SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION
INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14 (c) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant | þ | |||
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant | ¨ | |||
Check the appropriate box: | ||||
¨ Preliminary Information Statement | ¨ | Confidential, for Use of Commission Only [as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e) (2)] | ||
þ Definitive Information Statement |
INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ | No fee required |
¨ | $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c) (1) (ii), 14 c-(1) (ii), 14c-5(g). |
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11. |
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a) (2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY CORPORATION
One Daytona Boulevard
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
NOTICE OF 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
|
To the Shareholders of International Speedway Corporation:
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of International Speedway Corporation will be held at
THE INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS CENTER, One Daytona Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 on Wednesday,
the 4th day of April 2012, commencing at 9:00 A.M., for the following purposes:
(a) | To elect three (3) Directors of the Corporation. |
(b) | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
ALL Shareholders of record as of January 31, 2012, will be entitled to vote, either in person or by proxy. Due to logistical considerations, please be present by 8:45 A.M. Shareholder registration tables will open at 8:00 A.M.
By Order of the Board of Directors | ||||||
W. Garrett Crotty | ||||||
March 1, 2012 | Senior Vice President, Secretary and General | |||||
Counsel |
This Notice of 2012 Annual Meeting and the attached Information Statement dated March 1, 2012 should be read in combination with the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011 and the Annual Report. Collectively these documents contain all of the information and disclosures required in connection with the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Copies of all of these materials can found in the Financials/SEC Filings section of the Investor Relations page on our website at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com.
INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY CORPORATION
One Daytona Boulevard
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
INFORMATION STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 14(c)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and Regulation 14C and Schedule 14C thereunder
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE
REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY
This Information Statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and is first being mailed on or about March 7, 2012 to holders of record on January 31, 2012 (the Record Date) of shares of all classes of the common stock of International Speedway Corporation, a Florida corporation. This Information Statement relates to an Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the only matter to be acted upon at the meeting is the election of directors.
You are being provided with this Information Statement pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and Regulation 14C and Schedule 14C thereunder.
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DATE, TIME AND PLACE INFORMATION
Our Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 commencing at 9:00 A.M. at THE INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS CENTER, One Daytona Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida, 32114. Shareholder registration tables will open at 8:00 A.M. The mailing address of our principal executive offices is One Daytona Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
This Information Statement is being mailed commencing on or about March 7, 2012 to all of our shareholders of record as of the Record Date. The Record Date for the Annual Meeting is January 31, 2012. As of the Record Date, we had 26,189,408 shares of class A common stock and 20,179,327 shares of class B common stock issued and outstanding. Each share of the class A common stock is entitled to one-fifth of one vote on matters submitted to shareholder approval or a vote of shareholders. Each share of the class B common stock is entitled to one vote on matters submitted to shareholder approval or a vote of shareholders.
Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (2) |
Percentage of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Combined Voting Power of Common Stock |
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Name of Beneficial Owner (1) | Class A (3) | Class B (4) | Class A (5) | Class B (6) | (7) | |||||||||||||||
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||||||||||||||||||||
France Family Group (8) |
18,283,680 | 18,166,128 | 41.22% | 90.02% | 71.56% | |||||||||||||||
James C. France (9) |
12,801,560 | 12,724,002 | 32.90% | 63.05% | 50.12% | |||||||||||||||
Betty Jane France (10) |
5,552,756 | 5,552,756 | 17.49% | 27.51% | 21.85% | |||||||||||||||
Blackrock, Inc. (11) |
2,095,541 | 0 | 8.00% | 0.00% | 1.65% | |||||||||||||||
Allianz Global Investors Capital LLC (12) |
1,840,678 | 0 | 7.02% | 0.00% | 1.45% | |||||||||||||||
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (13) |
1,631,426 | 0 | 6.23% | 0.00% | 1.28% | |||||||||||||||
American Century Investment Mgmt Inc (14) |
1,328,303 | 0 | 5.07% | 0.00% | 1.04% | |||||||||||||||
Lesa D. Kennedy (15) |
1,038,667 | 1,014,755 | 3.82% | 5.03% | 4.01% | |||||||||||||||
Brian Z. France (16) |
366,098 | 350,016 | 1.38% | 1.73% | 1.39% | |||||||||||||||
John R. Saunders |
37,573 | 11,286 | 0.14% | 0.06% | 0.07% | |||||||||||||||
Thomas W. Staed (17) |
36,807 | 0 | 0.14% | 0.00% | 0.03% | |||||||||||||||
Lloyd E. Reuss |
25,101 | 0 | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.02% | |||||||||||||||
J. Hyatt Brown (18) |
24,847 | 9,000 | 0.09% | 0.04% | 0.05% | |||||||||||||||
Morteza Hosseini-Kargar |
22,752 | 0 | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.02% | |||||||||||||||
Christy F. Harris (19) |
22,591 | 150 | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.02% | |||||||||||||||
Larry Aiello, Jr. |
15,761 | 0 | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.01% | |||||||||||||||
Edward H. Rensi |
15,581 | 0 | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.01% | |||||||||||||||
William P. Graves |
12,683 | 0 | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.01% | |||||||||||||||
Edsel B. Ford, II |
11,985 | 0 | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.01% | |||||||||||||||
W. Grant Lynch, Jr. |
7,033 | 0 | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||||||||||||||
Daniel W. Houser |
6,388 | 0 | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||||||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (23 persons)(20) |
18,573,777 | 18,186,564 | 41.86% | 90.12% | 71.82% |
The preceding table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our class A common stock and our class B common stock as of the Record Date by:
| All persons known to us who beneficially own 5% or more of either class of our common stock; |
| Each named executive officer in the Summary Compensation Table in this Information Statement; |
| Each of our directors and nominees; and |
| All of our directors, nominees and officers as a group. |
As described in the following notes to the table, voting and/or investment power with respect to certain shares of common stock is shared by the named individuals. Consequently, such shares may be shown as beneficially owned by more than one person.
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(1) | Unless otherwise indicated the address of each of the beneficial owners identified is c/o the Company, One Daytona Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114. |
(2) | Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to all such shares. |
(3) | Reflects the aggregate number of shares held by the named beneficial owner assuming (i) the exercise of any options to acquire shares of class A common stock that are held by such beneficial owner that are exercisable within 60 days and (ii) the conversion of all shares of class B common stock held by such beneficial owner into shares of class A common stock. |
(4) | Assumes no conversion of shares of class B common stock into shares of class A common stock. |
(5) | Assumes (i) the exercise of any options to acquire shares of class A common stock that are held by the named beneficial owner that are exercisable within 60 days, (ii) the conversion of all shares of class B common stock held by such beneficial owner into shares of class A common stock, and (iii) the assumption that no other named beneficial owner has exercised any such options or converted any such shares. |
(6) | Reflects current ownership percentage of named beneficial owners shares of class B common stock without any conversion of shares of B common stock into shares of class A common stock. |
(7) | Assumes no exercise of options or conversion of shares of class B common stock into shares of class A common stock. |
(8) | The France Family Group consists of Betty Jane France, James C. France, Lesa France Kennedy, Brian Z. France and members of their families and entities controlled by the natural person members of the group. A complete list of all the members of the France Family Group can be found in its 18th amendment to Schedule 13G which was filed with the SEC in February 2012. Amounts shown reflect the non-duplicative aggregate of 117,552 Class A and 16,569,834 Class B shares indicated in the table as beneficially owned by Betty Jane France, James C. France, Lesa France Kennedy and Brian Z. France, as well as 1,596,294 Class B shares held by the adult children of James C. France. See footnotes (9), (10), (15), and (16). |
(9) | Includes (i) 243,941 Class B shares held of record by Sharon M. France, his spouse, (ii) all of the 8,042,465 Class B shares held of record by Western Opportunity Limited Partnership (Western Opportunity), (iii) all of the 1,461,904 Class B shares held of record by Carl Investment Limited Partnership (Carl), (iv) all of the 78,243 Class B shares held of record by Quaternary Investment Company, (v) all of the 1,858,296 Class B shares held of record by Carl Two Limited Partnership (Carl Two), (vi) all of the 653,564 Class B shares held of record by Carl Three Limited Partnership (Carl Three), (vii) all of the 362 Class B shares held of record by Carl Two, LLC, (viii) all of the 80,502 Class B shares held of record by Auto Research Bureau (ARB), and (ix) all of the 304,725 Class B shares held of record by SM Holder Limited Partnership. James C. France is the sole shareholder and director of (x) Principal Investment Company, one of the two general partners of Western Opportunity and (y) Quaternary Investment Company, the general partner of Carl. He is also the sole member of Carl Two, LLC, the general partner of Carl Two, and Carl Three, LLC the general partner of Carl Three. Does not include shares held beneficially by the adult children of James C. France or their descendants. |
(10) | Includes (i) 3,264,792 Class B shares held of record by Western Opportunity and (ii) 26,662 Class B shares held of record by WCF Family I, Inc. |
(11) | This owners address is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. |
(12) | This owners address is 600 West Broadway, Suite 2900, San Diego, California 92101. Beneficial ownership of these shares has been reported as shared with NJF Investment Group LLC. |
(13) | This owners address is Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746. |
(14) | This owners address is 4500 Main Street, 9th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64111. Beneficial ownership of these shares has been reported as shared with Stowers Institute for Medical Research. |
(15) | Includes (i) 322,621 Class B shares held of record by BBL Limited Partnership, (ii) 77,733 Class B shares held of record by Western Opportunity, (iii) 264,647 Class B shares held of record by Western Opportunity as custodian for minor child, (iv) 26,662 Class B shares held of record by WCF Family I, Inc. and (v) 73,199 Class B shares held of record by Sierra Central LLC. Ms. Kennedy is the sole shareholder and a director of BBL Company, the sole general partner of BBL Limited Partnership. |
(16) | Includes (i) 83,083 Class B shares held of record by Western Opportunity, (ii) 26,662 Class B shares held of record by WCF Family I, Inc. and (iii) 15,695 Class B shares held of record by Western Opportunity as custodian for minor children. |
(17) | Owned jointly with Barbara Staed, his spouse. |
(18) | Held of record as joint tenants with Cynthia R. Brown, his spouse. |
(19) | Includes 300 Class A shares held by M. Dale Harris, his spouse, and 1,500 Class A shares held by Mr. Harris as trustee of a Profit Sharing Plan and Trust. |
(20) | See footnotes (8) through (10) and footnotes (15) through (19). |
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DIRECTORS, NOMINEES AND OFFICERS
As of the Record Date our officers, directors and nominees were as follows:
Name | Age | Position With the Company | ||
James C. France |
67 | Chairman of the Board, Assistant Treasurer and Director | ||
Lesa France Kennedy |
50 | Vice Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
John R. Saunders |
55 | President | ||
W. Garrett Crotty |
48 | Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel | ||
Daniel W. Houser |
60 | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||
Joie S. Chitwood |
42 | Vice President | ||
Laura E. Jackson |
46 | Vice President, Human Resources | ||
W. Grant Lynch, Jr. |
58 | Vice President ISC Strategic Initiatives | ||
Craig R. Neeb |
51 | Vice President Multi Channel Marketing and Chief Information Officer | ||
Brett M. Scharback |
37 | Vice President Deputy General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary | ||
Brian K. Wilson |
51 | Vice President, Corporate Development | ||
Tracie K. Winters |
40 | Vice President, Business Development | ||
Daryl Q. Wolfe |
44 | Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer | ||
Larry Aiello, Jr. |
61 | Director | ||
J. Hyatt Brown |
74 | Director | ||
Edsel B. Ford, II |
63 | Director | ||
Brian Z. France |
49 | Director | ||
William P. Graves |
59 | Director | ||
Christy F. Harris |
66 | Director | ||
Morteza Hosseini-Kargar |
56 | Director | ||
Edward H. Rensi |
67 | Director | ||
Lloyd E. Reuss |
75 | Director | ||
Thomas W. Staed |
80 | Director |
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with regular three year staggered terms. Ms. Kennedy and Messrs. Aiello, Brown, Rensi and Staed were elected to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2012. Messrs. Ford, Graves, Harris and Hosseini were elected to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2013. Messrs. James C. France, Brian Z. France and Reuss were elected to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2014. Messrs. Rensi and Staed are not standing for re-election and, as such, the Board will be composed of only 10 members following the election of directors at the 2012 annual meeting.
