are further described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and our “Risk Factors” above, and are not repeated here.

 

Management’s latest annual impairment assessment in the second quarter 2014 indicated the estimated fair value of each reporting unit and each indefinite-lived intangible asset substantially exceeded its associated carrying value except for race date event sanctioning and renewal agreements associated with NHMS acquired in 2008. The excess of estimated fair value over associated aggregate carrying values of $296.1 million for those material nonamortizable agreements was found to be relatively nominal, resulting in heightened sensitivity to management’s assumptions used in estimating future discounted cash flows and profitability and associated risk of failing impairment testing. Management believes there have since been no events or circumstances which indicate possible impairment, and that no unrecognized impairment of property and equipment and goodwill and other intangible assets exists through or as of December 31, 2014. Management believes our operational and cash flow forecasts support its conclusions. The evaluations are subjective and based on conditions, trends and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation. Different economic or industry conditions or assumptions, changes in projected cash flows or profitability, if significantly negative or unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the impairment evaluation and our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

Depreciable and Amortizable Lives for Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets – Depreciation and amortization is provided using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of the respective assets. We have net property and equipment of $1.1 billion and insignificant net amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2014. See Notes 4 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our property and equipment, other intangible assets and estimated useful lives. As of December 31, 2014, we have nonamortizable intangible assets of $394.9 million and goodwill of $49.7 million for race event sanctioning and renewal agreements that are considered to have indefinite useful lives because their renewal and cash flow generation are expected to continue indefinitely. Useful lives are estimated based on outside cost segregation and valuation studies conducted on purchased or constructed speedway property and equipment and purchased intangible assets, historical experience, intended use, condition, available information for comparable assets, and other factors and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation. Management periodically reviews the estimated useful lives used to record depreciation and amortization expense, and believes such estimated useful lives are appropriate and no changes are expected at this time. Management also periodically reviews whether non-amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets remains appropriate, and believes such non-amortization is appropriate and no changes are expected at this time. Because we have a material investment in depreciable property and equipment and intangible assets, changes in depreciable and amortizable lives, should they occur, could have a material impact on our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

As further discussed in our “Risk Factors”, from time to time, we may decide to further reduce or eliminate lower demand seating and suites at our speedways. When management decides on removal, depreciation is accelerated and recorded prospectively over shortened estimated remaining useful lives of the assets, beginning when both management commits to and begins removal. Recording accelerated depreciation, gain or loss on disposal or impairment losses related to property and equipment is based on assessment of the associated facts and circumstances. In 2014, we recorded accelerated depreciation of $24.5 million related to removal of certain low demand seating and suites at AMS, CMS and NHMS related to managing facility capacity as further described in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Notwithstanding these 2014 non-cash charges, the carrying values for seating and luxury suites at each of our speedways are material. Depending on management’s plans, we could be required to record accelerated depreciation, write off remaining undepreciated net book value of associated assets, and expense costs of demolition and disposal, all or some of which could have a material adverse impact on our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

Realization of Receivables and Inventories – Management assesses realization of accounts and notes receivable and inventories, including any need for allowances for doubtful accounts or inventories. Management considers such factors as, among other things, customer creditworthiness, historical collection and sales experience for receivables, and current inventory levels, current and future market demand, and trends and conditions for inventories. The assessment is subjective and based on conditions, trends and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation, which are subject to changes in market and economic conditions, including changes or deterioration in customer financial condition or merchandising distribution and other factors, that might adversely impact realization.

 

Income Taxes – Our income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities are material to our current and future financial condition and results of operations. A description of our accounting and reporting for income taxes, associated assumptions and estimates and comparative effective interest rate information are further described in Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and are not repeated here. At December 31, 2014, net current deferred tax assets totaled $23.8 million, and net noncurrent deferred tax liabilities totaled $371.9 million, after reduction for noncurrent deferred tax assets of $50.6 million. As of December 31, 2014, valuation allowances of $12.7 million are provided against deferred tax assets. Management has assessed deferred tax assets, after reduction for valuation allowances, and believes realization is more likely than not. These net deferred tax liabilities will likely reverse in future years and could negatively impact cash flows from operations in the years in which reversal occurs.

 

As further described in Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we recognized an anticipated tax benefit of $49.3 million related to abandonment of our MA equity investment as of December 31, 2013 for the reversal of previously recorded valuation allowances under applicable accounting guidance. As a result of abandonment, we intend to recognize tax losses that will be reported on our 2014 income tax returns. We have reduced current income taxes payable by approximately $20.0 million as of December 31, 2014 through utilization of current deferred income tax assets related to abandonment. The various considerations, information used and conclusions reached by management are further described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and are not repeated here. We believe we will fully utilize the associated tax losses. Should our tax position not be fully sustained if examined, a valuation allowance would be required to reduce or eliminate the associated deferred tax assets and material acceleration of income taxes then currently payable could occur. Any differences between the final tax outcome and amounts recorded would affect our income tax provision in the period in which such determination was made.

 

Our effective income tax rates can widely vary from year to year for many reasons and the factors that impacted our rates for 2012 through 2014 are further discussed in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our effective income tax rates in future years may or may not be impacted by similar or other tax matters, which could result in relative increases or decreases in future income tax expense. Changes in existing tax laws or rates could affect our actual future taxable results and the realization of deferred tax assets or liabilities over time. Significant judgment is involved in evaluating our uncertain tax positions and provision for income taxes. Our accounting for these deferred tax assets represents our best estimate of future events. Also, changes in assumptions or estimates used in the accounting for income taxes, or changes or adjustments resulting from review by taxing authorities, if significantly negative or unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on amounts or timing of realization or settlement. Such effects could result in a material acceleration of income taxes currently payable or valuation charges for realization uncertainties, which could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

Legal Proceedings and Contingencies – As discussed above in “Legal Proceedings” and Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we are involved in various legal matters and intend to continue to defend existing legal actions in fiscal 2015. We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance to manage various risks associated with our speedways, other properties and motorsports events, and other business risks. See our “Risk Factors” for additional information on our liability insurance program and self-insurance retention. The likelihood of an adverse outcome and estimation of amounts are assessed using legal counsel on litigation matters, outside insurance administrators and consultants for insured and self-insured claims, along with historical trends, assumptions and other information available at the time of assessment. We accrue a liability for contingencies if the likelihood of an adverse outcome is probable and the amount is estimable. Legal and other costs associated with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. Management believes amounts requiring accrual are properly reflected in the accompanying financial statements. Management does not believe the outcome of the lawsuits, incidents or other legal or business risk matters will have a material adverse effect on our future financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, new or changes in pending or threatened legal action or claims against us, if significantly negative or unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the outcome of these matters and our future financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements “Recently Issued Accounting Standards” for information on recently issued accounting pronouncements, their applicable adoption dates and possible effects, if any, on our financial statements and disclosures.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Interest Rate Risk – Our financial instruments with interest rate risk exposure consist of cash and cash equivalents, notes receivable and our Credit Facility. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our financial instruments and fair value information. As of December 31, 2014, there were $150.0 million in borrowings outstanding under our floating interest rate Credit Facility term loan. A change in interest rates of one percent on our floating rate debt at December 31, 2014 would cause an approximate change in annual interest expense of $1.5 million. Fair value estimates are based on relevant market information at a specific point in time, and changes in assumptions or market conditions could significantly affect estimates. At times, we may use interest rate swaps for non-trading purposes to hedge interest rate risk and optimize a combination of variable and fixed interest rate debt. There were no interest rate or other swaps at December 31, 2014 or 2013.

 

As further described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we amended our Credit Facility in December 2014 which, among other things, now provides for a five-year $100.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, a five-year $150.0 million senior secured term loan (which was fully drawn on December 29, 2014 to refinance previous Term Loan borrowings), a five-year delayed draw term loan of up to $50.0 million borrowable in a single advance no later than March 29, 2015, and matures in February 2018. As of December 31, 2014, we had availability for borrowing up to an additional $98.8 million, including $48.8 million in letters of credit, under the revolving Credit Facility. As further discussed in “Liquidity” above and Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we issued new 5.125% Senior Notes due 2023 in aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million in January 2015, and plan to fully redeem the 6.75% Senior Notes scheduled due 2019 in March 2015. We plan to use net offering proceeds of the new 2023 Senior Notes (fixed rate), term loan borrowings (all variable rate) under the Credit Facility, and available cash to fund the planned redemption.

 

 

The table below presents floating rate notes receivable and principal debt balances outstanding, fair values, interest rates and maturity dates as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

		Carrying Value								Fair Value							Maturity Dates
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Floating rate notes receivable(1)		–				$	2,005			–				$	2,005
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan(2)		$	150,000				210,000			$	150,000				210,000		February 2018
6.75% Senior Notes(3)			253,372				254,197				257,500				265,000		Scheduled February 2019

 

(1)	Interest was based at 1% over prime and due on demand. The note was repaid and settled in 2014.
(2)	The weighted average interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Facility in 2014 and 2013 was 2.1% and 2.2%, respectively.
(3)	Carrying values at December 31, 2014 and 2013 include debt issuance premium of $3.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively. As further discussed in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we plan to fully redeem these notes in March 2015.

 

Other Market Risk – As described in “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” above, we had aggregate outstanding standby letters of credit of $1.2 million and $887,000, and no instruments or securities with equity price risk, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

 

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

		Page
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM		56
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014 and 2013		57
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012		58
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012		59
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012		60
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		61

 

 

  

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of, December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A of this Form 10-K. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina

March 6, 2015

  

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

December 31:		2014				2013
(In thousands, except share amounts)
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	110,046			$	97,343
Accounts and notes receivable, net			34,855				34,594
Prepaid and refundable income taxes			8,306				8,891
Inventories, net			8,350				8,605
Prepaid expenses			3,881				3,594
Deferred income taxes			23,786				49,181
Total Current Assets			189,224				202,208
Notes and Other Receivables:
Affiliates (Note 9)			–				3,294
Other			1,555				1,800
Other Assets			30,714				29,146
Property and Equipment, Net (Note 2)			1,052,153				1,105,177
Other Intangible Assets, Net			394,941				394,955
Goodwill			49,680				49,680
Total		$	1,718,267			$	1,786,260
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt		$	7,070			$	13,847
Accounts payable			11,166				10,519
Deferred race event and other income, net			55,209				57,888
Accrued interest			7,055				7,044
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			25,131				21,656
Total Current Liabilities			105,631				110,954
Long-term Debt (Note 6)			397,747				453,142
Payable to Affiliate			–				2,594
Deferred Income, Net			4,822				6,932
Deferred Income Taxes			371,903				381,756
Other Liabilities			7,019				4,892
Total Liabilities			887,122				960,270
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 14)
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred Stock, $.10 par value, shares authorized – 3,000,000, no shares issued			–				–
Common Stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized – 200,000,000, issued and outstanding – 41,340,000 in 2014 and 41,404,000 in 2013			456				454
Additional Paid-in Capital			252,571				249,505
Retained Earnings			671,648				665,394
Treasury Stock at cost, shares – 4,216,000 in 2014 and 3,999,000 in 2013			(93,530	)			(89,363	)
Total Stockholders’ Equity			831,145				825,990
Total		$	1,718,267			$	1,786,260

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Years Ended December 31:		2014				2013				2012
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Admissions		$	100,798			$	106,050			$	116,034
Event related revenue			146,849				145,749				151,562
NASCAR broadcasting revenue			207,369				199,014				192,662
Other operating revenue			29,293				29,836				29,902
Total Revenues			484,309				480,649				490,160
Expenses and Other:
Direct expense of events			102,196				99,500				101,402
NASCAR event management fees			128,254				125,003				122,950
Other direct operating expense			18,513				18,640				18,908
General and administrative			96,762				91,676				90,407
Depreciation and amortization (Note 2)			78,426				54,725				55,499
Interest expense, net			21,237				31,871				41,217
Impairment of goodwill (Note 2)			–				89,037				–
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 6)			–				18,467				–
Other (income) expense, net			(2,305	)			293				(3,908	)
Total Expenses and Other			443,083				529,212				426,475
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes			41,226				(48,563	)			63,685
Provision For Income Taxes (Note 8)			(15,822	)			42,351				(21,892	)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations			25,404				(6,212	)			41,793
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation			5,710				(246	)			326
Net Income (Loss)		$	31,114			$	(6,458	)		$	42,119
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
Continuing Operations		$	0.61			$	(0.15	)		$	1.01
Discontinued Operation			0.14				(0.01	)			0.01
Net Income (Loss)		$	0.75			$	(0.16	)		$	1.02
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding			41,377				41,405				41,431
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
Continuing Operations		$	0.61			$	(0.15	)		$	1.01
Discontinued Operation			0.14				(0.01	)			0.01
Net Income (Loss)		$	0.75			$	(0.16	)		$	1.02
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding			41,400				41,423				41,437

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Years Ended December 31,		Outstanding Common Stock								Additional Paid-In				Retained				Treasury				Total Stockholders’
2014, 2013 and 2012		Shares				Amount				Capital				Earnings				Stock				Equity
(In thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2012			41,452			$	451			$	244,946			$	679,491			$	(83,708	)		$	841,180
Net income			–				–				–				42,119				–				42,119
Share-based compensation			138				2				2,032				–				–				2,034
Cash dividends of $0.60 per share of common stock			–				–				–				(24,883	)			–				(24,883	)
Repurchases of common stock at cost			(157	)			–				–				–				(2,574	)			(2,574	)
Balance, December 31, 2012			41,433				453				246,978				696,727				(86,282	)			857,876
Net loss			–				–				–				(6,458	)			–				(6,458	)
Share-based compensation			132				1				2,368				–				–				2,369
Exercise of stock options			8				–				159				–				–				159
Cash dividends of $0.60 per share of common stock			–				–				–				(24,875	)			–				(24,875	)
Repurchases of common stock at cost			(169	)			–				–				-				(3,081	)			(3,081	)
Balance, December 31, 2013			41,404				454				249,505				665,394				(89,363	)			825,990
Net income			–				–				–				31,114				–				31,114
Share-based compensation			146				2				2,894				–				–				2,896
Exercise of stock options			7				–				172				–				–				172
Cash dividends of $0.60 per share of common stock			–				–				–				(24,860	)			–				(24,860	)
Repurchases of common stock at cost			(217	)			–				–				–				(4,167	)			(4,167	)
Balance, December 31, 2014			41,340			$	456			$	252,571			$	671,648			$	(93,530	)		$	831,145

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

Years Ended December 31: (In thousands)		2014				2013				2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)		$	31,114			$	(6,458	)		$	42,119
(Income) loss from discontinued operation			(5,710	)			246				(326	)
Cash provided (used) by operating activities of discontinued operation			5,710				(246	)			326
Adjustments to reconcile income or loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Impairment of goodwill			–				89,037				–
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing, non-cash			–				6,386				–
(Gain) loss on insurance recovery and disposals of property and equipment and other assets			(2,205	)			62				(3,145	)
Deferred loan cost amortization			2,014				2,386				2,525
Interest expense accretion of debt discount and premium, net			(672	)			5				1,702
Depreciation and amortization			78,426				54,725				55,499
Amortization of deferred income			(2,345	)			(5,895	)			(5,772	)
Deferred income tax provision			15,234				(52,201	)			24,119
Share-based compensation			2,610				2,224				1,936
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable			(741	)			797				3,066
Prepaid, refundable and accrued income taxes			585				(2,766	)			6,850
Inventories			255				189				(164	)
Prepaid expenses			(287	)			144				31
Accounts payable			(821	)			(294	)			(1,322	)
Deferred race event and other income			(2,843	)			2,545				(4,685	)
Accrued interest			11				813				(29	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			3,224				1,595				(1,419	)
Deferred income			331				393				733
Other assets and liabilities			1,388				(276	)			73
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities			125,278				93,411				122,117
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Borrowings under long-term debt			150,000				355,000				–
Principal payments on long-term debt			(211,500	)			(413,000	)			(53,000	)
Payments of loan amendment, debt refinancing and debt issuance costs			(1,608	)			(5,899	)			–
Exercise of common stock options			131				159				–
Dividend payments on common stock			(24,860	)			(24,875	)			(24,883	)
Repurchases of common stock			(4,167	)			(3,081	)			(2,574	)
Net Cash Used By Financing Activities			(92,004	)			(91,696	)			(80,457	)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Payments for capital expenditures			(22,036	)			(12,036	)			(26,787	)
Payment for other non-current assets			–				–				(30	)
Proceeds from insurance recovery and sales of property and equipment			1,263				160				3,571
Repayment of notes and other receivables (Note 9)			814				684				531
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities			(19,959	)			(11,192	)			(22,715	)
Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents			13,315				(9,477	)			18,945
Change in cash collected for and payable to third party, cash not provided or used by operating activities (Note 2)			(612	)			412				95
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year			97,343				106,408				87,368
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year		$	110,046			$	97,343			$	106,408
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized		$	21,760			$	31,426			$	41,610
Cash paid for income taxes			557				14,302				2,856
Supplemental Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities Information:
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for capital expenditures			2,115				(486	)			(1,591	)
Increase in deferred income for exchange of property and equipment			250				110				1,247

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Basis of Presentation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and all of its wholly-owned and operating subsidiaries: Atlanta Motor Speedway LLC (AMS), Bristol Motor Speedway LLC (BMS), Charlotte Motor Speedway LLC (CMS), Kentucky Raceway LLC d/b/a Kentucky Speedway (KyS), Nevada Speedway LLC d/b/a Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS), Speedway Sonoma LLC (Sonoma Raceway or SR), New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Inc. (NHMS), North Wilkesboro Speedway, Inc. (NWS), Texas Motor Speedway, Inc. (TMS), SMISC Holdings, Inc. d/b/a SMI Properties (SMI Properties), US Legend Cars International, Inc. (Legend Cars), Oil-Chem Research Corporation (Oil-Chem), SMI Trackside LLC (SMI Trackside), Speedway Funding LLC, Speedway Motorsports International Limited (BVI) and consolidated foreign entity (SMIL), Speedway Properties Company LLC a/k/a Performance Racing Network (PRN), Speedway Media LLC a/k/a Racing Country USA (RCU), and TSI Management Company LLC d/b/a The Source International LLC (TSI) (collectively, the Company, SMI, we, our or us). Hereafter, references to “the Company’s” or “eight” speedways exclude NWS, which presently has no significant operations and assets consist primarily of real estate which has no significant fair value.

 

Description of Business – The Company is a promoter, marketer and sponsor of motorsports activities in the United States. The Company principally owns and operates the following motorsports facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company also provides event and non-event souvenir merchandising and distribution services, and food, beverage and hospitality catering services under an outside management contract through our SMI Properties subsidiaries; provides radio programming, production and distribution through PRN and RCU; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through Legend Cars, and sells an environmentally-friendly micro-lubricant^® through Oil-Chem. Before February 1, 2014, the Company also provided souvenir merchandising services through its Motorsports Authentics joint venture (see Note 2).

 

Racing Events – As further described in Note 2, the Company derives a substantial portion of its total revenues from admissions, event related and NASCAR broadcasting revenue. In 2014, the Company held 24 major annual racing events sanctioned by NASCAR, including 13 Sprint Cup and 11 Xfinity Series racing events. The Company also held seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, three NASCAR K&N Pro Series, four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, two IndyCar Series, six major National Hot Rod Association, one Automobile Racing Club of America and three World of Outlaws racing events. In 2013, the Company held 24 major annual racing events sanctioned by NASCAR, including 13 Sprint Cup and 11 Xfinity Series racing events. The Company also held six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, three NASCAR K&N Pro Series, four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, two IndyCar Series, six major NHRA, one ARCA and three WOO racing events. In 2012, the Company held 24 major annual racing events sanctioned by NASCAR, including 13 Sprint Cup and 11 Xfinity Series racing events. The Company also held eight NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing events, four NASCAR K&N Pro Series racing events, four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, two IndyCar Series racing events, six major NHRA racing events, and three WOO racing events.

 

The more significant racing schedule changes during the last three years include:

	•		In 2014, poor weather resulted in delays in starting and completing one NASCAR Sprint Cup race at BMS and postponing and rescheduling one NASCAR Sprint Cup race at TMS
	•			LVMS and TMS each held one Red Bull Air Race World Championship event in 2014 that was not held in 2013 or 2012
	•		NHMS held one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing event in 2014 that was not held in 2013 or 2012
		•	In 2013, one NASCAR Sprint Cup and one Xfinity Series race at both CMS and KyS, and one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at SR, was delayed, rescheduled or shortened due to poor weather
		•	AMS held one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2012 that was not held in 2014 or 2013
		•	KyS held one ARCA race in 2014 and 2013 that was not held in 2012, and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2012 that was not held in 2014 or 2013

 

 

Discontinued Oil and Gas Activities – In 2008, the Company discontinued its oil and gas operations primarily because of ongoing challenges and business risks in conducting those activities in foreign countries. Those operations are presented herein as discontinued operations for all periods using applicable authoritative guidance, and all note disclosures pertain to continuing operations unless otherwise indicated. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had no continuing involvement or ownership interest in these discontinued operations, and there were no assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses (other than as described below) associated with discontinued operations for any period presented. In 2012 through 2014, no operating revenues were generated from oil and gas activities. No interest expense, corporate general and administrative expense, transaction or transition service costs or continuing costs have been allocated to the discontinued operation.

 

The Company incurred legal fees and other costs associated with efforts to sell or dissolve its remaining foreign investment interests in 2012 and 2013, and recover previously reserved receivables in 2012 through 2014. In 2014, the Company recovered $6.0 million of previously reserved receivables through favorable settlements. In 2013, the Company finalized dissolution of one fully impaired foreign interest with no resulting financial statement impact, and recognized a gain from favorable settlement of certain insurance claims. There were no associated income tax benefits reflected in discontinued operations for any period presented. See Note 8 – Income Taxes for associated reporting of income taxes related to the 2014 settlement. While the Company plans to continue litigation of the matter to further maximize potential recovery value, future legal costs are expected to be insignificant.

 

NASCAR Event Management Fees – Beginning in 2014, NASCAR renamed “purse and sanction” fees as “event management” fees in our annual race event sanctioning and renewal agreements. The change had no other impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Principles of Consolidation – All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Revenue and Expense Classification – The Company classifies its revenues as admissions, event related revenue, NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other operating revenue. “Admissions” includes ticket sales for all Company events. “Event related revenue” includes amounts received from sponsorships, luxury suite rentals, souvenir sales, commissions from food and beverage sales, advertising and other promotional revenues, hospitality revenues, track rentals, driving school revenues, camping and other non-admission access revenues, broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other event and speedway related revenues. “NASCAR broadcasting revenue” includes rights fees obtained for domestic television broadcasts of NASCAR-sanctioned events held at the Company’s speedways. “Other operating revenue” includes non-event merchandising revenues and Legend Cars and parts sales, The Speedway Club at CMS and The Speedway Club at TMS (together the “Speedway Clubs”) revenues, Oil-Chem revenues, TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease revenues, and industrial park and office tower rentals.

 

The Company classifies its expenses to include direct expense of events, NASCAR event management (formerly purse and sanction) fees, and other direct operating expense, among other categories. “Direct expense of events” principally includes cost of souvenir sales, non-NASCAR race purses and sanctioning fees, property and event insurance, compensation of certain employees, advertising, sales and admission taxes, outside event support services, cost of driving school revenues, and event settlement payments to non-NASCAR sanctioning bodies. “NASCAR event management fees” includes payments to, and portions of broadcasting revenues retained by, NASCAR for associated events held at the Company’s speedways. “Other direct operating expense” includes the cost of certain SMI Properties and subsidiaries, Legend Cars, Speedway Clubs, Oil-Chem, and industrial park and office tower rental revenues.

 

 

Event Revenues and Deferred Race Event Income, Net – The Company recognizes admissions, NASCAR broadcasting and event related revenues when an event is held. Event souvenir merchandise sales and commissions from food and beverage sales are recognized at time of sale. Advance revenues and certain related direct expenses pertaining to specific events are deferred until the event is held. Deferred expenses can include race purses and sanction fees remitted to or retained by NASCAR or other sanctioning bodies and sales and admission taxes and credit card processing fees on advance revenues. Deferred race event income relates to scheduled events to be held in upcoming periods. If circumstances prevent a race from being held during the racing season: (i) generally advance revenue is refundable and (ii) all deferred direct event expenses would be immediately recognized except for race event management fees which would be refundable from NASCAR or other sanctioning bodies, and for sales and admission taxes which would be refundable from taxing authorities. Management believes this accounting policy results in appropriate matching of revenues and expenses associated with the Company’s racing events and helps ensure comparability and consistency between its financial statements. Advance revenues, and certain related direct expenses, if any, for track rentals, driving schools and similar activities are deferred and recognized when the activities take place. Management believes its revenue recognition policies follow applicable authoritative guidance. Sales of gift cards or gift certificates for tickets, merchandise or other redemption use have not been significant.

 

NASCAR Broadcasting Revenues and NASCAR Event Management (formerly Purse and Sanction) Fees – NASCAR contracts directly with certain television networks on broadcasting rights for all NASCAR-sanctioned Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series racing events. The Company receives television broadcasting revenues under annual contractual sanction agreements for each NASCAR-sanctioned race. The Company negotiates its sanction fees for individual races with NASCAR on an annual basis. Under the sanction agreements, NASCAR typically retains 10% of gross broadcasting revenues as a component of their sanction fees. NASCAR also retains 25% of gross broadcasting revenues for purses awarded to race participants for each race. The remainder represents additional annually negotiated event management (purse and sanction) fees paid to NASCAR by the Company for each race. These amounts retained by and paid to NASCAR are reflected in NASCAR event management fee expense.

 

Marketing Agreements – The Company has various marketing agreements for sponsorships, on-site advertising, hospitality and other promotional activities. Sponsorships generally consist of event and official sponsorship agreements. These various marketing agreements can be event, speedway or period specific, or pertain to multiple events, speedways or years. Marketing agreements that are not event specific typically contain stated fiscal year periods. The Company receives payments based on contracted terms. Marketing customers and agreement terms change from time to time. The Company recognizes contracted fee revenues, and associated expenses, as events or activities are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms. The Company’s marketing agreements sometimes include multiple specified elements such as sponsorships, tickets, hospitality, suites or on-site advertising in varying combinations for one or more events or contract periods, although there is typically a predominant element. Contracted revenues are allocated between admissions and event related revenue financial statement categories based on the relative fair or retail value of the respective multiple elements as such events or activities are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms.

 

Certain marketing agreements contain elements of purchased property and equipment exchanged for multi-year marketing and other promotional activities at one or more of our facilities. The associated assets and deferred revenue are initially recorded based on their estimated fair or retail values, with assets then depreciated over estimated useful lives and deferred revenue recognized into income on a straight-line basis as events are conducted each year in accordance with the respective agreement terms. Deferred revenue recognizable in each upcoming fiscal year is reflected as current liabilities in deferred race event and other income.

 

Long-Term Food and Beverage Management Contract – Levy Premium Foodservice Limited Partnership, wholly-owned by Compass Group USA, Inc., has exclusive rights to provide on-site food, beverage and hospitality catering services for essentially all Company speedway events and operations under a long-term food and beverage management contract. The contract commenced in 2002 and was renewed for an additional ten-year period through 2021. The long-term agreement provides for, among other items, specified annual fixed and periodic gross revenue based commission payments to the Company over the contract period. The Company’s commission-based net revenues associated with activities provided by Levy are reported in event related revenue and at times, to a lesser extent, other operating revenue depending on the venue.

 

 

Non-Event Souvenir Merchandise and Other Revenues – The Company recognizes revenue when products are shipped, title transfers to customers, right of return or cancellation provisions expire, sales prices are final and collection is probable. For products sold on consignment through various promotional activities, revenues are recognized upon product shipment by promoters to customers, or purchase by reseller customers, and expiration of any right of return or cancellation provisions. Product sold on consignment with right of return or cancellation provisions has not been significant.

 

Joint Venture Equity Investment – Before February 2014, the Company and International Speedway Corporation equally owned a joint venture (50% non-controlling interest) operating independently under the name Motorsports Authentics (MA). MA’s operations consist principally of trackside and, to a lesser extent, wholesale and retail, event souvenir merchandising as licensed and regulated under NASCAR Teams Licensing Trust agreements. The NASCAR Trust significantly influences MA’s operations and results. No dividends were declared or paid since formation of MA. The Company’s share of undistributed equity deficit from equity investee earnings and losses included in the Company’s retained earnings was approximately $133,974,000 at December 31, 2013. There were no significant differences in investor cost and underlying equity in the net assets of MA at acquisition.

 

On January 31, 2014, the Company abandoned its interest and rights in MA to focus management resources in areas that may be profitable and more productive. As further described in Note 8, the Company recognized an anticipated material tax benefit related to abandonment as of December 31, 2013. There was no other impact on the Company’s 2014 or 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements. The carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in MA was reduced to $0 as of December 31, 2009 from sizable impairment charges and MA’s historical operating results. Under equity method accounting, the Company no longer recorded its 50% share of MA operating losses, if any, unless and until this carrying value was increased to the extent of future MA operating profits, if any. As such, the Company’s results for 2012 through 2014 were not impacted by MA’s operations under the equity method, and no income tax benefits were recognized in these years other than related to aforementioned Company abandonment. MA was not considered significant for the three annual periods ended 2014 under applicable SEC rules and the reports of the auditors on their financial statements for those periods are not included in this filing.

 

Revenue Composition (Note 13) – The Company’s revenues are comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013				2012
Admissions		$	100,798			$	106,050			$	116,034
NASCAR broadcasting			207,369				199,014				192,662
Sponsorships			51,578				54,832				57,633
Other event related			81,493				78,106				81,019
Souvenir and other merchandise			31,058				31,005				31,634
Other			12,013				11,642				11,178
Total revenue		$	484,309			$	480,649			$	490,160

 

Revenues described as “other event related” consist principally of commissions from food, beverage and souvenir sales, luxury suite rentals, advertising and other promotional revenues, hospitality revenues, track rentals, driving school revenues, camping and other non-admission access revenues, broadcasting rights other than NASCAR broadcasting revenue, and other event and speedway related revenues. “Souvenir and other merchandise revenue” consists of SMI Properties and SMI Trackside sales of owned souvenir merchandise during racing and non-racing events and in speedway gift shops (motorsports event related merchandise), certain SMI Properties sales of racing and other sports related souvenir merchandise and Legend Cars operations (non-event motorsports related merchandise), and Oil-Chem product sales (non-motorsports related merchandise). “Other revenue” consists principally of revenues from the Speedway Clubs, industrial park and office tower rentals, Legend Cars as the sanctioning body for Legend Cars circuit races, and TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease revenues.

 

 

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires extensive use of management estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at financial statement dates, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual future results could differ from those estimates. Such significant estimates include (i) recoverability of property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets, (ii) depreciable lives for property and equipment and amortization periods for intangible assets, (iii) accounting for income taxes, (iv) realization of receivables and inventories, (v) accruals for certain business taxes, uninsured business risks, litigation, and other contingencies, and (vi) deferred compensation obligations and disclosures of stock-based compensation.

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – The Company classifies as cash equivalents all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents principally consist of variable rate, overnight sweep accounts of commercial paper, repurchase agreements, municipal bond and United States Treasury securities.

 

At times, the Company collects and temporarily holds cash on behalf of its third-party food and beverage concessionaire which is not remitted until after period end and is presented separately from cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. There are no specific limitations, restrictions or other holding requirements for such cash.

 

Accounts and Notes Receivable are reported net of allowance for doubtful accounts summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013				2012
Balance, beginning of year		$	1,273			$	1,270			$	1,345
Bad debt expense			261				253				189
Actual write-offs, net of specific accounts recovered			(263	)			(250	)			(264	)
Balance, end of year		$	1,271			$	1,273			$	1,270

 

Other Noncurrent Assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consist of (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013
Deferred financing costs, net		$	8,943			$	9,162
Land held for development			12,265				12,265
Other			9,506				7,719
Total		$	30,714			$	29,146

 

Noncurrent assets are generally reported at cost except for cash surrender values of life insurance policies which are reported at fair value (See Note 12). Management evaluates these assets for recovery when events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may have occurred. As of December 31, 2014, there have been no events or circumstances which might indicate possible recoverability concerns or impairment.

 

Deferred Financing Costs are amortized into interest expense over the associated debt terms or remaining terms for loan amendment costs, and are reported net of accumulated amortization of $9,802,000 and $6,850,000 at December 31, 2014 and 2013. See Note 6 for information on 2013 charges associated with previously deferred financing costs.

 

Original Debt Issuance Discount or Premium is amortized into interest expense over the associated debt terms using the effective interest method.

 

Land Held For Development represents property adjacent to a regional outlet mall in the Charlotte metropolitan area which management plans to develop and market or possibly sell in suitable market conditions.

 

 

Property and Equipment (Note 4) are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements pertain primarily to industrial park, office and warehouse facilities, and are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of associated lease terms or estimated useful lives. Constructed assets, including construction in progress, include all direct costs and capitalized interest until placed into service. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred, unless useful asset lives are extended or assets improved.

 

When events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may have occurred, the Company evaluates long-lived assets, including tangible assets and intangible assets subject to amortization, for possible impairment based on expected future undiscounted operating cash flows attributable to such assets using applicable authoritative guidance. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of other assets and liabilities when assessing impairment. When management decides to remove grandstand seating and suites as part of managing facility capacity or other speedway facility assets, depreciation is accelerated and recorded prospectively over shortened estimated remaining useful lives of the assets, beginning when both management commits to and begins removal. Gains or losses on property and equipment disposals are recognized when disposed. Recording accelerated depreciation, gain or loss on disposal or impairment losses related to property and equipment is based on assessment of the associated facts and circumstances. Also, assets are classified as held for sale when management determines that sale is probable within one year. Management believes no unrecognized impairment of long-lived assets used in continuing operations exists at December 31, 2014.

 

In connection with the development and completed construction of TMS in 1997, the Company entered into arrangements with the Fort Worth Sports Authority (FWSA), a non-profit corporate instrumentality of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, whereby the Company conveyed the speedway facility, excluding its on-site condominiums and office and entertainment complex, to the FWSA. The Company, which has the right to reacquire the facility, operates the speedway facility under a 30-year arrangement with the FWSA. Because of the Company’s responsibilities, including associated risks, rewards and obligations, under these arrangements, the speedway facility and related liabilities are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Note 5) represent the excess of business acquisition costs over the fair value of net assets acquired, and are all associated with the Company’s motorsports related activities and reporting units. Intangible assets consist predominately of goodwill and nonamortizable intangible assets for race event sanctioning and renewal agreements and, to a lesser extent, goodwill associated with event related motorsports merchandising. Acquired intangible assets are valued using the direct value method. The Company’s race event sanctioning and renewal agreements for each NASCAR-sanctioned racing event are awarded annually. The Company has evaluated each of its intangible assets for these agreements and determined that each will extend into the foreseeable future. The Company has never been unable to renew these race date agreements for any subsequent year and no such agreement has ever been cancelled. Based on these and other factors, such race date agreements are expected to be awarded to the Company in perpetuity. As such, these nonamortizable intangible assets for race event sanctioning and renewal agreements are considered to have indefinite useful lives because their renewal and cash flow generation are expected to continue indefinitely. No direct costs for agreement renewal or extension have been incurred or capitalized. However, we are obligated to conduct events in the manner stipulated under the terms and conditions of the annual sanctioning agreements. The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets which specifies, among other things, nonamortization of goodwill and requires testing of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives for possible impairment at least annually.

