From his earliest childhood days, Jeff Byrd seemed destined to a career in sports. An avid fan of all sports, Byrd briefly played football at Wake Forest University, where he earned his B.A. in history and politics in 1972 and worked in the sports information office.
Following his father’s footsteps, Byrd’s first post-collegiate opportunity landed him as a sportswriter for the Winston-Salem Journal. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.’s fledgling sports marketing department quickly recognized his knowledge and potential, and hired Byrd to help develop, first, NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series then facilities across the country.
Byrd then managed RJR’s sports-marketing involvement in a broad range of motorsports, sailing and golf. His relationships with competitors and organizers, and especially his understanding of sports fans, spurred growth and success for his company and those his company served – notably NASCAR and NHRA – ultimately earning him the role of Vice President of Business Development.
In 1996, after Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI), purchased Bristol Motor Speedway, SMI CEO O. Bruton Smith tabbed Byrd as the Speedway and Dragway Vice President and General Manager. SMI promoted Byrd to President and General Manager in 2002 after he helped establish Bristol’s place as the premiere motorsports facility in the country. During his tenure, several publications named Bristol Motor Speedway among the top sports venues in the world. Jeff died October 17th, 2010.