For the election of directors at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in April 2012, the Board has accepted the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and approved the nomination of Ms. Kennedy and Messrs. Aiello and Brown as directors to serve three-year terms and hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2015.
James C. France is the uncle of Lesa France Kennedy and Brian Z. France who are siblings. There are no other family relationships among our executive officers and directors.
Directors Holding Office Until 2012 Annual Meeting
Ms. Lesa France Kennedy, a director since 1984, became Vice Chairwoman July 2007 and was named our Chief Executive Officer in June 2009. Previously, she served as our President from April 2003 until June 2009. Ms. Kennedy served as our Executive Vice President from January 1996 until April 2003, Secretary from 1987 until January 1996 and served as our Treasurer from 1989 until January 1996. Ms. Kennedy is also Vice Chairwoman, Executive Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of NASCAR. Ms. Kennedys experience in the motorsports industry, her knowledge of our Company and proven leadership ability are among the factors the Board considered with respect to her nomination for re-election to the Board.
Mr. Larry Aiello, Jr., a director since 2003, served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Corning Cable Systems, which is part of Corning, Inc. from 2002 until his retirement in 2008. Mr. Aiello joined Corning, Inc. in 1973. He was named senior vice president and chief of staff-Corning Optical Communications in 2000. Mr. Aiellos business background and experience enhance his ability to analyze and contribute valuable insight on matters such as financing and capital management. In addition, his contributions as a member and then Chairman of our Audit Committee are among the factors the Board considered with respect to his nomination for re-election to the Board.
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Mr. J. Hyatt Brown, a director since 1987, serves as the Chairman of Brown & Brown, Inc. and has been in the insurance business since 1959. Mr. Brown also currently serves as a director of NextEra Energy, Inc. and Verisk Analytics, Inc. Until January 2010, Mr. Brown served on the Board of Rock-Tenn Company, until April 2008, he served on the Board of SunTrust Banks, Inc. and until December 2006, he served on the Board of BellSouth Corporation, each a publicly held company. Mr. Browns extensive business experience, service on boards of other publicly traded companies and proven leadership abilities are among the factors the Board considered with respect to his nomination for re-election to the Board. Mr. Brown is our lead independent director.
Mr. Edward H. Rensi, a director since January 1996, is Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Tom and Eddies Restaurants. Mr. Rensi was an executive consultant with McDonalds Corporation from 1997 to 1998. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonalds USA from 1991 until his retirement in 1997. He is also a director of Snap-On Tools Inc. and Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. Mr. Rensis extensive business experience, including those involving consumer marketing, his diverse experience on other boards of directors, and his knowledge of and experience in the motorsports industry are among the factors the Board considered in concluding he is qualified to serve as a Board member. Mr. Rensi is not standing for re-election as a director.
Mr. Thomas W. Staed, a director since 1987, is Chairman of Staed Family Associates, Ltd., and had served as President of Oceans Eleven Resorts, Inc., a hotel/motel business, from 1968 to 1999. Mr. Staeds success as a business owner and manager, and his extensive knowledge of our business are among the factors the Board considered in concluding he is qualified to serve as a Board member. Mr. Staed is not standing for re-election as a director.
Directors Holding Office Until 2013 Annual Meeting
Mr. Edsel B. Ford, II, a director since November 2007, is a director and consultant for Ford Motor Company. Mr. Ford is a retired Vice President of Ford Motor Company and former President and Chief Operating Officer of Ford Motor Credit Company. Mr. Ford was an employee of Ford Motor Company for over 20 years. Mr. Fords experience as an executive at a major automobile manufacturer, along with his extensive experience in the motorsports industry are among the factors the Board considered in concluding he is qualified to serve as a Board member.
Mr. William P. Graves, a director since September 2003, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Trucking Association since January 2003. Mr. Graves served as Governor of the State of Kansas from January 1995 until January 2003. Mr. Graves experience as a governor, as well as his knowledge of governmental affairs are among the factors the Board considered in concluding he is qualified to serve as a Board member.
Mr. Christy F. Harris, a director since 1984, has been engaged in the private practice of business and commercial law for more than 40 years and currently is Of Counsel with Kinsey, Vincent, Pyle, P.L. Mr. Harris also serves as a Managing Member of AMA Pro Racing. Mr. Harris experience as an attorney and counselor to businesses and their management, along with his extensive knowledge of our business, are among the factors the Board considered in concluding he is qualified to serve as a Board member.
Mr. Morteza Hosseini-Kargar, a director since 2007, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Intervest Construction, Inc. and has served in that role for over five years. Mr. Hosseinis experience in real estate development and successful ownership and operation of businesses are among the factors the Board considered in concluding he is qualified to serve as a Board member.
Directors Holding Office Until 2014 Annual Meeting
Mr. James C. France, a director since 1970, has served as our Chairman since July 2007, and as our Assistant Treasurer since June 2009. Previously, he served as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from July 2007 until June 2009 and he served as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from April 2003 until July 2007. He also served as our President and Chief Operating Officer from 1987 until 2003. Mr. France is also Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary of NASCAR. Mr. Frances extensive business and motorsports industry experience, knowledge of our Company and proven leadership ability are among the factors the Board considered in concluding he is qualified to serve as a Board member.
Mr. Brian Z. France, a director since 1994, has served as NASCARs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since September 2003, Executive Vice President from February 2001 to September 2003 and Vice Chairman from January 2003 to September 2003. Previously, he served as NASCARs Senior Vice President from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Frances extensive experience in and knowledge of the motorsports industry, in particular NASCAR, are among the factors the Board considered in concluding he is qualified to serve as a Board member.
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Mr. Lloyd E. Reuss, a director since January 1996, served as President of General Motors Corporation from 1990 until his retirement in January 1993. Mr. Reuss also serves as a director of Handleman Corp., a publicly traded company, and United States Sugar Company. Mr. Reuss experience as an executive at a major automobile manufacturer, along with his experience on other boards of directors are among the factors the Board considered in concluding he is qualified to serve as a Board member.
Messrs. Aiello, Brown, Ford, Graves, Hosseini and Reuss have been determined by the Board to be independent as that term is presently defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ listing standards. For 2011, Messrs. Rensi and Staed were also considered by the Board to be independent as that term is presently defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ listing standards. Messrs. Rensi and Staed are not standing for re-election as a director.
Officers
Mr. Joie S. Chitwood has been a Vice President for us since August 2009, and in August 2010 was named President of Daytona International Speedway, one of our subsidiaries. Prior to that, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Indianapolis Motor Speedway from November 2004 through August 2009. He served as Senior Vice President, Business Affairs for Indianapolis Motor Speedway from October 2002 to November 2004. Mr. Chitwood also served as Vice President and General Manager of Raceway Associates, LLC, which oversaw construction of Chicagoland Speedway from 1999 to 2002.
Mr. W. Garrett Crotty became a Senior Vice President in April 2004. Mr. Crotty was named a Vice President in July 1999 and since 1996 has served as Secretary and General Counsel. Mr. Crotty has also served as General Counsel of NASCAR since 1996 and as a member of NASCARs Board of Directors since 2006.
Mr. Daniel W. Houser, a Certified Public Accountant, was named a Senior Vice President in June 2009. He became Chief Financial Officer in February 2009 and has been a Vice President since 2004. Prior to his appointment as our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Houser had been our Controller and Chief Accounting Officer for over five years.
Ms. Laura E. Jackson was named Vice President, Human Resources in April 2010. Prior to that, she had served as our Managing Director, Human Resources from January 2009 through March 2010. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Jackson served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources for Textron, Inc. from September 2003 through January 2009.
Mr. W. Grant Lynch, Jr. has served as our Vice President ISC Strategic Projects since August 2009. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President Business Operations from April 2007 to August 2009 and as a Vice President of the Company and President of Talladega Superspeedway, one of our subsidiaries, since November 1993. He also served as President of Kansas Speedway, another subsidiary of the Company, from its inception in 1997 until 2002.
Mr. Craig R. Neeb has served as Vice President Multi Channel Marketing since June 2009, and has been our Chief Information Officer since November 2000. Mr. Neeb also served as our Managing Director of Marketing Services from 2008 to June 2009.
Mr. John R. Saunders was appointed our President in June 2009. Previously he served as Executive Vice President from April 2004 until June 2009 and from April 2003 until June 2009 served as our Chief Operating Officer. He had served as Senior Vice President-Operations from July 1999 until April 2003, at which time he was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He had served as a Vice President since 1997 and was President of Watkins Glen International, a subsidiary of the Company, from 1983 until 1997.