 

Annual Impairment Assessment. The Company evaluates goodwill and other intangible assets for possible impairment annually in the second quarter, or when events or circumstances indicate possible impairment may have occurred. Management considers each speedway and motorsports and non-motorsports merchandising subsidiary a separate reporting unit principally because that is the lowest level for which discrete financial information is available to the Company’s managers and chief operating decision maker. No reporting units are aggregated for purposes of evaluating intangible assets for possible impairment. The Company evaluates intangible assets for possible impairment based predominately on management’s best estimate of future discounted operating cash flows and profitability attributable to such assets (using the fair value assessment provisions of applicable authoritative guidance) for all individual reporting units.

 

 

The evaluation is supported by quoted market prices or comparable transactions where available or applicable. Management considered that the estimated market value for comparable NASCAR race event sanction and renewal agreements based on historical sales transactions (the Company had agreements to annually conduct thirteen NASCAR Sprint Cup, eleven NASCAR Xfinity, and seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races as of the evaluation date), combined with the estimated fair value for all other Company net assets, exceeds its current market capitalization. NASCAR has announced it would consider potential track realignment of Sprint Cup Series racing events to desirable, potentially more profitable market venues of speedway operators. Our annual impairment assessment did not consider the possibility that management may realign one or more other NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing events among its speedway facilities, which could result in net higher or improved future projected cash flows. Management also considered recent market trading ranges of price to earnings and sales multiples, cash flow and other traditional valuation methods, control premiums, and other market information related to the Company’s common stock from historical and forward-looking perspectives. Such information was also compared to available market information for certain motorsports industry peers. Weighting of evaluation results was not required as none of the methods, individually or collectively, indicated possible impairment. Despite ongoing domestic and global economic challenges, management believes there has been no fundamental change in the Company’s core motorsports business. The inputs for measuring fair value are considered “Level 3” or unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data under applicable fair value authoritative guidance, as quoted market prices are not available.

 

Management’s latest annual impairment assessment was performed in the second quarter 2014. That assessment indicated the estimated fair value of each reporting unit and each indefinite-lived intangible asset substantially exceeded its associated carrying value except for race date event sanctioning and renewal agreements associated with NHMS acquired in 2008. The excess of estimated fair value over associated aggregate carrying values of $296,130,000 for those material nonamortizable agreements was found to be relatively nominal, resulting in heightened sensitivity to management’s assumptions used in estimating future discounted cash flows and profitability and associated risk of failing impairment testing. Among other factors, the latest assessment assumes economic and industry condition improvements, and projected cash flow and profitability recovery, using modest annual inflationary growth rates for projected revenue streams and operating costs (other than NASCAR broadcasting revenues and event management fees), and strategic amounts of planned capital expenditures. Management assumed that annual increases in contracted NASCAR broadcasting rights revenues beginning in 2015 through 2024 would approximate those reflected in the recently negotiated multi-year contracts and announced by NASCAR. Management also assumed annual increases in associated NASCAR event management (purse and sanction) fees would approximate historical and 2015 contracted rates. NASCAR event management fees for years after 2015 have not been negotiated, and future annual fees could differ substantially from those assumed in management’s impairment assessment.

 

As such, no goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment charges were found necessary at this time. Should this reporting unit or associated indefinite-lived intangible assets not achieve projected cash flows or profitability, or should actual capital expenditures exceed current plans, estimated fair values could be reduced to below carrying values resulting in material non-cash impairment charges. There have since been no other events or circumstances that indicate possible unrecognized impairment as of December 31, 2014. Management believes the methods used to determine fair value and evaluate impairment were appropriate, relevant, and represent methods customarily available and used for such purposes and are the best available estimate of fair value. Management also believes the Company’s operational and cash flow forecasts support its conclusions that no impairment exists as of December 31, 2014. Different economic or industry conditions or assumptions, and changes in projected cash flows or profitability, if significantly negative or unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the impairment evaluation and the Company’s future financial condition or results of operations. The evaluations are subjective and based on conditions, trends and assumptions existing at the time of evaluation.

 

2013 Impairment of Goodwill. The Company had previously reported its 2012 annual evaluation found that estimated fair values for NHMS and KyS reporting units exceeded their carrying values, with associated risk of failing step one of impairment testing. Management's 2013 annual impairment assessment indicated the estimated fair value of each reporting unit and each indefinite-lived intangible asset substantially exceeded its associated carrying value except for two reporting units. The 2013 annual evaluation found the carrying values for NHMS and KyS exceeded estimated fair value reflecting lowered estimated future cash flows because the economic recovery was slower and weaker than previous forecasts, and lower than anticipated revenues for certain 2013 major racing events at NHMS and KyS, further reducing visibility on profitability recovery. As such, a non-cash impairment charge of $89,037,000, before income tax benefits of $2,341,000, was reflected in 2013 to reduce goodwill related to NHMS and KyS to estimated fair value of $0.

 

 

Of that charge, goodwill for NHMS of $82,725,000 originated upon recording deferred tax liabilities associated with race date intangibles of $127.4 million established under purchase method accounting rules over and above NHMS’s net cash purchase price of $330.1 million paid in 2008. Those accounting rules required establishing such deferred tax liabilities assuming the Company would ultimately sell NHMS assets, and not stock, for tax reporting purposes. Those accounting rules prohibit elimination or adjustment notwithstanding such ultimate payment of taxes was, and still is, believed unlikely and that no sale is being contemplated. The impairment did not pertain to or affect the underlying value of the Company’s race date intangibles. The 2013 charge and associated operations are included in the Company’s "motorsports event related" reporting segment (see Note 13).

 

Deferred Income, Net (noncurrent) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consists of (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013
Preferred Seat License fees, net		$	3,518			$	3,635
Multi-year marketing and other arrangements, and deferred membership income			1,304				3,297
Total		$	4,822			$	6,932

 

Preferred Seat License Fees, Net. KyS and TMS offer Preferred Seat License (PSL) agreements whereby licensees are entitled to purchase annual season-ticket packages for sanctioned racing events under specified terms and conditions. Among other items, licensees are required to purchase all season ticket packages when and as offered each year. License agreements automatically terminate without refund should licensees not purchase any offered ticket and are transferable once each year subject to certain terms and conditions. Also, licensees are not entitled to refunds for postponement or cancellation of events due to weather or certain other conditions. Net PSL fees are deferred when received and amortized into income over the estimated useful life of those facilities or recognized upon license agreement termination.

 

Deferred Speedway Club Membership Income. The CMS and TMS Speedway Clubs sell memberships that entitle members to certain dining, other club and racing event seating privileges, and require upfront fees and monthly assessments. Net membership revenues are deferred when billed and amortized into income over an estimated average membership term of ten years.

 

Deferred Income, Other Arrangements. In late 2013, BMS announced plans to host a collegiate football game in September 2016. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, advance revenues and associated direct expenses were not significant. Under the similar accounting policy for event revenues and expenses described above, the Company plans to continue to defer advance revenues and direct expenses pertaining to this event until held.

 

TMS Oil and Gas Mineral Rights Lease Receipts – TMS, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Sports Authority, has an oil and gas mineral rights lease agreement and a joint exploration agreement with the FWSA, which among other things, provides the lessee various defined property access and right-of-ways, exclusive exploration and extraction rights, and non-interference by TMS as extraction infrastructure construction and operations commence. TMS is required to coordinate directly with the lessee on roadway and pipeline logistics to prevent interference of TMS or lessee activities, and monitor regulatory and other contract compliance. An upfront cash payment received in December 2011 was accreted into other operating revenue over an associated two-year agreement term on a straight-line basis, with $3,117,000 and $3,210,000 recognized in 2013 and 2012 ($0 in 2014).

 

 

Although the initial agreement term expired in December 2013, the lessee had initiated drilling activities prior to expiration, resulting in the long-term lease remaining enforceable as long as drilling or extraction related activities continue or certain prices levels are met. This lease agreement was extended and oil and gas extraction commenced in 2014, which entitles TMS to stipulated stand-alone and shared royalties. In 2014, TMS received and recognized royalty payments of $3,208,000 under the extended lease agreement. The lessee expanded production capacity in 2014, including an increased number of extraction wells. At this time, while extraction activities continue, management is unable to determine possible ongoing volumes of production if any or for how long, or if stipulated natural gas price levels will be maintained or adequate. The lease agreement stipulates the sharing of production revenues, and requires TMS to spend a portion of shared royalties on TMS facility and road infrastructure improvements, up to specified amounts. Any future production revenues or royalties are subject to production levels and market prices that can fluctuate significantly and rapidly, as well as other factors outside of TMS’s control. As such, management is unable to determine the amounts if any, or timing, of possible future royalty payments to TMS. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there was no deferred income associated with the expired or extended agreements.

 

Advertising Expenses – Event specific advertising costs are expensed when an associated event is held and included principally in direct expense of events. Non-event related advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included principally in other direct operating expense. Advertising expense amounted to $16,398,000 in 2014, $17,461,000 in 2013 and $18,644,000 in 2012. There were no deferred direct-response advertising costs at December 31, 2014 or 2013.

 

Operating Leases – The Company has various operating leases principally for office and warehouse space and for equipment used in conducting racing events and other operations. These operating leases typically have initial terms of less than one year or are cancelable with minimal notice, although certain operating equipment leases include multi-year terms. Rent expense for operating leases amounted to $6,023,000 in 2014, $5,923,000 in 2013 and $6,124,000 in 2012. Various office and warehouse facilities leased from an affiliate (see Note 9) are cancelable with minimal notice; however, such lease arrangements will likely be renewed annually through specific contract periods. The Company leases various office, warehouse and industrial park space under operating leases to various entities largely involved in motorsports. These operating leases typically have initial terms of one year or more and are noncancelable. Lease revenue for operating leases, excluding the TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease receipts discussed above, amounted to $4,927,000 in 2014, $4,835,000 in 2013 and $4,482,000 in 2012.

 

Future annual minimum lease payments (where initial terms are one year or more and assuming renewal through contracted periods), and contracted future annual minimum lease revenues, under operating leases at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

		Lease Payments				Lease Revenues
2015		$	1,001			$	4,830
2016			576				4,236
2017			503				3,356
2018			332				2,328
2019			189				1,308
Thereafter			706				545
Total		$	3,307			$	16,603

 

Other (Income) Expense, Net consists of (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013				2012
Net gain associated with insurance recovery and involuntary conversion of property (2014), and property sales and other assets (2014 and 2012)		$	(2,235	)			–			$	(3,152	)
Net loss on disposals of property and equipment			30			$	62				7
Other			(100	)			231				(763	)
Total		$	(2,305	)		$	293			$	(3,908	)

 

 

Income Taxes (Note 8) – The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future income tax effect of temporary differences between financial and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. Income taxes are provided using the liability method whereby estimated deferred income taxes, and significant items giving rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities, reflect management’s assessment of future taxes likely to be paid, including timing, probability of realization and other relevant factors. The Company’s accounting for income taxes reflects management’s assessment of future tax liabilities based on assumptions and estimates for timing, likelihood of realization, and tax laws existing at the time of evaluation. The Company assesses the need for valuation allowances for deferred tax assets based on the sufficiency of estimated future taxable income and other relevant factors. The Company reports interest expense and penalties related to income tax liabilities, when applicable, in income tax expense. Cash paid for income taxes as reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows excludes any previous overpayments the Company may have elected to apply to income tax liabilities. The Company has no undistributed foreign earnings or cash or cash equivalents held outside of the US.

 

The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes which, among other things, prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, and disclosures. Evaluation of a tax position includes determining whether it is more likely than not a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it is presumed the position will be examined by appropriate taxing authorities having full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

 

Taxes Collected from Customers – The Company reports sales, admission and other taxes collected from customers on both a gross and net basis in operations. Such taxes reported on a gross basis amounted to $5,340,000 in 2014, $5,455,000 in 2013 and $5,721,000 in 2012.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance which requires that financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured and reported on a fair value basis be classified, disclosed and categorized as further described below. Fair value estimates are based on relevant market information and single broker quoted market prices where available at a specific point in time, and changes in assumptions or market conditions could significantly affect estimates. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, certain other assets and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. Cash surrender values are carried at fair value based on binding broker quoted market prices. Notes and other receivables and bank revolving credit facility and term loan borrowings are variable interest rate financial instruments and, therefore, carrying values approximate fair value. The fixed rate senior notes payable are publicly traded and estimated fair values are based on single broker quoted market prices. Other long-term debt is non-interest bearing and discounted based on estimated current cost of borrowings and, therefore, carrying values approximate market value. There have been no changes or transfers between category levels or classes.

 

 

The following table presents estimated fair values and categorization levels of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

							December 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Level			Class		Carrying Value				Fair Value				Carrying Value				Fair Value
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents			1		R		$	110,046			$	110,046			$	97,343			$	97,343
Floating rate notes receivable			2		NR			–				–				2,005				2,005
Cash surrender values			2		NR			8,177				8,177				4,937				4,937
Liabilities
Floating rate revolving Credit Facility, including Term Loan			2		NR			150,000				150,000				210,000				210,000
6.75% Senior Notes Payable scheduled due 2019			2		NR			253,372				257,500				254,197				265,000
Other long-term debt			2		NR			1,445				1,445				2,792				2,792

 

Level 1:	Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:	Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3:	Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
Class R:	Measured at fair value on recurring basis, subsequent to initial recognition.
Class NR:	Measured at fair value on nonrecurring basis, subsequent to initial recognition.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk – Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, and cash surrender values. Concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents and cash surrender values is limited through placement with major high-credit qualified financial institutions and insurance carriers, respectively. However, amounts placed often significantly exceed available insured limits. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large numbers and wide variety of customers and customer industries and their broad geographical dispersion. Also, a significant portion of the Company’s accounts receivable typically pertain to advance revenues for specific events which are deferred until the event is held. As such, exposure to credit risk on such receivables that could adversely affect operating results is limited until recognition of the associated deferred race event income. The Company generally requires sufficient collateral equal to or exceeding note amounts, or accepts notes from high-credit quality entities or high net-worth individuals, limiting its exposure to credit risk. Amounts due from affiliates typically can be offset to the extent of amounts payable to affiliates, limiting the Company’s exposure to credit risk.

 

Loss and Other Contingencies and Financial Guarantees – The Company accrues a liability for contingencies if the likelihood of an adverse outcome is probable and the amount is estimable. Legal and other costs associated with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. The Company accounts for financial guarantees using applicable authoritative guidance which requires, among other things, that guarantors recognize a liability for the fair value of obligations undertaken by issuing a guarantee.

 

CMS’s property includes areas used as solid waste landfills for many years. Landfilling of general categories of municipal solid waste on the CMS property ceased in 1992, but CMS currently allows certain property to be used for land clearing and inert debris landfilling. Landfilling for construction and demolition debris has ceased on the CMS property. Management believes the Company’s operations, including the landfills on its property, comply with all applicable federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Management is not aware of any situation related to landfill operations which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, future results of operations or cash flows.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards – The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Section A—Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40)” which enhances comparability and clarifies principles of revenue recognition. The guidance includes the core principle that entities recognize revenue to depict transfers of promised goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration entities expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that adoption may have on its financial statements.

 

 

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-12 "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period” which requires performance targets that affect vesting and could be achieved after requisite service periods be treated as performance conditions and reflected in estimating grant-date fair values of awards. Compensation cost should be recognized in the periods when achieving performance targets becomes probable, and should represent the compensation cost attributable to periods for which requisite services have already been rendered. If achieving performance targets becomes probable before the end of the requisite service periods, any remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. Among other things, the guidance applies to entities that grant employees share-based payments in which award terms provide that performance targets that affect vesting could be achieved after the requisite service periods. The guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. Entities may apply the guidance either (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that adoption may have on its financial statements.

 

3. INVENTORIES

 

Inventory costs consist of: (i) souvenirs and 5/8-scale and similar small-scale finished race cars determined on a first-in, first-out basis; and (ii) souvenirs and apparel, micro-lubricant^®, and parts and accessories product costs determined on an average current cost basis. No general and administrative costs are included in inventory costs. Cost of sales are charged using the same inventory cost bases. Inventories as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consist of (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013
Finished race cars, parts and accessories		$	5,186			$	5,372
Souvenirs and apparel			2,472				2,409
Micro-lubricant® and other			692				824
Total		$	8,350			$	8,605

 

All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value with provisions for differences between cost and estimated market value based on assumptions about current and future demand, market conditions and trends that might adversely impact realization. Inventories are reflected net of provisions summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013				2012
Balance, beginning of year		$	4,083			$	4,757			$	5,765
Current year provision			711				53				216
Current year sales and write-offs			(387	)			(727	)			(1,224	)
Balance, end of year		$	4,407			$	4,083			$	4,757

 

4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

		Estimated Useful Lives					2014				2013
Land and land improvements		5	-	25			$	460,847			$	457,179
Racetracks and grandstands		5	-	45				721,108				749,510
Buildings and luxury suites		5	-	40				451,243				450,495
Machinery and equipment		3	-	20				44,696				44,175
Furniture and fixtures		5	-	20				36,411				35,072
Autos and trucks		3	-	10				12,258				11,899
Construction in progress								3,784				4,768
Total								1,730,347				1,753,098
Less accumulated depreciation								(678,194	)			(647,921	)
Net							$	1,052,153			$	1,105,177

 

 

Other Information – Depreciation expense amounted to $78,375,000 in 2014, $54,671,000 in 2013 and $55,444,000 in 2012. The higher 2014 depreciation expense is due primarily to recording accelerated depreciation on removal of certain seating and suites at AMS, CMS and NHMS related to managing facility capacity and certain damaged BMS assets of $651,000. In the second quarter 2014, NHMS removed approximately 7,000 low demand seats and is using the area for premium hospitality and advertising. In the fourth quarter December 2014, the Company committed to and began removing approximately 17,000 and 41,000 of low demand seats and luxury suites at AMS and CMS. The Company anticipates using those areas for premium hospitality, advertising and other facility purposes and removal at AMS and CMS is expected to be completed in the first half 2015. In 2014, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax charges for accelerated depreciation aggregating $24,467,000 related to removal of those AMS, CMS and NHMS assets. The accelerated depreciation is included in the Company’s "motorsports event related" reporting segment (see Note 13).

 

The Company’s 2014 consolidated financial statements reflect a gain from involuntary conversion of certain TMS property, increasing property and equipment and other income, net by approximately $985,000. Although this gain should have been recorded in an earlier period, the Company believes the impact was not material to prior or current periods. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had contractual obligations for capital expenditures of approximately $3,400,000 for facility improvements at our various speedways.

 

5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The composition and accounting for intangible assets are further described in Note 2. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, gross carrying values and accumulated amortization by class of intangible asset are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

		2014												2013
		Gross Carrying Value				Accumulated Amortization				Net				Gross Carrying Value				Accumulated Amortization				Net				Estimated Amortization Period (Years)
Nonamortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements		$	394,913				–			$	394,913			$	394,913				–			$	394,913				–
Amortizable race event sanctioning and renewal agreements			100			$	(72	)			28				100			$	(58	)			42				5 - 6
Total		$	395,013			$	(72	)		$	394,941			$	395,013			$	(58	)		$	394,955

 

 

Changes in the gross carrying value of other intangible assets and goodwill are as follows (in thousands):

 

		Other Intangible Assets								Goodwill
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Balance, beginning of year		$	395,013			$	395,013			$	49,680			$	138,717
Increase from acquisitions			–				–				–				–
Decrease from impairment charges			–				–				–				(89,037	)
Balance, end of year		$	395,013			$	395,013			$	49,680			$	49,680

 

 

The 2013 decrease in goodwill reflects an impairment charge to reduce goodwill related to NHMS and KyS to estimated fair value as further described in Note 2. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying amounts for goodwill and other intangible assets include accumulated impairments of $146.2 million. Amortization expense on other intangible assets amounted to $14,000 in 2014, $18,000 in 2013 and $18,000 in 2012. Estimated annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is not significant.

 

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

As further described below, the Company amended its Credit Facility in December 2014. As further described in Note 14, the Company issued new Senior Notes in January 2015, and plans to redeem all outstanding 2019 Senior Notes in March 2015. All amounts and descriptions of debt arrangements below are based on terms and conditions in effect as of December 31, 2014.

 

Long-term debt at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consists of (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013
Credit facility, all term loan		$	150,000			$	210,000
2019 Senior Notes			253,372				254,197
Other notes payable			1,445				2,792
Total			404,817				466,989
Less current maturities			(7,070	)			(13,847	)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities		$	397,747			$	453,142

 

Annual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

2015		$	7,070
2016			7,500
2017			7,500
2018			7,500
2019			375,247
Total		$	404,817

 

2014 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility - In December 2014, the Company's Credit Facility was amended and restated (the 2014 Credit Facility or Credit Facility) which now, among other things: (i) provides for a five-year $100,000,000 senior secured revolving credit facility, with separate sub-limits of $50,000,000 for standby letters of credit and $10,000,000 for swing line loans; (ii) provides for a five-year $150,000,000 senior secured term loan (which was fully drawn by the Company on December 29, 2014) and a five-year delayed draw term loan of up to $50,000,000 borrowable in a single advance no later than March 29, 2015 (the Term Loan or Term Loans); (iii) matures in December 2019; (iv) contains an accordion feature allowing the Company to increase revolving commitments or establish a term loan up to an aggregate additional $100,000,000 or $200,000,000, respectively (or a combined aggregate additional amount of up to $250,000,000) with certain lender commitment conditions; (v) allows for annual aggregate payments of dividends and repurchases of SMI securities of up to $50,000,000, increasing up to $75,000,000 subject to maintaining certain financial covenants; and (vi) limits annual capital expenditures to $75,000,000 and provides for motor speedway acquisitions and related businesses.

 

Borrowings must be used for: (i) refinancing existing debt; (ii) working capital and other general corporate needs, including capital expenditures; (iii) certain permitted investments; and (iv) acquisition of additional motor speedways and related businesses subject to specified limits and conditions. Delayed draw term loan borrowings or proceeds of the first $200,000,000 increase in revolving commitments, additional term loans or combination thereof under the Credit Facility's accordion feature must be used to repay or redeem the Company's 2019 Senior Notes. Term Loans require equal minimum quarterly principal payments of at least 5% of initial amounts drawn on an annualized basis (or $7,500,000 each twelve-month period based on an initial draw of $150,000,000, with first payment due June 2015).

 

 

In 2014, the Company repaid $210,000,000 and borrowed $150,000,000 under the Term Loan (including $150,000,000 repayment and borrowing in amending the Credit Facility), for a net repayment of $60,000,000. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility were $150,000,000 and $210,000,000 (all Term Loan borrowings). At December 31, 2014 and 2013, outstanding letters of credit amounted to $1,152,000 and $887,000. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had availability for borrowing up to an additional $98,848,000, including up to an additional $48,848,000 in letters of credit, under the revolving Credit Facility, and $50,000,000 under the delayed draw term loan provision described above. As further discussed below, the Company repaid $95,000,000 of Term Loan borrowings with proceeds from the add-on offering of 2019 Senior Notes in the first quarter 2013, and borrowed $250,000,000 under the then existing Term Loan to fund the redemption of the 2016 Senior Notes in the second quarter 2013. In 2013, the Company also repaid an additional $40,000,000 of Term Loan borrowings. In 2012, the Company repaid $50,000,000 of Credit Facility borrowings, including Term Loan borrowings of $40,000,000.

 

Interest is based, at the Company’s option, upon the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.25% to 2.00% or a base rate defined as the higher of Bank of America’s prime rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or the Eurodollar Rate plus 1%, plus 0.25% to 1.00%. The 2014 Credit Facility also contains a commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.40% of unused amounts available for borrowing. The interest rate margins on borrowings and the commitment fee are adjustable periodically based upon certain consolidated total leverage ratios. The 2014 Credit Facility contains a number of affirmative and negative financial covenants, including requirements that the Company maintain certain consolidated total leverage ratios and consolidated interest coverage ratios. Also, negative covenant restrictions, indebtedness guarantees and security pledges are generally the same as prior to amendment and are more fully described in “Other General Terms and Conditions” below.

 

2013 Amendment of Bank Credit Facility – The Company amended its Credit Facility in February 2013 in connection with issuing additional 2019 Senior Notes and redeeming the 2016 Senior Notes as further discussed below. Prior to 2014 amendment, interest was based, at the Company’s option, upon LIBOR plus 1.25% to 2.00% or Bank of America’s base rate plus 0.25% to 1.00% and the commitment fee ranged from 0.25% to 0.40% of unused amounts available for borrowing. The 2013 Credit Facility required that the Company maintain certain ratios of funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and EBIT to interest expense.

 

2019 Senior Notes, including 2013 Add-on Offering – The Company plans to fully redeem its 6.75% Senior Notes due 2019 (the 2019 Senior Notes) in March 2015, which presently includes a redemption premium of 103.375% of par (see Note 14). The 2019 Senior Notes consist of aggregate principal of $150,000,000 issued at par in 2011 and $100,000,000 issued at 105% of par in an add-on offering in January 2013, with interest payments due semi-annually on February 1 and August 1, scheduled to mature in February 2019, and governed by the same indenture. All notes were initially issued in private placement offerings and subsequently exchanged for substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act in 2011 and second quarter 2013. Net offering proceeds from the original issuance, along with new Term Loan borrowings of $150,000,000 under the Credit Facility and cash on hand, were used to redeem and retire all tendered then outstanding senior subordinated notes. Net proceeds from the 2013 add-on offering were used to repay $95,000,000 of Credit Facility borrowings, representing all facility borrowings then outstanding, with the remainder used for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the 2019 Senior Notes carrying value of $253,372,000 and $254,197,000 includes unamortized issuance premium of $3,372,000 and $4,197,000. The Indenture governing the 2019 Senior Notes permits dividend payments each year of up to approximately $0.48 per share of common stock, increasable subject to meeting certain financial covenants.

 

2013 Early Redemption of 2016 Senior Notes – Effective June 1, 2013, the Company redeemed all outstanding 8.75% Senior Notes due 2016 (the 2016 Senior Notes) in aggregate principal amount of $275,000,000 at 104.375% of par plus accrued interest. The 2016 Senior Notes were scheduled to mature in June 2016, were issued at 96.8% of par, with interest payments due June 1 and December 1, and had unamortized issuance discount of $4,242,000 at December 31, 2013. The Company used Term Loan borrowings of $250,000,000 and cash on hand of $37,081,000 to fund the redemption, including redemption premium and transaction costs. The 2013 loss on early debt redemption and refinancing represents a charge to earnings of $18,467,000, before income taxes of approximately $6.8 million, for associated redemption premium, unamortized net deferred loan costs and issuance discount, and transaction costs.

 

 

Other Notes Payable – At December 31, 2014 and 2013, long-term debt includes a non-interest bearing debt obligation, payable in 60 monthly installments of $125,000, associated with the Company's acquisition of KyS. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the obligation’s carrying value of $1,445,000 and $2,792,000 reflects discounts of $55,000 and $208,000, respectively, based on an effective interest rate of 7%.

 

Other General Terms and Conditions – The 2014 Credit Facility and 2019 Senior Notes contain specific requirements and restrictive financial covenants and limitations on capital expenditures, speedway or other acquisitions, dividends, repurchase or issuance of SMI securities, restricted payments, equity and debt security repurchases, limitations or prohibitions on incurring other indebtedness, liens or pledging assets to third parties, consolidation, mergers, transactions with affiliates, guarantees, asset sales, specific types of investments, distributions, redemptions and disposition of property, and entering into new lines of business. The 2014 Credit Facility and 2019 Senior Notes Indenture also contain cross-default provisions. The Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants under these debt agreements as of December 31, 2014.

 

Subsidiary Guarantees – Amounts outstanding under the 2014 Credit Facility and 2019 Senior Notes are guaranteed by all of SMI’s material operative subsidiaries except for Oil-Chem and its subsidiaries (which are presently non-material). These guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several, with the 2019 Senior Notes on a senior unsecured basis. The parent company has no independent assets or operations. There are no restrictions on the subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or advance funds to the parent company.

 

Interest Expense, Net – Interest expense, interest income and capitalized interest costs are summarized as follows (in thousands): 

 

		2014				2013				2012
Gross interest costs		$	22,092			$	32,408			$	42,155
Less capitalized interest costs			(321	)			(168	)			(574	)
Interest expense			21,771				32,240				41,581
Interest income			(534	)			(369	)			(364	)
Interest expense, net		$	21,237			$	31,871			$	41,217
Weighted average interest rate on borrowings under bank Credit Facility			2.1	%			2.2	%			2.7	%

 

7. CAPITAL STRUCTURE, PER SHARE DATA AND OTHER EQUITY INFORMATION

 

Preferred Stock – At December 31, 2014, SMI has authorized 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $.10 per share. Shares of preferred stock may be issued in one or more series with rights and restrictions as may be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. No preferred shares were issued or outstanding at December 31, 2014 or 2013.

 

Per Share Data – The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted earnings or loss per share from continuing operations (where computations are anti-dilutive, reported basic and diluted per share amounts are the same) (in thousands except per share amounts):

 

		2014				2013				2012
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions		$	25,404			$	(6,212	)		$	41,793
Weighted average common shares outstanding			41,377				41,405				41,431
Dilution effect of assumed conversions, common stock equivalents – stock awards			23				18				6
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions			41,400				41,423				41,437
Basic earnings (loss) per share		$	0.61			$	(0.15	)		$	1.01
Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	0.61			$	(0.15	)		$	1.01
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in computing diluted earnings or loss per share			531				794				1,057

 

 

Declaration of Cash Dividends – The Company’s Board of Directors approved aggregate dividends on common stock as follows (in thousands except per share amounts):

 

		2014				2013				2012
Cash dividends paid		$	24,860			$	24,875			$	24,883
Dividends per common share		$	0.60			$	0.60			$	0.60

 

Quarterly dividends were declared in each period and all declaration, record and payment dates were in the same fiscal periods. See Note 6 for annual limitations on dividend payments under the Company’s debt agreements. On February 11, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock aggregating approximately $6.2 million payable on March 13, 2015 to shareholders of record as of March 2, 2015. These quarterly cash dividends are being paid using available cash and cash equivalents on hand.

 

Stock Repurchase Program – The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program authorizing SMI to repurchase up to an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares (increased from 4,000,000 shares with Board of Director approval on February 12, 2014) of the Company’s outstanding common stock from time to time, depending on market conditions, share price, applicable limitations under the Company’s debt agreements (see Note 6), and other factors the Board of Directors or its designees, in their sole discretion, may consider relevant. The purchases can be in the open market or private transactions. The stock repurchase program is presently funded using available cash and cash equivalents and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

 

The Company repurchased 172,000, 126,000 and 124,000 shares of common stock for $3,236,000 in 2014, $2,291,000 in 2013 and $2,039,000 in 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the Company could repurchase up to an additional 946,000 shares under authorization then in effect. In 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 45,000 and 43,000 shares of common stock for $931,000 and $791,000 from management employees to settle income taxes on 119,000 and 109,000 restricted shares that vested during the period, respectively. As of and through December 31, 2014 and 2013, treasury stock includes 162,000 and 117,000 shares of common stock delivered to the Company for such purposes.

 

8. INCOME TAXES

  

Components of the provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013				2012
Current:
Federal		$	232			$	9,756			$	(2,247	)
State			(108	)			227				(47	)
			124				9,983				(2,294	)
Deferred:
Federal			16,455				(42,015	)			24,521
State			(757	)			(10,319	)			(335	)
			15,698				(52,334	)			24,186
Total		$	15,822			$	(42,351	)		$	21,892

  

 

The reconciliation of statutory federal and effective income tax rates is as follows:

 

		2014				2013				2012
Statutory federal tax rate			35.0	%			35.0	%			35.0	%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect			(0.1	)			8.7				(0.2	)
Non-deductible impairment of goodwill			–				(59.6	)			–
Change in valuation allowances, primarily related to losses on equity investees			(5.5	)			101.6				(0.1	)
Change in uncertain tax positions, including income tax liabilities for settlements with taxing authorities			(1.2	)			(0.1	)			0.1
Change in deferred tax assets			9.2				–				–
Other, net			1.0				1.6				(0.4	)
Total			38.4	%			87.2	%			34.4	%

 

Tax effects of temporary differences resulting in deferred income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		$	248,140			$	256,966
Goodwill and other intangible assets			146,829				143,245
Expenses deducted for tax purposes and other			3,699				3,581
Subtotal			398,668				403,792
Deferred tax assets:
Income previously recognized for tax purposes			(11,874	)			(14,618	)
Stock option and other deferred compensation expense			(5,066	)			(4,389	)
PSL and other deferred income recognized for tax purposes			(1,502	)			(1,683	)
State and federal net operating loss carryforwards			(33,832	)			(3,945	)
Basis difference for equity investment and subsidiary			(10,931	)			(61,450	)
Subtotal			(63,205	)			(86,085	)
Less: Valuation allowance			12,654				14,868
Net deferred tax assets			(50,551	)			(71,217	)
Total net deferred tax liabilities			348,117				332,575
Net current deferred tax assets			23,786				49,181
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities		$	371,903			$	381,756

 

Anticipated Income Tax Benefit From Equity Interest Abandonment (Note 2) – On January 31, 2014, the Company abandoned its interest and rights in Motorsports Authentics (its 50% owned merchandising equity investment joint venture) to focus management resources in areas that may be profitable and more productive. As further described in Note 2, the Company’s carrying value of the investment was reduced to $0 through sizable impairment charges prior to 2010 and MA’s historical operating results. The Company recognized no concurrent tax benefits as valuation allowances were provided against associated deferred tax assets. As a result of abandonment, the Company intends to recognize tax losses that will be reported on its 2014 income tax returns. Management believes there is or will be sufficient taxable income in carryback or carryforward periods under tax law to fully utilize these tax losses. As such, the Company recognized a material income tax benefit of $49.3 million at December 31, 2013 for the reversal of previously recorded valuation allowances under applicable accounting guidance.

 

The Company believes it is more likely than not that its filing position would be sustained based on its technical merits upon examination with taxing authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. The Company reached this conclusion based on the use of outside legal counsel and other tax consultants and the potential to utilize tax losses. Under applicable accounting guidance, tax positions are measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely (or more-likely-than not) of being ultimately realized. As such, the full anticipated tax benefit was recognized because the Company believes that partial sustaining of its tax position by taxing authorities would be an unlikely outcome given the nature of the position. The Company believes it will fully utilize the associated tax losses. Should the Company’s tax position not be fully sustained if examined, a valuation allowance would be required to reduce or eliminate the associated deferred tax assets and material acceleration of income taxes then currently payable could occur. Any differences between the final tax outcome and amounts recorded would affect the Company’s income tax provision in the period in which such determination was made.

  

 

Effective Tax Rate Comparison for 2012 through 2014 – The Company’s effective income tax rate for 2014 was 38.4%, for 2013 was 87.2% and for 2012 was 34.4%. The 2014 tax rate reflects income tax expense of $2,305,000 associated with a recovery settlement further described in Note 1 - Discontinued Oil and Gas Activities, which was offset by the positive impact of net decreases in uncertain tax position liabilities of prior years and lower effective state income tax rates. The higher 2013 tax rate results primarily from the tax benefit related to the equity interest abandonment discussed above, which was partially offset by a goodwill impairment charge for which a significant portion had no tax benefit as further discussed in Note 2. The 2013 rate also reflects tax benefits of $5,547,000 resulting from certain state income tax law changes and strategic state tax restructuring. Excluding those items, the 2013 effective income tax rate would have been 36.8%. The Company’s 2014 consolidated financial statements reflect a reduction of accrued interest and penalties for estimated income tax liabilities, which decreased income tax expense and deferred income taxes, of approximately $397,000. Although various previous reporting periods were over accrued, the Company believes the impact was not material to prior or current periods. In 2014, current income taxes payable were reduced by approximately $20.0 million through utilization of current deferred income tax assets described above.

