Grant Lynch, longtime leader of Talladega Superspeedway, dies at 71
Grant Lynch, who guided Talladega Superspeedway for 26 years with an unwavering devotion to improving the fan experience, died Thursday morning. He was 71.
Lynch was president and later chairman of the 2.66-mile Alabama track until his retirement after the 2019 NASCAR season, which marked the facility’s 50th anniversary. He was honored the previous year with the Buddy Shuman Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations whose efforts and contributions have helped advance the sport of stock car racing.
Lynch, a South Dakota native, spent 10 years with R.J. Reynolds’ sports marketing group before coming to Talladega, first as its general manager before being named track president in the fall of 1993, succeeding current NASCAR executive Mike Helton. At his appointment, Lynch said his goal was to make Talladega “the most fan-friendly place on the circuit.” He was also a staunch advocate for the style of high-speed racing that the steeply banked trioval produces.
“Quite frankly, in my opinion, this is the most exciting race track in the world,” Lynch told the Associated Press in 1998. “You see guys here racing side by side, lap after lap. Nobody in the stands sits down.”
Lynch oversaw multiple projects to bring more modern touches to Talladega, the last of which was a $50 million transformation of the track’s infield in 2019. The first race for the track’s new amenities was also the 100th for the NASCAR Cup Series. Lynch served as grand marshal and gave the command to start engines.
“I’ll be going out in November, but I get to build one last big project for the Frances,” Lynch told NASCAR.com that year. “I got to build some others, but I’m looking forward to doing this as kind of my swan song. Then I’m going to go do what I want every day.”
NASCAR released an official statement Thursday afternoon: “Grant Lynch’s leadership, vision and larger-than-life personality helped make Talladega Superspeedway one of the most iconic and fan-friendly venues in all of motorsports. As the track’s longtime president and later chairman, he guided Talladega through more than two decades of growth and transformation while building lasting relationships with fans, competitors and colleagues across the industry. From his time with R.J. Reynolds, Talladega and even into retirement, Grant was not only a trusted leader but also a cherished friend to so many in the NASCAR family. NASCAR extends its heartfelt condolences to Grant’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
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