Mr. Brett M. Scharback has served as Vice President Deputy General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary since April 2010. Prior to that, he served as Managing Director, Deputy General Counsel from May 2009 through March 2010 and served as our Associate General Counsel from October 2004 through April 2009. Prior to joining us, Mr. Scharback was an Associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Baker Botts L.L.P.
Mr. Brian K. Wilson has served as Vice President, Corporate Development since February 2006. Prior to joining us, Mr. Wilson served as Managing Director of Acquisitions for American Realty Advisors from 2004 to January 2006. Mr. Wilson also served as Senior Vice President, Global Real Estate from 2001 to 2003, and Vice President, Finance and Investment Management from 1999 to 2001, for Vivendi Universal.
Ms. Tracie K. Winters served as Vice President, Business Development since November 2008. She had previously served in the Business Development department since 1999, most recently as Managing Director. Ms. Winters left her position as Vice President, Business Development effective February 17, 2012.
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Mr. Daryl Q. Wolfe has served as Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer since April 2007. He had previously served as Vice President, Sales and Media from 2005 to 2007. Mr. Wolfe had served as Managing Director, Marketing Partnerships from 2003 to 2005, and as Senior Director, Marketing Partnerships from 2001 to 2003.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
All of the racing events that take place during our fiscal year (from December 1 to November 30) are sanctioned by various racing organizations such as the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association, the American Motorcyclist Association, the Automobile Racing Club of America, the American Sportbike Racing Association Championship Cup Series, the Federation Internationale de LAutomobile, the Federation Internationale Motocycliste, Grand American Road Racing Association (Grand American), Historic Sportscar Racing, IZOD IndyCar Series, National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), National Hot Rod Association, the Porsche Club of America, the Sports Car Club of America, the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, the United States Auto Club and the World Karting Association. NASCAR, which sanctions many of our principal racing events, is a member of the France Family Group which controls over 71.0 percent of the combined voting power of our outstanding stock and some members of which serve as directors and officers. Standard NASCAR sanction agreements require racetrack operators to pay sanction fees and prize and point fund monies for each sanctioned event conducted. The prize and point fund monies are distributed by NASCAR to participants in the events. Prize and point fund monies paid by us to NASCAR from continuing operations for disbursement to competitors, which are exclusive of NASCAR sanction fees, totaled approximately $127.7 million for the year ended November 30, 2011. We have outstanding receivables related to NASCAR and its affiliates of approximately $24.3 million at November 30, 2011.
Under current agreements, NASCAR contracts directly with certain network providers for television rights to the entire NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series schedules. Under the terms of this arrangement, NASCAR retains 10.0 percent of the gross broadcast rights fees allocated to each NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series event as a component of its sanction fees. The promoter records 90.0 percent of the gross broadcast rights fees as revenue and then records 25.0 percent of the gross broadcast rights fees as part of its awards to the competitors. Ultimately, the promoter retains 65.0 percent of the net cash proceeds from the gross broadcast rights fees allocated to the event. Our television broadcast and ancillary rights fees received from NASCAR for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series events conducted at our wholly owned facilities were $278.8 million in fiscal year 2011.
In addition, we share a variety of expenses with NASCAR in the ordinary course of business. NASCAR pays rent, as well as a related maintenance fee (allocated based on square footage), to us for office space in Daytona Beach, Florida. These rents are based upon estimated fair market lease rates for comparable facilities. NASCAR pays us for radio, program and strategic initiative advertising, hospitality and suite rentals, various tickets and credentials, catering services, participation in a NASCAR racing event banquet, and track and other equipment rentals based on similar prices paid by unrelated, third party purchasers of similar items. We pay NASCAR for certain advertising, participation in NASCAR racing series banquets, the use of NASCAR trademarks and intellectual images and production space for Sprint Vision based on similar prices paid by unrelated, third party purchasers of similar items. Our payments to NASCAR for MRNs broadcast rights to NASCAR Camping World Truck races represent an agreed-upon percentage of our advertising revenues attributable to such race broadcasts. NASCAR also reimburses us for 50.0 percent of the compensation paid to certain personnel working in our legal, risk management and transportation departments, as well as 50.0 percent of the compensation expense associated with certain receptionists. We reimburse NASCAR for 50.0 percent of the compensation paid to certain personnel working in NASCARs legal department. NASCARs reimbursement for use of our mailroom, janitorial services, security services, catering, graphic arts, photo and publishing services, telephone system and our reimbursement of NASCAR for use of corporate aircraft, is based on actual usage or an allocation of total actual usage. The aggregate amount received from NASCAR by us for shared expenses, net of amounts paid by us for shared expenses, totaled approximately $6.4 million during fiscal 2011.
Grand American, a wholly owned subsidiary of NASCAR, sanctions various events at certain of our facilities. Standard Grand American sanction agreements require racetrack operators to pay sanction fees and prize and point fund monies for each sanctioned event conducted. The prize and point fund monies are distributed by Grand American to participants in the events. Sanction fees paid by us to Grand American totaled approximately $1.1 million for the year ended November 30, 2011.
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In addition, we share a variety of expenses with Grand American in the ordinary course of business. Grand American pays rent to us for office space in Daytona Beach, Florida. These rents are based upon estimated fair market lease rates for comparable facilities. Grand American purchases various advertising, catering services, suites and hospitality and track and equipment rentals from us based on similar prices paid by unrelated, third party purchasers of similar items. We pay Grand American for the use of Grand Americans trademarks based on similar prices paid by unrelated, third party purchasers of similar items. Grand Americans reimbursement for use of our mailroom, telephone system, security, graphic arts, photo and publishing services is based on actual usage or an allocation of total actual usage. The aggregate amount received from Grand American by us for shared expenses, net of amounts paid by us for shared expenses, totaled approximately $396,000 during fiscal 2011.
AMA Pro Racing, an entity controlled by a member of the France Family Group, sanctions various events at certain of our facilities. Standard AMA Pro Racing sanction agreements require racetrack operators to pay sanction fees and prize and point fund monies for each sanctioned event conducted. The prize and point fund monies are distributed by AMA Pro Racing to participants in the events. Sanction fees paid by us to AMA Pro Racing totaled approximately $539,000 during fiscal 2011.
We strive to ensure, and management believes that, the terms of our transactions with NASCAR, Grand American and AMA Pro Racing are no less favorable to us than could be obtained in arms-length negotiations.
Certain members of the France Family Group paid us for the utilization of security services, event planning, event tickets, purchase of catering services, maintenance services, and certain equipment. The amounts paid for these items were based on actual costs incurred or similar prices paid by unrelated third party purchasers of similar items. The amount received by us for these items, totaled approximately $321,000 during fiscal 2011.
Crotty, Bartlett & Kelly, P.A. (Crotty, Bartlett & Kelly), is a law firm controlled by family members of W. Garrett Crotty, one of our executive officers. We engage Crotty, Bartlett & Kelly for certain legal and consulting services. The aggregate amount paid to Crotty, Bartlett & Kelly by us for legal and consulting services totaled approximately $28,000 during fiscal 2011.
J. Hyatt Brown, one of our directors, serves as Chairman of Brown & Brown, Inc. (Brown & Brown). Brown & Brown has received commissions for serving as our insurance broker for several of our insurance policies, including our property and casualty policy and certain employee benefit programs. The aggregate commissions received by Brown & Brown in connection with our policies were approximately $457,000 during fiscal 2011.
One of our directors, Christy F. Harris, is Of Counsel to Kinsey, Vincent Pyle, L.C., a law firm that provided legal services to us during fiscal 2011. We paid approximately $76,000 for these services in fiscal 2011, which were charged to us on the same basis as those provided other clients.
Approval of Related Party Transactions
We have adopted written policies and procedures for review, approval and ratification of transactions with related persons. These policies are evidenced in the Code of Conduct, as well as policies concerning Conflicts of Interest and Business Ethics and Conduct. The Audit Committee is charged in its Charter with the ultimate responsibility for the review and approval of all related party transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K. All proposed transactions (regardless of the amount involved) with any director or executive officer (or their affiliates) are required to be submitted to the Audit Committee for approval prior to the transaction taking place. As part of our disclosure controls, all related party transactions are reported monthly and reviewed by the Disclosure Committee quarterly, which includes the Chief Compliance Officer and the Internal Auditor. The Disclosure Committee is responsible for elevating matters for Audit Committee consideration. While the standard used to evaluate a transaction will vary depending upon the particular circumstances, the goal is to make sure that we are treated fairly and on the same basis as transactions with parties that are not related. There have been no instances during the last fiscal year where such policies and procedures were not followed, nor were there any transactions listed in Certain Relationships and Related Transactions that were not reviewed.
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DIRECTOR MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
Our Board of Directors met four times during fiscal 2011. Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, a Growth & Development Committee and a Financing and Stock Repurchase Committee.
The functions of the Audit Committee (which presently consists of Messrs. Aiello (Chair), Brown, and Graves) include (i) meeting with auditors to discuss the scope, fees, timing and results of the annual audit, (ii) reviewing our consolidated financial statements, and (iii) performing other duties deemed appropriate by the Board. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which is available on our website at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com. The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Aiello and Brown are qualified as audit committee financial experts (as defined by the SEC) and that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent (as independence is presently defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ listing standards). The Audit Committee met five times during fiscal 2011.
The functions of the Compensation Committee (which presently consists of Messrs. Ford, Rensi (Chair), Reuss, and Staed) include (i) reviewing existing compensation levels of executive officers, (ii) making compensation recommendations to management and the Board, and (iii) performing other duties deemed appropriate by the Board. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee, which is available on our website at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com. The Board has determined that all the members of the Compensation Committee are independent (as independence is presently defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ listing standards). The Compensation Committee met four times during fiscal 2011.
The functions of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (which presently consists of Messrs. Brown (Chair), Ford, Graves, Rensi and Staed) include (i) selecting and recommending to the Board director nominees for election at each annual meeting of shareholders, as well as director nominees to fill vacancies arising between annual meetings, (ii) reviewing and recommending to the Board changes to the compensation package for directors, (iii) reviewing and, if appropriate, making changes to the responsibilities of directors and the qualifications for new nominees, (iv) annually assessing the Boards effectiveness as a whole as well as the effectiveness of the individual directors and the Boards various committees, (v) reviewing and recommending to the Board changes to the corporate governance standards for the Board and its committees, and (vi) performing other duties deemed appropriate by the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met twice during fiscal 2011.