 

At December 31, 2014, the Company has approximately $71,900,000 of federal net operating loss carryforwards expiring in 2026 through 2034, and $247,176,000 of state net operating loss carryforwards expiring in 2014 through 2034. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, valuation allowances of $12,654,000 and $14,868,000 have been provided against deferred tax assets because management has determined that ultimate realization is not more likely than not for certain deferred tax assets and state net operating loss carryforwards. The valuation allowances for deferred tax assets decreased by $2,214,000 in 2014, $51,035,000 in 2013 and $396,000 in 2012, and were $65,903,000 at December 31, 2012 and $66,299,000 at December 31, 2011.

 

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – Income tax liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits approximate $885,000 and $1,004,000 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are included in other noncurrent liabilities, all of which would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. Interest and penalties recognized on uncertain tax positions amounted to $8,000 in 2014, $73,000 in 2013 and $74,000 in 2012, and $524,000 was derecognized in 2014. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had $328,000 and $884,000 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions, which is included in other noncurrent liabilities. As of December 31, 2014, management believes $386,000 of unrecognized tax benefits will be recognized within the next twelve months. The tax years that remain open to examination include 2006 through 2014 by the California Franchise Tax Board, and 2011 through 2014 by all other taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. The Kentucky Department of Revenue has completed examining the Company’s 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 state tax returns with no material adjustments.

 

A reconciliation of the change in the total unrecognized tax benefits and other information for the three years ended December 31, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):

 

		2014				2013				2012
Beginning of period		$	1,004			$	1,004			$	1,004
Increases (decreases) for tax positions of current year			–				–				–
Increases for tax positions of prior years			–				–				–
Decreases for tax positions of prior years			(119	)			–				–
Reductions for lapse of applicable statute of limitations			–				–				–
Increases (decreases) for settlements with taxing authorities			–				–				–
End of period		$	885			$	1,004			$	1,004

 

9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Before July 30, 2002, the Company made loans to, and paid certain expenses on behalf of, Sonic Financial Corporation (Sonic Financial), a Company affiliate through common ownership by the Company's Executive Chairman, for various corporate purposes. Also, the Company and Sonic Financial currently share various expenses in the ordinary course of business. Notes and other receivables from affiliates at December 31, 2013 of $3,294,000 were due from Sonic Financial. No amounts were due at December 31, 2014 because of repayment and settlement of $2,594,000 and shared expenses as further described below. Amounts due included interest at 1% over prime, and were classified as a noncurrent asset in the accompanying December 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet as repayment within one year was not required or anticipated. Excluding the 2014 repayment and settlement, amounts due were reduced from shared expenses, net of increases for accrued interest by $700,000 in 2014, $387,000 in 2013 and $373,000 in 2012. Increases pertain to accrued interest on note receivable arrangements in place before July 30, 2002, and decreases pertain to expenses under a shared services agreement, which expired December 31, 2014.

 

 

Amounts payable to affiliate at December 31, 2013 consisted of $2,594,000 for acquisition and other expenses paid on behalf of AMS by Sonic Financial prior to 1996. In December 2014, this amount due to Sonic Financial was used to repay and settle the remaining balance due from Sonic Financial described in the preceding paragraph. Of this amount, approximately $1,800,000 included interest at 3.83% and the remainder at prime plus 1%. The amount previously payable was classified as long-term in the accompanying December 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet as repayment within one year was not required or anticipated.

 

The Company and certain SMI subsidiaries lease office and warehouse facilities from companies affiliated through common ownership by the Company's Executive Chairman, under annually renewable lease agreements. Rent expense amounted to $661,000 in 2014, $659,000 in 2013 and $640,000 in 2012. Amounts owed to these affiliated companies at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were not significant.

 

Various SMI subsidiaries purchased new and used vehicles for operations and employee use from certain subsidiary dealerships of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (SAI), an entity in which the Company's Executive Chairman is a controlling stockholder, for an aggregate of approximately $268,000 in 2014, $89,000 in 2013 and $166,000 in 2012. There were no vehicles sold to SAI in 2014, 2013 or 2012. Also, SMI sold through certain speedways and its SMIP merchandising subsidiary various event related inventory and merchandise to SAI totaling $908,000 in 2014, $692,000 in 2013 and $552,000 in 2012. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, amounts due from SAI approximated $89,000 and $66,000.

 

Oil-Chem sold zMAX micro-lubricant^® product to certain SAI dealerships for resale to service customers of the dealerships in the ordinary course of business. Total purchases from Oil-Chem by SAI dealerships approximated $2,086,000 in 2014, $1,966,000 in 2013 and $2,047,000 in 2012. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately $143,000 and $154,000 was due from SAI and is reflected in current assets.

 

SMI Properties and, to a lesser extent, other SMI subsidiaries purchased and sold motorsports merchandise, and received commissions from MA for merchandise sold during Company events. As further described in Note 2, the Company abandoned its interest in MA on January 31, 2014, after which MA is no longer a related party. Merchandise purchases in the one month ended January 31, 2014 approximated $234,000, and in the full years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 approximated $600,000 and $601,000. Merchandise sales and event related commissions in the one month ended January 31, 2014 approximated $60,000, and in the full years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 approximated $2,002,000 and $1,989,000. At December 31, 2013, net amounts due to or from MA were not significant.

 

The foregoing related party balances as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and transactions for the three years ended December 31, 2014 are summarized below (in thousands):

 

		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
Notes and other receivables		$	232			$	3,522
Amounts payable to affiliates			–				2,594

 

		2014				2013				2012
Merchandise and vehicle purchases		$	502			$	689			$	767
Merchandise and vehicle sales, event related commissions, and reimbursed shared expenses			3,724				5,040				4,968
Rent expense			661				659				640
Interest income			68				95				110
Interest expense			98				102				103

 

 

10. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is involved in various lawsuits in the normal course of business, some of which involve material claims. 

 

On April 22, 2008, SMIL filed a complaint in the Superior Court of North Carolina sitting in Mecklenburg County (the Complaint) against Bronwen Energy Trading, Ltd. (Bronwen), Bronwen Energy Trading UK, Ltd. (Bronwen UK), Dr. Patrick Denyefa Ndiomu (Dr. Ndiomu), BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA (BNP Suisse), BNP Paribas S.A. (BNP France), Swift Aviation Group, Inc. (SAG), Swift Air, LLC (SA), and Swift Aviation Group, LLC (Swift Aviation). On May 29, 2008, SMIL filed an amended complaint (the Amended Complaint) adding Swift Transportation Company, Inc. (Swift Transportation). SAG, SA, Swift Aviation and Swift Transportation are collectively referred to as the “Swift Defendants”. On July 23, 2008, SMIL obtained an entry of default against Bronwen due to its failure to timely file a responsive pleading. On September 12, 2008, SMIL obtained entries of default against Bronwen UK and Dr. Ndiomu due to their failure to timely file a responsive pleading. On December 15, 2010, SMIL reached a negotiated settlement with the Swift Defendants, as a result of which SMIL dismissed its claims against the Swift Defendants on December 29, 2010. SMIL reached a negotiated settlement with BNP France on August 28, 2014, with SMIL dismissing its claims against BNP France on September 12, 2014. On January 27, 2015, the trial court entered summary judgment against Bronwen, Bronwen UK, and Dr. Ndiomu, in SMIL’s favor. SMIL is reviewing its collection options, although the likelihood of recovery of additional amounts in this matter remains uncertain.

 

11. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

  

2013 Stock Incentive Plan –The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2013 Plan) allows the Company, among other things, to provide equity-based incentives to, and continue to attract and retain, key employees, directors and other individuals providing services to the Company. Awards under the 2013 Plan may be in the form of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock, restricted stock units or stock awards. To date, the Company has awarded restricted stock and restricted stock units under the 2013 Plan.

 

The 2013 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors who has full authority to determine recipients, types, purchase prices, and amounts of awards granted and amend the terms, restrictions and conditions of awards. Factors considered, among others, include achievement of financial, business and performance objectives, the occurrence of specific events, time periods of continued service or other time-based restrictions. Under the 2013 Plan, 3,500,000 shares of SMI’s common stock are reserved for issuance, subject to various restrictions and adjustments including the following: (i) if shares subject to award under the 2013 Plan are forfeited, or the award otherwise terminates or is canceled for any reason without the issuance of such shares, those shares will be available for future awards; (ii) no individual may be granted options or SARs aggregating more than 300,000 shares of common stock during any calendar year; (iii) in the case of awards other than options or SARs that are intended to be “performance-based compensation”, no individual may be granted an aggregate of more than 100,000 shares of common stock during any calendar year; and (iv) with respect to any cash-based stock award that is intended to be a performance award, the maximum cash payment that may be paid during any one calendar year to an individual is $10,000,000. Exercise prices for awarded stock options generally may not be less than the fair or trading value of the Company’s common stock at, and exercise periods may not exceed ten years from, the option grant date. At December 31, 2014, approximately 3,355,000 shares were available for future grant.

 

All restricted stock and restricted stock units issued to date vest in equal installments over three years. Once applicable restrictions lapse or have been satisfied, restricted stock units may be payable in cash, shares of common stock or a combination, as specified in the award agreement. Awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units are generally subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transferability until vested. If restricted stock and restricted stock unit award recipients cease to perform services for the Company, all shares of common stock and restricted stock units still subject to restrictions generally will be forfeited unless waived by the Compensation Committee. Recipients of restricted stock generally will have certain rights and privileges of a stockholder, including the right to vote such shares and receive dividends, if any. Recipients of restricted stock units generally will not have the rights and privileges of a stockholder, except they may be entitled to receive dividend equivalents, if so specified in the award agreements and dividends are declared.

 

 

The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved grants of 35,000 shares of restricted stock to the Company’s Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer and 35,000 restricted stock units to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (former Chief Operating Officer) and President in 2014. Both grants are under the 2013 Plan, are to be settled in shares of common stock, vest in equal installments over three years and are subject to reaching certain defined full year earnings targets established at the beginning of each year by the Compensation Committee. In 2014, 27,144 shares of both performance-based restricted stock and restricted stock units vested, and 3,500 of both shares and units were forfeited. Grants in 2013 were awarded under the now terminated 2004 Plan as described below. Forfeitures in any given year result from differences between the Company’s actual results for the previous year as compared to the defined full year earnings target. Once the vesting period expires, common stock is issued in settlement of the restricted stock units and all vested shares are no longer subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transferability. As of December 31, 2014, 63,778 restricted stock shares and 63,778 restricted stock units (both performance-based) were outstanding under the Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

In 2014, the Company also granted to non-executive management employees 75,300 shares of restricted stock that vest in equal installments over three years, and repurchased 18,917 shares of common stock from such employees for $408,000 related to settlement of income taxes on 64,702 shares that vested under the 2004 Plan. In 2014, the Company also repurchased 26,058 shares of common stock for $523,000 from executive management employees to settle income taxes on 54,288 performance-based shares that vested under the 2004 Plan. Repurchases of common stock related to settlement of income taxes upon restricted stock vesting are reflected as financing activities in the statement of cash flows.

 

2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan – The 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan (the 2008 Formula Plan) is intended to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing non-employee directors with Company ownership interests to more closely align their interests with Company stockholders and to enhance the Company’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified non-employee directors. The 2008 Formula Plan is intended to constitute a “formula plan” within the meaning of SEC Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act. Approval of the 2008 Formula Plan, and termination of the Formula Stock Option Plan, did not adversely affect the rights of any outstanding stock options previously granted under the Formula Stock Option Plan. The 2008 Formula Plan is administered by the Board of Directors, excluding non-employee directors, and expires by its terms in February 2018. The Board of Directors, excluding non-employee directors, may amend, suspend or terminate the 2008 Formula Plan in whole or in part, provided that no such amendment, suspension or termination adversely affects previously granted awards without the consent of the award recipient. Any such amendment, suspension or termination may be subject to stockholder approval.

 

Under the 2008 Formula Plan, 250,000 shares of SMI’s common stock are reserved for issuance and awards are in the form of restricted stock. On the first business day following each annual meeting, each standing non-employee director receives a grant of restricted stock consisting of the number of shares equaling $75,000 divided by the average closing sale price for the twenty days immediately preceding the grant date, rounded up to the nearest whole share. Grants of restricted stock fully vest on the earlier of (i) the first grant date anniversary or (ii) the day before the Company’s next annual meeting following the grant date. Vesting is subject to continued service as a director through scheduled vesting dates. In 2014, restricted stock awards granted to non-employee directors totaled 16,112 and 16,668 restricted stock awards vested during the year. Of the 16,112 awards granted in 2014, 4,028 were subsequently forfeited. All restricted stock awards were granted and vested in accordance with plan provisions. At December 31, 2014, approximately 145,000 shares are available for future grant.

 

 

2004 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated as of February 10, 2009 – The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan), which provided equity-based incentives for attracting and retaining key employees, directors and others providing services to the Company, terminated by its terms in February 2014. No awards were granted under this plan in 2014, and previously granted awards under the 2004 Plan consisted of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock units or restricted stock. Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted in prior years under the Company’s performance-based Incentive Compensation Plan described above were subject to reaching certain defined full year earnings targets established at the beginning of each year by the Compensation Committee. Forfeitures in any given year result from differences between the Company’s actual results for the previous year as compared to the defined full year earnings target. All stock options granted under the 2004 Plan had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock at grant date, expire ten years from grant date and vested immediately or in equal installments over three years, and restricted stock and restricted stock units vest three years from grant date or in equal installments over three years. Once applicable restrictions lapse or have been satisfied, restricted stock units may be payable in cash, shares of common stock or a combination, as specified in the award agreement. Termination of the 2004 Plan did not adversely affect rights under any outstanding awards previously granted under the plan.

 

1994 Stock Option Plan – The 1994 Stock Option Plan (the 1994 Plan) expired by its terms on December 21, 2004 and no further options can be granted under that plan. The exercise price of all stock options granted under the 1994 Plan was the fair or trading value of the Company’s common stock at grant date and all stock options granted expired ten years from grant date. All options granted under the 1994 Plan have now expired.

 

Formula Stock Option Plan for Directors – The Formula Stock Option Plan was suspended in December 2007 and terminated in February 2008, and the 2008 Formula Plan described above was approved by stockholders at the 2008 Annual Meeting. Prior to plan suspension and termination, before February 1 each year, individual outside directors were awarded an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the average fair market value per share for the ten-day period prior to award. Termination of the Formula Stock Option Plan did not adversely affect rights under any outstanding stock options previously granted. All options granted under this plan generally vested in six months, and expired ten years, from grant date.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan – The SMI Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP) is intended to provide employees the opportunity to acquire stock ownership in the Company. The authorized number of shares of common stock issuable under the ESPP is 800,000. At December 31, 2014, approximately 439,000 shares are available for future grant. Prior to each January 1, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determines whether participating eligible employees will be granted the right to purchase shares of common stock for the upcoming calendar year and the number of shares available for purchase. All employee grants contain the same number of shares and grant date. No participant can be granted the right to purchase more than 500 shares in any calendar year. The stock purchase price is 90% of the lesser of fair market value at grant date or exercise date. Unexercised grants expire at each calendar year end. No shares were granted to employees under the ESPP for calendar years 2014, 2013 or 2012.

 

Share-Based Payment – The Company follows applicable authoritative guidance which generally requires recognizing compensation cost for the estimated grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation over the requisite service period, and applies to all awards granted, modified, vesting, repurchased or cancelled after January 1, 2006. The Company generally records share-based compensation cost for stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards on either the accelerated method using a graded vesting schedule or the straight-line method over the requisite service period, depending on the vesting schedule of the awards. The Company’s practice has been to issue new shares upon option exercise; however, repurchases of shares in the open market are permitted.

 

Share-based compensation cost totaled $2,610,000 in 2014, $2,224,000 in 2013 and $1,936,000 in 2012, before income taxes of $1,002,000, $818,000 and $666,000, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expense. For 2014, compensation cost excludes associated tax benefits of $327,000 which are reflected separately in operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Similar amounts for 2013 and 2012 were insignificant. There were no capitalized share-based compensation costs at December 31, 2014 or 2013. No stock options were granted under any of the Company’s stock compensation plans in 2014, 2013 or 2012. When stock options are granted, the Company estimates the fair value of stock option grants on grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the following factors and assumptions. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises, forfeitures and employee terminations within the pricing model. Employee groups have similar historical exercise experience and are combined for valuation purposes. The expected term of granted options is estimated based on historical exercise experience and represents the time period that granted options are expected to be outstanding. Risk-free interest rates for periods within the expected life of options are based on the US Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

 

 

There were no significant changes in the characteristics of restricted stock or restricted stock units granted during 2012 through 2014 as compared to prior grants and no modifications of the terms of any share-based payment arrangements. There were no significant changes in estimates, assumptions or valuation methods used to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards. All stock options previously granted under the 1994 Plan and the 2004 Plan have an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock at grant date, and under the Formula Stock Option Plan for Directors have an exercise price equal to the average fair market value per share for the ten-day period prior to award. The Company believes the pricing model and approach utilized to develop the underlying assumptions are appropriate for estimating the fair values of share-based awards. These fair value and other estimates are not intended to predict future events or value ultimately realizable by employees who receive equity awards, and subsequent events are not indicative of the reasonableness of original estimates.

 

No stock options have been granted under the 2013 Plan. The following is a summary of stock option activity regarding the 1994 Plan, 2004 Plan and Formula Stock Option Plan for 2014 (shares and aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):

 

		1994 Stock Option Plan																2004 Stock Incentive Plan																Formula Stock Option Plan
Stock Options		Shares				Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs)				Aggregate Intrinsic Value				Shares				Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs)				Aggregate Intrinsic Value				Shares				Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs)				Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, January 1, 2014			160			$	36.63												545			$	28.96												150			$	35.51
Granted			–				–												–				–												–				–
Exercised			–				–												(8	)			15.83												–				–
Forfeited			–				–												(4	)			37.00												–				–
Expired			(160	)			36.63												(188	)			37.00												(30	)			28.77
Outstanding, December 31, 2014			–			$	–				–				–				345			$	24.76				3.4			$	1,306				120			$	37.20				1.0				–
Exercisable, December 31, 2014			–			$	–				–				–				345			$	24.76				3.4			$	1,306				120			$	37.20				1.0				–

 

As of December 31, 2014, all stock options are vested and there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under any of the Company’s stock compensation plans. Outstanding and exercisable stock options with no intrinsic value as of December 31, 2014 are excluded from the aggregate intrinsic values presented above. No stock options vested in 2014 or 2013. In 2012, 101,000 stock options vested under the 2004 Plan with an aggregate intrinsic value of $128,000. In 2014, 7,500 stock options were exercised with an intrinsic value of $32,000 and 7,500 stock options with an intrinsic value of $23,000 were exercised in 2013. No stock options were exercised in 2012.

 

The following is a summary of non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity regarding the 2013 Plan, 2004 Plan and 2008 Formula Plan for 2014, and grant activity for 2013 and 2012 (shares and aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):

 

		2013 Stock Incentive Plan																2004 Stock Incentive Plan																2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan
Non-vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units		Shares				Weighted Average Grant- date Fair Value Per Share				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs)				Aggregate Intrinsic Value				Shares				Weighted Average Grant- date Fair Value Per Share				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs)				Aggregate Intrinsic Value				Shares				Weighted Average Grant- date Fair Value Per Share				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs)				Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, January 1, 2014			–				–												252			$	17.24												17			$	17.39
Granted			145			$	20.86												–				–												16				18.08
Vested			–				–												(119	)			16.51												(17	)			17.39
Forfeited			–				–												(7	)			17.25												(4	)			18.08
Outstanding, December 31, 2014			145			$	20.86				1.6			$	3,178				126			$	17.93				1.0			$	2,752				12			$	18.08				0.3			$	264
Granted, 2013			–				–												140			$	18.54												17			$	17.39
Granted, 2012			–				–												136				16.16												17				17.18

 

 

As of December 31, 2014, outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock units above for the 2013 Plan include 35,000 restricted stock units with an aggregate intrinsic value of $765,000 and a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 1.2 year, and for the 2004 Plan include approximately 29,000 restricted stock units with an aggregate intrinsic value of $629,000 and a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 0.5 year, all of which are expected to fully vest (subject to forfeiture as described above). As of December 31, 2014, there was approximately $3,012,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units granted under the 2013 Plan, the 2004 Plan and the 2008 Formula Plan that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.0 year. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, 119,000, 109,000 and 97,000 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units vested under the 2004 Plan with fair values of $2,483,000, $2,049,000 and $1,599,000, respectively, and 17,000, 17,000 and 16,000 shares of restricted stock vested under the 2008 Formula Plan with fair values of $299,000, $299,000 and $266,000, respectively. These 2004 Plan amounts include common stock shares issued upon the vesting of 27,000, 24,000 and 29,000 restricted stock units with fair values of $545,000, $418,000 and $467,000 during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

 

The Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 401(k) Plan and Trust is available to Company employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. The Plan allows participants to elect contributions of up to 75% of their annual compensation within certain prescribed limits, of which the Company will match 25% of the first 4% of employee contributions. Participants become fully vested in Company matching contributions over six years. The Company’s contributions for the Plan were $353,000 in 2014, $334,000 in 2013 and $336,000 in 2012.

 

The Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan is available to all Company employees who meet eligibility requirements. This plan allows participants to elect to defer up to 75% of their base salary and 100% of their annual bonus and other cash compensation, if any, as permitted by the Plan Administrator. Participants can designate one or more investments as the measure of investment return on their participant account, and can elect distributions in lump sum or specified periodic installments. The Company holds assets consisting principally of Company-owned life insurance (COLI) policies on certain plan participants for funding future participant distributions. Those are general assets of the Company subject to claims of creditors or unsecured claims. Our obligation to pay amounts deferred under this plan is impacted by rates of returns on investments selected by plan participants, is an unsecured obligation and not subject to forfeiture. The Company’s common stock is not an investment option or plan asset. The COLI’s carrying value is reflected in non-current Other Assets, the deferred compensation liability is reflected in non-current Other Liabilities and associated earnings, losses or other changes are reflected in general and administrative expense. The Company’s 2014 consolidated financial statements reflect general and administrative expense of $816,000 for increasing other assets by $1,561,000 and other liabilities by $2,377,000. Although certain changes in plan assets and obligations, associated expenses, earnings and losses should have been recorded in various previous reporting periods, the Company believes the impact was not material to prior or current periods. Participants are fully vested in their contributions and associated earnings or losses credited to their individual accounts. The Company may make discretionary contributions for any one or all eligible employees which, if any, shall be 100% vested following three years of service once first eligible to participate in this plan. There were no Company contributions in 2012 through 2014.

 

13. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES

 

The Company’s operations are predominately comprised of promoting, marketing and sponsoring motorsports racing events, merchandising and other related activities conducted at its various major speedway facilities located in the United States. The Company’s business activities, including those of its subsidiaries, are further described in Notes 1 and 2. The Company’s “motorsports event related” segment consists of revenues and expenses associated with all admissions, event related, NASCAR broadcasting and event motorsports merchandising activities. The segment includes motorsports related events and operations for all Company speedways, NASCAR broadcasting and ancillary media rights, PRN and RCU motorsports radio programming, and SMI Properties and SMI Trackside motorsports merchandising at Company and non-Company speedways. These operating segments have been aggregated into the motorsports related reporting segment as each share similar types and classes of customers, similar methods for providing or distributing motorsports related services, souvenirs and other merchandise, and other similar economic characteristics. The Company’s “all other” operations consist of SMIP subsidiary non-event motorsports and non-motorsports merchandising, Legend Cars non-event merchandising and sanctioning body activities, Oil-Chem micro-lubricant activities, TMS oil and gas mineral rights lease and related revenues, and office rentals at certain Company speedways. All segment information below pertains to continuing operations and excludes discontinued oil and gas operations for all periods presented.

 

 

Of the Company’s total revenues, approximately 81% in 2014, 82% in 2013 and 83% in 2012 were derived from NASCAR-sanctioned events. Of the Company’s total revenues, approximately 43% or $207,369,000 for 2014, 41% or $199,014,000 for 2013, and 39% or $192,662,000 for 2012 pertain to NASCAR broadcasting rights fees for domestic television broadcasts of NASCAR-sanctioned events held at the Company’s speedways. Segment information as presented below comports with information the Company’s chief operating decision maker and management use and focus on when assessing segment performance and allocating resources. Segment operating income or loss excludes interest, income taxes, other income or expense and specified non-recurring items, if any, and corporate general and administrative and depreciation costs are allocated to operating segments based on their respective revenues relative to consolidated revenues. Segment information on continuing operations for the three years ended December 31, 2014, and as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

 

		2014												2013												2012
		Motorsports Event Related				All Other				Consolidated Total				Motorsports Event Related				All Other				Consolidated Total				Motorsports Event Related				All Other				Consolidated Total
Revenues		$	464,166			$	20,143			$	484,309			$	462,938			$	17,711			$	480,649			$	472,221			$	17,939			$	490,160
Depreciation and amortization (Note 4)			78,241				185				78,426				54,511				214				54,725				55,234				265				55,499
Impairment of goodwill (Note 2)			–				–				–				89,037				–				89,037				–				–				–
Segment operating income (loss)			55,288				4,870				60,158				(204	)			2,272				2,068				98,522				2,472				100,994
Capital expenditures			21,974				62				22,036				11,998				38				12,036				26,647				140				26,787

 

		December 31, 2014												December 31, 2013
Other intangibles		$	394,941				–			$	394,941			$	394,955				–			$	394,955
Goodwill			49,680				–				49,680				49,680				–				49,680
Total assets			1,694,103			$	24,164				1,718,267				1,761,698			$	24,562				1,786,260

 

The following table reconciles segment operating income above to consolidated income or loss before income taxes (both from continuing operations) (in thousands): 

 

		2014				2013				2012
Total segment operating income from continuing operations		$	60,158			$	2,068			$	100,994
Adjusted for:
Interest expense, net			(21,237	)			(31,871	)			(41,217	)
Loss on early debt redemption and refinancing (Note 6)			–				(18,467	)			–
Other income (expense), net			2,305				(293	)			3,908
Consolidated income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		$	41,226			$	(48,563	)		$	63,685

 

 

14.  2015 ISSUANCE OF NEW SENIOR NOTES AND PLANNED REDEMPTION OF 2019 SENIOR NOTES

 

See Note 6 for information on the Company’s 2014 Credit Facility and 2019 Senior Notes.

 

Issuance of New Senior Notes – In January 2015, the Company completed a private placement of new 5.125% Senior Notes due 2023 in aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000 (the 2023 Senior Notes). These 2023 Senior Notes were issued at par value, and net proceeds after commissions and fees approximated $196,816,000. The Company plans to use net offering proceeds, Term Loan borrowings under the Credit Facility and cash on hand to fund a planned redemption of the 2019 Senior Notes in March 2015 as further described below. The Company also plans to offer to exchange these notes for substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act in the second quarter 2015.

 

 

The 2023 Senior Notes mature in February 2023 and interest payments are due semi-annually on February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1, 2015. Debt issuance premium and associated deferred loan costs will be amortized over the associated note term through February 2023. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Senior Notes at annually declining redemption premiums ranging from 103.844% of par in fiscal years beginning February 1, 2018 to par after February 1, 2021, and up to 35% of the 2023 Senior Notes before February 1, 2018 with proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption premium of 105.125% of par. The Company may also redeem some or all of the 2023 Senior Notes before February 1, 2018 at par plus a "make-whole" premium. In the event of a change of control, the Company must offer to repurchase the 2023 Senior Notes at 101% of par value. The 2023 Senior Notes rank equally in right of payment with all other Company existing and future unsubordinated debt, are senior in right of payment to any future subordinated debt and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured debt, including the Credit Facility. The Indenture governing the 2023 Senior Notes permits dividend payments each year of up to approximately $0.80 per share of common stock, increasable subject to meeting certain financial covenants. The 2023 Senior Notes contain specific requirements and restrictive financial covenants and limitations, guarantees and cross-default provisions generally similar to those of the 2019 Senior Notes.

 

Early Redemption of 2019 Senior Notes Planned – The Company plans to redeem all outstanding 6.75% Senior Notes due in 2019 in aggregate principal of $250,000,000 on March 13, 2015. The 2019 Senior Notes were scheduled to mature in February 2019, with interest payments due February 1 and August 1, and had unamortized issuance premium of $3,372,000 at December 31, 2014. The 2019 Senior Notes are currently redeemable at a redemption premium of 103.375% of par plus accrued interest. The Company plans to use net proceeds of the new 2023 Senior Notes, $50,000,000 of delayed draw Term Loan borrowings under the Credit Facility and cash on hand to fund the redemption, including redemption premium and transaction costs. The Company anticipates recognizing a pre-tax charge to earnings in the first quarter 2015 of approximately $8.4 million for associated redemption premium, unamortized net deferred loan costs and transaction costs, net of issuance premium.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Management Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – Management, with the participation of the Company’s Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (its co-principal executive officers and principal financial officer, respectively), conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e)). The Company’s Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

 

The following is management’s conclusion and report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014:

 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

March 6, 2015

 

The management of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f)).

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance. It is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override of controls. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process and, therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. The management of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. assessed the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, the management of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014.

 

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting – There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f)) in the fourth quarter of 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to all information under the captions titled “Election of Directors, Director-Nominees and Executive Officers”, “Corporate Governance”, “Committees of the Board and Board Meetings”, and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, in our Proxy Statement (to be filed after the filing date of this report) for SMI’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 15, 2015 (the Proxy Statement).

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to all information under the captions titled “2014 Executive Compensation”, “Compensation Committee Report”, and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the Proxy Statement.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to all information under the caption “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock” in the Proxy Statement.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

The information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to all information under the captions “Corporate Governance – Board and Committee Member Independence” and “Transactions with Related Persons” in the Proxy Statement.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to all information under the caption titled “Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Proxy Statement.

 

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a)	The exhibits and other documents filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including those exhibits incorporated by reference in this report, are:

 

(1)

Financial Statements:

See the Index to Financial Statements which appears on page 55 hereof.

 

(2)

Financial Statement Schedules:

None. Required information is included in the financial statements and notes thereto.

 

(3)

Exhibits:

Exhibits required in connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed below. Certain exhibits are incorporated by reference to other documents on file with the SEC with which they are physically filed, to be a part of this report as of their respective dates.

 

Exhibit Number

Description

 

3.1		Certificate of Incorporation of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (“SMI”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to SMI’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed December 22, 1994 (File No. 33-87740) of SMI (the “Form S-1”)).
3.2		Bylaws of SMI (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form S-1).
3.3		Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of SMI (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Amendment No. 1 to SMI’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed November 13, 1996 (File No. 333-13431)).

 

3.4		Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of SMI (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to SMI’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed September 8, 1997 (File No. 333-35091)).
3.5		Amendment No. 1 to Bylaws of SMI (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to SMI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (the “2007 Form 10-K”)).
4.1		Form of Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-1).
4.2		Indenture dated as of February 3, 2011 by and among SMI, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “2019 Senior Notes Indenture”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to SMI’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 3, 2011 (the “February 3, 2011 Form 8-K”)).
4.3		Forms of 6¾% Senior Notes due 2019 (included in the 2019 Senior Notes Indenture) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the February 3, 2011 Form 8-K).

 

 

10.1		Purchase Contract dated December 18, 1996 between Texas Motor Speedway, Inc., as seller, and FW Sports Authority, Inc., as purchaser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to SMI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 (the “1996 Form 10-K”)).
10.2		Lease Agreement dated as of December 18, 1996 between FW Sports Authority, Inc., as lessor, and Texas Motor Speedway, Inc., as lessee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the 1996 Form 10-K).
10.3		Guaranty Agreement dated as of December 18, 1996 among SMI, the City of Fort Worth, Texas and FW Sports Authority, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the 1996 Form 10-K).
10.4		Management Agreement by and between SMI, Levy Premium Foodservice Limited Partnership and Levy Premium Foodservice Partnership of Texas dated November 29, 2001 (the “Levy Management Agreement”) (portions omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to SMI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (the “2001 Form 10-K”)).
10.5		Assignment of and Amendment to Levy Management Agreement dated January 24, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the 2001 Form 10-K).
10.6		Guaranty Agreement dated November 29, 2001 by SMI in favor of Levy Premium Foodservice Limited Partnership and Compass Group USA, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the 2001 Form 10-K).
10.7		Guaranty Agreement dated November 29, 2001 by Compass Group USA, Inc. in favor of Speedway Systems LLC, Charlotte Motor Speedway, LLC, Texas Motor Speedway, Inc., Bristol Motor Speedway, Inc. and SMI (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the 2001 Form 10-K).

 

10.8		Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 21, 2008 between Kentucky Speedway, LLC and SMI (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SMI’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008).
10.9		Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 29, 2014 by and among SMI and Speedway Funding, LLC, as borrowers, certain subsidiaries of SMI, as guarantors, and the lenders named therein, including Bank of America, N.A., as agent for the lenders and a lender (the “2014 Credit Agreement”).
10.10		Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement dated as of December 29, 2014 by and among SMI and the subsidiaries of SMI that are guarantors under the 2014 Credit Agreement, as pledgers, and Bank of America, N.A., as agent for the lenders and a lender under the 2014 Credit Agreement.

 

 

*10.11		Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Formula Stock Option Plan Amended and Restated May 2, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to SMI’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed April 25, 2002).
*10.12		Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan Amended and Restated as of March 1, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to SMI’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed March 23, 2004).
*10.13		Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Amended and Restated as of February 10, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to SMI’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on March 20, 2009).
*10.14		Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to SMI’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 14, 2004 (the “December 14, 2004 Form 8-K”)).
*10.15		Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the December 14, 2004 Form 8-K).
*10.16		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to SMI’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 23, 2006).
*10.17		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to SMI’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2012).
*10.18		Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed March 21, 2007).
*10.19		Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan as Amended and Restated, Effective January 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to SMI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
*10.20		Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors Amended and Restated as of April 17, 2012 (the “Amended and Restated 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to SMI’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 3, 2012 (file No. 333-181127) (the “2012 Form S-8”)).
*10.21		Restricted Stock Agreement under the Amended and Restated 2008 Formula Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the 2012 Form S-8).
*10.22		Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 22, 2013).
*10.23		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement pursuant to the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to SMI’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on August 5, 2013 (file No. 333-190374) (the “2013 Form S-8”)).
*10.24		Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Agreement pursuant to the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the 2013 Form S-8).
*10.25		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement pursuant to the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the 2013 Form S-8).

 

 

*10.26		Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement pursuant to the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to the 2013 Form S-8).
*10.27		Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement pursuant to the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the 2013 Form S-8).
*10.28		Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement pursuant to the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.7 to the 2013 Form S-8).
*10.29		Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement pursuant to the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.8 to the 2013 Form S-8).
21.1		Subsidiaries of SMI.
23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
31.1		Certification of Mr. O. Bruton Smith pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2		Certification of Mr. Marcus G. Smith pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.3		Certification of Mr. William R. Brooks pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1		Certification of Mr. O. Bruton Smith pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2		Certification of Mr. Marcus G. Smith pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.3		Certification of Mr. William R. Brooks pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101		Financial Statements in XBRL.