The functions of the Growth and Development Committee (which presently consists of Messrs. Brown, Brian Z. France, Harris (Chair), Hosseini, Rensi and Staed) include (i) reviewing the actual and proposed internal growth and external development projects of the Company, (ii) making recommendations to management and the Board, and (iii) performing other duties deemed appropriate by the Board. The Growth and Development Committee met three times during fiscal 2011.
The functions of the Financing and Stock Repurchase Committee (which presently consists of Messrs. Aiello, Brown, James C. France (Chair), Graves and Harris) include (i) reviewing, as needed, the actual and proposed mechanisms used by the Company to obtain financing for the Company, (ii) overseeing and monitoring the stock repurchase activities of the Company, (iii) exercising authority delegated to it by the Board to approve changes to the Companys stock repurchase program within limits established by the Board, (iv) making recommendations to management and the Board, and (v) performing other duties deemed appropriate by the Board. The Financing and Stock Repurchase Committee met three times in fiscal 2011.
During the last full fiscal year, all of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which they served.
Our Board has the flexibility to determine whether the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer should be separated or combined. The Board makes this decision based on its evaluation of the circumstances and the Companys specific needs. Effective June 2009, upon the retirement of James C. France from the position of Chief Executive Officer, the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer were separated. James C. France continues to serve as Chairman of the Board, while Lesa France Kennedy serves as Vice Chair and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to June 2009, the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer were held jointly by James C. France.
We believe that this leadership structure is desirable under present circumstances because it allows Ms. Kennedy to focus her efforts on running our business and managing it in the best interests of our shareholders, while we are able
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to continue to benefit from Mr. James C. Frances extensive business and motorsports industry experience, knowledge of our Company and proven leadership ability. We believe that having Mr. James C. France as Chairman benefits the Company in that it allows him to use his expertise in both industry relationships and sanctioning body partnerships, as well as his extensive Company knowledge, in setting the strategic agenda of the Board.
Our lead independent director, J. Hyatt Brown, coordinates providing feedback from other non-management members of the Board to the Chief Executive Officer and other management regarding business issues and risk. Mr. Brown, through his role as Chairman of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, also manages the process of annual director self-assessment and evaluation of the Board as a whole.
Our Board of Directors takes an active role in the oversight of risks impacting our Company. While management is responsible for managing the Companys risk on a daily basis and for bringing to the Boards attention areas of risk which are most material to us, the Board and management work closely to ensure that integrity and accountability are integrated into our operations. The Board, including through certain of its committees, discussed in more detail below (which are comprised solely of independent directors), and through regular meetings of the independent directors without management present, regularly reviews areas of risk (both compliance and business risk) to us and advises and directs management on the scope and implementation of policies, strategy and other actions designed to mitigate risk.
Many of the direct oversight functions are performed by the Audit Committee and our internal audit staff. Specific examples of risks primarily overseen by the Audit Committee include risks related to the preparation of our financial statements, disclosure controls and procedures, internal controls and procedures required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, accounting, financial and auditing risks, matters reported to the Audit Committee through our Internal Audit Department and through anonymous reporting procedures, and regulations and risks associated with related party transactions. Additionally, our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, provides support through its annual audit and quarterly reviews of our financial statements. Through our regular compliance work related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we have created entity level controls that are validated on a regular basis by our Internal Audit Department and Ernst & Young LLP. These controls are designed to help prevent control failures as well as assist in the awareness of a control failure. Members of our management team also participate in an enterprise risk management committee, which regularly evaluates those risks deemed to be significant to us. The Audit Committee receives regular updates regarding those risks identified by the enterprise risk management committee.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly monitors our compliance with corporate governance standards and regulations. The Compensation Committee reviews and evaluates potential risks related to compensation programs for executive and certain non-executive employees of the Company, as further described below in the section entitled Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The Growth and Development Committee reviews and evaluates risks related to any strategic ventures or transactions.
In addition to the foregoing, the Board has adopted a Code of Ethics, which is applicable to all of our employees, including the directors, our principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and the principal accounting officer. The Code of Ethics is designed, among other things, to deter wrongdoing and promote ethical conduct, full and accurate reporting in our filings with the SEC, and compliance with applicable laws. The Code of Ethics mandates a 24 hour hotline that any employee can use to report, anonymously if they so chose, any suspected fraud, financial impropriety or other alleged wrongdoing. All calls are handled by the Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President Human Resources and/or Director of Internal Audit, as appropriate, who regularly report to the Audit Committee on calls received. A copy of the current Code of Ethics is available on our website at http://www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com.
A current copy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter is available on our website at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com. Each director on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has been determined by the Board to be independent (as independence is presently defined by the NASDAQ listing standards).
As part of its process and procedures, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers director candidates recommended by security holders. All recommendations of director candidates by shareholders following the proper procedures (as set forth below) will be furnished to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and will be considered in the same manner and according to the same criteria as would all other director candidates.
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There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our Board. Shareholders who wish to nominate directors for election at an annual meeting of shareholders are required to follow the procedures contained in Article VI of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, which are available on our website at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com. Nominations must be in writing, addressed to the Secretary, and must be received in writing not less than 120 days nor more than 180 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of our notice of annual meeting of shareholders provided for the previous years annual meeting. The shareholders notice to the Secretary must set forth (i) certain information regarding the nominee, such as name, age and principal occupation, and (ii) certain information regarding the shareholder(s) such as the name and record address of the shareholder(s) and the number of shares of our capital stock such shareholder(s) own. No person will be eligible for election as a director unless nominated in accordance with these procedures. There were no shareholder nominations submitted for the 2012 annual meeting of shareholders. For the 2013 annual meeting nominations by shareholders must be received by the Secretary between September 2, 2012 and November 1, 2012.
As stated in its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will annually assess the Boards effectiveness, including the core competencies and qualifications of members of the Board. If the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee deems it necessary, it may select and retain an executive search firm to identify qualified candidates to serve as members of the Board.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider all nominees to our Board of Directors, and make its recommendations to the full Board, which will then decide whether to nominate a Board candidate. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider each nominees skill, experience, knowledge and judgment, and believes that members of and nominees to the Board should reflect expertise in one or more of the following areas important to us: accounting and finance, business of motorsports, mergers and acquisitions, leadership, business and management, strategic planning, government relations, investor relations, legal issues, executive leadership development and executive compensation. Further, the assessment of a nominees qualifications will include consideration of the nominees ability to use sound judgment; service on the boards of directors of other companies, public and private; integrity, honesty, fairness and independence; understanding of our business; and interest and willingness to serve on the Board and dedicate the requisite time and attention to service on the Board. All nominees to our Board will be considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee with these factors in mind.
As part of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees assessment of a prospective director nominees skill, experience, knowledge and judgment, the committee considers diversity of background and personal experience. Ideally, the Board should be composed of persons having a diversity of skills, background and experience that are useful to us and our present and future needs. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a formal policy specifying how diversity of background and personal experience should be applied and assessed in identifying or evaluating director nominees. When considering potential nominees for the Board, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers the standards above and each potential nominees individual qualifications in light of the needs of the Board at such time and its anticipated needs in the future.
It is our policy to hold the annual meeting of directors immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders. All Board members are invited to attend the annual meeting of shareholders and are expected to attend, but are not required to attend. In fiscal 2011, all but one of the members of the Board attended the annual meeting of shareholders.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD
Shareholders may contact an individual director, the Board as a group, or a specified Board committee or group, including the non-employee directors as a group, by mailing correspondence in the following manner:
International Speedway Corporation
c/o Legal Department
One Daytona Blvd.
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
Attention: Board of Directors
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Each communication should specify the applicable addressee or addressees to be contacted as well as the general topic of the communication. Our Legal Department will initially receive and process communications before forwarding them to the addressee. All communications from shareholders will be promptly forwarded to the addressee(s).
Our Audit Committee has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our senior financial officers including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. A copy of that code of ethics is available on our website at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com. We intend to satisfy our disclosure obligations regarding any amendment to, or waiver from, any provision of our code of ethics that applies to any of our senior financial officers by posting that information on our website. At the present time there have been no amendments or waivers.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Based upon a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto furnished to us during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, Forms 5 and amendments thereto furnished to us with respect to the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, and written representations furnished to us, there is no person who, at any time during the fiscal year, was a director, officer, or beneficial owner of more than ten percent of any class of our securities that failed to file on a timely basis reports required by section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011.
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REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ernst & Young LLP, and its predecessors have served as our auditors since 1966. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders with the opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.
The following table presents fees for all professional services provided by Ernst & Young LLP for the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended November 30, 2011 and 2010, and fees billed for other services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP during those periods.
Fiscal Year | ||||||||
Fee Category | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Audit fees (1) |
$ | 716,262 | $ | 759,521 | ||||
Audit-related fees (2) |
$ | | $ | | ||||
Tax fees (3) |
$ | 109,675 | $ | 97,161 | ||||
All other fees (4) |
$ | | $ | | ||||
|
(1) | Audit fees consisted principally of professional services rendered for the annual integrated audit of our consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, the review of our quarterly consolidated financial statements and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. |
(2) | Audit-related fees consists of professional services rendered for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not included in Audit Fees above. There were no such services rendered during fiscal 2011 and 2010. |
(3) | Tax fees consisted principally of professional services rendered for tax compliance and tax advice. |
(4) | There were no other fees for products and services that are not disclosed in the previous categories. |
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AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Audit Committee, or one of its members who has been delegated pre-approval authority, considers and has approval authority over all engagements of the independent auditors. If a decision on an engagement is made by an individual member, the decision is presented at the next meeting of the Audit Committee. All of the engagements resulting in the fees disclosed above for fiscal 2011 and 2010 were approved by the Audit Committee prior to the engagement.
The Audit Committee oversees the Companys financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Companys management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements and related schedule in the Annual Report with Company management including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.
The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent registered public accounting firm, which is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited consolidated financial statements and related schedule with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, its judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Companys accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Interim Standard AU 380, other standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other applicable regulations. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the firms independence from Company management and the Company, including the matters in the letter from the firm required by Independence Standards Board Standard No.1, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the independent registered public accounting firms independence.
The Audit Committee also reviewed managements report on its assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting and the independent registered public accounting firms report on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firm that there were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies, individually or in the aggregate, identified during the course of the assessment and the audit.
The Audit Committee discussed with the Companys internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee meets with the internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Companys internal control, including internal control over financial reporting, and the overall quality of the Companys financial reporting. The Audit Committee held five meetings during fiscal year 2011.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee approved the inclusion of the audited consolidated financial statements and related schedule and managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2011 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In April 2011, the Audit Committee approved the selection of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm which performed the fiscal 2011 annual audit of the Companys financial statements and the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee is governed by a charter. The Audit Committee is comprised solely of independent directors as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Larry Aiello, Jr., Chairman
J. Hyatt Brown
William P. Graves
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS.
Overview and Objectives of Compensation Program
The goal of the compensation programs for our named executive officers is to retain and reward leaders who create long-term value for our shareholders. This goal affects the compensation elements we use and our compensation decisions. Toward this goal, we have designed and implemented our compensation programs for our named executives to reward for financial and operating performance; align the executives long term interests with those of our shareholders and motivate executives to remain with the Company for long and productive careers built on expertise.
We have designed and implemented our compensation programs for our named executives to:
| reward them for financial and operating performance; |
| align their interests with those of our shareholders; and |
| encourage them to remain with the Company. |
Most of our compensation elements simultaneously fulfill one or more of our performance, alignment and retention objectives. These elements consist of:
| salary and annual discretionary bonus; |
| non-equity (cash) incentive compensation based upon annually determined performance criteria; |
| equity incentive compensation based upon annually determined performance criteria combined with a time based vesting schedule; and |
| other benefits. |
In deciding on the type and amount of compensation for each executive, we focus almost exclusively on each executives current pay, rather than historic pay. We combine the compensation elements for each executive in a manner we believe optimizes the value for our shareholders.
We provide a combination of pay elements with the goal of aligning executive incentives with shareholder value. The three major elements of our executive compensation base salary, annual cash bonuses and long-term incentives simultaneously fulfill one or more of our performance, alignment and retention objectives.
The following summarizes the compensation elements we use as tools to reward, align and retain our named executives.
Base salaries for our named executives are designed to provide competitive levels of compensation dependent on the scope of their responsibilities, their leadership skills and values, and their performance. For each named executive officer, we pay discretionary cash bonuses each February for the prior years performance based upon managements evaluation and the Compensation Committees qualitative assessment of the executives performance. For fiscal 2011, discretionary cash bonuses were suspended as part of the Companys cost containment initiatives and, instead, we intend to make awards in the form of Restricted Stock Units (or RSUs) of our restricted common stock. These awards are in line with the stated goal of our compensation programs, namely retaining and rewarding leaders who create long-term value for our shareholders. The RSUs awarded were determined using the criteria approved by the Compensation Committee for performance against specific goals. These awards will be granted during fiscal year 2012 as described in Long- Term Compensation 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan below.
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In addition to the bonus described above, the short term compensation element for the named executive officers includes a non-equity annual incentive element based upon the Companys performance against normalized corporate financial performance measures based on budget of earnings per share; revenue; operating margin; and ratio of debt to capitalization. For fiscal 2011, non-equity incentive awards were suspended.
Long Term Compensation 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan.
We emphasize long-term variable compensation at the senior executive levels because of our desire to reward effective long-term management decision making and our desire to retain executive officers who have the potential to impact both our short-term and long-term profitability. We believe that providing Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) is an effective means to focus our named executives on delivering long-term value to our shareholders. RSUs allow us to reward and retain the named executives by offering them the opportunity to receive shares of our stock on the date the restrictions lapse so long as they continue to be employed by the Company.
As described above, we suspended discretionary cash bonuses and non-equity incentive awards in 2011 and determined, instead, to provide our named executives with the determined cash bonus value in the form of additional RSU grants during 2012. The RSUs awarded were determined using the criteria approved by the Compensation Committee for performance against specific goals.
We provide our named executives with other benefits, reflected in the All Other Compensation column of the 2011 Summary Compensation Table on Page 22, that we believe are reasonable, competitive and consistent with our overall executive compensation program.
Determination of Compensation.
As part of our total overall compensation plan the compensation for our named executive officers depends on the scope of their responsibilities, their leadership skills and values, and their performance. Decisions regarding salary increases are affected by the named executives current salary and the amounts paid within and outside the Company. Base salary rates are reviewed on annual basis and adjusted when appropriate by the Compensation Committee based upon changes in market conditions and the Companys performance factors.
We rely upon judgment in initially making compensation decisions, after reviewing the performance of the Company and evaluating an executives prospects and performance during the year against established goals, operational performance, business responsibilities, and current compensation arrangements. The following is a summary of key considerations affecting the determination of compensation for the named executives:
Emphasis on Consistent Performance. Our compensation program provides a greater pay opportunity for executives who demonstrate superior performance for sustained periods of time. Each of our named officers has served us for many years, during which she/he has held diverse positions of increasing responsibility. The amount of their pay reflects their consistent contribution with the expectation of continued contribution to our success. Our emphasis on performance affects our discretionary annual cash bonus and equity incentive compensation. We incorporate current year and expected performance into our compensation decisions and percentage increases or decreases in the amount of annual compensation. For fiscal 2011, the criteria to determine overall compensation remained consistent with prior years and our stated philosophy, however, discretionary cash bonuses were suspended as part of our cost containment initiatives. We continued to reward our executives for performance against stated goals and financial measures, though awards were made in the form of RSUs. These awards will be granted during fiscal year 2012.
Discretion and Judgment. We generally adhere to our historic practices and formulas in determining the amount and mix of compensation elements. Because of our reliance on the formulaic achievement of annual Company financial goals in determining the amount of plan-based compensation, short term changes in business performance can have a significant impact on the compensation of the named executive officers. We consider competitive market compensation paid by other companies of similar size and market capitalization, but we do not attempt to maintain a certain target percentile within a peer group or otherwise rely on those data to determine executive compensation.
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We do not have any specific apportionment goal with respect to the mix between equity incentive awards and cash payments. We generally attempt to assess an executives total pay opportunities and whether we have provided the appropriate incentives to accomplish our compensation objectives. Our mix of compensation elements is designed to reward recent results and performance through a combination of cash and equity incentive awards. We also seek to balance compensation elements that are based on financial, operational and strategic metrics. We believe the most important indicator of whether our compensation objectives are being met is our ability to motivate our named executives to deliver superior performance and retain them. For fiscal 2011, discretionary cash bonuses were suspended due to cost containment initiatives. However bonus awards were made to our executives in the form of RSUs in order to align cost containment iniatives with the best interest of the Companys long-term financial health.
Significance of Company Results. The Compensation Committee primarily evaluates the named executives contributions to the Companys overall performance rather than focusing only on their individual function. The Compensation Committee believes that the named executives share the responsibility to support the goals and performance of the Company, as the executive members of the Companys leadership team. While this compensation philosophy influences all of the committees compensation decisions, it has the biggest impact on annual equity incentive awards.
Consideration of Risk. Our compensation programs are discretionary, balanced and focused on rewarding performance for both current year and long-term strategy. Under this structure, a greater amount of compensation can be achieved through consistent superior performance over sustained periods of time. Long term incentive plan compensation in the form of restricted stock is restricted to multiple vesting years with 50% vesting in three years and the remainder vesting in five years. We believe this provides strong incentives to manage the Company for the long term while avoiding excessive risk-taking in the short term. Goals and objectives reflect a balanced mix of quantitative and qualitative performance measures to avoid excessive weight on a single performance measure. The elements of compensation are mixed among current cash payments and equity awards. With limited exceptions the Compensation Committee retains the ability to adjust compensation for quality of performance and adherence to our values. The Company does not believe that its compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
No Employment and Severance Agreements. None of our named executive officers have employment or change-of-control agreements nor do they have pre-negotiated severance agreements in place. Our named executive officers serve at the will of the Board, which enables the Company to terminate their employment with discretion as to the terms of any severance arrangement. This is consistent with our performance-based employment and compensation philosophy. Of course, the fact that our Chairman of the Board and our Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are members of the France Family Group, which has the ability to elect the entire Board, does impact such discretion in their case. In addition, the time vesting of our planbased restricted stock awards help retain our executives by subjecting to forfeiture any unvested shares if they leave the Company prior to retirement. There are change-of-control provisions associated with each award of such plan-based restricted stock awards.
Roles of Compensation Committee and Named Executives
Executive Officer Compensation is overseen by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which is composed entirely of independent directors, pursuant to its Charter. A copy of the Charter may be viewed on the Companys website at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com.
Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year the Compensation Committee establishes a total pool of dollars to be used for increases in annual salary compensation for all of our employees, including all of the named executive officers. In setting this total pool of dollars the members of the Compensation Committee consider a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, historic and projected earnings per share, anticipated revenue growth, established salary ranges and market conditions. The committee members then use their collective business judgment to establish the total pool of dollars for increases in annual salary compensation.
Under the direction of the CEO, the proposed salaries, individual performance goals and targeted bonuses for each of the other named executive officers are presented to the Compensation Committee which reviews and approves them. The Committee considers (1) Company and individual performance as measured against management goals
16 | Page
approved by the Board of Directors, (2) personal performance in support of the Companys goals as measured by annual evaluation criteria, and (3) intangible factors and criteria such as payments by competitors for similar positions and market movement although no particular weighting of the factors or formula is used.
Each of the named executive officers is assigned a target bonus opportunity based on corporate and personal goals for the year. The actual bonus for each named executive officer will range from 0% to 150% of the target depending upon results of corporate performance and personal performance during the year. The 2011 fiscal year corporate financial measurements consist of four components which are weighted as follows 1) earnings per share based on budget as 10%, 2) revenue based on budget as 50%, 3) operating margin based on budget as 20% and 4) the ratio of debt to capitalization as 20%. Both the targets and the actual performance are determined on a normalized basis and may vary from year to year as established by the Compensation Committee. Forty percent of the target bonus opportunity for the named officers will be based upon the Compensation Committees discretionary judgment of the individuals overall performance during the fiscal plan year.
Ms. Lesa France Kennedy is Chief Executive Officer. Mr. James C. France remains Chairman of the Board of Directors and Assistant Treasurer. Mr. John Saunders is President and Mr. Dan Houser is Chief Financial Officer. Mr. W. Grant Lynch, Jr. is Vice President ISC Strategic Initiatives.