  

* Management compensation contract, plan or arrangement.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.			March 6, 2015

 

BY: /s/   O. BRUTON SMITH
O. Bruton Smith
Executive Chairman (co-principal executive officer)

 

BY: /s/   MARCUS G. SMITH
Marcus G. Smith
Chief Executive Officer (co-principal executive officer) and President

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Dates
/S/    O. BRUTON SMITH		Executive Chairman (co-principal executive officer)		March 6, 2015
O. Bruton Smith		and Director
/S/    MARCUS G. SMITH		Chief Executive Officer (co-principal executive officer),		March 6, 2015
Marcus G. Smith		President and Director
/S/    WILLIAM R. BROOKS		Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer		March 6, 2015
William R. Brooks		(principal financial officer and accounting officer) and Director
/S/    BERNARD C. BYRD, JR.		Director		March 6, 2015
Bernard C. Byrd, Jr.
/S/    MARK M. GAMBILL		Director		March 6, 2015
Mark M. Gambill
/S/    JAMES P. HOLDEN		Director		March 6, 2015
James P. Holden
/S/    TOM E. SMITH		Director		March 6, 2015
Tom E. Smith

 

 

94

Exhibit 10.9

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

among

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

 

and

 

SPEEDWAY FUNDING, LLC,

 

as Borrowers,

 

CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES

 

FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

 

as Guarantors,

 

THE SEVERAL LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

 

as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Lender,

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

SUNTRUST BANK

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

 

as Co-Syndication Agents,

 

U.S. Bank, National Assocation,

 

as Documentation Agent,

 

and

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,

 

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

 

and

 

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.,

 

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

DATED AS OF DECEMBER 29, 2014

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

 

Section 1 DEFINITIONS		1
1.1	Definitions.	1
1.2	Computation of Time Periods.	27
1.3	Computation of Interest and Fee; Pro Forma Calculations; Accounting Terms; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Percentage.	27
1.4	Letter of Credit Amounts.	29
1.5	Times of Day.	29
1.6	Rates.	29
Section 2 CREDIT FACILITY		29
2.1	Credit Facilities.	29
2.2	Borrowings.	30
2.3	Repayment of Loans.	31
2.4	Letter of Credit Subfacility.	31
2.5	Swingline Loan Subfacility.	39
2.6	Incremental Loan Facilities.	40
2.7	Interest.	42
2.8	Evidence of Debt.	43
Section 3 OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES		43
3.1	[Reserved].	43
3.2	Extension and Conversion.	43
3.3	Prepayments.	44
3.4	Termination and Reduction of Commitments.	45
3.5	Fees.	45
3.6	Increased Costs.	47
3.7	Inability To Determine Interest Rate.	49
3.8	Illegality.	50
3.9	[Reserved].	50
3.10	Taxes.	50
3.11	Funding Losses.	54
3.12	Pro Rata Treatment.	55
3.13	Sharing of Payments.	55
3.14	Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.	55
3.15	Payments Set Aside.	57
3.16	Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.	57
3.17	Cash Collateral.	58
3.18	Defaulting Lenders.	59
Section 4 GUARANTY		61
4.1	The Guaranty.	62
4.2	Obligations Unconditional.	62
4.3	Reinstatement.	62
4.4	Certain Additional Waivers.	63
4.5	Remedies.	63
4.6	Guaranty of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.	63
4.7	Keepwell.	63

 

 

 

Section 5 CONDITIONS		63
5.1	Closing Conditions.	63
5.2	Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.	65
Section 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES		66
6.1	Financial Condition.	66
6.2	No Change.	67
6.3	Organization; Existence; Compliance with Laws and Agreements.	67
6.4	Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.	68
6.5	No Legal Bar.	68
6.6	No Material Litigation.	68
6.7	No Default.	68
6.8	Ownership of Property; Liens.	69
6.9	Intellectual Property.	69
6.10	No Burdensome Restrictions.	69
6.11	Taxes.	69
6.12	ERISA.	69
6.13	Governmental Regulations, Etc.	70
6.14	Subsidiaries.	71
6.15	Purpose of Loans.	71
6.16	Environmental Matters.	71
6.17	Solvency.	72
6.18	No Untrue Statement.	72
6.19	Subordinated Indebtedness.	73
6.20	Pledge Agreement.	73
5.21	Sanctions and Anti-Corruption Laws.	73
Section 7 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS		73
7.1	Information Covenants.	73
7.2	Preservation of Existence and Franchises.	75
7.3	Books and Records.	75
7.4	Compliance with Law.	76
7.5	Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.	76
7.6	Insurance.	76
7.7	Maintenance of Property.	76
7.8	Performance of Obligations.	76
7.9	Use of Proceeds.	77
7.10	Audits/Inspections.	77
7.11	Financial Covenants.	77
7.12	Additional Credit Parties.	78
7.13	Ownership of Subsidiaries.	78
Section 8 NEGATIVE COVENANTS		79
8.1	Indebtedness.	79
8.2	Liens.	80
8.3	Nature of Business.	80
8.4	Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, etc.	80
8.5	Advances, Investments, Loans, etc.	80
8.6	Restricted Payments.	81
8.7	Modifications of Other Agreements.	81
8.8	Transactions with Affiliates.	81

 

 

 

8.9	Fiscal Year.	81
8.10	Limitation on Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions, etc.	81
8.11	Issuance and Sale of Subsidiary Stock.	82
8.12	Sale Leasebacks.	82
8.13	Capital Expenditures.	82
8.14	No Further Negative Pledges.	82
8.15	Designated Senior Indebtedness.	82
8.16	Prepayments of Other Indebtedness.	82
8.17	Use of Proceeds.	83
8.18	Sanctions.	83
8.19	Anti-Corruption Laws.	83
Section 9 EVENTS OF DEFAULT		83
9.1	Events of Default.	83
9.2	Acceleration; Remedies.	85
9.3	Application of Funds.	86
Section 10 ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT		87
10.1	Appointment and Authority.	87
10.2	Rights as a Lender.	87
10.3	Exculpatory Provisions.	88
10.4	Reliance by Administrative Agent.	88
10.5	Delegation of Duties.	89
10.6	Resignation of Administrative Agent.	89
10.7	Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.	90
10.8	No Other Duties, Etc.	90
10.9	Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.	90
10.10	Collateral and Guaranty Matters.	91
Section 11 MISCELLANEOUS		92
11.1	Notices.	92
11.2	Right of Set-Off.	93
11.3	Successors and Assigns.	93
11.4	No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.	99
11.5	Payment of Expenses, etc.	99
11.6	Amendments, Waivers and Consents.	101
11.7	Counterparts.	102
11.8	Headings.	103
11.9	Indemnification.	103
11.10	Survival of Indemnification.	103
11.11	Confidentiality.	103
11.12	Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.	104
11.13	WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.	104
11.14	Severability.	104
11.15	Entirety.	105
11.16	Survival of Representations and Warranties.	105
11.17	Binding Effect; Termination.	105
11.18	Joint and Several Liability.	105
11.20	USA PATRIOT Act Notice.	107
11.21	Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.	107
11.22	Replacement of Lenders.	108
11.23	Appointment of Borrower.	109
11.24	Amendment and Restatement.	109

 

 

 

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.1B	Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.1C	Investments
Schedule 1.1D	Liens
Schedule 2.1	Schedule of Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 2.2(a)	Form of Notice of Borrowing
Schedule 2.8(a)-1	Form of Revolving Note
Schedule 2.8(a)-2	Form of Swingline Note
Schedule 2.8(a)-3	Form of Term Loan A Note
Schedule 2.8(a)-4	Form of Delayed Draw Term Note
Schedule 3.2	Form of Notice of Extension/Conversion
Schedule 3.3	Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment
Schedule 5.1(g)	Form of Legal Opinion
Schedule 6.2(a)	General Disclosure Schedule
Schedule 6.4	Required Consents, Authorizations, Notices and Filings
Schedule 6.6	Litigation
Schedule 6.9	Intellectual Property
Schedule 6.11	Taxes
Schedule 6.14	Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.16	Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
Schedule 7.1(c)	Form of Officer’s Compliance Certificate
Schedule 7.12	Form of Joinder Agreement
Schedule 8.1	Indebtedness
Schedule 9.3	Form of Secured Party Designation Notice
Schedule 11.1	Notice Information
Schedule 11.3(b)	Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Credit Agreement”) is entered into as of December 29, 2014 among SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Speedway Motorsports”), SPEEDWAY FUNDING, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Speedway Funding”) (each a “Borrower”, and collectively the “Borrowers”), the Guarantors (as defined herein), the Lenders (as defined herein), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

 

WHEREAS, the Borrowers are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 1, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrowers desire to amend the Existing Credit Agreement as set forth herein and to restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1     Definitions.

 

As used in this Credit Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below unless the context otherwise requires:

 

“2011 Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated as of February 3, 2011 among Speedway Motorsports, as issuer, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank, National Association as trustee, as the same may be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time.

 

“2011 Senior Notes” means the 6 ¾% senior notes due 2019 of Speedway Motorsports in the aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000 (after giving effect to the additional notes in the proposed amount of $100,000,000 issued on January 8, 2013) issued pursuant to the 2011 Indenture.

 

“Additional Credit Party” means each Person that becomes a Guarantor after the Effective Date by execution of a Joinder Agreement.

 

“Additional Senior Debt” means any unsecured indebtedness initially incurred by the Borrowers on or after the Effective Date.

 

“Additional Senior Debt Indenture” means any indenture executed by the Borrowers on or after the Effective Date that governs the terms of any Additional Senior Debt.

 

“Additional Subordinated Debt” means any Indebtedness of Speedway Motorsports and its consolidated Subsidiaries which by its terms is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of the obligations of the Credit Parties under the Credit Documents on terms and conditions and evidenced by documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

 

 

“Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture” means any indenture executed by Speedway Motorsports or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries on or after the Effective Date that governs the terms of any Additional Subordinated Debt.

 

“Administrative Agent” means such term as defined in the introductory paragraph hereof.

 

“Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 2.1, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrowers and the Lenders.

 

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (a) directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person or (b) directly or indirectly owning or holding five percent (5%) or more of the equity interest in such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“Agent Parties” means such term as defined in Section 11.1(c).

 

“Agent’s Fee Letter” means the letter from the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers dated December 4, 2014.

 

“Agent’s Fees” means such term as defined in Section 3.5(d).

 

“Applicable Percentage” means, for purposes of calculating the applicable per annum interest rate for any day for any Loan, the applicable Letter of Credit Fee for any day for purposes of Section 3.5(c)(i), the applicable Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Fee for any day for purposes of Section 3.5(b) or the applicable Commitment Fee for any day for purposes of Section 3.5(a), the appropriate applicable percentage set forth below corresponding to the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio in effect as of the most recent Calculation Date.

 

			Applicable Percentages
Pricing Level	Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio		Revolving Loans and Term Loans at Eurodollar Rate and Letter of Credit Fees				Revolving Loans, Term Loans and Swingline Loans at Base Rate				Commitment Fee  and Delayed Draw Commitment Fee
I	Less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00			1.25%				0.25%				0.25%
II	Less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00 but greater than 2.00 to 1.00			1.50%				0.50%				0.30%
III	Less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00 but greater than 2.50 to 1.00			1.75%				0.75%				0.35%
IV	Greater than 3.00 to 1.00			2.00%				1.00%				0.40%

 

 

 

Determination of the appropriate Applicable Percentages shall be made as of each Calculation Date. The Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio in effect as of a Calculation Date shall establish the Applicable Percentages for the Loans, the Letter of Credit Fee and the Commitment Fee that shall be effective as of the date designated by the Administrative Agent as the Applicable Percentage Change Date; provided, however, that if the Required Financial Information for such Calculation Date is not delivered when due pursuant to Section 7.1(c), then Pricing Level IV shall apply until the Applicable Percentage Change Date. The Administrative Agent shall determine the Applicable Percentages as of each Calculation Date and shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of the Applicable Percentages so determined and of the Applicable Percentage Change Date. Such determinations by the Administrative Agent of the Applicable Percentages shall be conclusive absent demonstrable error. The initial Applicable Percentage(s) shall be based on Pricing Level III until the first Applicable Percentage Change Date occurring after March 31, 2015.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Percentage for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 1.3(c). The “Applicable Percentage” with regard to any Incremental Term Loan shall be the per annum rate of interest specified in the definitive documentation for such Incremental Term Loan.

 

“Applicable Percentage Change Date” means, with respect to any Calculation Date, a date designated by the Administrative Agent that is not more than five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Administrative Agent of the Required Financial Information for such Calculation Date.

 

“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

“Asset Disposition” means (a) the sale, lease or other disposition of any Property by Speedway Motorsports or any of its Subsidiaries, but for purposes hereof shall not include, in any event, (i) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business, (ii) the sale, lease or other disposition of machinery and equipment no longer used or useful in the conduct of business, and (iii) a sale, lease, transfer or disposition of Property to a Credit Party, and (b) receipt by Speedway Motorsports or any of its Subsidiaries of any cash insurance proceeds or condemnation award payable by reason of theft, loss, physical destruction or damage, taking or similar event with respect to any of its Property.

 

“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 11.3(b), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Schedule 11.3(b) or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Attorney Costs” means and includes all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel and, without duplication, the allocated cost of internal legal services and all expenses and disbursements of internal counsel, all of which must be (a) reasonable in amount given the nature of the tasks involved, (b) based on the time actually expended and the standard hourly rate of the professionals performing the tasks in question and (c) determined without reference to any statutory presumption.

 

“Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit” means such term as defined in Section 2.4(c)(iii).

 

“Availability Period” means the period from the Effective Date to the earliest of (a) the date of funding the Delayed Draw Term Loan, (b) the date that is three (3) months after the Effective Date, (c) the date of termination of the Delayed Draw Term Loan pursuant to Section 3.4 and (d) the date of termination of each Lender to make Loans pursuant to Section 9.2.

 

 

 

“Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

 

“Bankruptcy Code” means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.

 

“Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus one half of one percent (0.5%), (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate” and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus one percent (1%). The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

“Base Rate Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

 

“Borrower Materials” means such term as defined in Section 7.1.

 

“Borrowers” means the Persons identified as such in the introductory paragraph hereof, together with any successors and permitted assigns.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Loan, means any such day that is also a day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

“Calculation Date” means the last day of each fiscal quarter of Speedway Motorsports.

 

“Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any Property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

 

“Capital Stock” means (a) in the case of a corporation, capital stock, (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of Capital Stock, (c) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (d) in the case of a limited liability company, membership interests and (e) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

 

“Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the Issuing Lender or the Lenders, as collateral for LOC Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of LOC Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

 

 

 

“Cash Equivalents” means (a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition, (b) Dollar denominated time deposits and certificates of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 or (iii) any bank whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an “Approved Lender”), in each case with maturities of not more than two hundred seventy (270) days from the date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Lender (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation whose senior unsecured indebtedness for borrowed money is rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s and maturing within six months of the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements with a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof in which the Borrowers shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations, (e) obligations of any state of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, the interest with respect to which is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 103 of the Code, having a long term rating of at least Aa-3 or AA- by Moody’s or S&P, respectively, and maturing within three years from the date of acquisition thereof, (f) Investments in municipal or corporate auction preferred stock (i) rated AAA (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s and (ii) with dividends that reset at least once every three hundred sixty-five (365) days and (g) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which are administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least $100,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the character described in the foregoing subdivisions (a) through (f).

 

“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Credit Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)     any Person or two or more Persons (acting as a “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), excluding Persons who are on the Effective Date executive officers or directors of Speedway Motorsports or Permitted Transferees, shall have acquired “beneficial ownership” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 of the SEC under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of, or shall have acquired by contract or otherwise, or shall have entered into a contract or arrangement that, upon consummation, will result in its or their acquisition of, control over, Voting Stock of either of the Borrowers (or other securities convertible into such Voting Stock) representing more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the combined voting power of all Voting Stock of such Borrower and shall have filed or shall have become required to file, a Schedule 13D with the SEC disclosing that it is the intention of such Person or group to acquire control of either of the Borrowers;

 

 

 

(b)     a majority of the Board of Directors of either of the Borrowers existing on the Effective Date changes;

 

(c)     any “Change of Control” (as such term is defined in the 2011 Indenture) shall occur pursuant to the terms of the 2011 Indenture; or

 

(d)     any “change of control” (such term or any other similar term as used in any Additional Senior Debt Indenture or any Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture) shall occur with respect to any Material Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the terms of any Additional Senior Debt Indenture or any Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations issued thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References to sections of the Code shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

 

“Commitment” means, with respect to any Lender, the Revolving Commitment, the Term Loan A Commitment, Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment and/or any Incremental Term Loan Commitment of such Lender.

 

“Commitment Fee” means such term as defined in Section 3.5(a).

 

“Commitment Percentage” means the Revolving Commitment Percentage, the Term Loan A Commitment Percentage and the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Percentage.

 

“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

“Consolidated Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, all capital expenditures of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated EBIT” means, for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus (b) an amount which, in the determination of Consolidated Net Income for such period, has been deducted for (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) total federal, state, local and foreign income, value added and similar taxes, and (iii) cash paid tender premiums or call premiums with respect to the 2011 Senior Notes, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus (b) an amount which, in the determination of Consolidated Net Income for such period, has been deducted for (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) total federal, state, local and foreign income, value added and similar taxes, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, and (iv) cash paid tender premiums or call premiums with respect to the 2011 Senior Notes, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” means, as of any Calculation Date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBIT for the four-quarter period ended as of such Calculation Date, to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense.

 

 

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, with respect to the combined results of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, gross interest expense (both expensed and capitalized) for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, with respect to the combined results of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries, the gross revenues from operations (including payments received of interest income) less all operating and non-operating expenses including taxes on income, all determined in accordance with GAAP; but excluding from the calculation of income: (a) net gains on the sale, conversion or other Asset Disposition of capital assets, (b) net gains on the acquisition, retirement, sale or other Asset Disposition of Capital Stock and other securities issued by Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries, (c) net gains on the collection of proceeds of life insurance policies, (d) any write-up of any asset, (e) non-cash items relating to Motorsports Authentics including, without limitation, any impairment, reserve or other accounting charge (including equity investee earnings or losses), (f) non-cash charges and asset impairments relating to the relocation of any Sprint Cup Race from one facility to another, provided that any such charge or impairment shall not be taken more than twelve months in advance of the date of the Sprint Cup Race at such new location, (g) any other non-cash charges and asset impairments, (h) any other gain or loss of an extraordinary nature as determined in accordance with GAAP and (i) non-cash unamortized loan costs.

 

“Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any Calculation Date, the ratio of (a) Funded Indebtedness of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such Calculation Date, to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the four-quarter period ended as of such Calculation Date.

 

“Credit Agreement” means such term as set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof.

 

“Credit Documents” means a collective reference to this Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Pledge Agreement, each Joinder Agreement, the Agent’s Fee Letter and all other related agreements and documents issued or delivered hereunder or thereunder or pursuant hereto or thereto.

 

“Credit Party” means any of the Borrowers and the Guarantors.

 

“Debt Transactions” means, with respect to Speedway Motorsports or any of its Subsidiaries, any sale, issuance or placement of Funded Indebtedness, whether or not evidenced by a promissory note or other written evidence of indebtedness, except for Funded Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 8.1.

 

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

“Default” means any event, act or condition which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

 

 

“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 3.18(c), any Lender that, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless one or more conditions precedent to funding has not been satisfied and such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrowers, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Capital Stock in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 3.18(c) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

 

“Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Percentage, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) two percent (2%) per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Percentage) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus two percent (2%) per annum, and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Percentage plus two percent (2%) per annum.

 

“Delayed Draw Term Loan” means such term as defined in Section 2.1(c).

 

“Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitments” means, for each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a portion of the Delayed Draw Term Loan as set forth on Schedule 2.1 (as may such commitments may be reduced pursuant to Section 3.4); provided that, at any time after funding of the Delayed Draw Term Loan determinations of “Required Lenders” shall be based on the outstanding principal amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan. The aggregate principal amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitments of all of the Lenders in effect on the Effective Date is FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($50,000,000).

 

“Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Fee” means such term as defined in Section 3.5(b).

 

“Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Percentage” means, for any Lender, the percentage identified as its Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment as specified in Schedule 2.1.

 

“Delayed Draw Term Note” or “Delayed Draw Term Notes” means the promissory notes of the Borrowers in favor of each of the Lenders with a Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment, evidencing its portion of the Delayed Draw Term Loan in substantially the form attached as Schedule 2.8(a)-4, individually or collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory notes may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.

 

 

 

“Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory is the subject of any Sanction.

 

“Dollars” and “$” means dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

“Domestic Credit Party” means any Credit Party that is incorporated or organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person which is incorporated or organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

 

“Effective Date” means the date hereof.

 

“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 11.3(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.3(b)(iii)).

 

“Environmental Laws” means any and all lawful and applicable federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.

 

“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any of the Borrowers, any other Credit Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time. References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

 

 

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrowers within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

 

“ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by any of the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by any of the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon any of the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

“Eurodollar Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of “Eurodollar Rate.”

 

“Eurodollar Rate” means:

 

(a)     for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) (in such case, the “LIBOR Rate”) at or about 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

 

(b)     for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate, at or about 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits with a term of one (1) month commencing that day;

 

provided that: (i) to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided, further that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and (ii) if the Eurodollar Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Credit Agreement.

 

“Event of Default” means such term as defined in Section 9.1.

 

“Excess Land” means those approximately 665 acres of land owned by Speedway Motorsports and located in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties, North Carolina, that, as of the Effective Date, is not currently utilized in the operation of Charlotte Motor Speedway or in the operations of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto.

 

 

 

“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Credit Party, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Credit Party of, or the grant by such Credit Party of a Lien to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation thereof) by virtue of such Credit Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 4.7 and any other “keepwell”, support or other agreement for the benefit of such Credit Party and any and all guarantees of such Credit Party’s Swap Obligations by other Credit Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Credit Party, or grant by such Credit Party of a Lien, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a Master Agreement governing more than one Hedge Agreement, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Hedge Agreements for which such Guaranty or Lien is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.

 

“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which either Borrower is located, (c) any backup withholding tax that is required by the Code to be withheld from amounts payable to a Lender that has failed to comply with clause (A) of Section 3.10(e)(ii), (d) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrowers under Section 11.22), any United States withholding tax that (i) is required to be imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender pursuant to the laws in force at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office) or (ii) is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with clause (B) of Section 3.10(e)(ii), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrowers with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 3.10(a) and (e) any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

 

“Existing Credit Agreement” means such term as defined in the recitals hereof.

 

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Credit Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

 

“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day immediately succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the immediately preceding Business Day as so published on the immediately succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such immediately succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100^th of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Fees” means all fees payable pursuant to Section 3.5.

 

 

 

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which either Borrower is resident for tax purposes (including such a Lender when acting in the capacity of the Issuing Lender). For purposes of this definition, the United States, each state thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of either of the Borrowers that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the Issuing Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the outstanding LOC Obligations other than LOC Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of Swingline Loans other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

 

“Funded Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

 

(a)     the outstanding principal amount of (i) all obligations for borrowed money, whether current or long-term (including the Obligations hereunder and all Indebtedness evidenced by the 2011 Senior Notes, any Additional Senior Debt and any Additional Subordinated Debt), and (ii) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

 

(b)     the outstanding principal amount of (i) all purchase money indebtedness (including indebtedness and obligations in respect of conditional sales and title retention arrangements, except for customary conditional sales and title retention arrangements with suppliers that are entered into in the ordinary course of business) and (ii) all indebtedness and obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business and payable on customary trade terms);

 

(c)     the maximum amount available to be drawn on all direct obligations under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances and similar instruments (including bank guaranties, surety bonds, comfort letters, keep-well agreements and capital maintenance agreements to the extent such instruments or agreements support financial, rather than performance, obligations);

 

(d)     the amount of obligations (determined in accordance with GAAP) under any Capital Lease and the principal balance outstanding under any Synthetic Lease;

 

(e)     the attributed principal amount of any Securitization Transaction;

 

(f)     all preferred stock and comparable equity interests providing for mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other like payments having a first call of fifteen years or less;

 

(g)     Guaranty Obligations in respect of Funded Indebtedness of another Person;

 

 

 

(h)     Funded Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture or other similar entity in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer, and, as such, has personal liability for such obligations, but only to the extent there is recourse to such Person for payment thereof.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of Section 1.3 hereof.

 

“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

“Guarantors” means, collectively, (a) each of the Persons identified as a “Guarantor” on the signature pages hereto, (b) each Additional Credit Party which may hereafter execute a Joinder Agreement, (c) with respect to obligations under any Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Treasury Management Agreement, the Borrowers, (d) with respect to any Swap Obligation of a Specified Loan Party (determined before giving effect to Sections 4.1 and 4.7) under the Guaranty, each Borrower, and (e) the successors and permitted assigns of the foregoing.

 

“Guaranty” means Section 4 hereof.

 

“Guaranty Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and including without limitation any obligation, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such Indebtedness or any Property constituting security therefor, (b) to advance or provide funds or credit support for the payment or purchase of any such Indebtedness or to maintain working capital, solvency or other balance sheet condition of such other Person (including without limitation keep well agreements, maintenance agreements, comfort letters or similar agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of any holder of Indebtedness of such other Person, (c) to lease or purchase Property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holder of such Indebtedness, or (d) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Guaranty Obligation hereunder shall (subject to any limitations set forth therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount (or maximum principal amount, if larger) of the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made.

 

“Hazardous Materials” means any substance, material or waste defined or regulated in or under any Environmental Laws.

 

“Hedge Agreements” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

 

 

“Hedge Bank” means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Hedge Agreement with either Borrower or any Subsidiary provided that (a) at the time such Person enters into such Hedge Agreement, such Person is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (b) such Hedge Agreement exists on the Effective Date and such Person is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender on the Effective Date.

 

“Honor Date” means such term as defined in Section 2.4(d)(i).

 

“Incremental Loan Facilities” means such term as defined in Section 2.6.

 

“Incremental Term Loan” means such term as defined in Section 2.6.

 

“Incremental Term Loan Commitment” means, for each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a portion of any Incremental Term Loan; provided that, at any time after funding of such Incremental Term Loan determinations of “Required Lenders” shall be based on the outstanding principal amount of such Incremental Term Loan.

 

“Incremental Term Loan Note” or “Incremental Term Loan Notes” means the promissory notes of the Borrowers in favor of each of the Lenders with an Incremental Term Loan Commitment, evidencing its Incremental Term Loans in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, individually or collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory notes may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.

 

“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

 

(a)     all Funded Indebtedness;

 

(b)     all contingent obligations under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances and similar instruments (including bank guaranties, surety bonds, comfort letters, keep-well agreements and capital maintenance agreements to the extent such instruments or agreements support financial, rather than performance, obligations);

 

(c)     net obligations under any Hedge Agreement;

 

(d)     Guaranty Obligations in respect of Indebtedness of another Person; and

 

(e)     Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture or other similar entity in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer, and, as such, has personal liability for such obligations, but only to the extent there is recourse to such Person for payment thereof.

 

“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes arising from any payment made by a Credit Party under this Credit Agreement other than Excluded Taxes.

 

“Indemnitee” means such term as defined in Section 11.5(b).

 

“Intellectual Property” means such term as defined in Section 6.9.

 

“Intercompany Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness (a) owing to any Credit Party or Subsidiary (i) by any Domestic Credit Party (provided such Indebtedness by its terms is specifically subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders) or (ii) by any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Credit Party in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20,000,000 at any one time outstanding, or (b) owing to any Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party by any other Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party.

 

 

 

“Interest Payment Date” means (a) as to any Base Rate Loan (including Swingline Loans) the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, the date of repayment of principal of such Loan and the Termination Date and the date of the final principal amortization installment on any Term Loan, as applicable, and (b) as to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of each Interest Period for such Loan, the date of repayment of principal of such Loan and the Termination Date and the date of the final principal amortization installment on any Term Loan, as applicable, and in addition where the applicable Interest Period is more than three months, then also on the date three months from the beginning of the Interest Period, and each three months thereafter. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a date which is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be deemed to be the next succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the preceding Business Day.

 

“Interest Period” means, as to Eurodollar Loans, a period of one, two, three or six months’ duration, as the Borrowers may elect (subject to availability), commencing in each case, on the date of the borrowing (including conversions, extensions and renewals); provided, however, (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business Day), (b) (i) in the case of Loans comprising Revolving Loans, no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Termination Date and (ii) in the case of Loans comprising a Term Loan, no Interest Period shall extend beyond any principal amortization payment date unless, and to the extent that, the portion of the applicable Term Loan comprised of Eurodollar Loans expiring prior to the applicable principal amortization plus the portion of the applicable Term Loan comprised of Base Rate Loans equals or exceeds the principal amortization payment then due, and (c) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, where an Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which the Interest Period is to end, such Interest Period shall end on the last day of such calendar month.

 

“Investment”, in any Person, means any loan or advance to such Person, any purchase or other acquisition of any Capital Stock, warrants, rights, options, obligations or other securities of such Person, any capital contribution to such Person or any other investment in such Person, including, without limitation, any Guaranty Obligation incurred for the benefit of such Person.

 

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

“ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

“Issuing Lender” means Bank of America.

 

“Issuing Lender Fees” means such term as defined in Section 3.5(c)(ii).

 

“Joinder Agreement” means a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Schedule 7.12 hereto, executed and delivered by an Additional Credit Party in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.12.

 

“Joint Lead Arrangers” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

 

 

 

“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

 

“Lenders” means each of the Persons identified as a “Lender” on the signature pages hereto, and each Person which may become a Lender by way of assignment in accordance with the terms hereof or pursuant to Section 2.6, together with their successors and permitted assigns.

 

“Lending Office” means, as to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or any Lender, the office or offices of such Person described as such in such Person’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as such Person may from time to time notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent; which office may include any Affiliate of such Person or any domestic or foreign branch of such Person or such Affiliate.

 

“Letter of Credit” means (a) any letter of credit issued by the Issuing Lender for the account of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms of Section 2.4 and (b) existing letters of credit issued by the Issuing Lender for the account of any Credit Party and set forth on Schedule 1.1B (each, an “Existing Letter of Credit”). A Letter of Credit may be a commercial letter of credit (with sight draft) or a standby letter of credit.

 

“Letter of Credit Fee” means such term as defined in Section 3.5(c)(i).

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), preference, priority or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing or any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect in the relevant jurisdiction or other similar recording or notice statute, any lease in the nature thereof).

 

“Loan” or “Loans” means the Revolving Loans, the Swingline Loans and/or any Term Loans, and the Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans comprising such Loans.

 

“LOC Advance” means, with respect to each Revolving Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any LOC Borrowing.

 

“LOC Borrowing” means any extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit that has not been reimbursed or refinanced as a borrowing of Revolving Loans.

 

“LOC Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

 

“LOC Documents” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit, any amendments thereto, any documents delivered in connection therewith, any application therefor, and any agreements, instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (a) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk or (b) any collateral security for such obligations.

 

 

 

“LOC Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all LOC Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.4. For all purposes of this Credit Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

 

“LOC Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments and (b) $50,000,000. The LOC Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Commitments.

 

“Master Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Hedge Agreement.”

 

“Material Adverse Change” means a material adverse change in (a) the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, assets or liabilities of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Credit Parties taken as a whole to perform any material obligation under the Credit Documents or (c) the material rights and remedies of the Lenders under the Credit Documents.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, assets or liabilities of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Credit Parties taken as a whole to perform any material obligation under the Credit Documents or (c) the material rights and remedies of the Lenders under the Credit Documents.

 

“Materials of Environmental Concern” means any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as such in or under any Environmental Laws, including, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.

 

“Material Indebtedness” means (a) the 2011 Senior Notes, (b) any Additional Senior Debt and (c) any other Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness arising under the Credit Documents, Indebtedness arising under Hedge Agreements and intercompany indebtedness) having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of more than $5,000,000.

 

“Material Subsidiary” means any wholly owned Subsidiary whose assets constitute more than five percent (5%) of the consolidated assets of Speedway Motorsports and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter or that generates more than five percent (5%) of the Consolidated EBITDA of Speedway Motorsports and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter. Notwithstanding the foregoing in no event shall an Unrestricted Subsidiary be deemed to be a Material Subsidiary.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such company in the business of rating securities.

 

“Motorsports Authentics” means Motorsports Authentics, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its subsidiaries.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

 

 

“NASCAR” means the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

 

“Net Cash Proceeds” means proceeds paid in cash or Cash Equivalents received by Speedway Motorsports or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any Asset Disposition or Debt Transaction, net of (a) direct costs (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions) and (b) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof; it being understood that “Net Cash Proceeds” shall include, without limitation, any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other Asset Disposition of non-cash consideration received by such Person in any Asset Disposition or Debt Transaction.

 

“NewCo” means a direct or indirect subsidiary of Oil-Chem formed with the intention of purchasing and selling petroleum products and which may be formed under the laws of a jurisdiction outside of the United States.

 

“Non-Consenting Lender” means such term as defined in Section 11.22.

 

“Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

 

“Non-Material Domestic Subsidiary” means such term as defined in Section 7.12(b).

 

“Non-Renewal Notice Date” means such term as defined in Section 2.4(c)(iii).

 

“Note” or “Notes” means any Revolving Note, the Swingline Note, any Term Loan A Note, any Delayed Draw Term Note and/or any Incremental Term Loan Note.

 

“Notice of Borrowing” means a written notice of borrowing in substantially the form of Schedule 2.2(a), as required by Section 2.2(a), or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Borrower.

 

“Notice of Extension/Conversion” means the written notice of extension or conversion in substantially the form of Schedule 3.2 as required by Section 3.2.

 

“Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Schedule 3.3, or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer.

 

“Obligations” means, without duplication, (a) all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Credit Party arising under any Credit Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding, (b) all obligations under any Secured Hedge Agreements and (c) all obligations under any Secured Treasury Management Agreement; provided that Obligations of a Credit Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Credit Party.

 

 

 

“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

“Oil-Chem” means Oil-Chem Research Corporation, an Illinois corporation.

 

“Operating Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease (including, without limitation, leases which may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any Property (whether real, personal or mixed) which is not a Capital Lease other than any such lease in which that Person is the lessor.

 

“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made under this Credit Agreement or under any other Credit Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document.

 

“Outstanding Amount” means (a) with respect to Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments thereof occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any LOC Obligations on any date, the amount of such LOC Obligations on such date after giving effect to any LOC Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the LOC Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements of outstanding unpaid drawings under any Letters of Credit or any reductions in the maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of Credit taking effect on such date.

 

“Participant” means such term as defined in Section 11.3(d).

 

“Participant Register” means such term as defined in Section 11.3(d).

 

“Participation Interest” means the purchase by a Lender of a participation in Letters of Credit as provided in Section 2.4(d), in Swingline Loans as provided in Section 2.5(b)(iii) and in Loans as provided in Section 3.13.

 

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

 

“Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by either Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which either Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years.

 

“Permitted Commodity Hedging” means commodity hedgings by either of the Borrowers existing on the Effective Date secured only by the commodity being hedged and in no event guaranteed by a Guarantor.