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the recommended corporate performance goals and objectives which are used in establishing plan-based incentive compensation for all of the named executive officers.
Neither the Company nor the Compensation Committee has any contractual arrangement with any compensation consultant who has a role in determining or recommending the amount or form of senior executive or director compensation. Our named executive officers have not participated in the selection of any particular compensation consultant. The Company obtains market intelligence on compensation trends from a variety of sources through our human resources personnel, with the oversight of the committee. Each year we participate in compensation surveys conducted by well-known compensation consultants as a means of understanding external market practices. Except for the foregoing, we have not used the services of any other compensation consultant in matters affecting senior executive or director compensation. In the future, either the Company or the Compensation Committee may engage or seek the advice of compensation consultants.
The only form of equity compensation currently provided to our named executive officers is awards of shares of restricted stock under our 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan. For each fiscal year the named executive officers are provided an opportunity to be awarded shares of restricted stock based upon the same normalized corporate financial performance measures established for plan-based cash incentive payments. The targeted number of shares is fixed by the Compensation Committee and represents a specified percentage of the named executive officers annual base salary based upon the average price of our publicly traded shares during the fiscal year prior to the establishment of the share target. This targeted share award amount is communicated to the named executive officers during the second quarter of our fiscal year. Upon completion of the fiscal year and the financial audit, our normalized performance against the financial performance measures is evaluated, a percentage of the targeted award to be actually awarded is determined, reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee and the restricted shares are issued in the name of the named executive officers on either April 1 or May 1 following the completion of the fiscal year. The restricted shares then vest over time, with 50% vesting three years after issuance and the remaining 50% vesting five years after issuance. Prior to vesting the recipient may vote the shares and receive dividends on the restricted shares as granted. If employment ends prior to the expiration of the vesting period for reasons acceptable to the Compensation Committee (death, disability, retirement, etc.) all or a portion of the unvested restricted shares may be allowed to vest. Termination of employment for any other reason will result in forfeiture of all unvested shares. The timing of calculations of opportunities, amounts, awards and vesting dates are made solely for administrative efficiency and without regard to earnings or other major announcements by the Company.
The Company has no equity security ownership guidelines or requirements for the named executive officers.
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Tax Deductibility of Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to the companys CEO or any of the Companys four other most highly compensated executive officers who are employed as of the end of the year. None of the individuals covered by Section 162(m) received taxable compensation in excess of the $1 million limit. The amounts shown in the Summary Compensation Table contain components which are not considered taxable income to the individuals under current Internal Revenue Code provisions. The Company does not presently structure any component of executive compensation to meet the requirements under Section 162(m) for qualifying performance-based compensation (i.e., compensation paid only if the individuals performance meets pre-established objective goals based on performance criteria approved by shareholders).
Potential Impact on Compensation from Executive Misconduct
If the Board should determine that an executive officer has engaged in fraudulent or intentional misconduct, the Board could take action to remedy the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and impose such discipline on the wrongdoers as would be appropriate. Discipline would vary depending on the facts and circumstances, and may include, without limitation, (1) termination of employment, (2) initiating an action for breach of fiduciary duty, and (3) if the misconduct resulted in a restatement of the Companys financial results, seeking reimbursement of any portion of performance-based or incentive compensation paid or awarded to the executive that is greater than would have been paid or awarded if calculated based on the restated financial results. These remedies would be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any actions imposed by law enforcement agencies, regulators or other authorities.
Compensation for the Named Executive Officers in 2011
The specific compensation decisions made for each of the named executive officers for fiscal 2011 reflect the focus on the performance of the Company against specific financial and operational measurements.
A significant portion of each of the named executive officers plan-based incentive compensation is based upon the Companys performance against the normalized corporate financial performance measures and weighting of 1) revenue based on budget (50%), 2) earnings per share based on budget (10%), 3) operating margin based on budget (20%), and 4) ratio of debt to capitalization (20%). Based on the evaluation of the Companys performance against these measures in fiscal 2011, the portion of each named executive officers plan-based incentive compensation was set at 70% of the targeted amount of total bonus target, with weighted performance of 40% for the revenue target, 12% for the operating margin target and 18% for the debt to capitalization ratio. A more detailed analysis of our financial and operational performance is contained in the Managements Discussion & Analysis section of our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
In determining Ms. Kennedys base salary compensation for 2011, the Compensation Committee considered her performance as CEO, the performance of the Company in fiscal 2011 given a challenging economic environment, the general trends of Company performance over the prior several years, outcomes related to growth and development activities and strategic initiatives, market conditions, as well as the responsibilities of the position and her strategic value to the Company. Ms. Kennedy and the Board responded to the economic conditions by establishing the following performance framework (1) outperforming in a tough environment, (2) maintaining and maximizing financial flexibility, (3) optimizing sustainable cost containment and (4) protecting the Companys reputation and long-term strategy. The Committee determined that although Ms. Kennedy performed at a high level, the base salary for Ms. Kennedy would remain flat with the previous year.
With Ms. Kennedys leadership, our senior leaders took actions that delivered results which included performing in a tough environment, maintaining and maximizing financial flexibility, restructuring and performing sustainable cost containment, and protecting the Companys reputation and long-term strategy.
The Compensation Committee believes that Ms. Kennedy performed well in 2011 by executing on the established performance framework and in delivering a strong financial performance during this significantly difficult economic environment. The Compensation Committee believes that the Companys fiscal 2011 reflected leadership decisions
18 | Page
that effectively mitigated revenue deterioration with sustainable cost containment, capital allocation discipline and execution against defined strategic initiatives. In determining the bonus and incentive portions of her compensation for fiscal 2011, the Compensation Committee determined that Ms. Kennedy performed at a high level, and that the discretionary portion of Ms. Kennedys bonus would be set to reflect successful execution against the Board-approved strategic plan and financial deliverables. In light of the Compensation Committees assessment, Ms. Kennedy received a total bonus value (combination of plan-based incentive and discretionary bonus) of $195,416, which was 54.12% of her combined $361,080 total target opportunity. The value will be rewarded with restricted stock granted during fiscal 2012 due to the suspension of the cash bonus in fiscal 2011. The number of shares will be determined based upon the May 1, 2012 grant date. Ms. Kennedy also received 6,117 shares of restricted stock (valued at $187,180 as of the May 1, 2011 grant date) for her fiscal year 2010 leadership performance. The restricted stock is subject to a vesting schedule, with 50% vesting in three years and the remainder vesting in five years. The final value will be determined on the actual vesting date.
In addition, pursuant to the aforementioned fiscal year 2011 performance factors, the Compensation Committee determined that Ms. Kennedy is eligible for a restricted stock award of 7,556 shares, the value of which will be determined based upon the May 1, 2012 grant date. This grant is pursuant to the established long-term incentive plan and based on annual financial performance of the Company.
In determining the base salary compensation of Mr. France, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Houser and Mr. Lynch for fiscal 2011 the Compensation Committee considered the same criteria as for the CEO. The Compensation Committee also considered the recommendations based upon evaluation of individual functional area responsibilities and goals as submitted by the CEO.
In determining the bonus and incentive portions of Mr. Saunders, Mr. Houser and Mr. Lynchs compensation for fiscal 2011 the Compensation Committee determined that the discretionary portion of their bonus should be considered with the criteria for effectively mitigating revenue deterioration with sustainable cost containment, capital allocation discipline and execution against defined strategic initiatives.
James C. France: In fiscal 2011, per Mr. Frances role as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Assistant Treasurer, and adjusted responsibilities, he received no plan-based incentive and a $300 discretionary cash bonus in 2011. Mr. France received an award of 2,859 shares of restricted stock (valued at $87,485 as of the May 1, 2011 grant date) for his fiscal year 2010 leadership performance. The restricted stock is subject to a vesting schedule, with 50% vesting in three years and the remainder vesting in five years. The final value will be determined on the actual vesting date.
Mr. France continues to provide the Company significant benefit from his business and industry expertise, experience and leadership. The Compensation Committee recognizes Mr. Frances significant contribution and as such has determined that for fiscal year 2011, he is eligible for a restricted stock award of 5,037 shares, the value of which will be determined based upon the May 1, 2012 grant date.
John Saunders: Mr. Saunders, in his position as President, had financial objectives that focused on the overall performance of the Company and were the same as Ms. Kennedys.
His strategic and operational goals included providing operational and leadership support for the Companys strategy development and execution against the board approved strategic plan focusing on maintaining and growing the core business, leveraging the core business and driving a top performing organization. Mr. Saunders lead the Companys core business growth activities which included revenue generation and improving performance and cost competitiveness, attacking key elements of pricing strategies and margin rates for the Companys operating units and food & beverage business. In fiscal 2011, Mr. Saunders led the Company in optimizing significant sustainable cost containment.
Although his base salary remained flat in 2011, in light of the Compensation Committee assessment of Mr. Saunders performance in 2011, he received a total bonus value (combination of plan-based incentive and discretionary bonus) of $152,164 which was 54.12% of his combined $281,160 total target opportunity. The value will be rewarded with restricted stock granted in fiscal 2012 due to the suspension of the cash bonus in fiscal 2011. The number of shares will be determined based upon the May 1, 2012 grant date. Mr. Saunders also received 4,322
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shares of restricted stock (valued at $132,253 as of the May 1, 2011 grant date) for his fiscal year 2010 leadership performance. The restricted stock is subject to a vesting schedule, with 50% vesting in three years and the remainder vesting in five years. The final value will be determined on the actual vesting date.
In addition, the Compensation Committee determined, based on Mr. Saunders significant performance in fiscal year 2011, that he is eligible for a restricted stock award of 7,556 shares, the value of which will be determined upon the May 1, 2012 grant date. This grant is pursuant to the established long-term incentive plan and based on annual financial performance of the Company.
Daniel Houser: Mr. Houser has been our Chief Financial Officer since 2008 and is also a Senior Vice President of the Company. Mr. Housers financial objectives as the leader of our finance organization, focused on the overall performance of the Company. His strategic and operational goals focused on providing operational support in achieving financial goals, including serving as the process driver for sustainable cost containment deliverables, maintaining balance sheet management and leading the Companys relationship with rating agencies.
Although his base salary remained flat in 2011, in light of the Compensation Committee assessment of Mr. Housers performance in fiscal 2011, he received a total bonus value (combination of plan-based incentive and discretionary bonus) of $65,918, which was 54.12% of his combined $121,800 total target opportunity. The value will be rewarded with restricted stock granted in fiscal 2012 due to the suspension of the cash bonus in fiscal 2011. The number of shares will be determined based upon the May 1, 2012 grant date. Mr. Houser also received 2,484 shares of restricted stock (valued at $76,010 as of the May 1, 2011 grant date) for his performance in fiscal year 2010. The restricted stock is subject to a vesting schedule, with 50% vesting in three years and the remainder vesting in five years. The final value will be determined on the actual vesting date.
In addition, the Compensation Committee determined, based on Mr. Housers fiscal year 2011 performance, that he is eligible for a restricted stock award of 4,366 shares, the value of which will be determined upon the May 1, 2012 grant date. This grant is pursuant to the established long-term incentive plan and based on annual financial performance of the Company.
Grant Lynch: Mr. Lynch, in his position as Vice President ISC Strategic Initiatives, had financial objectives that focused on the overall performance of the Company, as well as goals and objectives for his functional area of responsibility in leading the strategic and operational performance of Talladega Superspeedway, one of the Companys premier facilities. His strategic goals included creating interest and demand for product, as well as focusing on elements of pricing strategies and margin rates to drive customer retention. Mr. Lynch provided critical operational leadership in driving key guest experience deliverables and facility operations compliance. The Compensation Committee, based on Mr. Lynchs fiscal year 2011 performance, determined a total bonus value (combination of plan-based incentive and discretionary bonus) of $29,897 which was a 44.7% payout of his combined $66,884 total target opportunity. The value will be rewarded with restricted stock granted in fiscal 2012 due to the suspension of the cash bonus in fiscal 2011. The number of shares will be determined based upon the May 1, 2012 grant date. Mr. Lynch also received a grant of 2,208 shares of restricted stock (valued at $67,565 as of the May 1, 2011 grant date) for his fiscal year 2010 performance. The restricted stock is subject to a vesting schedule, with 50% vesting in three years and the remainder vesting in five years. The final value will be determined on the actual vesting date.
In addition, the Compensation Committee determined, based on his fiscal year 2011 performance, that Mr. Lynch is eligible for a restricted stock award of 3,647 shares, the value of which will be determined upon the May 1, 2012 grant date. This grant is pursuant to the established long-term incentive plan and based on annual financial performance of the Company.
Restricted stock awards are based on the same factors that the Compensation Committee uses to evaluate and determine plan-based incentive and discretionary cash bonus.
We provide our named executive officers with other benefits, reflected in the All Other Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table, that we believe are reasonable, competitive and consistent with our overall compensation program. The costs of these benefits constitute only a small percentage of each named executive
20 | Page
officers total compensation, and include premiums paid on life insurance policies and Company contributions to a 401(k) plan. The named executive officers also participate in the standard health insurance benefits offered to all employees. We also provide the use of a car provided by the Company and comprehensive physical examinations every other year. The named executive officers are encouraged to attend events at the motorsports entertainment facilities operated by the Company as part of their job function and permitted to bring a guest with them to these events at no charge to the executive.
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Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Bonus (2) ($) |
Stock Awards (3)($) |
Non- Equity sation (4) ($) |
All Other ($) |
Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lesa France Kennedy Vice Chairman and CEO |
|
2011 2010 2009 |
|
$ $ $ |
604,115 604,115 540,000 |
|
$ $ $ |
300 104,291 58,703 |
|
$ $ $ |
187,180 123,951 57,006 |
|
$ $ $ |
86,659 93,525 |
|
$ $ $ |
18,596 18,340 20,546 |
|
$ $ $ |
810,191 937,356 769,780 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
James C. France Chairman and Asst. Treasurer |
|
2011 2010 2009 |
|
$ $ $ |
400,801 400,801 400,000 |
|
$ $ $ |
300 300 300 |
|
$ $ $ |
87,485 59,072 94,907 |
|
$ $ $ |
|
|
$ $ $ |
18,366 29,210 59,401 |
|
$ $ $ |
506,952 489,383 554,608 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
John R. Saunders President |
|
2011 2010 2009 |
|
$ $ $ |
513,166 513,166 425,850 |
|
$ $ $ |
300 81,274 40,450 |
|
$ $ $ |
132,253 85,874 37,679 |
|
$ $ $ |
89,971 64,240 |
|
$ $ $ |
41,669 41,036 35,609 |
|
$ $ $ |
687,388 811,321 603,828 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Daniel W. Houser SVP, CFO, Treasurer |
|
2011 2010 2009 |
|
$ $ $ |
291,115 291,115 245,000 |
|
$ $ $ |
200 35,278 15,754 |
|
$ $ $ |
76,010 50,332 25,119 |
|
$ $ $ |
38,976 33,875 |
|
$ $ $ |
34,055 33,310 30,638 |
|
$ $ $ |
401,380 449,011 350,386 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
W. Grant Lynch, Jr. VP ISC Strategic Initiatives (1) |
|
2011 2010 |
|
$ $ |
295,371 332,775 |
|
$ $ |
200 34,470 |
|
$ $ |
67,565 44,740 |
|
$ $ |
28,642 |
|
$ $ |
27,452 26,852 |
|
$ $ |
390,588 467,479 |
|
(1) | The change in base pay for Mr. Lynch in fiscal 2011 is a result of a restructuring of overall position responsibilities for a defined focus as the business unit leader for Talladega Superspeedway. |
(2) | Amounts shown in this column for fiscal 2011 represent amounts for a small holiday bonus based on seniority. There were no cash bonuses awarded for services performed during fiscal 2011. |
(3) | Stock Awards were granted pursuant to our 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The amounts for Stock Awards reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of such awards, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718. See Note 13 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our fiscal 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information concerning this plan and related Stock Awards and valuation assumptions. |
(4) | There are no amounts reflected under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation colum as there were no awards made for the corporate profitability incentive for fiscal 2011. For additional information on our annual incentive compensation plan for management, please see the discussion labeled Compensation for the Named Executive Officers in 2011 beginning on page 18 herein. |
(5) | Amounts shown under the All Other Compensation column represent amounts paid for basic employee benefits available to all employees (i.e. group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group health insurance, long term disability insurance, and short term disability coverage), the annual lease value of Company-provided vehicles, travel related costs of guests in connection with attending events at the motorsports entertainment facilities operated by the Company, a NASCAR banquet, other business related travel, as well as other personal travel, and 401(K) contributions. Although the coverage limits for Life Insurance and long term disability are different for officers, the cost incurred by the Company to provide the executive benefit is the same as the cost for basic employee benefits. |
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Grant Date Fair Value of |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date |
Author- ization Date |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
Stock and Option Awards (4) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Threshold (1)($) |
Target (2)($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (1)(#) |
Target (#)(3) |
Maximum (#) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lesa France Kennedy |
|
11/30/11 5/1/11 |
|
|
11/10/11 4/4/11 |
|
$ | $ | 144,432 | $ | 216,648 | | 12,200 | 18,300 | $ | 187,180 | ||||||||||||||||||
James C. France |
|
11/30/11 5/1/11 |
|
|
11/10/11 4/4/11 |
|
$ | $ | | $ | | | 5,719 | 8,579 | $ | 87,485 | ||||||||||||||||||
John R. Saunders |
|
11/30/11 5/1/2011 |
|
|
11/10/11 4/4/11 |
|
$ | $ | 112,464 | $ | 168,696 | | 8,578 | 12,867 | $ | 132,253 | ||||||||||||||||||
Daniel W. Houser |
|
11/30/11 5/1/11 |
|
|
11/10/11 4/4/11 |
|
$ | $ | 48,720 | $ | 73,080 | | 4,956 | 7,434 | $ | 76,010 | ||||||||||||||||||
W. Grant Lynch, Jr. |
|
11/30/11 5/1/11 |
|
|
11/10/11 4/4/11 |
|
$ | $ | 20,065 | $ | 46,818 | | 4,384 | 6,576 | $ | 67,565 |
(1) | No thresholds are provided for in the applicable plan. The final award is determined through a calculation based on the weighted measurements as described below, and using the same formula as the equity based cash payout along with a discretionary amount based on performance against individual goals and achievement. |
(2) | A significant portion of each of the named executive officers plan-based non-equity incentive compensation is based upon the Companys actual performance against the budgeted normalized corporate financial performance measures approved by the Board. The approved measurements are weighted to calculate the total target, detailed as follows: (1) Revenue 50%, (2) Operating Margin 20%, (3) Earnings Per Share 10%, and (4) Ratio of Debt to Total Capitalization 20%. The calculated variance percentage of actual performance compared to budgeted performance is then used to determine the percentage payout for each respective measure, as represented in Table 1. Based on the evaluation of the Companys performance against these measures for fiscal 2011, the portion of each named executive officers plan-based incentive compensation was set at 70% of the targeted amount of the total bonus target, with weighted performance as follows: (1) Revenue 40%, (2) Operating Margin 12%, (3) Earnings Per Share 0%, and (4) Ratio of Debt to Total Capitalization 18%. A more detailed analysis of our financial and operational performance is contained in the Managements Discussion & Analysis section of our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. |
Table 1
Percent Variance | Payout | |||
|
||||
> + 10% |
Discretionary | |||
³ 0.0% |
100% | |||
£ - 2.5% |
90% | |||
£ - 5.0% |
80% | |||
£ - 6.5% |
70% | |||
£ - 8.5% |
60% | |||
£ - 10.0% |
50% | |||
> 10.0% |
0% |
23 | Page
(3) | The targeted number of shares is fixed by the Compensation Committee and represents a specified percentage of the named executive officers annual base salary based upon the average price of our publicly traded shares during the fiscal year prior to the establishment of the share target. This targeted share award amount is communicated to the named executive officers during the second quarter of our fiscal year. Upon completion of the fiscal year and the financial audit, our normalized performance against the financial performance measures is evaluated, a percentage of the targeted award to be actually awarded is determined, reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee and the restricted shares are issued in the name of the named executive officers on either April 1 or May 1 following the completion of the fiscal year. The maximum amount of the award is 1.5 times the target. Payout of the award is determined by actual performance against the budgeted normalized corporate financial performance measures approved by the Board. The approved measurements are weighted to calculate the total target, detailed as follows: (1) Revenue, (2), Operating Margin, (3) Earnings Per Share, and (4) Ratio of Debt to Total Capitalization, as well as actual performance against annual individual goals and objectives. |
(4) | The Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock granted pursuant to our 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718. See Note 13 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our fiscal 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information concerning this plan and related Stock Awards and valuation assumptions. |
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
Stock Awards | ||||||||||||
Name | Number of Shares of Stock That Have Not |
Market Value of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested (2) | ||||||||||