 

 

 

“Permitted Investments” means Investments which are either (a) cash and Cash Equivalents; (b) accounts receivable created, acquired or made by any Credit Party or Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; (c) Investments consisting of stock, obligations, securities or other property received by any Credit Party or Subsidiary in settlement of accounts receivable (created in the ordinary course of business) from insolvent obligors; (d) Investments existing as of the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 1.1C; (e) Guaranty Obligations permitted by Section 8.1, (f) Permitted Motorsports Transactions or other acquisitions permitted by Section 8.4(c); (g) loans to directors, officers, employees, agents, customers or suppliers that do not exceed an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 at any one time outstanding for Speedway Motorsports and all of its Subsidiaries taken together; (h) Investments received as consideration in connection with or arising by virtue of any merger, consolidation, sale or other transfer of assets permitted under Section 8.4; (i) Intercompany Indebtedness; (j) Capital Stock or other securities of any Person which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange, the Paris Bourse or NASDAQ, provided the aggregate basis at any one time in such Investments does not exceed $2,500,000 and such investments have not been purchased on margin; (k) loans or advances to Persons to the extent necessary to enable them to pay taxes, fees and other expenses as and when required to maintain liquor licenses provided such loans or advances (i) are customary in Speedway Motorsports’ business and (ii) the aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time of such loans or advances does not exceed $2,000,000; (l) other investment grade investments (at least a BBB- and Baa3 rating (or the equivalent thereof) by S&P and Moody’s) with a maturity of less than five years provided such investments do not exceed $40,000,000 in the aggregate (including, without limitation, privately offered, unregistered funds provided the fund has a AAA rating (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Moody’s); (m) non-investment grade investments with a maturity of less than three years (and non-investment grade open end mutual funds) provided such investments do not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate; and (n) other Investments not contemplated in the foregoing clauses (a) through (m) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year.

 

“Permitted Liens” means:

 

(a)     Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders;

 

(b)     Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or Liens for taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

 

(c)     statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and suppliers and other Liens imposed by law or pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of title arising in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Liens secure only amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

 

(d)     Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) incurred or deposits made by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

 

(e)     Liens arising in connection with attachments or judgments (including judgment or appeal bonds), provided that the judgments secured shall, within sixty (60) days after the entry thereof, be discharged within thirty (30) days or the execution thereof be stayed pending appeal and be discharged within thirty (30) days after the expiration of any such stay;

 

 

 

(f)     easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar charges or encumbrances not, in any material respect, impairing the use of the encumbered Property for its intended purposes;

 

(g)     Liens on Property securing purchase money Indebtedness (including Capital Leases) to the extent permitted under Section 8.1(c), provided that any such Lien attaches to such Property concurrently with or within ninety (90) days after the acquisition thereof;

 

(h)     normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions;

 

(i)     Liens existing as of the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 1.1D;

 

(j)     Liens arising under leases permitted hereunder (other than Capital Leases); and

 

(k)     Liens in favor of the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, on Cash Collateral securing the Obligations of a Defaulting Lender to fund risk participations in LOC Obligations and Swingline Loans.

 

“Permitted Motorsports Transactions” means a transaction or transactions by either Borrower related to the motorsports industry including, without limitation, the acquisition of additional motor speedways, the acquisition of entities involved in motorsports, the formation of new entities (including joint ventures) to conduct business related to motorsports, and the making, promotion, distribution or selling of motorsports merchandise.

 

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness issued or incurred in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to “Refinance” and to constitute a “Refinancing”), the Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided that (a) the principal amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such Refinancing, but the principal amount of any such Refinancing may include (i) the principal amount of unfunded commitments relating thereto, (ii) a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid (it being agreed that the premium paid in connection with the tender and redemption of the 2011 Senior Notes is reasonable), and (iii) the costs thereof, including reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith, (b) the terms relating to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of the Indebtedness subject to such Refinancing, and of any agreement entered into and of any instrument issued in connection therewith, are no less favorable in any material respect to the Credit Parties or the Lenders than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and the interest rate applicable to the Indebtedness subject to such Refinancing does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate, (c) in connection with any Refinancing of the 2011 Senior Notes, any Additional Senior Debt, or any Additional Subordinated Debt, the Borrowers shall provide written evidence to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to such Refinancing that such Indebtedness will be refinanced pursuant to a provision of the 2011 Indenture other than Section 4.09(c)(i) thereof, with respect to the 2011 Senior Notes, any provision establishing a similar, specific limitation on the maximum amount of credit agreement debt in the applicable Additional Senior Debt Indenture, with respect to any Additional Senior Debt, and any provision establishing a similar, specific limitation on the maximum amount of credit agreement debt in the applicable Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture, with respect to any Additional Subordinated Debt and (d) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise in connection with such Refinancing, and the Loan Parties are in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 after giving effect to such Refinancing on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

 

 

“Permitted Transferee” means (a) either of the Borrowers, (b) Sonic Financial Corporation or any successor thereof (provided at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the Voting Stock of Sonic Financial Corporation is owned by O. Bruton Smith, Family Members (as hereinafter defined) or another Permitted Transferee), (c) O. Bruton Smith or the spouse or any lineal descendant of O. Bruton Smith and/or any parent of any such holder (collectively, the “Family Members”), (d) the trustee of a trust (including a voting trust) for the benefit of such holder and/or Family Members, (e) a corporation in respect of which such holder and/or Family Members hold beneficial ownership of all shares of Capital Stock of such corporation, (f) a partnership in respect of which such holder and/or Family Members hold beneficial ownership of all partnership shares of or interests in such partnership, (g) a limited liability company in respect of which such holder and/or Family Members hold beneficial ownership of all memberships in or interests of such company, (h) the estate of such holder and/or Family Members or (i) any other holder of Capital Stock of Speedway Motorsports who or which becomes a holder in accordance with clause (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) or (h) hereof; provided, however, that none of the foregoing will be deemed a Permitted Transferee if the transfer results in the failure of Speedway Motorsports to meet the criteria for listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

“Person” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise (whether or not incorporated) or any Governmental Authority.

 

“Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) established by any of the Borrowers or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.

 

“Platform” means such term as defined in Section 7.1.

 

“Pledge Agreement” means the amended and restated pledge agreement dated as of the Effective Date executed in favor of the Administrative Agent by each of the Borrowers, as amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time.

 

“Prior Period” means such term as defined in Section 7.11(c).

 

“Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to any transaction, for purposes of determining the applicable pricing level under the definition of “Applicable Percentage” and determining compliance with the financial covenants hereunder, that such transaction shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the most recent Calculation Date with respect to which the Administrative Agent has received the Required Financial Information. Further, for purposes of making calculations on a “Pro Forma Basis” hereunder, (a) in the case of any Asset Disposition, (i) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property, entities or business units that are the subject of such Asset Disposition shall be excluded to the extent relating to any period prior to the date thereof, and (ii) Indebtedness paid or retired in connection with such Asset Disposition shall be deemed to have been paid and retired as of the first day of the applicable period; and (b) in the case of any acquisition, consolidation or merger, (i) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property, entities or business units that are the subject thereof shall be included to the extent relating to any period prior to the date thereof, and (ii) Indebtedness incurred in connection with such acquisition, consolidation or merger shall be deemed to have been incurred as of the first day of the applicable period (and interest expense shall be imputed for the applicable period assuming prevailing interest rates hereunder).

 

“Property” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

 

 

 

“Public Lender” means such term as defined in Section 7.1.

 

“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, at any time, each Credit Party with total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

“Refinance” and “Refinancing” have the meaning assigned to those terms in the definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.

 

“Register” means such term as defined in Section 11.3(c).

 

“Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor thereof.

 

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

 

“Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.

 

“Required Financial Information” means, with respect to the applicable Calculation Date, (a) the financial statements of Speedway Motorsports required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 for the fiscal period or quarter ending as of such Calculation Date, and (b) the certificate of the chief financial officer, chief executive officer or president of Speedway Motorsports required by Section 7.1 to be delivered with the financial statements described in clause (a) above.

 

“Required Lenders” means, at any time, (a) Lenders which are then in compliance with their obligations hereunder (as determined by the Administrative Agent) and holding in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the Commitments, or (b) if the Commitments have been terminated or have expired, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate principal amount of the Obligations outstanding (taking into account in each case Participation Interests or obligations to participate therein); provided that the Commitments of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

 

“Responsible Officer” means (a) the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Credit Party, (b) solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 5.1, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Credit Party and, (c) solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Section 2 or Section 3, any other officer or employee of the applicable Credit Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the applicable Credit Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Credit Party and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Credit Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Credit Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Credit Party. To the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, each Responsible Officer will provide an incumbency certificate and to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, appropriate authorization documentation, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

 

 

“Restricted Payment” means (a) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of stock of any Credit Party, now or hereafter outstanding, (b) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of stock of Speedway Motorsports or any of its Subsidiaries, now or hereafter outstanding, (c) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any class of stock of Speedway Motorsports or any of its Subsidiaries, or (d) any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Indebtedness pursuant to clause (a)(i) of the definition of “Intercompany Indebtedness”.

 

“Revolving Commitment” means the commitment of each Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding of up to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage multiplied by the Revolving Committed Amount (as such Revolving Committed Amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 3.4).

 

“Revolving Commitment Percentage” means, for any Revolving Lender, the percentage identified as its Revolving Commitment as specified in Schedule 2.1.

 

“Revolving Committed Amount” means, collectively, the aggregate amount of all the Revolving Commitments as referenced in Section 2.1(a) and individually, the amount of each Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment as specified in Schedule 2.1.

 

“Revolving Lenders” means Lenders holding a Revolving Commitment hereunder, or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated or have expired, Lenders having Revolving Obligations outstanding hereunder (taking into account in each case Participation Interests).

 

“Revolving Loans” means such term as defined in Section 2.1(a).

 

“Revolving Obligations” means the Revolving Loans, the LOC Obligations and the Swingline Loans.

 

“Revolving Note” or “Revolving Notes” means the promissory notes of the Borrowers in favor of each of the Revolving Lenders evidencing the Revolving Loans in substantially the form attached as Schedule 2.8(a)-1, individually or collectively, as appropriate as such promissory notes may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.

 

“Sanction(s)” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including, without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America succeeding to the powers and duties thereof.

 

“Secured Hedge Agreement” means any Hedge Agreement permitted under Section 8.1 that is entered into by and between either Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank.

 

“Secured Party Designation Notice” means a notice from any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender substantially in the form of Schedule 9.3.

 

“Secured Treasury Management Agreement” means any Treasury Management Agreement that is entered into by and between either Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Treasury Management Bank.

 

 

 

“Securitization Transaction” means any financing or factoring or similar transaction (or series of such transactions) entered into by the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries pursuant to which such Person sells, conveys or otherwise transfers, or grants a security interest in, accounts, payments, receivables, rights to future lease payments or residuals or similar rights to payment to a special purpose subsidiary or affiliate or any other Person.

 

“Senior Subordinated Notes” means the senior subordinated notes due 2013 of Speedway Motorsports in the aggregate original principal amount of $330,000,000 issued pursuant to that certain Indenture dated as of May 16, 2003 among Speedway Motorsports, as issuer, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank, National Association as trustee. The Senior Subordinated Notes have been redeemed in their entirety.

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of McGraw Hill, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such division in the business of rating securities.

 

“Solvent” or “Solvency” means, with respect to any Person as of a particular date, that on such date (a) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (b) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature in their ordinary course, (c) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person’s Property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged or is to engage, (d) the fair value of the Property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities, of such Person and (e) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

“Specified Loan Party” means any Credit Party that is not then an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 4.7).

 

“Speedway Funding” means such term as defined in the introductory paragraph hereof.

 

“Speedway Motorsports” means such term as defined in the introductory paragraph hereof.

 

“Sprint Cup Race” means a race this is part of NASCAR’s premier point series championship, currently known as the Sprint Cup Series, as it may be renamed from time to time.

 

“Subsidiary” means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time, any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than fifty percent (50%) equity interest at any time. Unless otherwise provided, “Subsidiary” shall mean a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports. The term “Subsidiary” shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

 

 

“Swap Obligations” means, with respect to any Credit Party, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Hedge Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Hedge Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Hedge Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Hedge Agreements, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Hedge Agreements (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

 

“Swingline Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $10,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Commitments. The Swingline Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Commitments.

 

“Swingline Lender” means the Administrative Agent.

 

“Swingline Loan” means such term as defined in Section 2.5(a).

 

“Swingline Note” means the promissory notes of the Borrowers in favor of the Swingline Lender evidencing the Swingline Loans in substantially the form attached as Schedule 2.8(a)-2, as such promissory notes may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.

 

“Synthetic Lease” means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing arrangement that is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease under GAAP.

 

“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

“Term Loan” means the Term Loan A, the Delayed Draw Term Loan and any Incremental Term Loan.

 

“Term Loan A” means such term as defined in Section 2.1(b).

 

“Term Loan A Commitments” means, for each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a portion of the Term Loan A as set forth on Schedule 2.1 (as may such commitments may be reduced pursuant to Section 3.4); provided that, at any time after funding of the Term Loan A determinations of “Required Lenders” shall be based on the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan A. The aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan A Commitments of all of the Lenders in effect on the Effective Date is ONE HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($150,000,000).

 

“Term Loan A Commitment Percentage” means, for any Lender, the percentage identified as its Term Loan A Commitment as specified in Schedule 2.1.

 

“Term Loan A Note” or “Term Loan A Notes” means the promissory notes of the Borrowers in favor of each of the Lenders with a Term Loan A Commitment, evidencing its portion of the Term Loan A in substantially the form attached as Schedule 2.8(a)-3, individually or collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory notes may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.

 

 

 

“Termination Date” means December 29, 2019; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day, the Termination Date shall be the preceding Business Day.

 

“Threshold Requirement” means such term as defined in Section 7.12(b).

 

“Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all LOC Obligations.

 

“Treasury Management Agreement” means any agreement governing the provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overnight draft, credit cards, debit cards, p-cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.

 

“Treasury Management Bank” means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Treasury Management Agreement with either Borrower or any Subsidiary provided that (a) at the time such Person enters into such Treasury Management Agreement, such Person is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (b) such Treasury Management Agreement exists on the Effective Date and such Person is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender on the Effective Date.

 

“Type” means with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

 

“Unfunded Pension Liability” means the excess of a Pension Plan’s benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the applicable plan year.

 

“Unreimbursed Amount” means such term as defined in Section 2.4(d)(i).

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiaries” means, collectively, Oil-Chem, NewCo and each subsidiary thereof.

 

“Upfront Fee” means such term as defined in Section 3.5(e).

 

“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.

 

1.2     Computation of Time Periods.

 

For purposes of computation of periods of time hereunder, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding.”

 

1.3     Computation of Interest and Fee; Pro Forma Calculations; Accounting Terms; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Percentage.

 

(a)     All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 3.14(a), bear interest for one (1) day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

 

 

(b)     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with this Credit Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof (or, prior to the delivery of the first financial statements pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof, consistent with the financial statements as of December 31, 2013); provided, however, if (a) Speedway Motorsports shall object in writing to determining such compliance on such basis at the time of delivery of such financial statements due to any change in GAAP or the rules promulgated with respect thereto or in replacement thereof (including, without limitation, as a result of the adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards by any governmental or professional body) or (b) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall so object in writing within thirty (30) days after delivery of such financial statements, then such calculations shall be made on a basis consistent with the most recent financial statements delivered by Speedway Motorsports to the Lenders as to which no such objection shall have been made.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, determination of (i) the applicable pricing level under the definition of “Applicable Percentage” and (ii) compliance with the financial covenants hereunder shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

(d)     If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Speedway Motorsports or for any other reason, the Borrowers or the Lenders determine that (i) the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrowers as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrowers shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrowers under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, under Section 2.4(d)(iii), 2.4(i) or 2.7(c) or under Section 9. The Borrowers’ obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

 

 

 

1.4     Letter of Credit Amounts.

 

Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any LOC Documents related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

 

1.5     Times of Day.

 

Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

1.6     Rates.

 

The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “Eurodollar Rate” or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto.

 

Section 2

CREDIT FACILITY

 

2.1     Credit Facilities.

 

(a)     Revolving Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans (“Revolving Loans”) to the Borrowers from time to time from the Effective Date until the Termination Date, or such earlier date as the Revolving Commitments shall have been terminated as provided herein for the purposes hereinafter set forth; provided, however, that the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount and; provided, further, (i) with regard to each Revolving Lender individually, such Lender’s share of outstanding Revolving Obligations shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Committed Amount, (ii) with regard to the Revolving Lenders collectively, the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Obligations shall not exceed ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($100,000,000) (as such aggregate maximum amount may from time to time be increased pursuant to Section 2.6 or reduced as provided in Section 3.4, the “Revolving Committed Amount”) and (iii) with regard to the Revolving Lenders collectively, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Obligations shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount. Revolving Loans may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a combination thereof, as the Borrowers may request and may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof; provided, however, that no more than six Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding hereunder at any time with respect to Revolving Loans. For purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with different Interest Periods shall be considered as separate Eurodollar Loans, even if they begin on the same date and have the same duration, although borrowings, extensions and conversions may, in accordance with the provisions hereof, be combined at the end of existing Interest Periods to constitute a new Eurodollar Loan with a single Interest Period.

 

(b)     Term Loan A. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make its portion of a term loan (the “Term Loan A”) to the Borrowers in Dollars in one advance on the Effective Date in an amount not to exceed such Lender’s Term Loan A Commitment. Amounts repaid on the Term Loan A may not be reborrowed. The Term Loan A may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a combination thereof, as further provided herein.

 

 

 

(c)     Delayed Draw Term Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make its portion of a term loan (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan”) to the Borrowers in Dollars in one advance at any time during the Availability Period in an amount not to exceed such Lender’s Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment; provided, however, (x) before the advance of the Delayed Draw Term Loan may be made under this Section 2.1(c), the Chief Financial Officer of Speedway Motorsports and the President of Speedway Funding shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate demonstrating that, upon giving effect to the Delayed Draw Term Loan on a Pro Forma Basis, the Credit Parties would be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 as of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries are available. Amounts repaid on the Delayed Draw Term Loan may not be reborrowed. The Delayed Draw Term Loan may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a combination thereof, as further provided herein.

 

2.2     Borrowings.

 

(a)     Notice of Borrowing. The Borrowers shall request a Loan borrowing by delivery of a Notice of Borrowing (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by delivery of a Notice of Borrowing) to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day prior to the date of the requested borrowing in the case of Base Rate Loans, and on the third Business Day prior to the date of the requested borrowing in the case of Eurodollar Loans. Each such request for borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A) that a Revolving Loan or Term Loan, if applicable, is requested, (B) the date of the requested borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the aggregate principal amount to be borrowed and (D) whether the borrowing shall be comprised of Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans or a combination thereof, and if Eurodollar Loans are requested, the Interest Period(s) therefor. If any such Notice of Borrowing shall fail to specify (I) an applicable Interest Period in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, then such notice shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest Period of one month, (II) the type of Revolving Loan requested, then such notice shall be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Loan hereunder and (III) whether the borrowing is a Revolving Loan or a Term Loan, then such notice shall be deemed to be a request for a Revolving Loan. The Administrative Agent shall give notice to each Lender before 5:00 p.m. on the day of receipt of each Notice of Borrowing specifying the contents thereof and each such Lender’s share of any borrowing to be made pursuant thereto.

 

(b)     Minimum Amounts. Each Loan borrowing shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, with respect to Revolving Loans, the remaining amount of the Revolving Commitment, if less).

 

(c)     Advances. Each Lender will make its Commitment Percentage of each Loan borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Borrowers at the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Schedule 11.1, or at such other office as the Administrative Agent may designate in writing, by 12:00 noon on the date specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing in Dollars and in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be made available to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent by crediting the account of the Borrowers on the books of such office with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

 

 

 

(d)     After giving effect to all borrowings of Loans, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten Interest Periods in effect with respect to Loans.

 

2.3     Repayment of Loans.

 

(a)     Revolving Loans. The Borrowers shall repay to the Lenders on the Termination Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.

 

(b)     Swingline Loans. The Borrowers shall repay each Swingline Loan in accordance with Section 2.5(b)(iii).

 

(c)     Term Loan A.  Commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2015, the Borrowers shall repay the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan A on the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter in an amount equal to one and one-quarter percent (1.25%) of the aggregate initial principal amount of the Term Loan A, as such installments may hereafter be adjusted as a result of prepayments made pursuant to Section 3.3. The outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan A (together with any unpaid accrued interest thereon) shall be due and payable in full on the Termination Date, unless accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 9.2.

 

(d)     Delayed Draw Term Loan.  Commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2015, the Borrowers shall repay the outstanding principal amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan on the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter in an amount equal to one and one-quarter percent (1.25%) of the aggregate initial principal amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan, as such installments may hereafter be adjusted as a result of prepayments made pursuant to Section 3.3. The outstanding principal amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan (together with any unpaid accrued interest thereon) shall be due and payable in full on the Termination Date, unless accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 9.2.

 

(e)     Incremental Term Loan. The Borrowers shall repay the outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term Loan in the installments on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the definitive documentation therefor (as such installments may hereafter be adjusted as a result of prepayments made pursuant to Section 3.3), unless accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 9.2.

 

2.4     Letter of Credit Subfacility.

 

(a)     Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) the Issuing Lender agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.4, (A) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date until the Termination Date, to issue Letters of Credit in Dollars for the account of either Borrower or any Subsidiary of either Borrower, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (B) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (ii) the Revolving Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of either Borrower or any Subsidiary of either Borrower and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any LOC Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Obligations shall not exceed the aggregate amount of all Revolving Commitments, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Loans of any Lender, plus such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all LOC Obligations, plus such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swingline Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the LOC Obligations shall not exceed the LOC Sublimit. Each request by a Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrowers that the LOC Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly each Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Effective Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

 

 

 

(b)     Obligation to Issue or Amend.

 

(i)     The Issuing Lender shall not issue any Letter of Credit if:

 

(A)     subject to Section 2.4(c)(iii), the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve (12) months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date; or

 

(B)     the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Termination Date, unless all the Lenders have approved such expiry date.

 

(ii)     The Issuing Lender shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

 

(A)     any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Lender from issuing or amending the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance or amendment of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it;

 

(B)     the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Lender applicable to letters of credit generally;

 

(C)     except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $100,000;

 

 

 

(D)     the Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars;

 

(E)     any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the Issuing Lender has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the Issuing Lender (in its sole discretion) with the Borrowers or such Lender to eliminate the Issuing Lender’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 3.18(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other LOC Obligations as to which the Issuing Lender has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion; or

 

(F)     the Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder.

 

(iii)     The Issuing Lender shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the Issuing Lender would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.

 

(iv)     The Issuing Lender shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the Issuing Lender would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.

 

(v)     The Issuing Lender shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the Issuing Lender shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Section 10 with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Issuing Lender in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and LOC Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Section 10 included the Issuing Lender with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the Issuing Lender.

 

(c)     Procedures for Issuance and Amendment; Auto-Renewal.

 

(i)     Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of a Borrower delivered to the Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit application, appropriately completed and signed by such Borrower. Such Letter of Credit application may be sent by facsimile, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the Issuing Lender, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the Issuing Lender. Such Letter of Credit application must be received by the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two (2) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Issuing Lender may agree in a particular instance in its sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Issuing Lender: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) such other matters as the Issuing Lender may require; and (H) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Issuing Lender (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the Issuing Lender may require.

 

 

 

(ii)     Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit application, the Issuing Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit application from a Borrower and, if not, the Issuing Lender will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Upon receipt by the Issuing Lender of confirmation from the Administrative Agent that the requested issuance or amendment is permitted in accordance with the terms hereof, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Lender shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the applicable Borrower or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the Issuing Lender’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Issuing Lender a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of such Letter of Credit.

 

(iii)     If the Borrowers so request in any applicable Letter of Credit application, the Issuing Lender may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic renewal provisions (each, an “Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit must permit the Issuing Lender to prevent any such renewal at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Renewal Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the Issuing Lender, the Borrowers shall not be required to make a specific request to the Issuing Lender for any such renewal. Once an Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit has been issued, the Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the Issuing Lender to permit the renewal of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Termination Date; provided, however, that the Issuing Lender shall not permit any such renewal if (A) the Issuing Lender has determined that it would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its renewed form under the terms hereof, or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Renewal Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that Revolving Lenders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the Revolving Commitments have elected not to permit such renewal or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Revolving Lender or Credit Party that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 5.2 is not then satisfied.

 

(iv)     Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the Issuing Lender will also deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

 

 

 

(d)     Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.

 

(i)     Upon any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall notify the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “Honor Date”), the Borrowers shall reimburse the Issuing Lender through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrowers fail to so reimburse the Issuing Lender by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested a borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.2(b) for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, the amount of the unutilized portion of the aggregate Revolving Commitments or the conditions set forth in Section 5.2. Any notice given by the Issuing Lender or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

 

(ii)     Each Revolving Lender (including the Revolving Lender acting as Issuing Lender) shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.4(d)(i) make funds available and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral for this purpose to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(d)(iii), each Revolving Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan to the Borrowers in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Issuing Lender.

 

(iii)     With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a borrowing of Base Rate Loans for any reason, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have incurred from the Issuing Lender an LOC Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which LOC Borrowing Borrowers promise to pay (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Revolving Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.4(d)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such LOC Borrowing and shall constitute an LOC Advance from such Revolving Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.4.

 

(iv)     Until each Revolving Lender funds its Revolving Loan or LOC Advance pursuant to this Section to reimburse the Issuing Lender for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the Issuing Lender.

 

(v)     Each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or LOC Advances to reimburse the Issuing Lender for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section, shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender may have against the Issuing Lender, the Borrowers or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or Event of Default, (C) non-compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 5.2, or (D) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. No such making of an LOC Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse the Issuing Lender for the amount of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

 

 

 

(vi)     If any Revolving Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section by the time specified herein, the Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Issuing Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. A certificate of the Issuing Lender submitted to any Revolving Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(e)     Repayment of Participations.

 

(i)     At any time after the Issuing Lender has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Revolving Lender such Lender’s LOC Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.4(d), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the Issuing Lender any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrowers or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s LOC Advance was outstanding) in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.

 

(ii)     If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.4(d)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 3.15 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Issuing Lender in its discretion), each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender its Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.

 

(f)     Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse the Issuing Lender for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each LOC Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

 

(i)     waiver by the Issuing Lender of any requirement that exists for the Issuing Lender’s protection and not the protection of the Borrowers or any waiver by the Issuing Lender which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrowers;  

 

 

 

(ii)     honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;  

 

(iii)     any payment made by the Issuing Lender in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;

 

(iv)     any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Credit Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;

 

(v)     the existence of any claim, counterclaim, set-off, defense or other right that the Borrowers may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Credit Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

 

(vi)     any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

 

(vii)     any payment by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable insolvency or debtor relief law; or

 

(viii)     any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrowers.

 

The Borrowers shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrowers’ instructions or other irregularity, the Borrowers will immediately notify the Issuing Lender. The Borrowers shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the Issuing Lender and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

 

 

 

(g)     Role of Issuing Lender. Each Revolving Lender and the Borrowers agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the Issuing Lender, any Agent Parties nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of the Issuing Lender shall be liable to any Revolving Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders, the Required Lenders, or Revolving Lenders holding in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the Revolving Commitments, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit application. The Borrowers hereby assume all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrowers’ pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the Issuing Lender, any Agent Parties, nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of the Issuing Lender, shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 2.4(f); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrowers may have a claim against the Issuing Lender, and the Issuing Lender may be liable to the Borrowers, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrowers that the Borrowers prove were caused by the Issuing Lender’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the Issuing Lender’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Issuing Lender may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, that may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The Issuing Lender may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.

 

(h)     Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Issuing Lender and the applicable Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the UCP shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuing Lender shall not be responsible to the applicable Borrower for, and the Issuing Lender’s rights and remedies against the applicable Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the Issuing Lender required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Credit Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the Issuing Lender or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.

 

(i)     Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrowers shall pay Letter of Credit fees as set forth in Section 3.5(c).

 

 

 

(j)     Conflict with Letter of Credit Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any LOC Document, the terms hereof shall control.

 

(k)     Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrowers shall be obligated to reimburse the Issuing Lender hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. Each of the Borrowers hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrowers, and that each of the Borrower’s businesses derive substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

 

2.5     Swingline Loan Subfacility.

 

(a)     Swingline Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender may, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.5 and in its sole discretion, make certain revolving credit loans to the Borrowers (each a “Swingline Loan” and, collectively, the “Swingline Loans”) at any time and from time to time, during the period from the Effective Date until the Termination Date for the purposes hereinafter set forth; provided, however, (i) the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed the Swingline Sublimit, and (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Obligations outstanding at any time shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount. Swingline Loans hereunder shall be made as Base Rate Loans in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.5, and may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

(b)     Swingline Loan Advances.

 

(i)     Notices; Disbursement. The Borrowers shall request a Swingline Loan advance hereunder by delivery of a Notice of Borrowing (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by delivery of a Notice of Borrowing) to the Swingline Lender not later than 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day of the requested Swingline Loan advance. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A) that a Swingline Loan advance is requested, (B) the date of the requested Swingline Loan advance (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the principal amount of the Swingline Loan advance requested and (D) that all of the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 are then satisfied. Each Swingline Loan shall be made as a Base Rate Loan and shall have such maturity date as the Swingline Lender and the Borrowers shall agree upon receipt by the Swingline Lender of any such notice from the Borrowers. The Swingline Lender shall initiate the transfer of funds representing the Swingline Loan advance to the Borrowers by 3:00 p.m. on the Business Day of the requested borrowing.

 

(ii)     Minimum Amounts. Each Swingline Loan advance shall be in a minimum principal amount of $500,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof.

 

 

 

(iii)     Repayment of Swingline Loans. The Borrowers shall repay each Swingline Loan on the earlier to occur of (A) the date fifteen (15) Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made or (B) the Termination Date. The Swingline Lender may, at any time, in its sole discretion, by written notice to the Borrowers, demand repayment of their Swingline Loans by way of a Revolving Loan advance, in which case the Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Loan advance comprised solely of Base Rate Loans in the amount of such Swingline Loans; provided, however, that any such demand shall be deemed to have been given one Business Day prior to the Termination Date and on the date of the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 9.1 and upon acceleration of the Indebtedness hereunder and the exercise of remedies in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2. Each Revolving Lender, if so directed by the Administrative Agent in writing, hereby irrevocably agrees to make its pro rata share of each such Revolving Loan in the amount, in the manner and on the date specified in the preceding sentence notwithstanding (I) the amount of such borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for advances of Revolving Loans otherwise required hereunder, (II) whether any conditions specified in Section 5.2 are then satisfied, (III) whether a Default or an Event of Default then exists, (IV) failure of any such request or deemed request for Revolving Loan to be made by the time otherwise required hereunder, (V) whether the date of such borrowing is a date on which Revolving Loans are otherwise permitted to be made hereunder or (VI) any termination of the Revolving Commitments relating thereto immediately prior to or contemporaneously with or after such borrowing. In the event that any Revolving Loan cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including, without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to either of the Borrowers or any other Credit Party), then each Revolving Lender hereby agrees that it shall upon written notice of the unavailability of a Revolving Loan and request for participation purchase (as of the date such borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments received from the Borrowers on or after such date and prior to such purchase) from the Swingline Lender such Participation Interests in the outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary to cause each such Lender to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon its Revolving Commitment Percentage (determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 3.4), provided that all interest payable on the Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date as of which the respective Participation Interests are purchased.

 

(c)     Interest on Swingline Loans. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.7(c), each Swingline Loan shall bear interest at per annum rate equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Percentage. Interest on Swingline Loans shall be payable in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date (or at such other times as may be specified herein). The Swingline Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrowers for interest on the Swingline Loans. Until each Revolving Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.5 to refinance such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of any Swingline Loan, interest in respect of such Revolving Commitment Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swingline Lender.

 

(d)     Payments Directly to Swingline Lender. The Borrowers shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swingline Loans directly to the Swingline Lender.

 

2.6     Incremental Loan Facilities.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may at any time after the Effective Date, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, establish additional credit facilities (the “Incremental Loan Facilities”) by increasing the Revolving Commitments in an aggregate amount of up to $100,000,000 or establishing one or more incremental term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $200,000,000 (each such term loan, an “Incremental Term Loan”), or some combination thereof; provided that:

 

(a)     the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Loan Facilities established pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall not exceed Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000);

 

 

 

(b)     no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing;

 

(c)     any such increase shall be in a minimum aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000 and integral multiples of $10,000,000 in excess thereof (or the remaining amount, if less);

 

(d)     with respect to any Incremental Term Loan established pursuant to this Section 2.6, (i) the maturity date of such Incremental Term Loan shall be coterminous with or later than the Termination Date and the maturity date of any then existing Incremental Term Loan and (ii) the weighted average life to maturity of such Incremental Term Loan shall not be shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of the Delayed Draw Term Loan and any then existing Incremental Term Loan;

 

(e)     the conditions to the making of a Loan set forth in Section 5.2 shall be satisfied;

 

(f)     the Administrative Agent shall have received legal opinions, authorizing resolutions and such other documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent;

 

(g)     after giving effect to any increase in the Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.6 (and assuming that all revolving commitments are fully drawn) and/or the establishment of any Incremental Term Loan on a Pro Forma Basis, the Borrowers shall be in compliance with (i) the 2011 Senior Notes, any Additional Senior Debt, any Additional Subordinated Debt and any other senior unsecured notes or senior subordinated notes and their related indentures and (ii) the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11;

 

(h)     the Borrowers shall pay any applicable upfront and/or arrangement fees; and

 

(i)     the proceeds of any Incremental Loan Facilities shall be subject to the provisions of Section 7.9.

 

(j)     the Borrowers shall obtain commitments for the amount of the increase in the Revolving Commitment or for any Incremental Term Loan pursuant to this Section 2.6 from existing Lenders (provided that no existing Lender shall have any obligation to increase its Revolving Commitments hereunder or provide any portion of any such Incremental Term Loan) or other commercial banks or financial institutions that would constitute an Eligible Assignee that are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (and with respect to any increase in the Revolving Commitments, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender), provided that such other commercial banks and financial institutions join in this Credit Agreement as Lenders by joinder agreement or other arrangement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. In connection with any such increase in the Revolving Commitments or the establishment of Incremental Term Loan Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.6, Schedule 2.1 shall be revised to reflect the modified Commitments and Commitment Percentages of the Lenders, and the Borrowers will provide supporting corporate resolutions, legal opinions, promissory notes and other items as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the new Lenders (including the existing Lenders that are increasing their commitments) in connection therewith.

 

 

 

This Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents may be amended with the written consent of the Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent for the purpose of including and establishing an Incremental Loan Facility permitted hereunder.

 

In connection with the establishment of any Incremental Loan Facility, (A) none of the Joint Lead Arrangers shall have any obligation to arrange for or assist in arranging for any Incremental Loan Facility without its prior written approval and shall be subject to such conditions, including fee arrangements, as may be provided in connection therewith, (B) none of the Lenders, including Bank of America, shall have any obligation to provide commitments or loans for any Incremental Loan Facility without its prior written approval and (C) Schedule 2.1 will be revised to reflect the Lenders, Loans, Commitments, committed amounts and Commitment Percentages after giving effect to the establishment of any Incremental Loan Facility.

 

2.7     Interest.

 

(a)     Subject to the provisions of Section 2.7(c), (i) each Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Percentage; and (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Percentage.

 

(b)     Subject to the provisions of Section 2.7(c), (i) each Eurodollar Loan or Base Rate Loan comprising all or a part of an Incremental Term Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal as set forth in the documentation executed in connection with the applicable Incremental Loan Facility.

 

(c)     (i)     If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws.

 

(i)     If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrowers under any Credit Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws.

 

(ii)     Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, the Borrowers shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws.

 

(iii)     Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

 

(d)     Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein.  Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

 

 

2.8     Evidence of Debt.

 

(a)     The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business.  The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon.  Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.  Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records.  Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

(b)     In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.8(a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

Section 3

OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES

 

3.1     [Reserved].

 

3.2     Extension and Conversion.

 

The Borrowers shall have the option on any Business Day, to extend existing Loans into a subsequent permissible Interest Period or to convert Loans into Loans of another type; provided, however, that (i) except as provided in Section 3.8, Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans only on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) Eurodollar Loans may be extended, and Base Rate Loans may be converted into Eurodollar Loans, only if no Default or Event of Default is in existence on the date of extension or conversion, (iii) Loans extended as, or converted into, Eurodollar Loans shall be subject to the terms of the definition of “Interest Period” set forth in Section 1.1 and shall be in such minimum amounts as provided in Section 2, (iv) no more than six separate Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding hereunder at any time with respect to the Revolving Loans and no more than six separate Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding hereunder at any time with respect to any Term Loan, if applicable, and (v) any request for extension or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan which shall fail to specify an Interest Period shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest Period of one month. Each such extension or conversion shall be effected by the Borrowers by giving a Notice of Extension/Conversion (or telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day of, in the case of the conversion of a Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan and on the third Business Day prior to, in the case of the extension of a Eurodollar Loan as, or conversion of a Base Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the date of the proposed extension or conversion, specifying the date of the proposed extension or conversion, the Loans to be so extended or converted, the types of Loans into which such Loans are to be converted and, if appropriate, the applicable Interest Periods with respect thereto. Each request for extension or conversion shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers of the matters specified in subsections (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of Section 5.2. In the event the Borrowers fail to request extension or conversion of any Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this Section, or any such conversion or extension is not permitted or required by this Section, then such Loan shall be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto. The Administrative Agent shall give each applicable Lender notice as promptly as practicable of any such proposed extension or conversion affecting any Loan.

 

 

 

3.3     Prepayments.

 

(a)     Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrowers shall have the right to prepay Loans in whole or in part from time to time without premium or penalty upon delivery of a Notice of Loan Prepayment; provided, however, that (i) Eurodollar Loans may only be prepaid on three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent specifying the applicable Loans to be prepaid, (ii) any prepayment of Eurodollar Loans will be accompanied by accrued interest thereon and subject to Section 3.11; and (iii) each such partial prepayment of Loans shall be in a minimum principal amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each such Notice of Loan Prepayment shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and the Loans that are to be prepaid. The Administrative Agent will give prompt notice to the Lenders of any prepayment on the Loans and each Lender’s interest therein. Subject to Section 3.18, each such prepayment shall be applied to the Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages. Subject to the foregoing terms, (A) voluntary prepayments on Revolving Loans shall be applied to outstanding Revolving Loans as the Borrowers may elect and (B) voluntary prepayments on any Term Loan, if applicable, shall be applied to the remaining principal amortization installments in inverse order of maturity. Within the foregoing parameters for application, voluntary prepayments shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Loans. Voluntary prepayments on the Revolving Loans may be reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof. Such voluntary prepayments shall not reduce the Revolving Committed Amount. Amounts prepaid on the Term Loans, if applicable, may not be reborrowed.

 

(b)     Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(i)     Overadvance. If at any time (A) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Obligations exceeds the Revolving Committed Amount, (B) the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations shall exceed the aggregate LOC Sublimit, or (C) the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans shall exceed the Swingline Sublimit, the Borrowers jointly and severally promise to prepay immediately upon demand the outstanding principal balance on the Revolving Loans or provide Cash Collateral in the manner and in an aggregate amount necessary to eliminate such excess in respect of the LOC Obligations. In the case of a mandatory prepayment required on account of subsection (B) in the foregoing sentence, the amount required to be paid shall serve to temporarily reduce the Revolving Committed Amount (for purposes of borrowing availability hereunder, but not for purposes of computation of fees) by the amount of the payment required until such time as the situation shall no longer exist. Payments hereunder shall be applied first to the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and then to a Cash Collateral account in respect of the LOC Obligations.

 

 

 

(ii)     Asset Dispositions. The Obligations shall be immediately prepaid as hereafter provided in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Cash Proceeds received from any Asset Disposition to the extent (A) such Net Cash Proceeds are not reinvested in the same or similar property or assets within six (6) months of the date of such Asset Disposition, and (B) the aggregate amount of such Net Cash Proceeds not reinvested in accordance with the foregoing clause (A) shall exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year.

 

(iii)     Debt Transactions. The Obligations shall be immediately prepaid as hereafter provided in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Cash Proceeds received from any Debt Transaction.

 

(iv)     Application. All prepayments made pursuant to Sections 3.3(b)(ii) and (iii) shall be accompanied by accrued interest thereon and subject to Section 3.11 and shall be applied (A) first, pro rata to the Term Loan A, the Delayed Draw Term Loan and any Incremental Term Loan then outstanding until each is paid in full, with application to the principal amortization installments thereof in inverse order of maturity, second, to Swingline Loans, and third, to Revolving Loans, in each case to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. Prepayments on the Revolving Obligations under Sections 3.3(b)(ii) and (iii) shall permanently reduce the Revolving Committed Amount.

 

(c)     Notice. The Borrowers will provide notice to the Administrative Agent of any prepayment by 11:00 a.m. on the date of prepayment. Amounts paid on the Loans under subsections (a) and (b)(i) hereof may be reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

3.4     Termination and Reduction of Commitments.

 

The Borrowers may from time to time permanently reduce or terminate the aggregate Revolving Committed Amount or the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitments in whole or in part (in minimum aggregate amounts of $10,000,000 (or, if less, the full remaining amount of the Revolving Committed Amount or the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitments, as applicable)) upon five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice from the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent; provided, however, no such termination or reduction shall be made which would reduce the Revolving Committed Amount to an amount less than the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Obligations outstanding. The Revolving Commitments of the Revolving Lenders shall automatically terminate on the Termination Date. The Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitments shall terminate upon expiration of the Availability Period. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each of the Lenders of receipt by the Administrative Agent of any notice from the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 3.4. Any reduction of Commitments shall be applied to the applicable Commitment of each Lender according to its Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Percentage or Revolving Commitment Percentage, as applicable. All fees accrued until the effect date of any termination of Commitments shall be paid in full on the effective date of such termination.

 

3.5     Fees.

 

(a)     Commitment Fee. In consideration of the Revolving Commitments hereunder, the Borrowers agree to pay the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Lenders in accordance with such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage a commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”) equal to the Applicable Percentage per annum on the actual daily unused amount of the Revolving Committed Amount for the applicable period; provided that (i) no commitment fees shall accrue on the Revolving Commitment in favor of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender and (ii) any commitment fee accrued with respect to the Revolving Commitment of a Defaulting Lender during the period prior to the time such Lender became a Defaulting Lender and unpaid at such time shall not be payable by the Borrowers so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender For the purposes hereof Swingline Loans shall not be considered usage under the Revolving Commitments. The Commitment Fee shall be payable (i) quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, beginning with the first such date to occur after the Effective Date and (ii) on the Termination Date. For purposes of clarification, Swingline Loans shall not be considered outstanding for purposes of determining the unused portion of the Revolving Committed Amount.

 

 

 

(b)     Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Fee. The Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Percentage, a delayed draw term loan commitment fee (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Fee”) in Dollars at a rate per annum equal to the product of (i) the Applicable Percentage for such period times (ii) the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment of such Lender, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 1.3. The Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Fee shall accrue at all times after February 2, 2015 through and including the last day of the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Section 5 is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with March 31, 2015, and on the last day of the Availability Period; provided, that (A) no Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Fee shall accrue on the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender and (B) any Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment Fee accrued with respect to the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment of a Defaulting Lender during the period prior to the time such Lender became a Defaulting Lender and unpaid at such time shall not be payable by the Borrowers so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

 

(c)     Letter of Credit Fees.

 

(i)     Letter of Credit Issuance Fee. In consideration of the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, the Borrowers jointly and severally promise to pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Lenders in accordance with such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage a fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) in an amount equal to (i) with respect to each commercial Letter of Credit, the Applicable Percentage for the Letter of Credit Fee times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and (ii) with respect to each standby Letter of Credit, the Applicable Percentage for the Letter of Credit Fee times the actual daily maximum amount available to be drawn under each standby Letter of Credit computed at a per annum rate for each day from the date of issuance to the date of expiration; provided, however, any Letter of Credit Fees otherwise payable for the account of a Defaulting Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit as to which such Defaulting Lender has not provided Cash Collateral satisfactory to the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.4 shall be payable, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, to the other Lenders in accordance with the upward adjustments in their respective Revolving Commitment Percentages allocable to such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 3.18(a)(iv), with the balance of such fee, if any, payable to the Issuing Lender for its own account. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.4. The Letter of Credit Fee will be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, beginning with the first such date to occur after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.

 

 

 

(ii)     Issuing Lender Fees. In addition to the Letter of Credit Fee payable pursuant to clause (i) above, the Borrowers jointly and severally promise to pay, to the Issuing Lender for its own account without sharing by the other Lenders the letter of credit fronting and negotiation fees agreed to by the Borrowers and the Issuing Lender from time to time and the customary charges from time to time of the Issuing Lender with respect to the issuance, amendment, transfer, administration, cancellation and conversion of, and drawings under, such Letters of Credit (collectively, the “Issuing Lender Fees”).

 

(d)     Administrative Fees. The Borrowers jointly and severally promise to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account and for the account of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as applicable, the annual administrative fee, structuring fee and other fees referred to in the Agent’s Fee Letter (collectively, the “Agent’s Fees”).

 

(e)     Upfront Fees. The Borrowers jointly and severally promise to pay to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in immediately available funds on or before the Effective Date an upfront fee (the “Upfront Fee”) as outlined in that certain letter agreement dated as of December 4, 2014 by and among the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Lead Banks (as defined therein) and the Borrowers.

 

3.6     Increased Costs.

 

(a)     Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)     impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Eurodollar Rate) or the Issuing Lender;

 

(ii)     subject any Lender or the Issuing Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Credit Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any Eurodollar Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or the Issuing Lender in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 3.10 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender or the Issuing Lender); or

 

(iii)     impose on any Lender or the Issuing Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Credit Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting, continuing or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the Issuing Lender of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the Issuing Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the Issuing Lender, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

 

 

(b)     Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the Issuing Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the Issuing Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Credit Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)     Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)     Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six (6) months prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, delivers to the Borrowers a certificate for reimbursement as provided in Section 3.6(c) (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

(e)     Reserves on Eurodollar Loans. The Borrowers shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrowers shall have received at least ten (10) days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or costs from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice ten (10) days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable ten (10) days from receipt of such notice.

 

 

 

3.7     Inability To Determine Interest Rate.

 

(a)     If in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (i)  the Administrative Agent determines that (A)  Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Loan, or (B) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan (in each case with respect to clause (i), “Impacted Loans”), or (ii) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders determine that for any reason the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrowers and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurodollar Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowers may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in clause (a)(i) of this Section, the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrowers and the Required Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (1) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a)(i) of this Section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding the Impacted Loans, or (3) any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to such alternative rate of interest or to determine or charge interest rates based upon such rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing and provides the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers written notice thereof.

 

 

 

3.8     Illegality.

 

If any Lender determines that any law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Loans in Dollars, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the applicable interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrowers through the Administrative Agent, from the date of such notice to the date such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist:

 

(a)     any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Loans in Dollars or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans in Dollars shall be suspended and the Borrowers shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay such Eurodollar Loans or convert all Eurodollar Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (with the Base Rate determined other than by reference to the Eurodollar Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loans; and

 

(b)     if such notice relates to the unlawfulness or asserted unlawfulness of charging interest based on the Eurodollar Rate, then all Base Rate Loans shall accrue interest at a Base Rate determined without reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

 

Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

Each Lender agrees to designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.

 

3.9     [Reserved].

 

3.10     Taxes.

 

(a)     Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.

 

(i) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall to the extent permitted by applicable laws be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Taxes. If, however, applicable laws require either a Credit Party or the Administrative Agent to withhold or deduct any Tax, such Tax shall be withheld or deducted in accordance with such laws as determined by the applicable Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.

 

(ii)      If any Credit Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Credit Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

 

 

 

(b)     Payment of Other Taxes by the Credit Parties. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Credit Parties shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable laws.

 

(c)     Tax Indemnifications.

 

(i) Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, each of the Credit Parties shall, and do hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Lender, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) withheld or deducted by the Credit Parties or the Administrative Agent or paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The Credit Parties shall also, and do hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or the Issuing Lender for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required by clause (ii) of this subsection. A certificate as to the amount of any such payment or liability delivered to the Borrowers by a Lender or the Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(ii)     Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, each Lender and the Issuing Lender shall, and does hereby, indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or the Issuing Lender (but only to the extent that any Credit Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), (y) the Administrative Agent and the Credit Parties, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to the failure of such Lender or Issuing Lender to comply with the provisions of Section 11.3(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Credit Parties, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or Issuing Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or a Credit Party in connection with any Credit Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender or Issuing Lender by the Administrative Agent or any Credit Party shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender and the Issuing Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii).

 

 

 

(d)     Evidence of Payments. Upon request by any Credit Party or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by such Credit Party or the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.10, such Credit Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to such Credit Party, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by law to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to such Credit Party or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

 

(e)     Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation. (i) Each Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Credit Document shall deliver to the Borrowers and to the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, as will permit the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not payments made hereunder or under any other Credit Document are subject to Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable Taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Lender by the Borrowers pursuant to this Credit Agreement or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.10(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

(ii)     Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if either Borrower is resident for tax purposes in the United States,

 

(A)     any Lender that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Credit Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 that will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements;

 

 

 

(B)     each Foreign Lender that is entitled under the Code or any applicable treaty to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Credit Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(I)     executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,

 

(II)     executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI,

 

(III)     executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY and all required supporting documentation,

 

(IV)     in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of either Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN;

 

(C)     any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Credit Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Laws as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding tax together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Laws to permit the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(D)     if a payment made to a Lender under any Credit Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Credit Agreement.

 

(iii)     Each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

 

 

 

(f)     Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by applicable laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Lender, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or the Issuing Lender, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be. If the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Credit Party or with respect to which any Credit Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Credit Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by a Credit Party under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Credit Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Credit Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender in the event the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Credit Party or any other Person.

 

(g)     Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.10 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or the Issuing Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

 

(h)     Withholding Taxes. For purposes of determining withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, from and after the Effective Date, the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to treat) the Loans under this Credit Agreement as not qualifying as a “grandfathered obligation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i).

 

3.11     Funding Losses.

 

Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrowers shall jointly and severally compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

(a)     any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or

 

(b)     any failure by the Borrowers (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrowers;

 

including any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrowers shall also jointly and severally pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

 

 

 

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Section 3.11, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Loan was in fact so funded.

 

3.12     Pro Rata Treatment.

 

Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, each Loan, each payment or prepayment of principal of any Loan (other than Swingline Loans) or reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, each payment of interest on the Loans or reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, each payment of the Commitment Fee, each payment of the Letter of Credit Fees, each reduction of the Revolving Committed Amount and each conversion or extension of any Loan (other than Swingline Loans), shall be allocated pro rata among the applicable Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts of their outstanding Loans and Participation Interests.

 

3.13     Sharing of Payments.

 

If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Loans made by it, or the participations in LOC Obligations or in Swingline Loans held by it resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans or participations and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in LOC Obligations and Swingline Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:

 

(i)     if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

 

(ii)     the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrowers pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Credit Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (y) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 3.17, or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in LOC Obligations or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Borrowers or any of their Affiliates (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

 

3.14     Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.

 

(a)     General. All payments to be made by the Borrowers shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrowers hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Commitment Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrowers shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

 

 

 

(b)     (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any borrowing of Eurodollar Loans (or, in the case of any borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.2 (or, in the case of a borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.2) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrowers a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrowers severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrowers to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any reasonable administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrowers and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrowers the amount of such interest paid by the Borrowers for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such borrowing. Any payment by the Borrowers shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrowers may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

(ii)     Payments by Borrowers; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrowers prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

 

 

A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrowers with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

(c)     Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Section 3, and such funds are not made available to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable extension of credit set forth in Section 5 are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

 

(d)     Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 11.5 are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 11.5 on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 11.5.

 

(e)     Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

 

3.15     Payments Set Aside.

 

To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrowers is made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent or any Lender exercises its right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable insolvency or debtor relief law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.

 

3.16     Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a)     Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.6, or the Borrowers are required to pay any additional amount to any Lender, the Issuing Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.10, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.6, then such Lender or the Issuing Lender shall, as applicable, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or the Issuing Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.6 or 3.10, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.8, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the Issuing Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

 

 

(b)     Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.6, or if either Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.10, the Borrowers may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 11.22.

 

3.17     Cash Collateral.

 

(a)     Certain Credit Support Events. Upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender (i) if the Issuing Lender has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an LOC Borrowing, or (ii) if, as of the Termination Date, any LOC Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, the Borrowers shall, in each case, immediately Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of all LOC Obligations. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, immediately upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 3.18(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

 

(b)     Grant of Security Interest. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. Each of the Borrowers, and to the extent provided by any Lender, such Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender), and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 3.17(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the applicable Fronting Exposure and other obligations secured thereby, the Borrowers or the relevant Defaulting Lender will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency.

 

(c)     Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 3.17 or Section 2.4, 2.5, 3.3, 3.18 or 9.2 in respect of Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific LOC Obligations, Swingline Loans, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.

 

(d)     Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 11.3(b)(vi))) or (ii) the Administrative Agent’s good faith determination that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of a Credit Party shall not be released during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in this Section 3.17 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section 9.3), and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as applicable, may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

 

 

 

3.18     Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a)     Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

 

(i)     Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Credit Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 11.6.

 

(ii)     Reallocation of Payments. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 9 or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 11.2), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender hereunder; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by the Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, to be held as Cash Collateral for future funding obligations of that Defaulting Lender of any participation in any Swingline Loan or Letter of Credit; fourth, as Speedway Motorsports may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Credit Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and Speedway Motorsports, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Credit Agreement; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Credit Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to either of the Borrowers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by either of the Borrowers against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Credit Agreement; and eighth, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LOC Borrowings in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans or LOC Borrowings were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LOC Borrowings owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LOC Borrowings owed to, that Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in LOC Obligations and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 3.18(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 3.18(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

 

 

(iii)     Certain Fees.

 

(A)     No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 3.5(a) or (b) during or with respect to any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).

      

(B)     Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 3.17.

 

(B)     With respect to any fee payable under Section 3.5(a) or (b) or any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrowers shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in LOC Obligations or Swingline Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.18(a)(iv) below, (y) pay to the Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Lender’s or Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

 

(iv)     Reallocation of Commitment Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in LOC Obligations and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders with Revolving Commitments in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrowers shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate outstanding Revolving Obligations of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

 

 

 

(b)     Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swingline Loans. If the reallocation described in Section 3.18(a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under applicable Law, (x) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lenders’ Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lender’s Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.17.

 

(c)     Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and the Issuing Lender agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Commitment Percentages (without giving effect to Section 3.18(a)(iv)), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

 

Section 4

GUARANTY

 

4.1     The Guaranty.

 

Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to the Administrative Agent, each Lender, each Hedge Bank, each Treasury Management Bank, and each other holder of the Obligations, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. The Guarantors hereby further agree that if any of the Obligations are not paid in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise), the Guarantors will, jointly and severally, promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.

 

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any other of the Credit Documents or the other documents relating to the Obligations, the obligations of each Guarantor under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents (a) shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor and (b) shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render such obligations subject to avoidance under applicable Debtor Relief Laws.

 

 

 

4.2     Obligations Unconditional.

 

The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 4.1 hereof are joint and several, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Credit Documents, or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.2 that the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:

 

(i)     at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;

 

(ii)     any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any of the Credit Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein shall be done or omitted;

 

(iii)     the maturity of any of the Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Obligations shall be modified, supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the Credit Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Obligations or any security therefor shall be released or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

 

(iv)     any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any Lender or Lenders as security for any of the Obligations shall fail to attach or be perfected; or

 

(v)     any of the Obligations shall be determined to be void or voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of any creditor of any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person (including, without limitation, any creditor of any Guarantor).

 

With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under any of the Credit Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Obligations.

 

4.3     Reinstatement.

 

The obligations of the Guarantors under this Section 4 shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, Attorney Costs) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

 

 

 

4.4     Certain Additional Waivers.

 

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of this Section 4, each Guarantor hereby specifically waives the benefits of N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 26-7 through 26-9, inclusive. Each Guarantor further agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of recourse to security for the Obligations. Each of the Guarantors further agrees that it shall have no right of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnity, nor any right of recourse to security, if any, for the Obligations so long as any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in respect of the Obligations shall remain outstanding or any of the Commitments shall not have expired or been terminated.

 

4.5     Remedies.

 

The Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, the Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in Section 9.2 hereof (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in said Section 9.2) for purposes of Section 4.1 hereof notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing such Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or such Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), such Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of said Section 4.1.

 

4.6     Guaranty of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.

 

The guaranty in this Section 4 is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, and is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Obligations whenever arising.

 

4.7     Keepwell.

 

Each Credit Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty or the grant of a Lien under the Credit Documents, in each case, by any Specified Loan Party becomes effective with respect to any Swap Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support to each Specified Loan Party with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Loan Party from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Credit Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s obligations and undertakings under this Section 4 voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Credit Party intends this Section to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of, each Specified Loan Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

Section 5

CONDITIONS

 

5.1     Closing Conditions.

 

The obligation of the Lenders to enter into this Credit Agreement and to fund the initial advance hereunder shall be subject to satisfaction of the following conditions (with all closing deliverables listed below in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders):

 

(a)     The Administrative Agent shall have received original counterparts of this Credit Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto;

 

 

 

(b)     The Administrative Agent shall have received an appropriate original Revolving Note and Delayed Draw Term Note for each Lender and a Swingline Note for the Swingline Lender, executed by each of the Borrowers;

 

(c)     The Administrative Agent shall have received original counterparts of the Pledge Agreement executed by each of the parties thereto, together with all stock certificates evidencing the Capital Stock pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, together with duly executed in blank, undated stock powers attached thereto (unless, with respect to the pledged Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary, such stock powers are deemed unnecessary by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion under the law of the jurisdiction of incorporation of such Person);

 

(d)     The Administrative Agent shall have received all documents it may reasonably request relating to the existence and good standing of each of the Credit Parties, the corporate or other necessary authority for and the validity of the Credit Documents, and any other matters relevant thereto;

 

(e)     The Administrative Agent shall have received an incumbency certificate for each of the Borrowers certified by a secretary or assistant secretary to be true and correct as of the Effective Date.

 

(f)     The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate executed by the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Speedway Motorsports and President of Speedway Funding as of the Effective Date certifying that immediately after giving effect to this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, (A) no Default or Event of Default exists and (B) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 are true and correct in all material respects as of the Effective Date;

 

(g)     The Administrative Agent shall have received a legal opinion of Parker Poe Adams and Bernstein LLP, counsel for the Credit Parties, dated as of the Effective Date and substantially in the form of Schedule 5.1(g);

 

(h)     The Lenders shall have received and approved (i) a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and income statement of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal years 2011, 2012 and 2013, together with related consolidated and consolidating statements of operations and retained earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form consolidated and consolidating figures for the preceding fiscal year, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and, as to the consolidated statements only, audited by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and whose opinion shall be unqualified, and (ii) a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and income statement of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014, together with related consolidated and consolidating statements of operations and retained earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal quarter in each case setting forth in comparative form consolidated and consolidating figures for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and accompanied by a certificate of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or president of Speedway Motorsports to the effect that such quarterly financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments, including without limitation the addition of footnotes;

 

 

 

(i)     No Material Adverse Change shall have occurred since the financial statements as of December 31, 2013;

 

(j)     The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of insurance policies or certificates of insurance of the Credit Parties evidencing liability and casualty insurance meeting the requirements of the Credit Documents;

 

(k)     The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents, agreements or information which may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and/or the Required Lenders;

 

(l)     The Borrowers and their Subsidiaries shall have repaid all outstanding Indebtedness, together with unpaid fees and accrued interest, under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

(m)     The Administrative Agent shall have received for its own account and for the accounts of the Lenders, all fees and expenses required by this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document to be paid on or before the Effective Date.

 

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 10.3, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 5.1, each Lender that has signed this Credit Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

5.2     Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.

 

The obligations of each Lender to make, convert or extend any Loan (including the initial Loans) and to issue or extend, or participate in, a Letter of Credit are subject to satisfaction of the following conditions in addition to satisfaction on the Effective Date (and on the Effective Date only) of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1:

 

(i)     The Borrowers shall have delivered, an appropriate Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Extension/Conversion or LOC Documents;

 

(ii)     The representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 shall be, subject to the limitations set forth therein, true and correct in all material respects as of such date (except for those which expressly relate to an earlier date);

 

(iii)     There shall not have been commenced against the Borrowers or any Guarantor an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or any case, proceeding or other action for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its Property or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such involuntary case or other case, proceeding or other action shall remain undismissed, undischarged or unbonded;

 

 

 

(iv)     No Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing either prior to or after giving effect thereto;

 

(v)     There shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change since the extension of the last Loan;

 

(vi)     Immediately after giving effect to the making of any such Revolving Loan (and the application of the proceeds thereof) the sum of Revolving Obligations outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount, the sum of LOC Obligations outstanding shall not exceed the LOC Sublimit, and the sum of Swingline Loans outstanding shall not exceed the Swingline Sublimit; and

 

(vii)     Immediately after giving effect to the making of the Delayed Draw Term Loan (and the application of the proceeds thereof) the Outstanding Amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitments.

 

The delivery of each Notice of Borrowing and each Notice of Extension/Conversion shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers of the correctness of the matters specified in subsections (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) above (and, with respect to any borrowing of the Delayed Draw Term Loan, subsection (vii) above).

 

Section 6

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Each of the Credit Parties hereby represents to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

 

6.1     Financial Condition.

 

The audited combined balance sheets, statements of income and statements of cash flows of Speedway Motorsports for the year ended December 31, 2013 have heretofore been furnished to each Lender. Such financial statements (including the notes thereto) (i) have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby and (iii) present fairly (on the basis disclosed in the footnotes to such financial statements) the combined financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Speedway Motorsports and its combined Subsidiaries as of such date and for such periods. The unaudited interim balance sheets of Speedway Motorsports and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of, and the related unaudited interim statements of income and of cash flows for, the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 have heretofore been furnished to each Lender. Such interim financial statements, for each such quarterly period, (i) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby and (ii) present fairly (on the basis disclosed in the footnotes to such financial statements) the combined financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Speedway Motorsports and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and for such periods. During the period from September 30, 2014 to and including the Effective Date, there has been no sale, transfer or other Asset Disposition by it or any of its Subsidiaries of any material part of the business or property of Speedway Motorsports and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and no purchase or other acquisition by any of them of any business or property (including any Capital Stock of any other person) material in relation to the combined financial condition of Speedway Motorsports and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case which is not reflected in the foregoing financial statements or in the notes thereto or has not otherwise been disclosed in writing to the Lenders on or prior to the Effective Date.

 

 

 

6.2     No Change.

 

Since December 31, 2013, (a) except as and to the extent disclosed on Schedule 6.2(a), there has been no development or event relating to or affecting any of the Credit Parties which has had or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (b) except as permitted under this Credit Agreement (if this Credit Agreement were to have been in effect from and after December 31, 2013), no dividends or other distributions have been declared, paid or made upon the Capital Stock or other equity interest in any Credit Party nor has any of the Capital Stock or other equity interest in any Credit Party been redeemed, retired, purchased or otherwise acquired for value by such Credit Party.

 

6.3     Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law.

 

(a)     Each of the Credit Parties (i) is duly organized, validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (ii) has the corporate or other necessary power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged and (iii) is duly qualified as a foreign entity and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)     Each of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries is in compliance with (a) all applicable Laws and (b) all indentures, agreements or other instruments binding upon it or its properties, except where non-compliance, either singly or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)     No Credit Party (i) is a person whose property or interest in property is blocked or subject to blocking pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)), (ii) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by Section 2 of such executive order, or is otherwise associated with any such person in any manner violative of Section 2, or (iii) is a person on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons or subject to the limitations or prohibitions under any other U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control regulation or executive order.

 

(d)     Each Credit Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (ii) the Uniting And Strengthening America By Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept And Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001).  No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

 

 

6.4     Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.

 

Each of the Credit Parties has the corporate or other necessary power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Credit Documents to which it is a party, and in the case of the Borrowers, to borrow hereunder, and each of the Borrowers has taken all necessary corporate or other necessary action to authorize the borrowings on the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, and to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which each is a party. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other similar act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained or made by or on behalf of any Credit Party in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of the Credit Documents to which such Person is a party, except for consents, authorizations, notices and filings described in Schedule 6.4, all of which have been obtained or made or have the status described in such Schedule 6.4. This Credit Agreement has been, and each other Credit Document to which it is a party will be, duly executed and delivered on behalf the Credit Parties. This Credit Agreement constitutes, and each other Credit Document to which it is a party when executed and delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party, enforceable against each such Person in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

 

6.5     No Legal Bar.

 

Except as previously disclosed in writing to the Lenders on or prior to the Effective Date, the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents by the Credit Parties, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds of the borrowings hereunder (a) will not violate any Law or contractual obligation of any Credit Party in any respect that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the properties or revenues of any of the Credit Parties pursuant to any such Law or contractual obligation and (c) will not violate or conflict with any provision of the articles of incorporation or by-laws of any Credit Party.

 

6.6     No Material Litigation.

 

No litigation, investigation, prosecution, proceeding, imposition of fines or penalties or dispute of, by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries, threatened by or against any of the Credit Parties or against their respective properties or revenues which (a) relates to any of the Credit Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Set forth on Schedule 6.6 is a summary of all claims (excluding routine claims for benefits under employee benefit plans and arrangements), litigation, investigations, prosecutions and proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened by or against any of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries or against any of their respective properties or revenues, and none of such actions, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.7     No Default.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any of their contractual obligations in any respect which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents.

 

 

 

6.8     Ownership of Property; Liens.

 

Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its material real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other material property, and none of such property is subject to any Lien, except for Permitted Liens or, with respect to property of a Subsidiary which is not a Credit Party, such Lien would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.9     Intellectual Property.

 

Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries owns, or has the legal right to use, all United States trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, technology, know-how and processes necessary for each of them to conduct its business as currently conducted (the “Intellectual Property”) except for those the failure to own or have such legal right to use would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as provided on Schedule 6.9, no claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any such Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any such Intellectual Property, nor does any Credit Party know of any such claim, and the use of such Intellectual Property by the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any Person, except for such claims and infringements that in the aggregate would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.10     No Burdensome Restrictions.

 

No Law or contractual obligation of any Credit Party or any of their Subsidiaries would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.11     Taxes.

 

Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.11 hereof, each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all United States federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns which, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, are required to be filed and has paid (a) all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or (b) all taxes shown to be due and payable on any assessments of which it has received notice made against it or any of its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any (i) taxes, fees or other charges with respect to which the failure to pay, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) taxes, fees or other charges the amount or validity of which are currently being contested and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of such Credit Party or Subsidiary, as the case may be; and no tax Lien has been filed, and, to the knowledge of any of the Credit Parties, no claim is being asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.

 

6.12     ERISA.

 

(a)     Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state laws. Each Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto or is properly relying on the current IRS opinion letter issued with respect to a duly adopted prototype or volume submitter document and, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification. Each of the Borrowers and each ERISA Affiliate have made all required contributions to each Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code, and no application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any Plan.

 

 

 

(b)     There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)      (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (iii) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

 

6.13     Governmental Regulations, Etc.

 

(a)     No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulation U. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 (or any successor thereto) referred to in said Regulation U. No indebtedness being reduced or retired out of the proceeds of the Loans was or will be incurred for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U. “Margin stock” within the meaning of Regulation U does not constitute more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the consolidated assets of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries. None of the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, the direct or indirect use of the proceeds of the Loans) will violate or result in a violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act or regulations issued pursuant thereto, or Regulation U.

 

(b)     None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries is an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is not controlled by such a company.

 

(c)     No director, executive officer or principal shareholder of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary is a director, executive officer or principal shareholder of any Lender. For the purposes hereof the terms “director”, “executive officer” and “principal shareholder” (when used with reference to any Lender) have the respective meanings assigned thereto in Regulation O issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

(d)     Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries has obtained all material licenses, permits, franchises or other governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of its respective Property and to the conduct of its business.

 

(e)     Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries is not in violation of any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance of the United States of America, or of any state, city, town, municipality, county or any other jurisdiction, or of any agency thereof (including without limitation, federal, state or local environmental laws and regulations), which violation could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

 

(f)     Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries is current with all material reports and documents, if any, required to be filed with any state or federal securities commission or similar agency and is in full compliance in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of such commissions.

 

(g)     None of the Credit Parties intends to treat any of the Loans, the Letters of Credit or any related transaction as a “reportable transaction” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4). In the event a Credit Party determines that it will take any action inconsistent with such intention, it will promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof. If a Credit Party so notifies the Administrative Agent, any Lender may treat its Loans (and its participation interests in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans) as subject to Treasury Regulation Section 301.6112-1, and such Lender will maintain any lists and other records required thereby.

 

6.14     Subsidiaries.

 

Schedule 6.14 sets forth all Subsidiaries (including Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries) of Speedway Motorsports at the Effective Date, the jurisdiction of incorporation of each such Subsidiary and the direct or indirect ownership interest of Speedway Motorsports therein.

 

6.15     Purpose of Loans.

 

The proceeds of the Loans hereunder shall be used solely (i) to refinance on the Effective Date existing indebtedness of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, (ii) to finance working capital needs of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries, (iii) to finance letter of credit needs of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries, (iv) to finance general corporate needs of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries including capital expenditures, (v) to finance Permitted Investments, (vi) to finance the acquisition of additional motor speedways and related businesses and (vii) to refinance, prepay and/or make repurchases of the 2011 Senior Notes to the extent permitted under Section 8.16; provided, however, that until the 2011 Senior Notes, any outstanding Additional Senior Debt incurred pursuant to Section 8.1(d) and any outstanding Additional Subordinated Debt incurred pursuant to Section 8.1(d) shall have been paid or redeemed in full, (x) all proceeds of the Delayed Draw Term Loan shall be used to pay or redeem the 2011 Senior Notes and (y) the proceeds of the first $200,000,000 of borrowings under any Incremental Loan Facilities shall be used to prepay the 2011 Senior Notes, such Additional Senior Debt and/or such Additional Subordinated Debt.

 

6.16     Environmental Matters.

 

Except as set forth in Phase I Environmental Site Assessments previously delivered to the Lenders and identified on Schedule 6.16:

 

(a)     Each of the facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary (for purposes of this Section 6.16, the “Properties”) and all businesses of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary at the Properties (for purposes of this Section 6.16, the “Businesses”) are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and, to the best knowledge of any Credit Party, there are no conditions relating to the Businesses or Properties that could give rise to liability under any applicable Environmental Laws, except where such liability would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

 

(b)     None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries has received any written notice of, or inquiry from any Governmental Authority regarding, any currently unresolved material violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Properties or the Businesses, nor does any Credit Party have knowledge that any such notice is being threatened, except where such violation, non-compliance or liability would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)     Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or disposed of from the Properties, or generated, treated, stored or disposed of at, on or under any of the Properties or any other location, in each case by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary, or to the knowledge of any Credit Party, by any other Person, in violation of, or in a manner that would be reasonably likely to give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law, except where such liability or the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)     No judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative action is pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any Credit Party or any Subsidiary is or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary, will be named as a party, nor are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to any Credit Party, any Subsidiary, the Properties or the Businesses.