Lesa France Kennedy |
16,063 | $ | 395,150 | |||||||||
James C. France |
14,599 | $ | 359,135 | |||||||||
John R. Saunders |
10,843 | $ | 266,738 | |||||||||
Daniel W. Houser |
6,388 | $ | 157,145 | |||||||||
Grant Lynch |
6,268 | $ | 154,193 |
(1) | The table below shows the vesting dates for the number of shares of common stock underlying unvested restricted stock grants reflected in the Number of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested column: |
Name | Vesting Date | Restricted Stock | ||||||||||
Lesa France Kennedy |
|
04/01/2012 04/01/2013 05/01/2013 04/01/2014 05/01/2014 05/01/2015 05/01/2016 |
|
|
3,357 1,249 2,028 1,284 3,059 2,028 3,058 |
| ||||||
James C. France |
|
04/01/2012 04/01/2013 05/01/2013 04/01/2014 05/01/2014 05/01/2015 05/01/2016 |
|
|
5,589 2,080 967 2,138 1,430 966 1,429 |
|
24 | Page
John R. Saunders |
|
04/01/2012 04/01/2013 05/01/2013 04/01/2014 05/01/2014 05/01/2015 05/01/2016 |
|
|
2,105 757 1,405 849 2,161 1,405 2,161 |
| ||||
Daniel W. Houser |
|
04/01/2012 04/01/2013 05/01/2013 04/01/2014 05/01/2014 05/01/2015 05/01/2016 |
|
|
1,268 423 824 566 1,242 823 1,242 |
| ||||
Grant Lynch |
|
04/01/2012 04/01/2013 05/01/2013 04/01/2014 05/01/2014 05/01/2015 05/01/2016 |
|
|
1,479 551 732 566 1,104 732 1,104 |
|
(2) | Amounts are calculated by multiplying $24.60, the closing price of our common stock on November 30, 2011, by the applicable number of shares. |
25 | Page
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
Stock Awards | ||||||||||||
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting (1) ($) | ||||||||||
Lesa France Kennedy |
3,637 | $ | 108,383 | |||||||||
James C. France |
6,055 | $ | 180,439 | |||||||||
John R. Saunders |
2,204 | $ | 65,679 | |||||||||
Daniel W. Houser |
1,233 | $ | 36,743 | |||||||||
W. Grant Lynch, Jr. |
1,603 | $ | 47,769 |
(1) | Amounts are calculated by multiplying $29.80, the market value of our common stock on the date of stock vesting, April 1, 2011, by the number of shares. |
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
The only potential payments for any of the named executive officers are related to the unvested shares of restricted stock as shown in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End above. Upon the occurrence of a change of control as defined in the individual participant plans for all participants in the restricted stock incentive program all of the unvested shares would immediately vest for each participant. There are no other arrangements to be disclosed pursuant to this item.
Name | Number of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Payment upon a Change-in-Control (2)($) | ||||||||||
Lesa France Kennedy (1) |
16,063 | $ | 395,150 | |||||||||
James C. France (1) |
14,599 | $ | 359,135 | |||||||||
John R. Saunders (1) |
10,843 | $ | 266,738 | |||||||||
Daniel W. Houser (1) |
6,388 | $ | 157,145 | |||||||||
Grant Lynch (1) |
6,268 | $ | 154,193 |
(1) | Change-in-Control is defined in the individual participant plans for all participants in the restricted stock incentive program. A copy of the plan is on file with the SEC in connection with our Form S-8 registration statement, filed on February 11, 2010. |
(2) | Amounts are calculated by multiplying $24.60, the closing price of our common stock on November 30, 2011, by the applicable number of shares. |
We pay our non-employee directors:
| a $20,000 annual cash fee; |
| an annual grant of restricted Class A common stock in an amount equal to $30,000 based on the stock price on the grant date of such restricted stock; |
| a cash fee of $750 for each meeting of the board of directors attended; |
| a cash fee of $500 for each meeting of each committee (other than the Audit Committee) of the board of directors attended; |
| members of the Audit Committee are paid a cash fee of $750 for each meeting of the Audit Committee attended; and |
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| the chairman of the Audit Committee is paid an additional $5,000 annual cash fee. |
The stock awards granted to each non-employee director are issued pursuant to the 2006 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. These stock awards vest after one year. All meeting fees are paid at the time of the meeting.
In addition, we also reimburse directors for all expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
No director received perquisites and personal benefits with a total value of $10,000 or more during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011.
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1) |
Stock Awards ($) (2) |
Total ($) | |||||||||||||||
Larry Aiello, Jr. (3) |
$ | 33,250 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 63,250 | ||||||||||||
J. Hyatt Brown (3) |
$ | 30,000 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 60,000 | ||||||||||||
Edsel B. Ford, II (3) |
$ | 26,000 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 56,000 | ||||||||||||
Brian Z. France (3) |
$ | 23,000 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 53,000 | ||||||||||||
William P. Graves (3) |
$ | 28,250 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 58,250 | ||||||||||||
Christy F. Harris (3) |
$ | 26,000 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 56,000 | ||||||||||||
Morteza Hosseini-Kargar (3) |
$ | 24,500 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 54,500 | ||||||||||||
Edward H. Rensi (3) |
$ | 26,750 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 56,750 | ||||||||||||
Lloyd E. Reuss (3) |
$ | 25,000 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 55,000 | ||||||||||||
Thomas W. Staed (3) |
$ | 27,500 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 57,500 |
(1) | Amounts shown in the Fees Earned or Paid in Cash column represent the sum of all annual fee and meeting fee cash payments made to the indicated directors during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011. It does not include any expense reimbursement. |
(2) | Stock Awards were granted pursuant to our 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The amounts for Stock Awards reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of such awards, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718. See Note 13 Long-Term Incentive Plan to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our fiscal 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information concerning this plan and related Stock Awards and valuation assumptions. |
(3) | As of November 30, 2011 the non-employee directors held the following shares of restricted stock and stock options to acquire shares of our Class A common stock: |
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Name | Aggregate Option Awards Outstanding at 11/30/2011 (1)(#) |
Number of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested (1)(#) | ||||||||||
Larry Aiello, Jr. |
11,684 | 1,056 | ||||||||||
J. Hyatt Brown |
12,391 | 1,056 | ||||||||||
Edsel B. Ford, II |
10,929 | 1,056 | ||||||||||
Brian Z. France |
15,026 | 1,056 | ||||||||||
William P. Graves |
11,627 | 1,056 | ||||||||||
Christy F. Harris |
15,985 | 1,056 | ||||||||||
Morteza Hosseini-Kargar |
11,839 | 1,056 | ||||||||||
Edward H. Rensi |
14,525 | 1,056 | ||||||||||
Lloyd E. Reuss |
16,045 | 1,056 | ||||||||||
Thomas W. Staed |
14,245 | 1,056 |
(1) | Stock and Option Awards were granted pursuant to our 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. See also Note 13 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our fiscal year 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information concerning this plan and related Stock and Option Awards and valuation assumptions. |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee members whose names appear on the Compensation Committee Report below were committee members during all of fiscal year 2011. No member of the Compensation Committee is or has been a former or current executive officer of the Company or had any relationships requiring disclosure by the Company under the SECs rules requiring disclosure of certain relationships and related party transactions. None of the Companys executive officers served as a director or a member of a compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity that has or has had one or more executive officers who served as a director or member of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this information statement and our annual report on Form 10-K.
Edward H. Rensi
Edsel B. Ford, II
Lloyd E. Reuss
Thomas W. Staed
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* | Assumes $100 investment in the common stock of International Speedway Corporation, Nasdaq Stocks SIC 7900-7999 (US Companies) and Nasdaq Stock Market Indices on November 30, 2006 (US Companies) with dividend reinvestment. |
The rules of the SEC require us to provide a line graph covering at least the last five fiscal years and comparing the yearly percentage change in our total shareholder return on a class of our common stock with the cumulative total return of a broad equity index, assuming reinvestment of dividends, and the cumulative total return, assuming reinvestment of dividends, of a published industry or line-of-business index; peer issuers selected in good faith; or issuers with similar market capitalization. The graph above compares the cumulative total five year return of our class A common stock with that of the NASDAQ Stock Market Index (U.S. Companies) and with the 40 NASDAQ issues (U.S. companies) listed in SIC codes 7900-7999, which encompasses service businesses in the amusement, sports and recreation industry, including indoor operations that are not subject to the impact of weather on operations, and pari-mutual and other wagering operations. We conduct large outdoor sporting and entertainment events that are subject to the impact of weather. The stock price shown has been estimated from the high and low prices for each quarter for which the close is not available. Because of the unique nature of our business and the fact that public information is available concerning only a limited number of companies involved in the same line of business, and no public information is available concerning other companies in our line of business, we do not believe that the information presented above is meaningful.
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With respect to the election of directors, the person receiving a plurality of the votes cast by shares entitled to vote for the position being filled shall be elected. We know of no other items to come before the meeting other than those stated above. On any other item that should come before the meeting, the matter shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast by shares entitled to vote at the meeting.
In advance of the meeting we may appoint one or more inspectors of election or judges of the vote, as the case may be, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. In case any person who may be appointed as an inspector or judge fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled at the meeting by the person presiding. In case of dispute the inspectors or judges, if any, shall determine the number of shares of stock outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares of stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots and consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate votes, ballots and consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. On request of the person presiding at the meeting, the inspector or inspectors or judge or judges, if any, shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question or matter determined by him or them, and execute a certificate of any fact found by him or them.
DISSENTERS RIGHT OF APPRAISAL
We do not anticipate that any matter will be acted upon at the meeting that would give rise to rights of appraisal or similar rights of dissenters.
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, information statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the internet at the SECs web site at http://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, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. You can also obtain information about us at the offices of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, 1735 K St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
By Order of the Board of Directors
W. Garrett Crotty
Senior Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
March 1, 2012
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Driven to be the world leader in motorsports entertainment by providing
superior, innovative and thrilling guest experiences.
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