 

(e)     To the knowledge of any Credit Party, there has been no release or threat of release of Materials of Environmental Concern at or from the Properties, related to the operations (including, without limitation, disposal) of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary in connection with the Properties or otherwise in connection with the Businesses, in violation of or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under Environmental Laws, except where such violation or liability would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.17     Solvency.

 

Speedway Motorsports on a consolidated basis is Solvent.

 

6.18     No Untrue Statement.

 

Neither (a) this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document or certificate or document executed and delivered by or on behalf of either of the Borrowers or any other Credit Party in accordance with or pursuant to any Credit Document nor (b) any statement, representation, or warranty provided to the Administrative Agent in connection with the negotiation or preparation of the Credit Documents contains any misrepresentation or untrue statement of material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary, in light of the circumstance under which it was made, in order to make any such warranty, representation or statement contained therein not misleading.

 

 

 

6.19     Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

The Obligations constitute “senior indebtedness” as such term or any other similar term is used in any applicable Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture. The Indebtedness represented by any Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture is subordinate to the Loans.

 

6.20     Pledge Agreement.

 

The Pledge Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the holders of the “Secured Obligations” (as such term is defined in the Pledge Agreement), a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the collateral identified therein, except to the extent the enforceability thereof may be limited by the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable insolvency or debtor relief laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by equitable principles of law (regardless of whether enforcement is brought in equity or at law) and, when such collateral is delivered to the Administrative Agent, the Pledge Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the pledgors thereunder in such collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Lien.

 

6.21     Sanctions and Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(a)     Sanctions Concerns. No Credit Party, nor any Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions or (ii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.

 

(b)     Anti-Corruption Laws. The Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries have conducted their business in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

 

Section 7

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that, so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall remain outstanding, and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have terminated:

 

7.1     Information Covenants.

 

The Borrowers will furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

 

(a)     Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of each fiscal year of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and income statement of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries, as of the end of such fiscal year, together with related consolidated and consolidating statements of operations and retained earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form consolidated and consolidating figures for the preceding fiscal year, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and, as to the consolidated statements only, audited by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and whose opinion shall be unqualified.

 

 

 

(b)     Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the close of each fiscal quarter of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries (other than the fourth fiscal quarter, in which case one hundred twenty (120) days after the end thereof) beginning with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2015, a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and income statement of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, together with related consolidated and consolidating statements of operations and retained earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal quarter in each case setting forth in comparative form consolidated and consolidating figures for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and accompanied by a certificate of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or president of Speedway Motorsports to the effect that such quarterly financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of Speedway Motorsports and its Subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments, including without limitation the addition of footnotes.

 

(c)     Officer’s Certificate. At the time of delivery of the financial statements provided for in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) above, a certificate of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or president of Speedway Motorsports (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes) substantially in the form of Schedule 7.1(c), (i) demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants contained in Section 7.11 by calculation thereof as of the end of each such fiscal period and (ii) stating that no Default or Event of Default exists, or if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof and what action the Borrowers propose to take with respect thereto.

 

(d)     Accountant’s Certificate. Within the period for delivery of the annual financial statements provided in Section 7.1(a), a certificate of the accountants conducting the annual audit stating that they have reviewed this Credit Agreement and stating further whether, in the course of their audit, they have become aware of any Default or Event of Default and, if any such Default or Event of Default exists, specifying the nature and extent thereof.

 

(e)     Auditor’s Reports. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of any other report or “management letter” submitted by independent accountants to a Credit Party or a Subsidiary in connection with any annual, interim or special audit of the books of a Credit Party or a Subsidiary.

 

(f)     Reports. Promptly upon transmission or receipt thereof, (a) copies of any filings and registrations with, and reports to or from, the SEC, or any successor agency, and copies of all financial statements, proxy statements, notices and reports as a Credit Party or a Subsidiary shall send to its shareholders generally or to the holders of any issue of Indebtedness owed by a Credit Party or a Subsidiary in their capacity as such holders and (b) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, all reports and written information to and from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any state or local agency responsible for environmental matters, the United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or any state or local agency responsible for health and safety matters, or any successor agencies or authorities concerning environmental, health or safety matters.

 

 

 

(g)     Notices. Upon a Credit Party obtaining knowledge thereof, the Borrowers will give written notice to the Administrative Agent immediately of (i) the occurrence of an event or condition consisting of a Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and existence thereof and what action the Credit Parties propose to take with respect thereto, and (ii) the occurrence of any of the following with respect to a Credit Party or a Subsidiary (A) the pendency or commencement of any litigation, arbitral or governmental proceeding against such Credit Party or Subsidiary which if adversely determined is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (B) the institution of any proceedings against the Credit Party or Subsidiary with respect to, or the receipt of written notice by such Person of potential liability or responsibility for violation, or alleged violation of any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, including but not limited to, Environmental Laws, the violation of which would likely have a Material Adverse Effect, or (C) any notice of an ERISA Event.

 

(h)     Other Information. With reasonable promptness upon any such request, such other information regarding the business, properties or financial condition of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request.

 

The Borrowers hereby acknowledge that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Lead Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Lender materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrowers hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrowers or their Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrowers hereby agree that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrowers shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrowers or their securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information (as defined in Section 11.11), they shall be treated as set forth in Section 11.11); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform that is not designated “Public Side Information.”

 

7.2     Preservation of Existence and Franchises.

 

Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries will do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, material rights, franchises and authority, except, with respect to Subsidiaries which are not Credit Parties, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.3     Books and Records.

 

Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries will keep complete and accurate books and records of its transactions in accordance with good accounting practices on the basis of GAAP (including the establishment and maintenance of appropriate reserves), except, with respect to Subsidiaries which are not Credit Parties, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

 

7.4     Compliance with Law.

 

Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries will comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders (including executive orders), and all applicable restrictions imposed by all Governmental Authorities, applicable to it and its property if noncompliance with any such law, rule, regulation, order or restriction would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.5     Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.

 

Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries will pay and discharge (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it, or upon its income or profits, or upon any of its properties, before they shall become delinquent, (ii) all lawful claims (including claims for labor, materials and supplies) which, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon any of its properties, and (iii) except as prohibited hereunder, all of its other Indebtedness as it shall become due; provided, however, that a Credit Party or its Subsidiaries shall not be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy, claim or Indebtedness which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves therefor have been established in accordance with GAAP, unless the failure to make any such payment (i) would give rise to an immediate right to foreclose on a Lien securing such amounts or (ii) would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.6     Insurance.

 

Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries will at all times maintain in full force and effect insurance (including worker’s compensation insurance, liability insurance, casualty insurance, business interruption insurance, terrorism insurance and property insurance) in such amounts, covering such risks and liabilities and with such deductibles or self-insurance retentions as are in accordance with normal industry practice provided by nationally recognized, financially sound insurance companies rated not less than A- (or the equivalent thereof) by Best’s Key Rating Guide or S&P. The Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries will cause the Administrative Agent and its successors and/or assigns to be named as additional insured with respect to any such insurance providing liability coverage. The Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries will notify the Administrative Agent at any time they obtain knowledge of material issues which would materially and adversely affect the prospects of renewing any of their required coverage or, in the event of non-renewal, to obtain the required coverage from another source.

 

7.7     Maintenance of Property.

 

Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries will maintain and preserve its properties and equipment material to the conduct of its business in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear excepted, and will make, or cause to be made, in such properties and equipment from time to time all repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements thereto as may be needed or proper, to the extent and in the manner customary for companies in similar businesses, except, with respect to Subsidiaries which are not Credit Parties, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.8     Performance of Obligations.

 

Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries will perform in all material respects all of its obligations under the terms of all material agreements, indentures, mortgages, security agreements or other debt instruments to which it is a party or by which it is bound, except, with respect to Subsidiaries which are not Credit Parties, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

 

7.9     Use of Proceeds.

 

The Borrowers will use the proceeds of the Loans solely for the purposes set forth in Section 6.15.

 

7.10     Audits/Inspections.

 

Upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries will permit representatives appointed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including, without limitation, independent accountants, agents, attorneys, and appraisers to visit and inspect its property, including its books and records (except to the extent prohibited by law), its accounts receivable and inventory, its facilities and its other business assets, and to make photocopies or photographs thereof and to write down and record any information such representative obtains and shall permit the Administrative Agent or any Lender or their representatives to investigate and verify the accuracy of information provided to the Lenders and to discuss all such matters with the officers, employees and representatives of such Credit Party or Subsidiary; provided that after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, such audits and inspections shall be at the expense of the Borrowers.

 

7.11     Financial Covenants.

 

For purposes of calculating the financial covenants set forth below the amount of any Permitted Commodity Hedging shall be excluded from the calculations.

 

(a)     Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio. The Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio shall be no greater than (i) 3.50 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2014, March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015; and (ii) 3.25 to 1.0 beginning with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2015 and at each Calculation Date thereafter.

 

(b)     Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. The Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio at each Calculation Date shall be no less than 3.25 to 1.0.

 

(c)     Financial Covenant Adjustments. For any Calculation Date in which the race schedule mandated by NASCAR results in fewer scheduled races during the fiscal quarter than were held in the same fiscal quarter for the prior year (the “Prior Period”), the Borrowers will be permitted to include in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for such Calculation Date the actual Consolidated EBITDA from the Prior Period attributable to any scheduled race not included in the current fiscal quarter ending on such Calculation Date solely as a result of scheduling provided the race will occur in a subsequent fiscal quarter. In the event of the foregoing, the Borrowers shall be required to provide to the Administrative Agent in writing not less than ten (10) days prior to the applicable Calculation Date (i) information (including reasonable estimates) demonstrating that the Borrowers would reasonably be expected to be in compliance with all financial covenants set forth in this Section 7.11 on such Calculation Date but for the NASCAR schedule and (ii) information (including reasonable estimates) demonstrating that the Borrowers are expected to be in compliance will all financial covenants set forth in this Section 7.11 as of the next Calculation Date not impacted by the NASCAR schedule.

 

 

 

7.12     Additional Credit Parties.

 

(a)     As soon as practicable and in any event within thirty (30) days after any Person becomes a Material Subsidiary, the Borrowers shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof setting forth information in reasonable detail describing all of the assets of such Person and shall (i) if such Person is a Domestic Subsidiary of a Credit Party, cause such Person to execute a Joinder Agreement in substantially the same form as Schedule 7.12, (ii) cause (A) one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of each Domestic Subsidiary (that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary) directly owned by a Credit Party and (b) sixty-five percent (65%) of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) of each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by a Credit Party, to be delivered to the Administrative Agent (together with undated stock powers signed in blank (unless, with respect to a Foreign Subsidiary, such stock powers are deemed unnecessary by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion under the law of the jurisdiction of incorporation of such Person)) and pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to an appropriate pledge agreement(s) in form acceptable to the Administrative Agent and cause such Person to deliver such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing, including, without limitation, appropriate certified resolutions and other organizational and authorizing documents of such Person, and favorable opinions of counsel to such Person all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)     As soon as practicable and in any event within thirty (30) days after any date on which any Domestic Subsidiary that does not individually constitute a Material Subsidiary (a “Non-Material Domestic Subsidiary”), constitutes, in the aggregate with all other Non-Material Domestic Subsidiaries, more than fifteen percent (15%) of the consolidated assets of Speedway Motorsports and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter or generates, in the aggregate with all other Non-Material Domestic Subsidiaries, more than fifteen percent (15%) of the Consolidated EBITDA of Speedway Motorsports and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter (the “Threshold Requirement”), the Borrowers shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof and cause such Domestic Subsidiary to provide an executed Joinder Agreement, together with the related deliveries set forth in clause (a)(ii) above, such that immediately after such joinder, the remaining Non-Material Domestic Subsidiaries shall not exceed the Threshold Requirement.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Borrowers will promptly provide, or cause to be provided, to the Administrative Agent, an executed Joinder Agreement, together with the related deliveries set forth in clause (a)(ii) above, from any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Speedway Motorsports that gives a guaranty in respect of Funded Indebtedness (including without limitation the 2011 Senior Notes, any Additional Subordinated Debt and any Additional Senior Debt).

 

7.13     Ownership of Subsidiaries.

 

Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 8.4(c) and Section 8.11, Speedway Motorsports shall directly or indirectly, own at all times one hundred percent (100%) of the Capital Stock of each of its Subsidiaries.

 

 

 

Section 8

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that, so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall remain outstanding, and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have terminated:

 

8.1     Indebtedness.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a)     Indebtedness arising under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents;

 

(b)     Indebtedness of Speedway Motorsports and any of its Subsidiaries existing as of the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 8.1 and Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

 

(c)     purchase money Indebtedness (including Capital Leases) hereafter incurred by Speedway Motorsports and any of its Subsidiaries to finance the purchase of fixed assets provided such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the purchase price of the asset(s) financed, and Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

 

(d)     Indebtedness evidenced by, or any guaranty of, (i) the 2011 Senior Notes, (ii) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise in connection with the incurrence of such Indebtedness, and the Loan Parties are in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis, any Additional Senior Debt and/or any Additional Subordinated Debt; provided, that until the 2011 Senior Notes shall have been paid or redeemed in full, all proceeds of any Additional Senior Debt and/or Additional Subordinated Debt shall be used to pay or redeem the 2011 Senior Notes, and (iii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance Indebtedness permitted under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii);

 

(e)     Indebtedness in respect of Hedge Agreements entered into with Lenders or any Affiliate of a lender in an aggregate notional amount for all such agreements not to exceed the sum of the aggregate Commitments and the aggregate Indebtedness evidenced by the 2011 Senior Notes, any Additional Senior Debt and any Additional Subordinated Debt;

 

(f)     Intercompany Indebtedness;

 

(g)     Indebtedness incurred or assumed in any transaction permitted by Section 8.4 hereof, provided such Indebtedness when incurred or assumed shall not exceed the purchase price of the asset(s) financed, and Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

 

(h)     unsecured Indebtedness not to exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate; and

 

(i)     Permitted Commodity Hedging.

 

 

 

8.2     Liens.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien with respect to any of its Property, except for Permitted Liens and Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Sections 8.1(c) and (g) provided that such Liens relate solely to the specific Property being acquired.

 

8.3     Nature of Business.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will substantively alter the character or conduct of the business conducted by any such Person as of the Effective Date.

 

8.4     Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, etc.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will:

 

(a)     dissolve, liquidate or wind up its affairs, or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation; provided, however, that, so long as no Default or Event of Default would be directly or indirectly caused as a result thereof (i) Speedway Motorsports may merge or consolidate with any of its Subsidiaries provided Speedway Motorsports is the surviving corporation (ii) Speedway Funding may merge or consolidate with any Subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, provided Speedway Funding is the surviving entity, or (iii) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with any other Subsidiary (other than Speedway Funding), provided that, if either Subsidiary is a Credit Party, the surviving corporation or entity shall be a Credit Party.

 

(b)     cause or permit any Asset Disposition of any Property other than (i) the sale or other Asset Disposition of all or any portion(s) of (A) the speedway located in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina (or equity interests in any Subsidiary the only assets of which are such speedway and assets directly related to the functioning thereof) and (B) the Excess Land, so long as after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to any such sale or other Asset Disposition, no Default or Event of Default would exist hereunder and (ii) subject to the terms of Sections 8.8 and 8.12, any other Asset Disposition so long as (A) after giving effect to such sale or other Asset Disposition, the aggregate book value of assets sold or otherwise disposed of pursuant to this clause (b) since the Effective Date does not exceed $10,000,000 and (B) after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to such sale or other Asset Disposition, no Default or Event of Default would exist hereunder; or

 

(c)     except as otherwise permitted by Section 8.4(a) or 8.5, acquire all or any portion of the Capital Stock or securities of any other Person or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) all or any substantial part of the Property of any other Person; provided, however, that, if after giving effect to any such acquisition (and assuming that all Revolving Commitments have been drawn) on a Pro Forma Basis, so long as no Default or Event of Default would be caused as a result thereof and the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio is at least one-half turn (0.50 to 1.0) less than the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio then required, then any Credit Party may (i) enter into Permitted Motorsports Transactions and (ii) consummate other acquisitions consistent with the nature of the Borrowers’ business, whether by merger, stock purchase or asset purchase.

 

8.5     Advances, Investments, Loans, etc.

 

Except as permitted under Section 8.4(c), none of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will make Investments in or advances or loans to any Person, except for Permitted Investments.

 

 

 

8.6     Restricted Payments.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will directly or indirectly declare, order, make or set apart any sum for or pay any Restricted Payment, except (i) to make dividends payable solely in the same class of Capital Stock of such Person, (ii) to make dividends payable to any Domestic Credit Party, and (iii) provided no Default or Event of Default then exists or would be caused thereby, Speedway Motorsports may make dividends payable on its preferred and/or common stock and/or make stock repurchases of up to (A) $75,000,000 in the aggregate annually, if the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio for the four quarter period ending as of the most recent Calculation Date is less than 2.75 to 1.0 or (B) $50,000,000 in the aggregate annually, if the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio for the four quarter period ending as of the most recent Calculation Date is greater than or equal to 2.75 to 1.0.

 

8.7     Modifications of Other Agreements.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will (i) after the issuance thereof, amend or modify (or permit the amendment or modification of) any of the terms of any Indebtedness (other than this Credit Agreement) if such amendment or modification would add or change any terms in a manner adverse to the issuer of such Indebtedness (unless the consent of the issuer of such Indebtedness has been obtained) or to the Lenders, or shorten the final maturity or average life to maturity, or require any payment to be made sooner than originally scheduled or increase the interest rate applicable thereto or change any subordination provision thereof, or (ii) amend, modify or change its articles of incorporation (or corporate charter or other similar organizational document) or bylaws (or other similar document) where such change to such organizational or similar documents would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.8     Transactions with Affiliates.

 

Except for Intercompany Indebtedness and Permitted Investments, none of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions with any officer, director, shareholder, Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Person other than (a) advances of working capital to any Domestic Credit Party, (b) transfers of cash and assets to any Domestic Credit Parties, (c) transactions permitted by Sections 8.5 and 8.6, (d) normal reimbursement of expenses of officers and directors, (e) other transactions for goods and services not to exceed $100,000 at any one time and (f) except as otherwise specifically limited in this Credit Agreement, other transactions which are entered into on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to such Person as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arms-length transactions with a Person other than an officer, director, shareholder, Subsidiary or Affiliate.

 

8.9     Fiscal Year.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will change its fiscal year.

 

8.10     Limitation on Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions, etc.

 

Except for the restrictions provided herein, none of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly create or otherwise cause, incur, assume, suffer or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any such Person to (a) pay dividends or make any other distribution on any of such Person’s Capital Stock, (b) subject to subordination provisions, pay any Indebtedness owed to the Borrowers or any other Credit Party, (c) make loans or advances to any Credit Party (other than loans or advances by Speedway Funding), (d) transfer any of its Property to any other Credit Party than in the ordinary course of business, or (e) grant Liens to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.

 

 

 

8.11     Issuance and Sale of Subsidiary Stock.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will, except to qualify directors where required by applicable law, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, any shares of Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries or permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries.

 

8.12     Sale Leasebacks.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease, whether an Operating Lease or a Capital Lease, of any Property (whether real or personal or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, (i) which such Person has sold or transferred or is to sell or transfer to any other Person or (ii) which such Person intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other Property which has been sold or is to be sold or transferred by such Person to any other Person in connection with such lease.

 

8.13     Capital Expenditures.

 

Consolidated Capital Expenditures (exclusive of Permitted Motorsports Transactions and acquisitions permitted by Section 8.4(c), repair of casualty damage and other activities permitted under Section 7.7) shall not exceed $75,000,000, with respect to any fiscal year.

 

8.14     No Further Negative Pledges.

 

Except prohibitions or restrictions (a) contained within this Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents, (b) contained within any Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture, (c) against other encumbrances on specific Property encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness (which Indebtedness relates solely to such specific Property, and improvements and accretions thereto, and is otherwise permitted hereby), and (d) included in the terms of any Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.1(g) hereof with respect to prohibiting or restricting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon the properties or assets acquired with such Indebtedness, none of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will enter into, assume or become subject to any agreement prohibiting or otherwise restricting (i) the creation or assumption of any Lien upon its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or requiring the grant of any security for such obligation if security is given for some other obligation or (ii) the ability of any Subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports to (A) make Restricted Payments, loans or advances, or transfers of property or assets to Speedway Motorsports or any of its Subsidiaries, or (B) pay any Indebtedness of Speedway Motorsports or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

8.15     Designated Senior Indebtedness.

 

Neither Speedway Motorsports nor any of its Subsidiaries will designate any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness arising under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents) as “Senior Indebtedness” (as such term is defined in the 2011 Indenture or any Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture, as applicable) or “senior indebtedness” (such term or any other similar term as used in any Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture).

 

8.16     Prepayments of Other Indebtedness.

 

(a)     None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will amend or modify any of the terms of any Material Indebtedness of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness arising under the Credit Documents) if such amendment or modification would add or change any terms in a manner adverse to any Credit Party or any Subsidiary, or shorten the final maturity or average life to maturity or require any payment to be made sooner than originally scheduled or increase the interest rate applicable thereto.

 

 

 

(b)     Except in connection with a Permitted Refinancing, none of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will make (or give any notice with respect thereto) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment or redemption or acquisition for value of (including by way of depositing money or securities with the trustee with respect thereto before due for the purpose of paying when due), refund, refinance or exchange of any Material Indebtedness of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness arising under the Credit Documents).

 

8.17     Use of Proceeds.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will use the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.

 

8.18     Sanctions.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, use any Loans or Letters of Credit or the proceeds of any Loans or Letters of Credit, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such Loans or Letters of Credit or the proceeds of any Loans or Letters of Credit to any Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Joint Lead Arranger, Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender, Swingline Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions.

 

8.19     Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, use any Loans or Letters of Credit or the proceeds of any Loans or Letters of Credit for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions.

 

Section 9

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

9.1     Events of Default.

 

An Event of Default shall exist upon the occurrence of any of the following specified events (each an “Event of Default”):

 

(a)     Payment. Any Credit Party shall

 

(i)     default in the payment when due of any principal of any of the Loans or of any reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, or

 

 

 

(ii)     default in the payment when due of any interest on the Loans or on any reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, or of any Fees or other amounts owing hereunder, under any of the other Credit Documents or in connection herewith or therewith; or

 

(b)     Representations. Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed to be made by any Credit Party herein, in any of the other Credit Documents, or in any statement or certificate delivered or required to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove untrue in any material respect on the date as of which it was deemed to have been made; or

 

(c)     Covenants. Any Credit Party shall

 

(i)     default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.1, 7.2, 7.9, 7.10, 7.11, 7.12, 7.13 or 8.1 through 8.15, inclusive, or

 

(ii)     default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in subsection (a), (b) or (c)(i) of this Section 9.1) contained in this Credit Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least thirty (30) days after the earlier of a Responsible Officer of a Credit Party becoming aware of such default or notice thereof by the Administrative Agent; or

 

(d)     Other Credit Documents.

 

(i)     Any Credit Party shall default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement in any of the other Credit Documents (subject to applicable grace or cure periods) if any, or

 

(ii)     any Credit Document shall fail to be in full force and effect to give the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders the liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created thereby; or

 

(e)     Guaranties. The guaranty given by any Guarantor hereunder (including any Additional Credit Party) or any provision thereof shall cease to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor (including any Additional Credit Party) hereunder or any Person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such Guarantor’s obligations under such guaranty; or

 

(f)     Bankruptcy, etc. Any Credit Party or any Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case concerning itself under the Bankruptcy Code; or an involuntary case is commenced against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary under the Bankruptcy Code and the petition is not dismissed within sixty (60) days, after commencement of the case; or a custodian (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code) is appointed for, or takes charge of all or substantially all of the property of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary; or any Credit Party or any Subsidiary commences any other proceeding under any reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of the debt, relief of creditors, dissolution, insolvency or similar law of any jurisdiction whether now or hereafter in effect relating to any Credit Party or any Subsidiary; or there is commenced against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary any such proceeding which remains undismissed for a period of sixty (60) days; or any Credit Party or any Subsidiary is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt; or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary; or any Credit Party or any Subsidiary suffers appointment of any custodian or the like for it or for any substantial part of its property to continue unchanged or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; or any Credit Party or any Subsidiary makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any corporate action is taken by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

 

 

 

(g)     Defaults under Other Agreements. (i) Any Borrower or any Subsidiary fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise and after giving effect to any applicable grace period) in respect of any Material Indebtedness; (ii) any Borrower or any Subsidiary fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any Material Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Material Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Material Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Material Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity; or (iii) there occurs under any Hedge Agreement an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Hedge Agreement) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Hedge Agreement as to which any Borrower or any Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Hedge Agreement) or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined) under such Hedge Agreement as to which any Borrower or any Subsidiary is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by such Borrower or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than the $5,000,000; or

 

(h)     Judgments. One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary involving a liability of $5,000,000 or more in the aggregate (to the extent not paid or fully covered by insurance provided by a carrier who has acknowledged coverage) and any such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal within thirty (30) days from the entry thereof; or

 

(i)     ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of either Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000, or (ii) either Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000; or

 

(j)     Ownership. There shall occur a Change of Control.

 

9.2     Acceleration; Remedies.

 

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time thereafter unless and until such Event of Default has been waived by the Required Lenders or cured to the satisfaction of the Required Lenders (pursuant to the voting procedures in Section 11.6), the Administrative Agent shall, upon the request and direction of the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Credit Parties take any of the following actions without prejudice to the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to enforce its claims against the Credit Parties, except as otherwise specifically provided for herein:

 

(a)     Termination of Commitments. Declare the Commitments terminated, whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately terminated.

 

 

 

(b)     Acceleration. Declare the unpaid principal of and any accrued interest in respect of all Loans, the LOC Obligations (with accrued interest thereon) and any and all other indebtedness or obligations of any and every kind owing by the Borrowers to any of the Lenders hereunder to be due whereupon the same shall be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers. The Administrative Agent may direct the Borrowers to immediately Cash Collateralize the then-aggregate amount of all LOC Obligations outstanding, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable.

 

(c)     Enforcement of Rights. Enforce any and all rights and interests created and existing under the Credit Documents and all rights of set-off.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section 9.1(f) shall occur, then the Commitments shall automatically terminate and all Loans, all reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, all accrued interest in respect thereof, all accrued and unpaid Fees and other indebtedness or obligations owing to the Lenders hereunder automatically shall immediately become due and payable and the obligation of the Borrowers to Cash Collateralize the LOC Obligations shall automatically become effective, in each case without the giving of any notice or other action by the Administrative Agent.

 

9.3     Application of Funds.

 

After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 9.2 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the LOC Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including Attorney Costs and amounts payable under Section 3) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders (including Attorney Costs and amounts payable under Section 3), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and LOC Borrowings, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

Fourth, to (a) payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and LOC Borrowings, (b) payment of Obligations then owing under any Secured Hedge Agreements, (c) payment of Obligations then owing under any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (d) Cash Collateralize that portion of LOC Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit, ratably among the Lenders, the Issuing Lender, the Hedge Banks and the Treasury Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and

 

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrowers or as otherwise required by law.

 

 

 

Subject to Sections 2.4 and 3.17, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above. Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Credit Party shall not be paid with amounts received from such Credit Party or its assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Credit Parties to preserve the allocation to Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations arising under Secured Treasury Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received a Secured Party Designation Notice, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Treasury Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be. Each Treasury Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to this Credit Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Section 10 for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

 

 

Section 10

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

10.1     Appointment and Authority.

 

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Lender hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Section 10 are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lender, and neither of the Borrowers nor any other Credit Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

 

10.2     Rights as a Lender.

 

The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrowers or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

 

 

10.3     Exculpatory Provisions.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)     shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(b)     shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Credit Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Credit Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Credit Document or applicable law; and

 

(c)     shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrowers or any of their Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 11.6 and 9.2) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrowers, a Lender or the Issuing Lender.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 7 or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

10.4     Reliance by Administrative Agent.

 

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the Issuing Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the Issuing Lender prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrowers), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

 

 

10.5     Delegation of Duties.

 

The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Credit Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

10.6     Resignation of Administrative Agent.

 

The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Borrowers. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrowers, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Lender, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that in no event shall any successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender; provided further that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Credit Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender under any of the Credit Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the Issuing Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Credit Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrowers and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, the provisions of this Section 10 and Section 11.5 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Borrowers and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrowers, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

 

 

 

Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender, (b) the retiring Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Credit Documents, and (c) the successor Issuing Lender shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Lender to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuing Lender with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

10.7     Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.

 

Each Lender and the Issuing Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Credit Agreement. Each Lender and the Issuing Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

10.8     No Other Duties, Etc.

 

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Co-Syndication Agents, Documentation Agent, Joint Lead Arrangers or Joint Bookrunners listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Lender hereunder.

 

10.9     Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.

 

In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or LOC Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrowers) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise

 

(a)     to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LOC Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent under Sections 3.5 and 11.5) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b)     to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

 

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the Issuing Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Lender, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 3.5 and 11.5.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the Issuing Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the Issuing Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the Issuing Lender in any such proceeding.

 

10.10     Collateral and Guaranty Matters.

 

The Lenders and the Issuing Lender irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion,

 

(a)     to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Credit Document (i) upon termination of the Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender shall have been made), (ii) that is sold or to be sold as part of or in connection with any sale permitted hereunder or under any other Credit Document, or (iii) subject to Section 11.6, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders;

 

(b)     to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Credit Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 8.2; and

 

(c)     to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder.

 

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 10.10.

 

10.11     Secured Treasury Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements. No Treasury Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefit of the provisions of Section 9.3, the Guaranty or the collateral securing the Obligations by virtue of the provisions hereof or the Pledge Agreement shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Credit Document or otherwise in respect of the collateral securing the Obligations (including the release or impairment of such collateral) (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Guaranty or the Pledge Agreement) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Credit Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 10 to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Treasury Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements except to the extent expressly provided herein and unless the Administrative Agent has received a Secured Party Designation Notice, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Treasury Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Treasury Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements in the case of a Termination Date.

 

 

 

Section 11

MISCELLANEOUS

 

11.1     Notices.

 

(a)     Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

(i)     if to either of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.1; and

 

(ii)     if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrowers).

 

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

 

(b)     Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Lender hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2 or Section 3 if such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Section by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrowers may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

 

 

 

(c)     The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to either Borrower, any Lender, the Issuing Lender or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of either Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to either Borrower, any Lender, the Issuing Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

 

(d)     Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to Speedway Motorsports, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrowers or their securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

 

(e)     Reliance by Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Notices of Borrowing) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrowers even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrowers shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrowers. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

 

 

11.2     Right of Set-Off.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Issuing Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the Issuing Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the applicable Borrower or any other Credit Party against any and all of the obligations of either Borrower or such Credit Party now or hereafter existing under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or the Issuing Lender shall have made any demand under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document and although such obligations of either Borrower or such Credit Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or the Issuing Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.18 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the Issuing Lender agrees to notify the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

11.3     Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)     Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither of the Borrowers nor any other Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of their rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (e) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Credit Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

(b)     Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in LOC Obligations and in Swingline Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)     Minimum Amounts.

 

(A)     in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment under any facility and the Loans at any time owing to it under such facility or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

(B)     in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $1,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers otherwise consent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(ii)     Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not (A) apply to rights in respect the Swingline Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swingline Loans or (B) prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate facilities on a non-pro rata basis;

 

(iii)     Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

 

(A)     the consent of the Borrowers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrowers shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless they shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

 

(B)     the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of (1) any Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment or Revolving Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment in respect of the applicable facility, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender or (2) any Term Loan to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund;

 

 

 

(C)     the consent of the Issuing Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding); and

 

(D)     the consent of the Swingline Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment of any Revolving Commitments.

 

(iv)     Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

 

(v)     No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to either Borrower or either Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) to a natural person.

 

(vi)     Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the assignor and assignee party to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Commitment Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Credit Agreement until such compliance occurs.

 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Credit Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Credit Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Credit Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.6, 3.10, 3.11 and 11.5 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, the Borrowers (at their expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Credit Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Credit Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

 

 

 

(c)     Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans and LOC Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(d)     Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, a Defaulting Lender or either Borrower or either Borrower’s respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in LOC Obligations and/or Swingline Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lender shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement.

 

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Credit Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 11.6(a) that affects such Participant. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.6, 3.10 and 3.11 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 3.10(e) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.10(e) shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the participation) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.16 and 11.22 as if it were an assignee under subsection (b) of this Section and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.6 or 3.10, with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the applicable Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with such Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 3.16 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.2 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 3.13 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Credit Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant's interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Credit Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Credit Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

 

 

(e)     Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Credit Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(f)     Resignation as Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Commitments and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrowers and the Lenders, resign as Issuing Lender and/or (ii) upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrowers, resign as Swingline Lender. In the event of any such resignation as Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, the Borrowers shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrowers to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as Issuing Lender, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the Issuing Lender hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Issuing Lender and all LOC Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.4(d)). If Bank of America resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.5(b)(iii). Upon the appointment of a successor Issuing Lender and/or Swingline Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor Issuing Lender shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

 

 

11.4     No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.

 

No failure by any Lender, the Issuing Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Credit Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Credit Documents against the Credit Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 9.2 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the Issuing Lender; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, (b) the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 11.2 (subject to the terms of Section 3.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Credit Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.2 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 3.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

 

11.5     Payment of Expenses, etc.

 

(a)     Costs and Expenses. The Borrowers jointly and severally agree that they shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including Attorney Costs), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender (including Attorney Costs of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

 

 

 

(b)     Indemnification by the Borrowers. The Borrowers jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the Issuing Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including Attorney Costs of any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrowers or any other Credit Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.10), (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Lender to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by either Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries, (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by either Borrower or any other Credit Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto or (v) any civil penalty or fine assessed by OFAC against, and all reasonable costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred in connection with defense thereof, by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of the default hereunder by the Credit Party or any Subsidiary which default violates a sanction enforced by OFAC; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by any of the Borrowers or any other Credit Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Credit Document, if either Borrower or such other Credit Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(c)     Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrowers for any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Issuing Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Issuing Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Commitment Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the Issuing Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or Issuing Lender in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 3.14(d).

 

(d)     Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, neither of the Borrowers nor any other Credit Party shall assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

 

 

(e)     Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.

 

(f)     Survival. The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

 

11.6     Amendments, Waivers and Consents.

 

Neither this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any of the terms hereof or thereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is in writing signed by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders, provided that no such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination shall:

 

(a)     unless also consented to by each Lender directly affected thereby, (i) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (it being understood that the amendment or waiver of an Event of Default, a mandatory reduction or a mandatory prepayment shall not constitute an increase or extension of Commitments), (ii) waive non-payment or postpone any date fixed by this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to any Lender, (iii) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan, or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder (other than the Agent’s Fee Letter, which may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto) or under any other Credit Document (provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (A) to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrowers to pay interest at the Default Rate or (B) to amend any financial covenant hereunder even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or LOC Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder), (iv) change Section 3.12 or 3.13 in any manner that would alter pro rata sharing, (v) change any provision of this Section 11.6(a) or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, (vi) release all or substantially all of the collateral securing the Obligations or all or substantially all of the Guarantors (other than as provided herein or as appropriate in connection with transactions permitted hereunder); or (vii) release either of the Borrowers or consent to the assignment or transfer by either Borrower of its rights and obligations under any Credit Document;

 

 

 

(b)     unless also consented to by the Issuing Lender, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall directly affect the rights or duties of the Issuing Lender under this Credit Agreement or any Letter of Credit Documents relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it;

 

(c)     unless also consented to by the Swingline Lender, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall directly affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender under this Credit Agreement; and

 

(d)     unless also consented to by the Administrative Agent, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document;

 

provided however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) the Agent’s Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto, (ii) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender, (ii) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy or insolvency reorganization plan that affects the Loans, (iii) each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein, and (iv) the Required Lenders may consent to allow a Credit Party to use Cash Collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

 

Notwithstanding the above, the right to deliver a “Payment Blockage Notice” (as such term is defined in any Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture, as applicable) or any “payment blockage notice” (such term or any other similar term as used in any Additional Subordinated Debt Indenture) shall, in each case, reside solely with the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall deliver such Payment Blockage Notice or any such “payment blockage notice”, as applicable, only upon the direction of the Required Lenders.

 

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Credit Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers (i) to add one or more additional revolving credit or term loan facilities to this Credit Agreement, in each case subject to the limitations in Section 2.6, and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding to share ratably (or on a basis subordinated to the existing facilities hereunder) in the benefits of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing facilities hereunder, and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Required Lenders, the Lenders providing such additional credit facilities to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Lenders or by any other number, percentage or class of Lenders hereunder.

 

11.7     Counterparts.

 

This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which where so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Credit Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Credit Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

11.8     Headings.

 

The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Credit Agreement.

 

11.9     [Reserved].

 

[Reserved].

 

11.10     Survival of Indemnification.

 

All indemnities set forth herein, including, without limitation, in Sections 3.6, 3.11 and 11.5 shall survive the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, the making of the Loans, the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the repayment of the Loans and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder.

 

11.11     Confidentiality.

 

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lender agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Credit Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Credit Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be a Lender pursuant to Section 2.6 or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrowers and their obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrowers or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers. For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries relating to their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by either Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from either Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

 

 

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lender acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning either Borrower or any of its respective Subsidiaries, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable law, including United States federal and state securities laws.

 

11.12     Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.

 

(a)     THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document may be brought in the courts of the State of North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County, or of the United States for the Western District of North Carolina, and, by execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, each of the Credit Parties hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of such courts. Each of the Credit Parties further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to it at the address for notices pursuant to Section 11.1, such service to become effective three (3) days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or to otherwise proceed against any Credit Party in any other jurisdiction.

 

(b)     Each of the Credit Parties hereby irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document brought in the courts referred to in subsection (a) hereof and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

11.13     WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

11.14     Severability.

 

If any provision of this Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.14, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Credit Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

 

 

 

 

11.15     Entirety.

 

This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated herein and therein.

 

11.16     Survival of Representations and Warranties.

 

All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Credit Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default at the time of any extension of credit hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

 

11.17     Binding Effect; Termination.

 

(a)     This Credit Agreement shall become effective at such time on or after the Effective Date when it shall have been executed by the Borrowers, the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof (telefaxed or otherwise) which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each Lender, and thereafter this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrowers, the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b)     The term of this Credit Agreement shall remain in effect until no Loans or any other amounts payable hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents shall remain outstanding and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have expired or been terminated.

 

11.18     Joint and Several Liability.

 

(a)     Each of the Borrowers is accepting joint and several liability hereunder in consideration of the financial accommodation to be provided by the Lenders under this Credit Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of the Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of each of the Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the obligations of each of them.

 

(b)     Each of the Borrowers jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Borrower with respect to the payment and performance of all Obligations, it being the intention of the parties hereto that all such Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each of the Borrowers without preferences or distinction among them.

 

 

 

(c)     If and to the extent that either of the Borrowers shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event, the other Borrower will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligation.

 

(d)     The obligations of each Borrower under the provisions of this Section 11.18 constitute full recourse obligations of the Borrowers, enforceable against the Borrowers to the full extent of their properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of this Credit Agreement or any other circumstances whatsoever.

 

(e)     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each Borrower hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and several liability, notice of any Loan made under this Credit Agreement, notice of occurrence of any Event of Default, or of any demand for any payment under this Credit Agreement, notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by any Lender under or in respect of any of the Obligations, any requirement of diligence and, generally, all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this Credit Agreement. Each Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by any Lender at any time or times in respect of any default by either Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Credit Agreement, any and all other indulgences whatsoever by any Lender in respect of any of the Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of the Obligations or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of either Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower assents to any other action or delay in acting or failure to act on the part of any Lender, including, without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with the applicable laws or regulations thereunder which might, but for the provisions of this Section 11.18, afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving such Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its obligations under this Section 11.18, it being the intention of each Borrower that, so long as any of the Obligations remain unsatisfied, the obligations of such Borrower under this Section 11.18 shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance. The obligations of each Borrower under this Section 11.18 shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to either Borrower or any Lender. The joint and several liability of the Borrowers hereunder shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger, amalgamation or any other change whatsoever in the name, membership, constitution or place of formation of either Borrower or any Lender.

 

(f)     The provisions of this Section 11.18 are made for the benefit of the Lenders and their respective successors and assigns, and may be enforced by any such Person from time to time against either of the Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of any Lender first to marshal any of its claims or to exercise any of its rights against either of the other Borrowers or to exhaust any remedies available to it against the other Borrower or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of this Section 11.18 shall remain in effect until all the Obligations shall have been paid in full or otherwise fully satisfied. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Obligations, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of either of the Borrowers, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 11.18 will forthwith be reinstated in effect, as though such payment had not been made.

 

 

 

(g)     Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any other of the Credit Documents, to the extent the joint obligations of a Borrower shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason (including, without limitation, because of any applicable state or federal law relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers) then the obligations of each Borrower hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount that is permissible under applicable law (whether federal or state and including, without limitation, the federal Bankruptcy Code).

 

11.19     Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.

 

The words “delivery,” “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Credit Document or any other document executed in connection herewith shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary neither the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender nor any Lender is under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or such Lender pursuant to procedures approved by it and provided further without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of any party, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

 

11.20     USA PATRIOT Act Notice.

 

Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower, which information includes the name and address of each Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Borrower in accordance with the Act. Each Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.

 

11.21     Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.

 

In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document), each of the Borrowers and the other Credit Parties acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Credit Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrowers, each other Credit Party and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers, on the other hand, (B) each of the Borrowers and the other Credit Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each of the Borrowers and the other Credit Parties is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Credit Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrowers, any other Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Joint Lead Arranger has any obligation to the Borrowers, any other Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrowers, the other Credit Parties and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the Joint Lead Arrangers has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrowers, any other Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrowers and the other Credit Parties hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and any of the Joint Lead Arrangers with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

 

 

11.22     Replacement of Lenders.

 

If (a) any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.6, (b) either Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.10, (c) a Lender (a “Non-Consenting Lender”) does not consent to a proposed amendment, consent, change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Credit Document that has been approved by the Required Lenders (including, without limitation, by a failure to respond in writing to a proposed amendment by the date and time specified by the Administrative Agent) as provided in Section 11.6 but requires unanimous consent of all Lenders or all Lenders of a particular class of loans, or (d) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 11.3), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement and the related Credit Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

 

(i)     the respective Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 11.3(b)(iv);

 

(ii)     such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and, with respect to Revolving Lenders, LOC Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Credit Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.11) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts);

 

(iii)     in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.6 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.10, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

 

(iv)     such assignment does not conflict with applicable laws; and

 

 

 

(v)     in the case of any such assignment resulting from a Non-Consenting Lender’s failure to consent to a proposed amendment, consent change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Credit Document, the applicable replacement bank or financial institution consents to the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination;

 

provided that the failure by such Non-Consenting Lender to execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption shall not impair the validity of the removal of such Non-Consenting Lender and the mandatory assignment of such Non-Consenting Lender’s Commitments and outstanding Loans and, with respect to the Revolving Lenders, participations in LOC Obligations pursuant to this Section shall nevertheless be effective without the execution by such Non-Consenting Lender of an Assignment and Assumption.

 

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

11.23     Appointment of Borrowers.

 

Each of the Credit Parties hereby appoints each of the Borrowers to act as its agent for all purposes of this Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents and all other documents and electronic platforms entered into in connection herewith and agrees that (a) each Borrower may execute such documents and provide such authorizations on behalf of such Credit Parties as such Borrower deems appropriate in its sole discretion and each Credit Party shall be obligated by all of the terms of any such document and/or authorization executed on its behalf, (b) any notice or communication delivered by the Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender or a Lender to the Borrowers shall be deemed delivered to each Credit Party and (c) the Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender or the Lenders may accept, and be permitted to rely on, any document, authorization, instrument or agreement executed by either Borrower on behalf of each of the Credit Parties.

 

11.24     Amendment and Restatement.

 

The parties hereto agree that, on the Effective Date, the following transactions shall be deemed to occur automatically, without further action by any party hereto: (a) the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be amended and restated in its entirety pursuant to this Credit Agreement; (b) all Obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement outstanding on the Effective Date shall in all respects be continuing and shall be deemed to Obligations outstanding hereunder; (c) the Guaranty Obligations of the Guarantors in favor the Administrative Agent, each Lender, each Treasury Management Bank, each Hedge Bank, and each other holder of the Obligations pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect with respect to the Obligations and are hereby reaffirmed; (d) all Letters of Credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement on the Effective Date shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit outstanding on the Effective Date under this Credit Agreement; and (e) all references in the other Credit Documents to the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer without further amendment to this Credit Agreement. The parties hereto further acknowledge and agree that this Credit Agreement constitutes an amendment to the Existing Credit Agreement made under and in accordance with the terms of Section 11.6 of the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

Each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Credit Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWERS:

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC., a Delaware corporation   By: /s/ William R. Brooks                       Name: William R. Brooks                        Title: Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer      and Treasurer     SPEEDWAY FUNDING, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company   By: /s/ William R. Brooks                       Name: William R. Brooks                        Title: President and Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signatures Continue]

 

Speedway Motorsports, Inc.

AMENDED AND RESTATED Credit AgreemenT

 

 

GUARANTORS:	ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company INEX CORP., a North Carolina corporation KENTUCKY RACEWAY, LLC a Kentucky limited liability company NEVADA SPEEDWAY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Inc., a New Hampshire corporation SMI SYSTEMS, LLC a Nevada limited liability company SMI TRACKSIDE, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company SMISC HOLDINGS, INC., a North Carolina corporation SPEEDWAY MEDIA, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company SPEEDWAY PROPERTIES COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company SPEEDWAY SONOMA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company SPEEDWAY TBA, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, INC., a Texas corporation U.S. Legend Cars International, Inc., a North Carolina corporation     By: /s/ William R. Brooks                             Name: William R. Brooks                              Title: Authorized Signatory
	Speedway TBA, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company
	By:     Speedway Motorsports, Inc., its Sole Member
	By: /s/ William R. Brooks                                                    Name: William R. Brooks                                                     Title: Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer                                     and Treasurer

 

 

Speedway Motorsports, Inc.

AMENDED AND RESTATED Credit AgreemenT

 

 

 

	TSI Management Company, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company
	By:     SMISC Holdings, Inc., Manager
	By: /s/ William R. Brooks                                           Name: William R. Brooks                                            Title: Executive Vice President

 

[Signatures Continue]

 

Speedway Motorsports, Inc.

AMENDED AND RESTATED Credit AgreemenT

 

 

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT:	BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as the Administrative Agent   By: /s/ Aamir Saleem                                        Name: Aamir Saleem                                         Title: Vice President
LENDERS:	BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as a Lender, Swingline Lender and Issuing Lender   By: /s/ Brian Murphy                                       Name: Brian Murphy                                       Title: Vice President                                           WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION   By: /s/ Brad D. Bostick                                    Name: Brad D. Bostick                                     Title: Senior Vice President                               JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.   By: /s/ Douglas K. Eller                                   Name: Douglas K. Eller                                    Title: Banker Senior                                            SUNTRUST BANK   By: /s/ J. Matthew Rowand                             Name: J. Matthew Rowand                             Title: Vice President                                           U.S. Bank National Association   By: /s/ Jonathan F. Lindvall                            Name: Jonathan F. Lindvall                             Title: Vice President                                           FIRST TENNESSEE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION   By: /s/ Corey Webb                                         Name: Corey Webb                                          Title: Vice President                                           PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION   By: /s/ Robert L. Spencer                                Name: Robert L. Spencer                                 Title: Senior Vice President

 

Speedway Motorsports, Inc.

AMENDED AND RESTATED Credit AgreemenT

 

 

 

REGIONS BANK   By: /s/ Anthony LeTrent                                 Name: Anthony LeTrent                                 Title: Senior Vice President                               TD BANK, N.A.   By: /s/ Todd Antico                                         Name: Todd Antico                                          Title: Senior Vice President                               COMERICA BANK   By: /s/ L. J. Perenyi                                           Name: L. J. Perenyi                                           Title: Vice President                                           FIFTH THIRD BANK   By: /s/ Richard Hardison                                 Name: Richard Hardison                                  Title: Managing Director

 

Speedway Motorsports, Inc.

AMENDED AND RESTATED Credit AgreemenT

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED PLEDGE AGREEMENT dated as of December 29, 2014 (as amended and modified, this “Pledge Agreement”) by those parties identified as “Pledgors” on the signature pages hereto and such other parties as may become Pledgors hereunder after the date hereof (the “Pledgors”) in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the Lenders (as hereinafter defined) under the Credit Agreement described below amends and restates that certain Existing Pledge Agreement (as defined below).

 

RECITALS

 

A.     The Lenders have made loans and extensions of credit to Speedway Motorsports, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Speedway Motorsports”), and Speedway Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Speedway Funding” -- hereinafter Speedway Motorsports and Speedway Funding may be referred to collectively as the “Borrowers”), upon the terms and conditions provided in that Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as February 1, 2013 (as amended, modified, renewed, restated, replaced or supplemented prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”) among the Borrowers, the Guarantors, the several banks and financial institutions identified therein and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

 

B.     In connection with the Existing Credit Agreement, the Borrowers, the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent entered into that certain Pledge Agreement dated as of February 1, 2013 (as amended, modified, extended, renewed, restated, replaced or supplemented prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Pledge Agreement”).

 

C.     The Borrowers, the Guarantors, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have entered into that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, modified, extended, renewed, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the Existing Credit Agreement has been amended and restated and the obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement have been continued.

 

D.     In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Lenders and the Pledgors have agreed to amend and restate (but not effect a novation of) the Existing Pledge Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Pledge Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective loans and extensions of credit thereunder, the Pledgors hereby agree with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Secured Obligations, to amend and restate the Existing Pledge Agreement in its entirety as follows:

 

1.     Defined Terms.

 

(a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

(b)     The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Collateral”: the Pledged Stock and all Proceeds thereof.

 

“Collateral Account”: any account established to hold money Proceeds, maintained under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, subject to withdrawal by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders as provided in Section 8(a) hereof.

 

“Issuers”: the collective reference to the companies identified on Schedule 1 hereto as the issuers of the Pledged Stock; individually, each an “Issuer.”

 

“Pledged Stock”: with respect to each Pledgor, (a) 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of each Domestic Subsidiary that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is directly owned by such Pledgor and (b) 65% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) of each Foreign Subsidiary that is directly owned by such Pledgor, including without limitation the Capital Stock of the Subsidiaries owned by such Pledgor as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto, in each case together with the certificates (or other agreements or instruments), if any, representing such Capital Stock, and all options and other rights, contractual or otherwise, with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

(i)     all Capital Stock representing a dividend thereon, or representing a distribution or return of capital upon or in respect thereof, or resulting from a stock split, revision, reclassification or other exchange therefor, and any subscriptions, warrants, rights or options issued to the holder thereof, or otherwise in respect thereof; and

 

(ii)     in the event of any consolidation or merger involving the Issuer thereof and in which such Issuer is not the surviving Person, all shares of each class of the Capital Stock of the successor Person formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger, to the extent that such successor Person is a direct Subsidiary of a Pledgor.

 

“Proceeds”: all “proceeds” as such term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of North Carolina on the date hereof.

 

“Secured Obligations”: without duplication, (i) all Obligations and (ii) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the Obligations, including the Attorney Costs.

 

“Securities Act”: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC”: the Uniform Commercial Code from time to time in effect in the State of North Carolina.

 

(c)     The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Pledge Agreement shall refer to this Pledge Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Pledge Agreement, and section and paragraph references are to this Pledge Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(d)     The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

 

 

2.     Pledge; Grant of Security Interest. To secure the prompt payment and performance in full when due, whether by lapse of time, acceleration, mandatory prepayment or otherwise, of the Secured Obligations, each Pledgor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Secured Obligations, a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of such Pledgor in and to the Collateral, whether now owned or existing or owned, acquired, or arising hereafter. The Pledgors and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the Secured Obligations, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest created hereby in the Collateral constitutes continuing collateral security for all of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or hereafter arising.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is hereby specifically understood and agreed that the Pledgor may from time to time hereafter deliver additional Capital Stock to the Administrative Agent as collateral security for the Secured Obligations. Upon delivery to the Administrative Agent, such additional Capital Stock shall be deemed to be part of the Collateral and shall be subject to the terms of this Pledge Agreement whether or not Schedule 1 is amended to refer to such additional Capital Stock.

 

3.     Stock Powers. Concurrently with the delivery to the Administrative Agent of each certificate representing one or more shares of Pledged Stock, each of the Pledgors shall deliver an undated stock power in substantially the form of Schedule 2 hereto covering such certificate, duly executed in blank with, if the Administrative Agent so requests, signature guaranteed.

 

4.     Representations and Warranties. Each Pledgor represents and warrants that:

 

(a)     The Pledged Stock constitutes (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of all classes of capital stock of each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrowers (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries) and (ii) 65% (or such greater percentage which would not result in material adverse tax consequences) of the issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) of each Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrowers.

 

(b)     All of the Pledged Stock has been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

 

(c)     The Pledgor is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, the Pledged Stock of such Pledgor, free of any and all Liens or options in favor of, or claims of, any other Person, except the security interests created by this Pledge Agreement.

 

(d)     Upon delivery to the Administrative Agent of any stock certificates evidencing the Pledged Stock, the security interest created by this Pledge Agreement will constitute a valid, perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral, enforceable in accordance with its terms against all creditors of the Pledgor and any Persons purporting to purchase any Collateral from the Pledgor, except as affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

(e)     Except as previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent, none of the Pledged Stock consisting of partnership or limited liability company interests (i) is dealt in or traded on a securities exchange or in a securities market, (ii) by its terms expressly provides that it is a security governed by Article 8 of the UCC, (iii) is an investment company security, (iv) is held in a securities account or (v) constitutes a “Security” (as such term is defined in the UCC).

 

 

 

5.     Covenants. Each Pledgor covenants and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, from and after the date of this Pledge Agreement until the Secured Obligations under the Credit Agreement have been satisfied in full and the Commitments have been terminated:

 

(a)     If the Pledgor shall, as a result of its ownership of the Pledged Stock, become entitled to receive or shall receive any stock certificate (including, without limitation, any certificate representing a stock dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate issued in connection with any reorganization), option or rights, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for any shares of the Pledged Stock, or otherwise in respect thereof, the Pledgor shall accept the same as the agent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, hold the same in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and deliver the same forthwith to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received, duly indorsed by the Pledgor to the Administrative Agent, if required, together with an undated stock power covering such certificate duly executed in blank by the Pledgor and with, if the Administrative Agent so requests, signature guaranteed, to be held by the Administrative Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral security for the Secured Obligations. Any sums paid to a Pledgor upon or in respect of the Pledged Stock upon the liquidation or dissolution of any Issuer shall be paid over to the Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder as additional collateral security for the Secured Obligations, and in case any distribution of capital shall be made on or in respect of the Pledged Stock or any property shall be distributed upon or with respect to the Pledged Stock pursuant to the recapitalization or reclassification of the capital of the Issuer or pursuant to the reorganization thereof, the property so distributed shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder as additional collateral security for the Secured Obligations. If any sums of money or property so paid or distributed in respect of the Pledged Stock shall be received by the Pledgor, the Pledgor shall, until such money or property is paid or delivered to the Administrative Agent, hold such money or property in trust for the Lenders, segregated from other funds of the Pledgor, as additional collateral security for the Secured Obligations.

 

(b)     Without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Pledgor will not (i) vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, any Issuer to issue any stock or other equity securities of any nature or to issue any other securities convertible into or granting the right to purchase or exchange for any stock or equity securities of any nature of any Issuer, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, the Collateral, (iii) create, incur or permit to exist any Lien or option in favor of, or any claim of any Person with respect to, any of the Collateral, or any interest therein, except for the security interests created by this Pledge Agreement or (iv) enter into any agreement or undertaking restricting the right or ability of the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent to sell, assign or transfer any of the Collateral.

 

(c)     The Pledgor shall maintain the security interests created by this Pledge Agreement as first priority, perfected security interests and shall defend such security interests against claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever. At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent, and at the sole expense of the Pledgor, the Pledgor will promptly and duly execute and deliver such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Pledge Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted. If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any promissory note, other instrument or chattel paper, such promissory note, instrument or chattel paper shall be immediately delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly endorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Pledge Agreement.

 

 

 

(d)     The Pledgor shall pay, and save the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Pledge Agreement, except for any such liabilities which result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)     The Pledgor shall not, without executing and delivering, or causing to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such agreements, documents and instruments as the Administrative Agent may require, issue or acquire any Capital Stock consisting of an interest in a partnership or a limited liability company that (i) is dealt in or traded on a securities exchange or in a securities market, (ii) by its terms expressly provides that it is a security governed by Article 8 of the UCC, (iii) is an investment company security, (iv) is held in a securities account or (v) constitutes a “Security (as such term is defined in the UCC).

 

6.     Cash Dividends; Voting Rights. Unless an Event of Default has occurred and the Administrative Agent has given notice to the Pledgors of the Administrative Agent’s intent to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section 7 hereof, the Pledgors shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends, to the extent permitted in the Credit Agreement, in respect of the Pledged Stock and to exercise all voting and corporate rights with respect to the Pledged Stock; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or corporate right exercised or other action taken which, in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable judgment, would impair the Collateral or which would be inconsistent with or result in any violation of any provision of the Credit Agreement, this Pledge Agreement or any other Credit Document.

 

     7.     Rights of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent. (a)     All money Proceeds received by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be held by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in a Collateral Account. All Proceeds while held by the Administrative Agent in a Collateral Account (or by the Pledgors in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) shall continue to be held as collateral security for all the Secured Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as provided in Section 8(a) hereof.

 

(b)     At any time after an Event of Default has occurred and the Administrative Agent has given notice to the Pledgors of its intent to exercise the following rights to the Pledgors, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends paid in respect of the Pledged Stock and make application thereof to the Secured Obligations in the order set forth in Section 9.3 of the Credit Agreement, and (ii) all of the Pledged Stock shall be registered in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee, and the Administrative Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise (A) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to the Pledged Stock at any meeting of shareholders of any Issuer or otherwise and (B) any and all rights of conversion, exchange, subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to the Pledged Stock as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Pledged Stock upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by any Pledgor or the Administrative Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to the Pledged Stock, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the Pledged Stock with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Administrative Agent may determine), all without liability except to account for property actually received by it, but the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to the Pledgors to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

 

 

 

8.     Remedies. (a) At any time after an Event of Default has occurred, at the Administrative Agent’s election, the Administrative Agent may apply all or any part of Proceeds held in any Collateral Account in payment of the Secured Obligations in the order set forth in Section 9.3 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)     At any time after an Event of Default has occurred, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted in this Pledge Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Secured Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon the Pledgors or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, assign, give an option or options to purchase or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, in the over-the-counter market, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk. The Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in any Pledgor, which right or equity of redemption is hereby waived and released. The Administrative Agent shall apply any Proceeds from time to time held by it and the net proceeds of any such collection, recovery, receipt, appropriation, realization or sale, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in respect thereof or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent, to the payment in whole or in part of the Secured Obligations, in the order set forth in Section 9.3 of the Credit Agreement, and only after such application and after the payment by the Administrative Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, need the Administrative Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Pledgor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Pledgor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Administrative Agent or any Lender arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least twenty (20) days before such sale or other disposition. The Pledgors shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of Collateral are insufficient to pay the Secured Obligations and the reasonable fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to collect such deficiency.

 

 

 

9.     Registration Rights; Private Sales. (a) If the Administrative Agent shall determine to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Pledged Stock pursuant to Section 8 hereof, and if in the opinion of the Administrative Agent it is necessary or advisable to have the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be sold, registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, the Pledgors will cause the Issuer thereof to (i) execute and deliver, and cause the directors and officers of such Issuer to execute and deliver, all such instruments and documents, and do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, necessary or advisable to register the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be sold, under the provisions of the Securities Act, (ii) to use its best efforts to cause the registration statement relating thereto to become effective and to remain effective for a period of one year from the date of the first public offering of the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be sold, and (iii) to make all amendments thereto and/or to the related prospectus which, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, are necessary or advisable, all in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable thereto. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees to cause such Issuer to comply with the provisions of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any and all jurisdiction which the Administrative Agent shall designate and to make available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement (which need not be audited) which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

 

(b)     Each Pledgor recognizes that the Administrative Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Stock, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obligated to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Pledgor agrees that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner. The Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Stock for the period of time necessary to permit the Issuer thereof to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state securities laws, even if such Issuer agrees to do so.

 

(c)     Each Pledgor further agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of the Pledged Stock pursuant to Sections 8 and 9(a) valid and binding and in compliance with any and all other applicable Requirements of Law. Each Pledgor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in Sections 8 and 9(a) will cause irreparable injury to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in Sections 8 and 9(a) shall be specifically enforceable against such Pledgor, and such Pledgor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no Event of Default has occurred.

 

10.     Irrevocable Authorization and Instruction to Issuer. Each Pledgor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer to comply with any instruction received by it from the Administrative Agent in writing that (a) states that an Event of Default has occurred and (b) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Pledge Agreement, without any other or further instructions from such Pledgor, and such Pledgor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected by the Pledgors in so complying.

 

11.     Administrative Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact. (a) Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent and any officer or agent of the Administrative Agent, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with fully irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and in the name of such Pledgor or in the Administrative Agent’s own name, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s discretion, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Pledge Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Pledge Agreement, including, without limitation, any financing statements, endorsements, assignments or other instruments of transfer.

 

 

 

(b)     Each Pledgor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done pursuant to the power of attorney granted in Section 11(a) hereof. All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Pledge Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until the Secured Obligations have been satisfied in full and the Commitments have been terminated.

 

12.     Duty of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Administrative Agent deals with similar securities and property for its own account, except that the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to invest funds held in any Collateral Account and may hold the same as demand deposits. Neither the Administrative Agent, any Lender nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Pledgor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.

 

13.     Authorization of Financing Statements. Pursuant to Section 9-708 of the Uniform Commercial Code, each Pledgor authorizes the Administrative Agent to prepare and file financing statements with respect to the Collateral in such form and in such filing offices as the Administrative Agent reasonably determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Pledge Agreement. Such financing statements may describe the collateral in the same manner as described herein or may contain an indication or description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Administrative Agent may determine is necessary or advisable to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the collateral granted to the Administrative Agent in connection herewith.

 

14.     Authority of Administrative Agent. Each Pledgor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this Pledge Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Administrative Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Pledge Agreement shall, as between the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Administrative Agent and such Pledgor, the Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and neither any Pledgor nor any Issuer shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

 

15.     Notices. All notices shall be given or made in accordance with Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

16.     Severability. Any provision of this Pledge Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

 

 

17.     Amendments in Writing; No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. (a) None of the terms or provisions of this Pledge Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except by a written instrument executed by the Pledgors and the Administrative Agent, provided that any provision of this Pledge Agreement may be waived by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in a letter or agreement executed by the Administrative Agent or by facsimile transmission from the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)     Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 17(a) hereof), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default or in any breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion.

 

(c)     The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.

 

18.     Section Headings. The section headings used in this Pledge Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

 

19.     Successors and Assigns. This Pledge Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Pledgors and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and assigns, provided that the Pledgors may not assign any of their rights or obligations under this Pledge Agreement without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and any such purported assignment without such prior written consent shall be null and void.

 

20.      Term of Agreement. This Pledge Agreement and the security interests granted hereunder shall remain in full force and effect until the Secured Obligations under the Credit Agreement have been satisfied in full and the Commitments have been terminated, at which time the Administrative Agent shall release and terminate the security interests granted to it hereunder. Upon such release and termination, (a) the Pledgors shall be entitled to the return, at the Pledgors’ expense, of any and all funds in the Collateral Account and such of the Collateral held by the Administrative Agent as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof and (b) the Administrative Agent shall, at the Pledgors’ expense, execute and deliver to the Borrowers such UCC termination statements and other documents as the Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such release and termination.

 

21.     Joint and Several Obligations of Pledgors.

 

(a)     Each of the Pledgors is accepting joint and several liability hereunder in consideration of the financial accommodation to be provided by the holders of the Secured Obligations, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of the Pledgors and in consideration of the undertaking of each of the Pledgors to accept joint and several liability for the obligations of each of them.

 

 

 

(b)     Each of the Pledgors jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Pledgors with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Secured Obligations arising under this Pledge Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any other documents relating to the Secured Obligations, it being the intention of the parties hereto that all the Secured Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each of the Pledgors without preferences or distinction among them.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding an provision to the contrary contained herein, in any other of the Credit Documents or in any other documents relating to the Secured Oblations the obligations of each Guarantor under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render such obligations subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.

 

22.     GOVERNING LAW. THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Pledge Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

PLEDGORS:   CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company   By: /s/ William R. Brooks                                                                 Name: William R. Brooks                                                                  Title: Executive Vice President                                                          SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC., a Delaware corporation   By: /s/ William R. Brooks                                                                 Name: William R. Brooks                                                                  Title: Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer         SPEEDWAY PROPERTIES COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company   By: /s/ William R. Brooks                                                                 Name: William R. Brooks                                                                  Title: President and Chief Financial Officer                                     SMISC HOLDINGS, INC., a North Carolina corporation   By: /s/ William R. Brooks                                                                 Name: William R. Brooks                                                                  Title: Executive Vice President

 

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE

AGENT:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent   By: /s/ Aamir Saleem                                               Name: Aamir Saleem                                               Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

Schedule 1

 

Description of Pledged Stock

 

 

Pledgor	Issuer	Cert. No.	No. of Shares
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	Atlanta Motor Speedway, LLC	N/A	N/A
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	Bristol Motor Speedway, LLC	N/A	N/A
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	Charlotte Motor Speedway, LLC	N/A	N/A
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Inc.	9	322
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	Texas Motor Speedway, Inc.	1	1,000
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	SMISC Holdings, Inc.	2	1,000
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	Speedway Sonoma, LLC	N/A	N/A
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	Kentucky Raceway, LLC	N/A	N/A
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	Speedway TBA, LLC	N/A	N/A
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	Nevada Speedway, LLC	N/A	N/A
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	Speedway Funding, LLC	N/A	N/A
Charlotte Motor Speedway, LLC	INEX Corp.	1	5,000
Charlotte Motor Speedway, LLC	U.S. Legend Cars International, Inc.	5	5,000
Speedway Properties Company, LLC	Speedway Media, LLC	N/A	N/A
SMISC Holdings, Inc.	TSI Management Company, LLC	N/A	N/A
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	Speedway Properties Company, LLC	N/A	N/A
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.	SMI Systems, LLC	N/A	N/A
SMISC Holdings, Inc.	SMI Trackside, LLC	N/A	N/A

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 2

 

Form of Irrevocable Stock Power

 

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to

 

 

 

the following shares of capital stock of _____________________, a ________ corporation:

 

 

Certificate No.                                        No. of Shares

 

 

 

and irrevocably appoints

 

 

its agent and attorney-in-fact to transfer all or any part of such capital stock and to take all necessary and appropriate action to effect any such transfer. The agent and attorney-in-fact may substitute and appoint one or more persons to act for him.

 

Date:                                                                                                                  ,

                                                                a                 corporation

 

                                                                By:                                                   

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

Witnessed by:                                                        [Signature Guaranteed:]

 

                                                                            

                        

                                                                           

 

 

Exhibit 21.1

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY

 

•

Atlanta Motor Speedway, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company.

 

•

Bristol Motor Speedway, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company.

 

•

Charlotte Motor Speedway, LLC (“CMS”), a North Carolina limited liability company.

 

•

US Legend Cars International, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMS), a North Carolina corporation.

 

•

INEX Corporation (a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMS), a North Carolina corporation.

 

•

Kentucky Raceway, LLC d/b/a/ Kentucky Speedway, a Kentucky limited liability company.

 

•

Nevada Speedway, LLC d/b/a Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

•

New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Inc., a New Hampshire corporation.

 

•

North Wilkesboro Speedway, Incorporated, a North Carolina corporation.

 

•

Speedway Consulting and Design, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMS), a North Carolina corporation.

 

•

Speedway Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

•

Oil-Chem Research Corporation (“OCRC”), an Illinois corporation.

 

•

SMI Systems, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company.

 

•

SMISC Holdings, Inc. d/b/a SMI Properties, a North Carolina corporation.

 

•

SMI Trackside, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of SMISC Holdings, Inc.), a North Carolina limited liability company.

 

•

Speedway Motorsports International Limited (“SMIL”) (a subsidiary of OCRC), a British Virgin Islands corporation.

 

•

Speedway Properties Company, LLC (“SPC”) a/k/a Performance Racing Network, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

•

Speedway Media, LLC a/k/a Racing Country USA (a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPC), a North Carolina limited liability company.

 

•

Speedway Sonoma, LLC a/k/a Sonoma Raceway, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

•

Speedway TBA, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company.

 

•

Texas Motor Speedway, Inc., a Texas corporation.

 

•

TSI Management Company, LLC (“TSI”) (a wholly-owned subsidiary of SMISC Holdings, Inc.), a North Carolina limited liability company.

Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-190374, 333-181127, 333-49027, 333-89496, 333-114965, 333-150418, 333-114969, 333-69616, 333-69618, and 333-17687) of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. of our report dated March 6, 2015 relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina March 6, 2015

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

 

CO-PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, O. Bruton Smith, certify that:

 

1.	I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.;

 

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 6, 2015				By:		/s/    O. BRUTON SMITH
						O. Bruton Smith
						Executive Chairman (co-principal executive officer)

Exhibit 31.2

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

 

CO-PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Marcus G. Smith, certify that:

 

1.	I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.;

 

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 6, 2015				By:		/s/    MARCUS G. SMITH
						Marcus G. Smith
						Chief Executive Officer (co-principal executive officer) and President

Exhibit 31.3

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, William R. Brooks, certify that:

 

1.	I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.;

 

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 6, 2015				By:		/s/    WILLIAM R. BROOKS
						William R. Brooks
						Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Exhibit 32.1

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

 

CO-PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, O. Bruton Smith, Executive Chairman and Co-Principal Executive Officer of the Company, does hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: March 6, 2015				By:		/s/    O. BRUTON SMITH
						O. Bruton Smith
						Executive Chairman (co-principal executive officer)

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to, and will be retained by, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Exhibit 32.2

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

 

CO-PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, Marcus G. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Co-Principal Executive Officer and President of the Company, does hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: March 6, 2015				By:		/s/    MARCUS G. SMITH
						Marcus G. Smith
						Chief Executive Officer (co-principal executive officer) and President

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to, and will be retained by, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

Exhibit 32.3

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS, INC.

 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, William R. Brooks, Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, does hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: March 6, 2015				By:		/s/    WILLIAM R. BROOKS
						William R. Brooks
						Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to, and will be retained by, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.